Both Allyson and I got very excited and decided right then and there that we were never going to be able to travel like normal people again. Our friend who had checked us in upgraded our seats to first class. We were so pampered I didn't even have to move my seat up and down, the stewardess did it for me so I wouldn't be woken.
Once we arrived in Luxor we were driven to our Boat the Nile Plaza. We initially drove up to the Sheraton hotel and where we got out of the van.
Then we had to walk through construction and work men sitting along the nile taking a break. It was a little run down and dirty. We were really surprised at how nice the boat was once we boarded. We walked around awhile taking pictures and taking in the sights. 
It was amusing to see the four life boats that were going to save us if anything was to happen. 
As soon as we got on the boat we threw on our bathing suits and soaked up the sun for two hours, then joined table three four lunch. At lunch we met Clive and Michelle, and Marco and Michael. They were all from South Africa and we spent the entire time on the boat with them, going on tours, sitting in the sun and hanging out in the evening. We even got to the point of giving each other nick names. Mainly because Clive was unable to keep our names straight and Marco when I first introduced myself thought that I said Moira and not until the third or forth meal did he realize that was not actually my name. However, it did stick for the five days whenever anyone really needed something.
Our first stop with our new group was the Temple of Karnak.
At the temple we had to walk through the avenue of the Sphinx,
between the various columns
to the open path where we were able to see Hatsheptsut's Obelisk. As we walked through the columns we could see very vivid hieroglyphs etched into the walls, some of which were still brightly colored and untouched by weather and sand.
Once Amir finally let us leave his side and venture into the temple ourselves Allyson and I went to see the Sacred Lake where the worshipers would go before entering the Temple to bath themselves and cleanse themselves of any sins that they may have.
Right in front of the lake was a statue of a scarab beetle that Amir had told us was a place to get good luck. If you walked around the scarab beetle ten times counter clockwise then a wish would come true. Allyson and I figured why not and walked with the masses whispering our wish inside our heads. Later that day we found out that walking around did not mean good luck but walking five times around actually was to increase your fertility and chances of giving birth. We are hoping that Amir was correct and not the other source.
After the Temple of Karnak, where we returned late to the bus, along with Clive and Michelle and got reprimanded by Amir we were off to the Temple of Luxor or the Roman Sanctuary depending on what time period you are referring to and what religion.
This Temple was in the center of Luxor and Allyson and I had passed it several times while we drove from the airport to various locations before reaching the boat. 
It is the location of the best preserved statue of Ramses II.
At the entrance, there were four baboons underneath the massive statue, representing them laughing at sunrise and being tide to the Sun God RA.
Inside the temple at the very back, we reached the part that was modeled by the Roman's as a Sanctuary. There were no hieroglyphics present and it very much resembled paintings and statues of a Church. It was interesting to walk from one time period to another within the same walls and columns. It was a collision of religions and a true demonstration of how different buildings had been used throughout the years.
No comments:
Post a Comment