Day 7: Luxor

We had to leave the cruise this morning which was really sad. I could have used a couple more days just floating on the Nile. Our first stop of the day was Valley of the Kings. I don’t know what I was expecting but what I say wasn’t it. It was still really neat though. We couldn’t take any pictures in the tomb so all you’ll get to see is what the valley looks like. I would have loved to have been there in the early 1900’s when all the major excavation of the valley was going on!
Now common sense would tell you that the most exquisite tombs would be the kings but ironically enough theirs are the least ornate. The Queen’s are better than the Kings, the Nobles better than the Queens, and finally the best tombs are those of the workers. Go figure! Something else I found that was really interesting was that the Valley is the most visited site in Egypt. I would have guessed the Pyramids.
We drove by Queen Hatshepsut temple which I was excited about because she was the only female pharaoh. But once I learned the entire thing was fake I was glad we only stopped for a picture.
Next was the Worker’s Valley. These tombs are much smaller but the paintings on the wall look like they were done yesterday! Like I said earlier, these tombs are even more elaborate than the King’s tombs. Early Christians used to hide in these tombs so in many of them the walls have been defaced and are covered by lots of crosses. This is the only example of a worker’s city that has ever been found.
We made a visit to an Alabaster factory. I spent WAY too much money here but it was worth it. We got there and had a short “lecture” about the different types of alabaster and how they make it into different shapes. Alabaster is only found in the city of Luxor. This company is family run and they have made an effort to make all their pieces by hand, much like they were done in bible times.
By this point I was about to fall asleep. We didn’t get to bed until after midnight and was up at 5:30. So next stop was the temple of Karnak. It was incredibly HOT! This is considered “THE” temple, the place everyone wanted to come to. The temple itself cover 102 acres, the entire thing covers over 167 acres. It took over 200 years to complete and is 26 times as large as ancient Jerusalem.
I saw my first example of a mud brick ramp here. They are used to take the stones to a higher level. Stones were drug by men and oxen up the ramps on wooden sleds. Women would wet down the dirt with a mixture of fat, water, milk and other things to make the sleds slide easier.
Then it was time for more shopping! I wasn’t planning on spending any more today but my future roommate was a little TOO persuasive and the sales man was a little TOO good at his job! I’m sure you’re wondering by now where we were at. We were at Al-Fayed Perfumery. This is a factory where they remove the oil from flowers by wooden presses and leave them sitting for at least 6 months creating the essences that are then diluted for perfumes. You may recognize the name from the man who was in the car-crash with Princess Diana. Anyway it only takes 3 drops of essence in 50mL of water to make the type of perfume you would buy in the store. We had the best time trying on the different types. We got to smell scents that are related to the bible, such as frankincense and myrrh. Personally I think myrrh stinks!
Just when we thought the day might be over, wrong again. Still one more temple… Luxor! Half the temple was dedicated to Amenusis III and half to Ramses II. Moses most likely was found near this temple. He was found during the summer and this is where the royal family lived during the summer. The royal family was educated here so in all likely-hood he was taught THERE! There was a Mosque built on-top of the temple for this very reason. I really enjoyed getting to see the Road of the Sphinx. There are only 60 something left but they used to line the road all the way from Luxor to Karnak. Below each sphinx was a statue of guess who, that’s right Ramses II. The man really LOVED to look at himself!
Well that’s all I’ve got for now. We’re back on the train and I’m exhausted! I don’t think I’m going to sleep real well tonight and I’ve got another 5:30 wake-up call. One more full day… I’m ready to be stationary again but I don’t want to leave Egypt!
Love, Rebecca

Day 7 Pictures: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2004574&l=b6d52&id=1523040053