Why did the day start so early….well it is a Muslim holiday so the majority of Muslims are on vacation so there are a lot less people to do the same number of things. Once again we were travelling in a convoy of about 40 buses, vans and cars and we all had to go through the security check point before we could move on. This involved guys with guns, a guy checking the underside of the bus with a mirror and every bus being counted again and again. A couple guys on a motorbike tried to get through between buses and this lead to them being physically dragged off the bike by 5 police men and a little bit of a fight. Interesting to see. Because there were so many buses we actually had to sit there longer. They let so many buses through then they were escorted out, then they checked the next group and then they got escorted out and so on. We were then allowed to continue on our way. It seemed like every few kilometres or so we would run into another checkpoint with guards and guns and a lookout tower although I slept most of the journey so am not sure how many. Just for reference, the guns these guy carry appear to be 1970 issue Soviet weapons but I am told they still work just fine.
When we arrived at Abu Simple there were a few more instructions to ensure that we would be back in time to travel with the convoy and find the correct bus in all the confusion. It was then in to see Abu Simple. This temple was built for Rameses the Second. While all of his other temples and tombs were being built at the capital at the time, Luxor, he built this one temple here on an old gold mine. It was Nubian land at the time and Rameses wanted then to have a place where they could worship him. Also he wanted to keep his hand on the gold in the area. And although I say the temples were built “here” they are in fact not in the original location they were built. A dam was built some years ago and flooded the original location. There were originally 15 temples on the site but the two that we see now were deemed the most important so were dismantled brick by brick and then reassembled at their current location. The second smaller temple was built for Rameses' most prized wife, Neferteri.
Me with Neferteri's Temple
Rameses did a couple things with his temple. One was that the representation of his wife was the same size as himself. Normally the pharaoh would be represented much larger and god-like. It took 25 years to build his temple.
Me with Abu Simple...and a few random people
It took so long because he has some very specific plans. The sun was only to shine into the temple twice a year, February 21 and October 21. When they moved the temple to its current location they were off by a few degrees and now the sun shines into the temple on February 22 and October 22. I guess all the new technology can’t compare to what they did thousands of years ago.
A closer look at Abu Simple. If you look very closely at the top you can see a white spot. That is a member of the tourism police keeping a "close" eye on things. I guess he is the sniper of the group.
Of course you cannot take pictures inside but I do have a set of prints that were taken so I will be able to share but you will have to see my photo album. Some people still tried to do it though. One guy was walking around with his camera around his neck sneaking shots. The guards there saw him and made him turn it off. He is lucky they did not take his camera.
We then loaded back on to the bus for the 3.5 hour ride back to Aswan. Lots of driving compared to not so much time at the temple but hey I’m in Egypt. I am thankful to have spent anytime here so I will not complain. Although I did sleep a bunch on the way back I did stay awake a bunch as well to watch Egypt fly by. This part of the country is a lot of vast nothingness….just desert but every once in a while something will appear... like Military bases, complete with tanks and soldiers out taking target practice. There were big signs (in English and Arabic) saying no pictures…..so I didn’t take any.
The Washington Monument also appeared. Ok so it just looks like it. Never did find out what it was for, and it is not as tall as it looks.
Some random buildings...maybe housing, that we passed during the trip.
Before we got back to the cruise ship we stopped by a perfume and glass shop. They showed us how they make essence and the different uses for many of the scents. They actually sold the essence for many perfumes like Channel #5 and Escape and Hugo Boss for Men. The difference is that they have alcohol in them and these were just pure concentrated essence. They also sold all kinds of little bottles of hand blown glasss. Lots of cute little bottles that you can put the essence in. I did have to buy some glass but I passed on the essence.
Another random building. You can see the domed ceilings I was talking about in the Nubian homes. Once again used to help with air circulation and keeping the houses cool.
The plan was then to head to the local shops…..however most of them were closed due to the holiday. Some of the girls still went but I decided to catch some sun on the boat…..and to sit down and write down the day’s events. The boat is actually moving right not. Not sure where it is heading as we are not scheduled to set sail until around 0330 (3:30am). I am sure we can’t be going far.
Well, if you can’t tell I am writing this in segments throughout the day. I have just gotten back from the evening entertainment on the boat. It was a Nubian dance with all the traditional drumming and singing. It was really good. Of course it was audience participation required so we were all able to take part.
Oh and the boat did not go far at all. It actually just moved so that the boat beside it could get out and then a couple more boats came in. Caroline and I have lost our nice view but no worries. It is dark now anyways.
After a drink and some more music it is off to bed. Another early day tomorrow.
Julie
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