Egyptian treasures slowly being found

I was so dismayed to see precious artifacts housed in the Cairo Museum's stolen and damaged during the Egyptian Revolution. I was there only two weeks prior --- and as a individual who's not big on museum --- I admit,was absolutely fascinated. Each ancient artifact had an amazing story behind it.

So it was great to hear that these priceless pieces are slowly being recovered. So far 23 of the 54 objects missing have been found.

Picture by Jaya Bird: Cairo Market

Images of the Egyptian Revolution

It's still hard for me to believe I left Cairo less than two weeks before the revolution. Watching the uprising in Tahir Square on television was surreal and in the end uplifting. Egypt still has a way long way to go towards democracy, women's rights and giving it's people the stability and voice they deserve and have every right to but it's amazing to watch the first steps in that direction.

A couple weeks ago, my friend and former tour guide, Hoda voted on amendments to Egypt's Constitution --- it was the first time she ever voted - I hate to sound like the older relatives but wow how we take it all for granted.

Check out this incredible slideshow by Eman Helal, a 25 year-old Egyptian journalist took of the protest in Tahir Square:

The Egyptian Revolution Thru The Lens of Eman Helal from tewfic el-sawy on Vimeo.

Picture by Jayabird: The world famous Sphinx and Pyramids just outside Cairo.

Balloon Ride over the Valley of the Kings

We were awoken at 4:50am on our last full day in Egypt. It had already been a full and wonderful --- if not exhausting --- trip thus far. However, we were definitely excited as we boarded a motorboat that took us the west bank of Luxor. There where we climbed aboard a hot air balloon to view the Valley of the Kings and the Nile River from high in the sky.

The Hot Air Balloon Pilot was dressed exactly like an airline pilot and deftly steered our balloon through the immense Valley. As we floated along, he pointed out the sun rising over the Nile, the sugarcane fields, ancient ruins and the temple of Queen Hatshepsut.

Hatshepsut was known to dress like a man during her reign and powerfully ruled Egypt for over 20 years. She defined "girl power" long before Cleopatra, Katherine the Great, Queen Elizabeth I, -- and of course the Spice Girls and Oprah.





Picture One by Angie: Riding in a hot air balloon: Rowan (Australia), Me, Okan (Turkey/England).
Picture Two by Eva: Enjoying some morning tea during our motorboat ride to the west bank of Luxor: Okan (Tukey/England), Rowan (Australia), Me, Angie (Australia/England), Domenic (Australia).
Picture Three by Jaya Bird: Heading towards our Hot Air Balloon.
Picture Four by Jaya Bird: A view of the sun rising over the Nile River -- taken from our hot air balloon.
Picture Five by Jaya Bird: Hot Air Balloons over sugar cane fields.

Sailing down the Nile

At about 10am our group left Aswan by motorboat. We then boarded our Bob Marley themed Felucca to begin our sail down the Nile. The rest of the day was spent sunning,reading, playing uno and gin rummy and eating...and eating.
After a day of lounging for several hours "Cleopatra style" we all went up to the upper deck to enjoy the sunset over the Nile - absolutely amazing.
We docked the felucca just after dinner and joined our crew on the bank of the Nile. We gathered around a bonfire, learned a few Nubian songs and danced. A little while later we all retired to the lower level of the felucca and slept sleepover style in a circle (Egypt is cold at night!).
In the morning we enjoyed our final meal on the upperdeck before saying our final goodbye to the crew.





Picture One by Jaya Bird: Our crew standing in front of the Felucca
Picture Two: Playing Uno: K.C (US), Katherin (Germany), Hoda (Egypt)
Picture Three by Jaya Bird: On the upper deck: Rowan (Australia), Domenic (Australia), Oken (Turkey/England)
Picture Four by Alex: Lunch: Me, Angie (Australia/England), Hoda (Egypt)
Picture Five by Jaya Bird: Sunset over the Nile
Picture Six by Angie: Bonfire on the bank of the Nile: Me, Oken (Turkey/England), Domenic (Australia), Rowan (Australia)
Picture Seven by Jaya Bird: Bonfire on the Nile
Picture Eight by Jaya Bird: Breakfast on the Upperdeck

Hello from Egypt!

I am sailing down the Nile on an Egyptian Felucca today without any internet access...see you soon!

Abu Simbel

I think the majesty of the Temple of Abu Simbel may surpass that of the world famous Pyramids. The Pharaoh Ramses built the structure so Egyptians could have a place to come and worship him.... along with the other deities. While most Pharaohs thought they would become divine in the afterlife; Ramses thought he was divine during his actual life. He also built a smaller temple for his favorite wife, Nefertiti (he had eight wives and over two hundred children) - though the inside of her temple had art depicting Ramses in all his glory rather than his wife.



Picture One by Hoda: Part of our group in front of Abu Simbel
Picture Two by Alex: Me in front of Nefertiti's Temple
Picture Three by Jaya Bird: Roan (Australia), Oaken (Turkey/England) and Angie (England/Australia) at Abu Simbel
Picture Four by Jaya Bird: Hieroglyphics at Abu Simbel

Aswan

Since our overnight train from Cairo was running on "Egyptian time" we arrived in Aswan about 90 minutes late (at about 11am). We were welcomed to our hotel -- which overlooks the Nile -- with some delicious Hibiscus tea.

After lunch we all boarded a motorboat for a ride along the Nile. Mr. Hamid, an elderly Nubian gentleman provided us with a comprehensive tour of Aswan and with little Nubian history. The boat captain played a little Bob Marley in the background.

We then stopped by a little restaurant along the river for some Nubian coffee which tasted more like mulled wine. The strong flavor of cardamom left my tongue a little numb.


Finally, we ended up on Elephantine Island for a traditional Nubian dinner at the home of four local sisters. Actually only one sister lived there --- according to tradition the eldest sister always inherits the house. We dined on lentil soup, bread baked in a clay oven, potatoes in sauce, rice, nile perch and chicken.


Tomorrow we head to Abu Simbel at 3:15am. So I will sign off for now!

Picture One by George: Our group on the roof of our motorboat during our ride down the Nile River
Picture Two: Mr. Hamid, Nubian Elder giving us a history of Egyptian Nubians
Picture Three by Hoda: Waiting for our Nubian Coffee
Picture Four by Jaya Bird: Nubian local making our coffee
Picture Five by Jaya Bird: Getting ready for a traditional Nubian dinner
Picture Six by Jaya Bird: Nubian women selling scarves and other handmade gifts after our dinner.