The falcon-headed God, Horus took us on a journey. A journey that skimmed eras, swirled around ages and settled upon the new. That made the hair on my neck stand up and calmed me down at the same time. I...went to Egypt :)
Ever since I can remember, I've been dreaming about it. Sitting on that plane seat, I could never have been prepared for what I was about to see, feel and sense. Egypt was a revelation, in more ways than one. We hit Cairo city and chaos. It reminded me so much of India and I warmed up to it instantly :) A quaint hotel in the middle of the city accorded a better view of everyday city life in Cairo. But by then, I had frozen into an icicle. It was 9 degrees!!
The next day, Giza loomed large before us. And the pyramids loomed larger :) I was awestruck. If I could find words, they choked in my throat. The 3 pyramids stretch into the skies, tall, magnificent triangles fitted into an exquisite jigsaw of perfectly uniform stones and you wonder - "HOW???"
No amount of Discovery or NGC can prepare you for this. Our guide, Iman was wonderfully eloquent...being an archeology graduate herself and having worked with Dr. Zahi Hawass, who I am a huge fan of (o.k., o.k....I am a geek)...she gave us an even deeper insight into Egyptian history. After entering the pyramid, which was a looooong claustrophobic way down a narrow shaft, we entered an ammonia-drenched pyramid interior. 
The tapering at th
e apex was perfect, reaching upwards with clean-cut symmetrical stones...smooth and unglued, just fitted into place! After climbing out of it, breathless and hardly able to feel your legs, I knew what it was like to 'Walk like an Egyptian'!
The tapering at the apex was perfect, reaching upwards with clean-cut symmetrical stones...smooth and unglued, just fitted into place! After climbing out of it, breathless and hardly able to feel your legs, I knew what it was like to 'Walk like an Egyptian'! Giza's Sphinx welcomed us majestically and gloomily...missing a nose isn't easy! The half-man, half-beast had secrets he was unwilling to share. Although he did speak in a sonorous voice via the modern-day light and sound show at Giza!
From there to the Egyptian Museum, which was a smorgasbord of such spectacular glimpses into a rich heritage. Pity we weren't allowed to take our cameras. I went from one display to the next with the predominant question in mind "HOW??". Everything was larger-than-life - the display of pyramidal wealth, accessories - everything to ease the passage into the afterlife. The sculptures, the artistry, the detailing, the sheer talent of a people way ahead of their times. Tut-Ankh-Amon's chamber - sacredly standing, aloof and dignified with the boy king's treasures up for public scrutiny. 'Oh's and 'Ah's peppered around, the artifacts made me wonder at the meticulous attention to detail these ancients mastered.
And then....strange things happened, which you will never find in a travel guide :) A man approached our guide and started talking to her, fretting over something. A lengthy discussion later, our guide turned to explain. She said the man had visions everyday of a Queen/Goddess who had an unfinished crown on her head. He said that the queen told him that he was the only one who could finish the crown for her and he had to do it. He paced the museum halls hoping to find her. We kept looking out for a statue with an unfinished/ broken crown...and we chanced upon Tutmoses III's wife. She had an unfinished crown on her head and we wondered...was she the one who haunted the man? Unfortunately, we couldn't find him anywhere.
Iman told us many more stories...of the guide who took a bunch of Europeans to the temple of the Goddess Hathor and plunged to her death after having climbed the roof of the temple, crying wildly "She's calling me! I have to go!"....Of the cigarette smoke in Hathor's temple that assumed the shape of a cow - her symbol. One day could never be enough for the museum, not with stories like that!
Saqqara, the Nile cruise, the ride around town, observing cultures, taking in everything....
...I really can't put it all down...REALLY. You have to see it for yourself. And there's so much more to explore. I have just seen a sneak preview - there's still Luxor, Alexandria, Valley of the Kings...Although it's very little I've seen, Egypt pervades the senses and remains. And i keep dreaming of going back.
And so it shall pass :)
