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Temples I – The Convoy

Monday, October 8th, 2007

We spent the last two days in Luxor on private tours of four temples upstream and downstream of Luxor.  The Egyptian government started using police led convoys as a way to thwart terrorism starting about 17 years ago.  Since that time there have been numerous attacks mainly in Sinai at hotels, but also the major attack at a temple in Luxor.  I’m not sure why they reason that the convoy helps, but we were stuck taking a tour because all traffic carrying tourists must go by convoy.  The first day was spent at Kom Ombo and Edfu temples located almost in Aswan south of Luxor.  The second day was spent in the opposite direction at Dendera and Abydos temples.

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Sweeney Todd – The Demon Barber of Luxor

Monday, October 8th, 2007

We had a down day just to relax after so many exciting days and because we have two more big days in Luxor before heading to Mt Sinai.  We did some logistics stuff like by airline tickets and tours to temples to be seen outside of Luxor.  We also visited the small mummification museum where we learned a bit about why the mummified humans and animals and how they did it.  I can’t say it was the most exciting museum, but it was done very well and reaffirmed that Egypt can build a good museum.  But what I really want to discuss about this day was the simple visit to a barber for a haircut that caused my opinion of Egyptians to totally bottom out.  Note:  You’re probably tired of me reporting about how bad these people are, but I feel that they taint the experience so much that you are better off knowing all I have encountered in case you ever brave coming here.  In order to be able to survive, you have to understand just how low they will go.

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The Phollies Continue

Monday, October 8th, 2007
The morning started off with a bit of a funny.  The total jerk tout from yesterday morning was sitting outside out hotel where we ran into him.  He saw us coming and hid his face.  I just sneered when I ... [Continue reading this entry]

Valley of the Kings

Monday, October 8th, 2007
There is a downside to being here during the low season.  There are more scam artists per tourist!  And believe me, we are meeting all of them.  Today was Peggy's birthday and our big plans were to go to Valley ... [Continue reading this entry]

Luxor By Torture Train and More Phollies

Tuesday, October 2nd, 2007
We boarded the train a few minutes after the scheduled departure time of 8:10 PM.  We had a sleeper car and the overnight train would get us in around 5:00 AM.  After a dinner whose description by our Paranoid Planet ... [Continue reading this entry]

Pyramids, Temples and Tombs – Pharaohs’ Phollies

Tuesday, October 2nd, 2007
Yesterday and today Peggy and I visited the pyramids just south of Cairo at Saqqara, Dahshur, Memphis and Giza. It was quite a thrill seeing pyramids for the first time from the taxi we hired yesterday. Our first visit ... [Continue reading this entry]

Tunisia Photos

Sunday, September 30th, 2007
Carthage, Kairouan, mosques, mannequins, etc....  Hopefully the photos are more exciting than the country! http://www.flickr.com/photos/7411983@N06/sets/72157602200982046/

King Tut

Wednesday, September 26th, 2007
This song has been in my mind for a few days.  A little 30 year old humor from one Wild and Crazy Guy... about another wild and crazy guy...
 
King Tut (King Tut) Now when he was a young man, He ... [Continue reading this entry]

CCC – Crazy City of Cairo

Wednesday, September 26th, 2007
Day two took us to the train station for tickets to Luxor Friday night.  That went smoothly enough.  A quick cab ride across the city to Islamic Cairo was good enough with a driver that quoted a fair price from ... [Continue reading this entry]

Cairo… First Day

Tuesday, September 25th, 2007
Not many places have a lower reputation than Cairo. It has 8 million residents in the city and 16 million in the metropolitan area, but the real story is that it is one of the most densely packed places ... [Continue reading this entry]