Lots of reasons prevented any writing in the second half of 2013, mainly the state of affairs in Egypt after the bloody coup of June 30th of that year. Everyone had high hopes for Egypt to emerge trimuphant after the rosey days that followed the Jan25 revolution. But it seems that the people didn’t really understand what freedom is, what it means, and most of all, what it takes to keep it. They failed, and Egypt was lost. Hopefuly the next time the people rise up, they will have learned from their mistakes.
I have always wondered where would I go if I had a time machine. Looking at the Lantern Slides, I believe I will make a pitstop in Egypt in the late 1800s and early 1900s. I realize Egypt was under occupation at that time, but the people had some concepts then that I think is lost on a lot of Egyptians these days. Concepts like pride and honesty. They didn’t have much, but what they had they made the best of.
The images below are centred around Thebes, nowadays Luxor, they show the Ramesseum, Karnak and one of the colossi of Memnon. Most of these sites have been restored over the years since then. The only downside is the influx of unsightly tourist shops with their chaotic signs shouting at you from all sides, almost distracting from the beauty of the enchanting scenery.
Egypt: Thebes, The Ramesseum. 19th Dynasty Tomb Temple of Ramses, west of Thebes by Brooklyn Museum, taken sometime in 1900.
Egypt: Thebes, The Ramesseum by Brooklyn Museum, taken sometime in 1900.
Egypt: The Ramesseum, Head of Colossus of Ramses II, Thebes. 19 Dynasty by Brooklyn Museum, taken some time in 1900.
Egypt: Thebes , Northern Colossus (Base), Thebes. Side panel from one of the Colossi of Memnon, the last remaining structures from the mortuary temple of Amenhotep III, by Brooklyn Museum, taken sometime in 1900.
Egypt: Karnak, Great Hall by Brooklyn Museum, taken sometime in 1900.
