A confession… Irregularity has become part of the publishing process on this blog, a trend that we’re working hard to reverse! We can blame it all we like on the events taking place in Egypt, and though they can deflate the most enthused of writers, they’re not completely to blame for the randomness of postings. Insha’Allah a noticeable change is on the horizon, so we would like to extend our gratitude for staying with us all this time.
In 1867 One of the greatest literary minds in American history along with a group of Americans toured Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Holy Land (Palestine). The writer is non other than Mark Twain, and the trip was aboard a retired Civil War ship called Quaker City, the trip lasted for five months and his humerus chronicles would eventually be published in 1869.
The innocents Abroad, or the New Pilgrims’ Progress would become the best-selling of Twain’s works during his lifetime, as well as being one of the best-selling travel books of all time [Source: Wikipedia]. Mark Twain beheld the mighty sight of the desert, and took in its alien surreal witchery in the blaze of the noon sun (from the beautifully designed book: The Book of Marvels: An Explorer’s Miscellany
At the distance of a few miles the Pyramids rising above the palms, looked very clean-cut, very grand and imposing, and very soft and filmy, as well. They swam in a rich haze that took from them all suggestions of unfeeling stone, and made them seem only the airy nothings of a dream—structures which might blossom into tiers of vague arches, or ornate colonnades, may be, and change and change again, into all graceful forms of architecture, while we looked, and then melt deliciously away and blend with the tremulous atmosphere. The Innocents Abroad
Egypt: view of the Pyramid of Chephren, Gizeh. By Brooklyn Museum, taken sometime in 1900.
Egypt: Sphinx and Pyramids by Brooklyn Museum, taken sometime in 1900.
Egypt: time to pray, Pyramids and Sphinx. By Brooklyn Museum, taken sometime in 1900.
Egypt: Old Kingdom. Plan of Temple of Khephren. Gizeh, 4th Dynasty. By Brooklyn Museum, taken sometime in 1900.
Egypt: postcards from the edge! A photo session at the Pyramids and Sphinx. By Brooklyn Museum, taken sometime in 1900.
