Egypt- The land of Mysteries and history - Part 2

It was a 14 hours long train journey from Cairo to Aswan. In the morning, after reaching Aswan, we went for Aswan high dam and Philae Temple. The boat ride to the temple was the high point as we were completely exhausted and the Blue water of Nile was like a painting on a beautiful canvas.

Philae Temple-

The temple of Isis, built in second century, Philae temple was initially located in Philae Island which is underneath Lake Nasser presently. When the high dam was made, the whole area was flooded, and many temple and monuments were submerged beneath the water, including Philae Temple. It took 8 years to recover the parts of the temple and reassemble it.

 

We reached hotel and had to take some rest. However, next day, we're scheduled to visit Abu Simbel and for that we had to check out from the hotel at 3'o clock in the morning. A hectic and exciting day was ahead of us.

Abu Simbel-

I was most excited about Abu Simbel, while planning for the trip. That thrill of just being there, was exciting enough for me, and when the day arrive, even though we only had couple of hours sleep at night, I was high on adrenaline.

So, the guides would pick you up from certain pickup points at 3'o clock in the morning. Once you reach a checkpoint, all the cars wait there, and at 5'0 clock in the morning, the journey will begin from there, along with military convoys. The area is extremely close to Sudan border, and that is why all the security.

The journey is beautiful. The terrain is amazing. Barren and gorgeous desert of Sahara!

Abu Simbel has two temples, one of King Ramesis II and the other of his favorite wife Neferteri. Ramesis II built this temple after his victory over Hitties in the battle of Kadesh. Inside the large temple, various scenes from the battle is drawn in the walls. The temples were flooded and later it was removed from under the water the situated on a high ground. Sun rays enter directly to the inner chamber of the temple on 22nd February (the day of Ramesis II's coronation) and on 22nd October (his birthday).

If you are planning to visit Egypt, you must include Abu Simbel in your itinerary. It is one of the most breathtaking places there.

From there, our next destination was Luxor. It was a 5-hour long train journey. Luxor is beautiful. It wasn't as peaceful as Aswan, but definitely much less chaotic than Cairo. The hustle bustle of Luxor along with the old world cabs and cars, create a nice ambiance for the travelers.

Valley of Tombs:

You can enter 3 tombs with 1 ticket. After that you need to pay per tomb, if you want to visit the special tombs. 

The first tomb we chose was of Ramesis IV. It was colorful and we were amazed! Then 2 more tombs we visited and yes, we so wish, we could visit all 63 tombs there. 

Hatshepshut Temple

Our next destination was Hatshepshut (Haa- Chep- Shoot) temple. Hatshepshut was an intriguing character of that time. She was the daughter of Tutmojese II and after his death, Hatshepshut sent her half brother Tutmojese III away, and imprisoned him. Hatshepshut opted for false beard and declared herself the "King" (not queen). She had also claimed to be the daughter of Sun god 'Amun-Ra'. 

Before going back to hotel, we stopped to see the Colossi of Memnon. Twin statues of Amenhotep III are there, in a seated position and the stones were carried from Cairo (675km) to Luxor for that.

Next day, we visited Luxor and Karnak Temple. A lot of it is ruins, but whatever is still there is beyond amazing. Pure architectural brilliance, and I cannot stop thinking about how grand it used to be back in those times. Extravagant and overwhelming.

Karnak Temple was started during the Middle Kingdom and most of it was built in the New Kingdom. Amun-Ra was the god, and the innermost chamber belongs to him. The ceiling of that chamber still has some colors (the night sky pattern) intact. The obelisk of Tuthmojese III and Hatshepshut are there. Hatshepshut's obelisk was covered by the order of Tuthmojese III for a long time and because of the the inscription of it has remained almost intact. The outermost gate was made by Alexander and it has no inscription on it. The rest of the parts were built by various kings including Hatshepshut, Tuthmojese III and Ramesses II.

Luxor Temple was constructed to worship God Amun Ra, is wife goddess Mut and their son Khonsu.  Ramesses II, Tutankhamun and Amenhotep III had also built various parts of the temple. During the Roman era a church was constructed in a part of the main hall and the wall paintings of that time is pretty much vivid even now. This is may be the only temple/religious place I have seen where there's a mosque and a coptic area present inside.

Luxor has been an amazing experience to us. If we ever visit Egypt again, this place will get a lot of time from us, for sure. 

The trip was almost in its last leg, and our next pit stop was going to be in Cairo.

To be contd.....

Egypt- The land of the mysteries and history

So, when did my love for Egypt start? Honestly, I have no answer to that. All I know is, ever since I can remember, I wanted to visit the pyramids, tombs and the mummies. It was there, on my bucket list, forever, till recently, when the dream became a reality.

When we finalized Egypt, just like always, many people talked about the safety, and we had to check a few things. The weather was another concern. However, to our surprise, both were pretty pleasant. We found the country (at least the places we visited) very peaceful and traveler friendly and the weather was extremely pleasant, at the end of April.

This is not really a travelogue. I wanted to share some of the happiest days of my life. Yes, I have been to other countries, but Egypt was magical. Hence, some bits and pieces from my trip.

Cairo-

I thought our flight was at night, turned out it was almost in the morning. I was sad of losing those few hours in a country that I was dying to step my foot in. I tried looking for the pyramids from the flight, but alas! They were not visible from there. The city seemed claustrophobic from the air and rightly so. After all, with 22 million people living in Cairo, it's full of hustle and bustle and in the wake of globalization, too many things are happening there. 

We got into the cab sent by the hotel. I started feeling restless, longing to see the pyramids, looking outside the window, when it started raining (good omen for me, always). After half an hour, the cab took a turn toward the ring road and I exclaimed, startling our cab river, "WHOAAA"... Yes, I could see the pyramids, with my own eyes, not on the travel blogs or in history books... I was in Egypt! Yes!! I was in Egypt!! The land of Cleopatra, Nefertiti and Tutankhamun! One  of my Dream destinations!

The first day we rested a bit and Marvel Palace Hotel, Giza really offered the best view of the Great Pyramids. Opt for Room no- 417, and you will get uninterrupted view of the 3 pyramids and The Sphinx. We watched the Light and Sound show from the window, while the cold breeze warmed our hearts.

Next day, we went to see the Step Pyramid in Saqqara.

The step pyramid was built by Imhotep, for Pharaoh Djoser. Apparently the Pharaoh wanted a higher burial ground and because of the tall boundary around the Saqqara Necropolis, multiple layers were added one by one and the end result was the Step Pyramid of Saqqara. There is very little remaining of the rest of the complex and the 42 pillars (21 represents lower Egypt, 21 Upper Egypt) are not in best shape but you can still feel the grandeur of this place.

After Saqqara it was time to see the The Pyramid of Snefru or the Bent Pyramid at Dahshur

The Pyramid of Snefru (Bent Pyramid)

The Bent Pyramid is actually the first pyramid that was planned to be a pyramid with smooth sides. However, the 45 meter high pyramid is not perfect as initially the slope was of 52 degree that changed to 45 degree after a point, hence "Bent Pyramid". This also marks the transition period of the pyramids in Egypt.

The Red Pyramid of Dahshur

Built by Khufu's father Snefru, the red pyramid has slightly smaller base than the Great Pyramid of Giza. This pyramid is also known as the perfect pyramid and the first capstone of "The Old Kingdom" was found here. The Red Pyramid is as grand as the Great Pyramid of Giza but unlike Giza pyramids, here we were the only people and we could enter the pyramids hassle free. However, to enter the pyramid we had to climb to a place that is located at the middle of it, and from there going down inside was quite a "steep" experience. It was the first time we entered inside a pyramid. The lack of oxygen and the certain eeriness in the complete silence was compelling.

I was pretty done with the experience of "inside the pyramid". Hence, in Giza, taking our guide's suggestion, we avoided entering into the pyramid and instead opted for camel ride in the the desert.

Camels are extremely well behaved animals, but the riding is not always very comfortable. However, it was an amazing experience to see and touch the Giza pyramids, while posing a bit here and there. The guides encourage a lot to pose for typical touristy pics and the place and its magic is something, that you wouldn't really mind.

The first phase of our staying at Giza came to an end that day, as we had a train to catch in the evening. Next stop- Aswan.


to be Contd in next post...

https://bhulbhal.blogspot.com/2018/06/egypt-land-of-mysteries-and-history.html

The educated (?)

Dear Wife,

I know you don’t want to read much of what I have to say, but I still need you to read, if you can.

It was the second Friday of October, and quite humid. I was thinking of taking a shower together once you come back and then go out and do some pub hopping.

The doorbell rang and I thought it was you, standing there with a smile on your face and twinkle in your eyes.

Surprise! It was you but your eyes didn’t have that twinkle and there’s blood on your dress and bruises on your arms!

You looked like, coming straight out of a nightmare, or may be still living in it. I couldn’t bring myself to believe whatever you were saying, and my brain and heart both were in denial. I forgot how to react or how to be there for you.

I felt ashamed, of everything, of everyone, of myself. You saw and knew what was going on inside my mind and you smiled and tried to comfort me.

I saw you shievering under your breath whenever the breeze used to move the curtains suddenly. I saw how your eyes often lost colours whenever the doorbell rang in odd hours. I saw it all but felt nothing. I felt ashamed of myself, I didn’t want to come back home and didn’t really want to kiss you or touch you!

It’s been 2 years, since you left and left your shadow looming behind. The shadow that engulfed me with a nothingness where I couldn’t see it was you who felt violated, shattered and unloved. It was you with those bruises, in your arms and invisible bruises on your soul. It was you whose soul and body went through the torture and not mine and still it was you who took all the nasty, demeaning questions while abiding by my growing disinterest and shame till one day you couldn’t take it any longer!

That legal notice came as a surprise and as a way to find liberation. However, I do not feel liberated and yesterday, I was thinking how it wasn’t your place to send that notice to me and how it should have been me, sending you the legal notice because it wasn’t me who was violated! It was then, suddenly after 2 long years, I felt ashamed of my thinking, my upbringing and my existence. I realized why you had left me and how my thinking needs to be liberated. It wasn’t that man that violated you, it was me too! I have violated your rights to be loved and to be respected and instead of being there and helping you being stronger I made your bruises bleed even more.

Hence, my dear, would you consider coming back to me to give me another chance to be a real human being? Would you allow me to become the person I always thought I was, so that I can face the mirror again?

Yours forever,
Loving Husband

The broken promise

The drizzle outside made him shiver a bit. While his cup of hot americano went cold, he couldn’t brush off the memories that were still running in his mind. Frowning at himself, he decided to go inside and finish reading the book, and brush aside his thoughts.

(10 years back)

“I like when you blush. Wish I could capture the moment!”

“It is captured in our hearts and we really don’t need a camera for that. Sometimes, in the future, whenever it rains, the smell of the wet soil will bring this moment back to us.”

“What if we are no more together then? Or we are together but in different cities?”

“we will always be together, whether in the same city or in a different one, in life or in memories, in one way or another. I will keep one movie ticket stub to myself and you will keep another. This will be our ticket to this moment”.

“You are crazy!”

“And ain't you madly in love with that part of mine?”

“Nope. I am with love with every bit of yours. You complete me”. Her giggle couldn't let him say anything after that.

(Present day)

While getting ready, he felt the mirror mocking at him. Introspect was something he never felt of doing but the sticky note on the wardrobe door, still pinches him. Is it too late? He asked himself looking at the mirror, only to get no answer back.

The long hours at office, the frequent touring, the passive love making, or his searching for bigger picture and illusive altitudes in career - he could never figure out what went wrong.

(1 month back)

He came back from office to an empty house and everything seemed normal as the food was ready on table and he went for shower. He saw the sticky note at night, “I miss not missing you. We thought we would become one, but instead we became yoU & I. And today, I decided to part ways.” Even before he could understand the situation fully, the phone rang, and it was his most important client.

(Present day)

The drizzle made him uncomfortable and the smell of wet soil was capturing his heart. The last one month he never really missed anything in his life and he knew that he can continue living this way. But, this anxiousness was unknown and new to him and he couldn’t figure out why, why something was not right and was pulling him back.

 It took him some time to remember where his old notebooks are. The drawer in the left side of the corner table, the movie ticket stub was kept carelessly in one faded green old notbook.

A line was written on the backside in tiny handwriting- “never let me go”.

~Beyond the dreams~

Far away there's a mountain top
That feels the blue,
Atop the mountain is a place for me,
To stand and say, how much I love you!

Where no one can hear my screams,
No one knows, what's inside my dreams,
Where silence will guide my words,
To tell you, to bring my love forward.

My words get lost in the crowd,
Amidst the eyes and masks that hurt,
Invade the deepest darkest thoughts of my heart;

There's the lonely mountain far away,
I will look at its snow smeared peak and scream;
From the edge of my window, I'll cry;
My silence will be broken,
With the lonely sunset and it's pain.

And then,
Don't look for me here,
As, I will reborn from the pain and fear,
My life will flow in silence
With sunshine some days ;
And, at night moon will sing lullaby;
To make me dream again, someday.

One more time

Is it cold you are feeling?

Your shivering is making me shiver too, but there is an excruciating pain I am feeling at the back of my head that I cannot express in words.

I love this shirt of yours, it suits you. It makes you look elegant and corporate.

Look at me! Please!

Your hair is so disheveled, your eyes are vague, were you drinking tonight?

The leaves are not moving, it is the silence of graveyard, isn’t it?

Your phone, where is it? Never saw your without it. You always had some or the other thing to do with it. Yes, work.

You know, I am having this crushed feeling, behind the head, eyes, everywhere.

How would you know? My ramblings had never meant a thing to you.

Look!! The leaves are moving, nice breeze on your face. Your hair and face can feel the breeze now.

Oh, you don’t look happy about it. Why? Is it because you couldn’t ignite your cigarette in the breeze. I might suffocate you know. So may be, it is better this way.

I am already suffocating; you should not increase that pain.

Are you in love? Well, no, of course I know. All I want to know is, can you love again?

Your eyes are saying everything. I am still there, still inside your brain and heart.

But…

I am a corpse now.

I only exist in memories. This graveyard is my home now and there is no eternity.

So, my love, breathe. Breathe till you can, open your eyes. Fall in love.

Fall in love, one more time.

Again.

It is late, you should leave the graveyard now. You do not belong here.

If you need anything, you will always find me here.

Waiting for you.

Looking at you.

Beside you.

Loving you.

~Amendments~

There was forecast of a heavy storm...

There was this nice room with a big chandelier and a round table with two chairs. He pulled one chair with chivalry for her and then sit on the other one. Her red plum dress hugged her body perfectly, accentuating her curves. The short red hair and the black eyes made her look less than her actual age.

He was in his black shirt with two buttons open and torn faded jeans, something, about it was very casual, and unsettling for her nerves. Rimless glasses were covering his eyes and messy hair covering his forehead. He looked at her and she kept looking at the chandelier.

The red tabletop was bit too red and the plates were granite black. The spoons and forks worked silently without disturbing the silence between the people holding them. It wasn’t really an eloquent silent but a poignant silence in every possible way. Something about this silence has tried to speak loudly once, but it had died long back and now even their eyes have stopped looking at each other, stopping all chances of communication that could have been there.

He wanted to place his hand on her shoulder but put it on the back of her chair instead. She shivered, as if to feel his touch but did not react much. Third round of ice cubes clinked in the glass, the sound of pouring alcohol was clear, and he decided to reach for hand again, and then, he saw her hand trembling a little. His lips curved into a hidden smile, “she hasn’t gone far away, not yet” he thought.

She wanted to say something, but instead went for emptying the whole glass in one sip. He knew the mayhem inside her, as it was happening inside him too, ripping his heart apart and he knew, it is time for him to make amendments for that to her. He waited for her to put the papers on table, while going for the fourth round of whiskey and this time she finally put it on the table, in front of him- Their divorce paper.

Looking at the paper, he finally took her hand in one while offering the whiskey in another, brushing his lips on hers, breathing heavily... their eyes met…

There was forecast of a heavy storm...

Hurricane!

13 hours of flight, 6000+ kms, the excitement to experience the most besutiful city in the world and tasting some of the best food and wine, it was all there.

And, then........................

You happened!

YOU!!!

From the glitz and blitz, I met the beginning of my end.

The Hurricane in my peaceful existence.

~Unborn~

Dear Mom,

I am growing up, everyday, bit by bit.
I am now feeling when you are sad, when happy.
I can hear you talking to papa.
Mom, I can now feel my hands and legs. Here everything is dark, but very comfortable.
When you rub your hand on me from outside, I sleep comfortably. I cannot wait for the day when I will come out and see you. I think you will be happy to see me too. I will be a girl, just like you.

Mom, are you unhappy? I do not feel your hand anymore.
Mom, what are you talking about with papa?
Mom, do you not want me? Do you not want me to see?
Mom, am I causing you so much pain?
Mom, they are sucking me out with high pressure.
Mom!!!! I don't want to leave you!!
Mom!!! Stop this pressure.
Save me!!!
Save me!!!
Mom!!!!!

Unborn....

Crimson- tiny tale

Not long ago, the color crimson used to appeal so much to your eyes. My crimson dress, the punishment I got from you, my crimson lipstick, the natural crimson flowing from the corner of my mouth! What happened now, don’t you like crimson anymore? She looked back at the wall again.

“Dissociative personality disorder” The doctor sighed.

Happy birthday, darling. He murmured and left the visiting area.

The crimson rose remained untouched on the table.

Invitation - tiny tale

The wedding invitation remained the only heavy object on table. The sandwiches took ages to reach.

She, ran out of words.
He, time.

Unreal- Tiny Tale

Your little black dress, black kohl n wine red lips told me the end was near.
The ice shattered in the whiskey, and my guts were shattered too!

Unreal, how time flies! Unreal how we move on and meet in a different timezone! Unreal, how the eyes that gave me all the warmth once now gives me chill!!

when the world shatters!

The shattering sound of the broken glass woke her up! Where was she!! It took her a few seconds to gain back the composer.

The room was illuminated soothingly and she cut his legs from the broken piece of the whiskey glass. She didn't realize when she dozed off and now the room suddenly feels quieter.

The clock struck 2'o clock at night!

She had to change her dress. The rooms seemed empty. She look at the picture of him on the wall. She touched her own belly.

The blade was still shining on the table. Her hand didn't tremble anymore.

The earthquake took everything from her.

~aagomoni ~

Tui bolli jhor,
vablam aaj monei uthuk;
Venge dik sobhoyota,
notun shobdo goruk.

achhonno raater bukey,
sobhyotar beej bopon;
tor chokhe juddho joy,
amaar, atmo-somorpon!