Cairo

The Arab Republic of Egypt

December 23, 2011

Dear Family and Friends,

For the final day trip of our visit to Egypt, my friend Ralph Velasco and I considered three possible destinations: the Suez Canal, the Camel Market or the agricultural area south of Cairo.  We decided to head south, out of Cairo, to explore the area and see the sights.*

Bizarre!   The City of the Dead or Cairo Necropolis is in southeastern Cairo.  It is a 4 miles (6.4 km) long dense grid of tomb and mausoleum structures, where some people live and work amongst the dead.  Some are paid to care for the tombs.  Some reside here to be near ancestors, of recent to ancient lineage.  Some live here after being forced from central Cairo due to urban renewal demolitions and urbanization pressures.  They all live in a cemetery.

At the City of the Dead, we stopped at the massive Tomb of Mohammad Ali.  The sarcophagus of Ali and dozens of Ali’s family members are on display in the dark and solemn chambers.

At these stops, as well as the other important sites near Cairo, I feel that I have travelled to the Republic of Egypt.   But at today’s destinations - the countryside, the agricultural towns and the street markets – I have a different feeling.  I feel that I am truly in Egypt.As I wander through the dusty streets of Dahshur, the small town in the faint shadow of the Saqqara pyramids, the men driving their horse carts and donkey carts display a stern inscrutable look.   But when I smile and wave, they return a smile and wave. 

Alexandria

Egypt

December 20, 2011

Dear Family and Friends,

The four hour ride northwest from Cairo to Alexandria is less than scenic but Alexandria itself is a worthy and picturesque city.  

 Alexandria is the second-largest city of Egypt with a population of 4.1 million, extending about 32 km (20 mi) along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the north central part of the country; it is also the largest city lying directly on the Mediterranean coast. It is Egypt's largest seaport, serving approximately 80% of Egypt's imports and exports. Alexandria is also an important tourist resort.

Bangkok

Monday

Hello!

Happy New Year! 

In 1952, Sue Thompson recorded the hit song "You Belong to Me."  Later it was covered by Patti Page, Jo Stafford, Dean Martin, Patsy Cline and Bing Crosby.  My favorite rendition is in the Doo-wop style by The Duprees in 1962.* 

The opening lyric of the song is "See the Pyramids along the Nile...." 

I suppose it is the dream of many people around the world to "See the Pyramids."

December 22, 2011

Dear Family and Friends,

Despite the heavy traffic and the early morning smoke and fog, my group’s day of sightseeing in Cairo included several memorable stops.  The Saladin Citadel.  The Muhammad Ali Mosque.  Virgin Mary Coptic Church.  The Ben Ezra Synagogue.  The Egyptian Museum.  Can you guess which one is my favorite?

The Citadel of Salah al-Din (Saladin) is imposing and dramatic as it overlooks the skyline of the city.  It was built by the Ayyubid ruler and conqueror in the Twelfth Century.  The Mosque of Muhammad Ali dominates the grounds of the citadel.   Built by Pasha Muhammad Ali in the Nineteenth Century, the enormous Ottoman-Turkish style mosque is reminiscent those in Istanbul and Edirne.

Aswan, Egypt

10 October 2009

Marhaba,

The recollections of the engineer Medhat Ibrahim are both informative and powerful. He describes the enormous project to save the ancient Nubian monuments from the rising waters of Lake Nasser. I have reprinted his article below.

My best moment at Abu Simbel came when, after strolling past several wall carvings and decoration, I turned the corner of the mountain, looked to my left, and was startled; "There it is!" "There they are!"