From the Eyes of a Queen to the eyes of me.
These are some of the pictures that I took while on my research trip to Egypt, looking for new story-lines for the upcoming third volume of the Angel in a Demon's Cloak series. On my first day in Giza, I met a couple of hustling local lads, that thought they could take me for a ride. But instead I used it to my advantage to get into some places that normal tourists would never have the opportunity to see. They took me into their homes, and also knew all the right officials to bribe so I could get into the tunnels and crypts of the pyramids. I will try and narrate each photo briefly to give you some insight.
The two local lads are Adam (Islam) and Omar, they introduced me to a driver named Ahmed who took me through their local streets to get an intimate feel of their life and culture. The camel to the left would soon become a vital travelling companion, and a view from my hotel window.
A day spent exploring the Pyramids of Giza, and learning how to pay off the right officials to go into the tunnels underneath the Queens Pyramid to see the hieroglyphics and see the statues inside the tombs. I also had the chance to lie in the Queens crypt. The blurred photo was one of the tunnels leading to the gateway of the Gods, which I wasn't allowed to transcend into, and it is strange how that photo didn't turn out. The energy inside these amazing structures is something that is too hard to explain and can only be experienced. But trying to climb the outside was an almighty effort.
All these artifacts are what has been raped from the tombs throughout Egypt and are now house in the Cairo Museum. This is the current building, but they are currently constructing a new one which is twice the size. I spent hours in there and could have spent hours more as the history in these objects, such as the tools and the masks they used to wear are still used in modern rituals among some of the worlds secret societies. I also went in to see the petrified mummies, but was almost thrown out due to trying to take a picture. Next time I will be a bit more sleuth.
These pictures are from Cairo Citadel which is place on top of the Mokattam hill which is located near the centre of Cairo. It was once a fortress protecting the Egyptians from the raids of the Crusaders. Unfortunately it is slowly deteriorating but still has many locals heading there on a daily basis for prayer. The ancient mosque is open to all religions to go inside and pray, yet the more modern one is strictly for Muslims. You can see across the vastness of Cairo, which in itself is falling away with the harshness of the environment, but well worth a visit if you have a keen interest int ancient human culture.
Celebrating Egypt's Victory over Israel in the 1973 war.
This is snapshot of the real Cairo, from the opulence that the great realms succumbed to to the poverty for which most must live. Housing without windows, streets littered with rubbish, horse drawn cart salvaging anything of value to on sell to the massive hotels and government buildings which are barricaded from the public.
As you head south to the tourist destinations, things are kept a little more pristine. This is the valley of the new Kingdoms where the later Kings and Queens wanted their tombs closer to their roots. The monuments are less eroded by the elements, yet the elements are still harsh. I took over a thousand pictures during my journey, but this is just a taste for you.
If you like what I have presented, please leave a like or a comment. It is greatly appreciated.
If you like what I have presented, please leave a like or a comment. It is greatly appreciated.