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Physicist-retired

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A Celebration of The People Of Egypt - foto friday

Current Status: Blessed (1)
By Physicist-retired
Thu Feb 10, 2011 3:04 PM
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Two men rest in the mid-day heat outside the Ramesseum - the eternal mortuary temple of Pharaoh Ramesses II (Ramesses the Great). Near The Valley of The Kings, Luxor, Egypt. 2008 ©physicist-retired

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An elderly Egyptian leans against a pillar in the Hypostyle Hall of Luxor Temple. The building of this temple complex began in 1400 B.C. It was the center of religious and political power for many years. Since it's founding, every pharaoh added to the complex - and even Alexander The Great left his mark. 2004 ©physicist-retired

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A Coptic Christian leans out his window in Old Cairo. Nearby is the house rumored to be the refuge of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph when they fled to Egypt. 2009 ©physicist-retired

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A typical village. This is the way that most Egyptians live. Take a moment to look at the details in this one. Walls are made of mud brick, and harvested hay is dried on the roofs. A few power lines provide electricity for some houses. A water tank is off to the left side. The family's livestock live outside their front doors. 2008 ©physicist-retired

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A village woman 'bakes' flatbread on hot stones in the sun outside her home in the morning. This flatbread is a major staple for many Egyptians. It will be eaten with lentils and salads for dinner. 2005 ©physicist-retired

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My friend Nawal invites me into her home for lunch. She proudly sits for a photograph with her grandson. Nawal is considered to be middle class. Her home, built near The Valley of The Kings, was destroyed by the government in 2009. The village was considered an eye-sore for tourists, and a risk for looting. 2008 ©physicist-retired

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Nawal's daughter cooks for us in the family kitchen. Nawal also had a mudbrick oven outside, which is used in hotter weather. ©physicist-retired

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A generational contrast. This photo was taken in Cairo in 2008. ©physicist-retired

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My very good friend, Noubi, rowing his felucca on the Nile near Luxor. This man speaks seven languages, and knows more about world events than I do. But opportunities for education are severely limited in Egypt. Noubi earns his living taking tourists for short cruises on the Nile. I'm thinking about him a lot these days - the tourists are all gone. 2010 ©physicist-retired

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Feluccas on the Nile. Boats like these date back to Pharaonic times. Notice the extreme contrast between the lush vegitation near the Nile, and the totally lifeless desert just off in the distance. Between Aswan and Luxor, 2005. ©physicist-retired

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A felucca at sunset. Taken on the Nile River, with Luxor to my left and The Valley of the Kings to my right, while riding on Noubi's boat. 2010 ©physicist-retired

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For Dowser and Peep - Rameses The Great, protecting the tombs of his 90+ sons. From the interior of KV5, with Kent Weeks. 2010 ©physicist-retired

Earlier this week, I was encouraged to post some pictures of Egypt (thanks, Dowser and Michael).

It seemed timely, given the images we've been seeing over the last 17 days. In contrast to the protests and violence, I wanted to show a different kind of Egypt - the one I came to know by actually visiting the country many times, and making so many friends.

I hoped to write about my wonderful experiences with these friendly and fascinating people. I wanted to show how they work and live.

Above all, I wanted to share the magic of this place. I didn't intend to post my best pictures, or the incredible treasures of this country. Instead, I wanted to show faces and special memories - faces of friends and faces of stangers, but all faces of Egypt.

The events of today leave me disheartened. I don't have the words.

These pictures will have to speak for themselves.

Foto Friday is a regular feature of Newsvine Photographers.

Update: The original title of this piece was 'An Homage to the People...' As of 10:30 this morning, it deserves a new title.

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