Christmas in Cairo

Same like last year, I can't be home for Christmas, but I do not feel bad about it. Here in Cairo you do not feel that it is Christmas as 75% of the people are Muslims. Even tho Jesus is a Prophet in Islam, they do not believe that he his the son of god as the Christians do. But when I listen to my favorite radio station via web stream and they start playing Christmas songs I get the feeling.

I do celebrate Christmas from a cultural perspective, as I am not religious. But still I am going to church every year on the 24th of December as it is a tradition for me and my family. So how do I celebrate Christmas in Cairo? Well the first party was a Glühweinabend. Glühwein (Eng. mulled wine) is a popular wine punch in the German speaking areas and the Alsace. It was the first time I cooked it by my self. My friends loved it. This evening gave a feeling of being home at the Christmas market drinking Glühwein. The exception was that is was not -10°C but 20°C outside.

Yammy Glühwein

Next stop was a visit with my friend to a Catholic church near to my place where I live. Unfortunately it was the 23rd of December and not the 24th. They showed the walk of Maria and Joseph to the place where Jesus was born and sang some songs. Everything was in Arabic so I just understood a few words. 

Catholic church

Later that evening we went to a Birthday/Christmas party of a friend. The family are Christians, so I had the chance to see how they decorate their apartment. It was decorated in a very nice way. I had finally the feeling that it is Christmas soon. 

Me at the Christmas Party

So today is Christmas eve and in Germany the family gathers around, have a nice meal and then open the gifts. This year there is a white Christmas in my hometown, which is very unusual.The last time we had snow was about 10 years ago. I am a bit jealous not to be home when there is white Christmas. Later I will Skype with my family and then go to Downtown Cairo and celebrate the evening with my friends. For tomorrow I am invited to another Christmas party...

geseënde Kersfees, gëzuar Krishtlindja, ميلاد مجيد, Shnorhavor Surb tsnund, Noel bayraminiz mubarak, Eguberri on, З Божым нараджэннем,  subho baradin, sretan Božić, Nedeleg laouen, весела коледа, 圣诞快乐, Nadelek lowen, bon Natale, sretan Božić, veselé Vánoce, glædelig jul, vrolijk Kerstfeest, merry Christmas, gojan Kristnaskon, häid jõule, gleðilig jól, joyeux Noël, noflike Krystdagen, bon nadâl, bo Nadal, Gilotsavt Shobas, fröhliche Weihnachten, חג מולד שמח, boldog karácsonyt, Nollaig shona, gioioso Natale, un Crăciun fericit, Рождеством Хрисовым, Wesołych Świąt, Срећан Божић, eliz Navidad, สุขสันนคริมาต์วัสตร์ส

Next stop: Luxor (2) - My first bribe

Thebes

In the west of Luxor lies Thebes, with the valley of the kings, valley of the nobles and various temples. Fist stop was the valley of the kings. The signs where everywhere, "NO CAMERAS", "NO PHOTOS", "NO PICTURES". Well, I read them in Abu Simbel too and took pictures, but this time i got caught. My advice, do not take pictures when it is not allowed! The guy who caught me wanted to take me to the police, but I asked him if we could handle this issue between him and me. Officially I should pay up to 200 EGP for each picture taken, and I took 4. Thats more than a 100€ fine. After a long talk and bargaining I paid the guy 100 EGP which is much for him. In the end I was okay with paying 10€ to the guy, rather than 100€ to the police. I avoid some troubles with the police by paying this bribe. 

The valley of the kings is one of the most visited sights in Egypt. With the ticket you can visit three tombs. All of them have very beautiful paintings and if you want some memories visit this site (http://www.thebanmappingproject.com/).

Hatshepsut Temple

Near to the valley of the kings is the Hatshepsut temple.

Hot Air Balloon flight

A wonderful experience is a flight with a hot air balloon over Thebes. Costs are with 350 EGP reasonable. You will fly early in the morning at around 5:00pm, just after sunrise. Up in the air you have a beautiful view over Luxor and Thebes, with all its temples. An amazing picture is the line between the green area around the Nile river and the desert.

Next stop: Luxor (1)

The last stop of my 10 days trip was Luxor. Starting with the most beautiful Hostel I have ever seen, the Bob Marley House Hostel. Prices are very cheap, the room is good, bathrooms are clean and the staff is friendly and always stoned.

Entrance to the Hostel

Reception

"Lobby"

Luxor is surrounded by several ancient sights. You need some days if you want to see most of them without getting into stressing situations.

Karnak Temple

This temple is one of the largest of its kind in the World. The complex contains a group of temples, such as the great temple of Amon Ra, the temple of Khonso, the Ipt temple, the temple of Ptah, the temple of Montho and the temple of the God Osiris. In ancient times, Karnak was known as Ipet-isut, "The most select of places". The temples are built along two axes with the original Middle Kingdom shrines built on a mound in the center of what is now called the Temple of Amun.The Notre Dame in Paris was planned after the temple of Karnak.

This temple was never finished as you can see it on the unfinished pylons 

"Election campaign"

Walking on the streets I noticed advertisement for the parliamentary elections, which were in November. I do not want to go into detail, but elections here are not free and the ruling NDP has a "monopoly" in some areas. Votes are purchased by the NDP and people are terrified to vote for the opposition as they may come into prison. 

Luxor Temple
When it is dark outside you should visit this temple. Only at night you will see all its beauty. Founded in 1400 BC, the Luxor Temple was a site of ancient rites to the gods Amun, Chons and Mut.

In the next Post I will write about my visit to the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple and my balloon flight.

Kom Ombo and Edfu

On the way from Aswan to Luxor lies Kom Ombo and Edfu. Combine your bus ride with a visit of those two sights. Do not sleep during the ride, you might miss the beautiful few.

Kom Ombo
Kom Ombo stands by the Nile just south of Gebel el-Silsila, between Aswan and Edfu. The Temple of Sobek and Horus the Elder is an unconventional temple in that it is dedicated to two triads of deities; Sobek, Hathor and their child Khonsu, and Horus the Elder (Heru-ur or Haroeris), Tasenetnofret ("the good sister") and their child Panebtawy (the Lord of the Two Lands). Sobek and Horus the Elderare the two primary gods, and so the temple was also known as "House of the Crocodile" (Sobek) and "Castle of the Falcon" (Horus).

Kom Ombo Temple

Edfu
The Temple of Edfu is an ancient Egyptian temple and is the second largest in the entire country. The temple was dedicated to the falcon god Horus and built during the Ptolemaic Dynasty. The construction length was estimated to be between 237 and 57 BC. Today the Edfu Temple is still intact and definitely one of the best-preserved sites in all of Egypt. 

Edfu Temple

Edfu Temple

Kalabsha and Philae Temple

Kalabsha
Near to Aswan on the banks of Lake Nasser lies Kalabsha Temple. The best way to get there, is to take a taxi and then a boat as it is located on an island. Do not try to bargain with the guy who has the boat, I tried it and gave up after half an hour. He has one price for everyone. Even Egyptians have to pay the same price like tourists. Enjoy your ride with the boat and observe the lake, sometimes you are lucky and see a Nile monitor.

Nile monitor

In 1961 Kalabsha Temple was dismantled and moved block by block to its current location. It was just one of 18 temples and monuments moved, in order to preserve them from the rising Nile waters created by the construction of the Aswan High Dam. The temple is dedicated to the Egyptian god Horus and the Nubian god Manduluis. It was built in 30 BC. 

Kalabsha Temple

Kalabsha Temple

Philae
Philae Temple was also dismantled and reassembled  in the wake of the High Dam. The temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis, is in a beautiful setting which has been landscaped to match its original site. It's various shrines and sanctuaries, which include the Vestibule of Nectanebos I, the Temple of the Emperor Hadrian, a Temple of Hathor, Trajan's Kiosk (Pharaohs Bed), a birth house and two pylons celebrate all the deities involved in the Isis and Osiris myth.


If you want to visit this temple, combine it with the trip to Abu Simbel. 

Philae Temple

Aswan

During Eid Al Adha (Festival of the Sacrifice) I went to Upper Egypt. My first stop was Aswan, a beautiful city at the Nile river in the south of Egypt.

After a short flight I arrived in the night at the Memnon Hotel, a cheap and good place to stay. Early in the morning I started my exploration of the city at the Corniche El Nile, the promenade of Aswan. You have a perfect few at the islands in the Nile, the western dessert at the other side and at all the Falukas and cruise liners.

Nile cruiser

One of the must see in Aswan is the Elephantine Island. On it you have two romantic Nubian villages and the ruins of an ancient town. Right next to Elephantine you have the botanical garden of the Kitchener Island. Kitchener was the former British Governor of this region.

View over the ruins of the ancient town on Elephantine Island

My V.I.P. boat to Kitchener Island

Kitchener Island

Arriving on the other side of the Nile river I took a Camel to the ruins of Saint Simeon Monastery. 

Me on the Camel

Saint Simeon Monastery

The next day I visited the Nubian Museum. You should not miss it. The museum shows the change within the Nubian culture over the past 5000 years. An eye catcher is the tall statue of Ramses II.

Ramses II

A new tourist magnet is the Aswan high dam and the artificial lake Nasr.

Lake Nasr

Aswan High Dam