Your Egypt

[Ramses The Great]

Winky asked me “So tell us about your visit to Luxor then I haven't been and would like to know why you rate it so high”

First of all Winky, you should have said “my visits to Luxor” as I have been there 4 times now (well, how were you to know?) but I will try and explain my love of the city.

I first went about 5 years ago. The company I worked for ceased trading and I came into some money. I decided that I would fulfil my lifetime’s ambition and head off to Egypt. So along with a couple of work colleagues I booked flights to Cairo and headed off, intending to arrange everything when we got there (we did have the hotel in Cairo booked though). The hotel also ran a travel agency so everything that we wanted was arranged for us…………time to skip to Luxor.

My first impressions of Luxor were not that great, the railway station resembled a bomb site (still has not changed) and no matter where we went, we were pestered by someone trying to sell us something, it was very off putting. We were advised by the rep that met us at the station to say La Shukran (no thanks) when these people approached us and they would go away (Emshi also worked but I have since learned not to say that, it can be taken as insulting!). We were taken to our hotel and told our first tour would start in a couple of hours. That is where my love affair with Luxor started.

To have all the monuments of the east and west banks so close by, Abydos a short drive, and loads of other sites no too far away is just (to me) ideal. I never tire of going to see the temple of Hatshepsut or the Valley of the Kings and I pray for the day that the tomb of Nefertari is opened to the public.

I found that once I had gotten used to saying La Shukran and being able to walk around Luxor, many things became more interesting. At first, like many others, I found the street vendors, horse and cart drivers, felucca captains etc. very off putting, as I said earlier, and sometimes felt like staying in my hotel room. But I ventured out and tried the techniques taught to me and found that I could walk around more freely. The first time was not too bad; I had friends with me – bravado. But when I returned the following year, I went alone and found it a lot harder to do. Another tip I had been told was to just ignore the locals when they approached, selling something. It is not in my nature to do this, what a time I had trying not to buy something from them. Two years later I returned, alone again, and found it a lot easier, last year, well it was as if I had been doing it all my life. La Shukran was said as if it was natural to say it and the people seemed to realise this. Not quite hassle free, but the next best thing (no matter how many times I return, I will always be a tourist and stand out like a sore thumb!).

With this new freedom I started exploring the parts of Luxor that many people do not see. I got talking to locals who wanted to talk and did not expect a tip for doing so (though I usually offered something to them). I noticed that behind the big hotels, people were living in mud huts and had very little money (this of course is true throughout Egypt!). The more I saw of the non-tourist Luxor, the more I fell in love with it. More bargains are found off the main streets than on them, I only wish that I could learn to speak some Arabic so that I could talk to more of the “genuine” people.

This is just a personal thought. Some people will see Luxor through tourist eyes and that’s all. Some people might see what I have and not have the same feelings.

Winky, sometimes there are not enough words in our language to describe things, I know what I see but cannot convey it into words. This is the nearest I think that I can manage. I hope it is what you wanted.

[Winky]

I enjoyed reading that Ramses :)
Now I see you are hooked on Egypt, its people and your treasures of course
Now there is so much to learn to explore to read to talk about
isn't it great ?
I just wish I was 10 people and I would sit every one of me down to do something at once ! There is so much I would like to do if only there was more time and then when I come across enthusiastic people like you I get this needle in my conscience saying Go and find out more about that !

....now I unfortunately I have to go but please write more... what started you off ? What ignited the spark of interest so many years ago ?
Please look in the different forums here in E and you will find many interesting links
You could even pick up some Arabic ( study)on line


Catch you some time Ramses

:wink:

[lacegirl]

Ramses, what a lovely story. I see you are from NE England... I'm in Newcastle! Did you know, Thomson are doing Winter hols from Newcastle to Luxor for 2007???? Even flight only will be cheaper as its direct!

I have never been to Luxor .... just Cairo and Sharm, and Alexandria, where I have a house.