Hatshepsut/Osiris Trio

Hatshepsut/Osiris Trio
Originally uploaded by Gibna Kebira.
Three of the twenty-four enormous statues of Hatshepsut as Osiris on the upper terrace at Deir al-Bahri.

This is one of the photos I took when I had the opportunity to visit the mortuary temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahri a couple of weeks ago.

In The Illustrated Guide to Luxor: Tombs, Temples, and Museums, Kent Weeks writes: "Twenty-four colossal Osirid statues front the pillars on either side of a huge granite doorway at the top of the ramp [to the upper terrace]. The statues were originally painted and would have been visible from a distance. Their long beards would have been blue, their throats and faces red, with black and white eyes and blue eyebrows. The various items that they wore or held were red, blue, and yellow."

Tourism in Luxor on NPR

Here is the link to Corey Flintoff's brief report on tourism in Luxor (Weekend Edition Sunday, Feb. 27).

Horseplay

A couple of weeks ago I was walking down the Corniche towards the ferry to head over to the "beautiful West" and just before I reached the museum I spotted this equine duo. Too bad I didn't have a quick way of taking video (I was just too slow to switch over to "video" with my camera), because the little guy, while still staying within a reasonable distance of Mom, was engaging in a little "horse"-ing around, if you know what I mean. I think his way of showing joy and ebullience is a good metaphor for the "new Egypt"! ;]

Corey and Me

Corey Flintoff of NPR has been visiting Luxor recently, ostensibly on "vacation" from his day job, which currently means reporting on the situation here in Egypt. He visited CH on Tuesday to chat with the boss and to find out a little about our work. He joined us for dinner last night, and again for lunch today. What a delightful man!

Now you have to understand that Corey and I go way back--to my days of listening to him during the homeward commute when he was reporting the news at the beginning of each hour on All Things Considered. So I got up my courage to ask two favors last evening: could I have my picture taken with him, and could I then post that picture on this blog. He very graciously acquiesced. In fact, he seemed rather surprised that I would want to do this!

He's off to Cairo tomorrow, and is due in Afghanistan next week. But we hope that he will be back and that next time he'll bring his wife with him.

Here's looking at you, Corey!

Songbird/Ya Zahratan Fee Khayali

Here's a nice tune from my friend Ahmed Harfoush (and The Riff Band):

Two Thousand Year Old Cat Still Looks Cool in Gold Earrings at Bonhams' Sale of Antiquities

A very good-looking feline!

Two Thousand Year Old Cat Still Looks Cool in Gold Earrings at Bonhams' Sale of Antiquities

Quilt

Absolutely nothing to do with Egypt for a change, this National Film Board (Canada) selection is a pure delight. Even non-quilters should enjoy it!

your heart's on the left: 10 myths busted by the Egyptian revolution

A thought-provoking piece:

your heart's on the left: 10 myths busted by the Egyptian revolution: "The Egyptian revolution has busted 10 key myths about society, the “war on terror”, and social transformation. We’re told that ordinary peop..."

Happy Valentine's Day!

YouTube - Hosni Mubarak on SNL

Long Live Egypt!

تحيا مصر long Live Egypt - 11-02-2011 from karim shaaban on Vimeo.

This (Egypt) is not Iran in 1979

As Nigel Hetherington said, when he posted this link on Facebook: "Some reasonable words at last!" Thanks, Nigel!
This is not Iran in 1979

Anthem for a New Egypt

Nina Simone's version of "Feeling Good" says it all!

Sout Al Horeya

Doesn't matter if you can understand the Arabic!



With rough English subtitles (click the "CC" button which will appear under the video when you play it to get the subtitles):

Mubarak on Wikipedia (Wikibedia?)

Didn't take long! Imagine how the person doing the updating must have felt:

Protest and resignation

Massive protests centered on Cairo's Tahrir Square led to Mubarak's resignation in February 2011.

Main article: 2011 Egyptian protests

Mass protests against President Hosni Mubarak erupted in Cairo and other Egyptian cities in late January 2011. On February 1, 2011, Hosni Mubarak announced that he will not contest the Presidential election in September 2011. He also promised constitutional reform.^[46] This did not satisfy the majority of protesters as they expected Mubarak to depart immediately.^[47] The demonstrations continued and on 2 February 2011, violent clashes occurred between pro-Mubarak and anti-Mubarak protestors.^[48] On February 10, 2011, it was suggested that Mubarak may step down imminently.^[49], Mubarak later officially asserted that this would not happen even though he would be handing some of his powers to Vice President Omar Suleiman. At the same time, it was also confirmed that there is room for his resignation in the days and weeks to come. On February 11, Suleiman announced Mubarak's resignation.^[50] The announcement sparked cheers, flag-waving, and celebrations from protesters still congregating in Cairo's Tahrir Square.

Lest We Forget...

...the martyrs to this cause:

1000memories.com/egypt

Finally!

Yes! It took almost 24 hours, but he has resigned! Now we have to see what the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces does...
Tears of joy and dancing for joy in Tahrir Square and everywhere!!
http://www.youtube.com/aljazeeraenglish

Disappointed and Disgusted!

What can I say?
Perhaps this cartoon suggests a method of dealing with certain Egyptian officials?
I used to wrap, too, but this is so much easier...

(Still) Loving Egypt...

Please check out this post from a wonderful blog called "Black Coffee and Cigarettes"--

10 reasons why this foreigner (still) loves Egypt...

I couldn't have said it better myself! ;]

Luxor Update

Here's the latest update from my boss here at Chicago House:

Luxor Update February 8, 2011

For those friends and colleagues who are concerned about the well-being of Chicago House and its staff during the events of this last two weeks in Egypt, I am happy to report that we are safe, Luxor is secure, and we have been keeping a normal work schedule on all of our project sites: Luxor Temple, Khonsu Temple Karnak, Medinet Habu, and the tomb of Nefersekheru TT 107. After some relatively minor (compared to Cairo and elsewhere) demonstrations and vandalism of government buildings during the afternoon and evening of Friday, January 28th, order was restored in Luxor the next day, and it has been peaceful here ever since. There was no damage to or looting of any archaeological site in Luxor. We have been in constant touch with the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities / Ministry of State for Antiquities Affairs in Luxor, who informed us that archaeological missions could resume work on Sunday, January 30th. Police presence on the antiquities sites is strong, with some Egyptian military as well, and small groups of foreign and Egyptian tourists continue to visit the sites; a scattering of tourists is still being bused in from the Red Sea.

Two members of the Chicago House team have returned home (one who had no passport was assisted by the US Embassy which had a team in Luxor for a few days). While the rest of us are prepared to leave at a moment's notice, we will remain in Luxor for now and as long as we can to keep our documentation, conservation, and restoration work going with the SCA, and the library open for our Egyptian and foreign colleagues who have stayed to continue their work. Be assured that we will continue to monitor the situation in the country closely, but for now will continue to assist the scientific community in Luxor in any way we can.

Best from Luxor,

W. Raymond Johnson,
Director, Epigraphic Survey
Oriental Institute, University of Chicago
Chicago House, Luxor, Egypt