Journeys Near and Far

Websites to Visit -- www.Egypt.travel

In a land where the sun was once worshipped as a god...

... a new website offers visitors the country's most precious treasure!

Do you dream of sun-drenched beaches or superb diving?   Time swept pyramids and ancient civilizations? If so, you're going to love the Egyptian Tourist Authority's wonderfully interactive new site.   The music alone will inspire you to hitch a ride on the next camel caravan heading to North Africa -- and apparently I'm not the only one who feels this way.

Mr. Ahmed El Kahdem, Chairman of the Egyptian Tourist Authority, comments:  "Since launching nine months ago, we have welcomed a staggering 2.2 million visitors to www.egypt.travel."  Enough said!   

If you're planning a trip to Egypt, or if you're an armchair traveler who loves Egypt, or even if you just want to be entertained for a while, here are a few of the things you can do at the site:

• Tailor make an itinerary for a trip to Egypt
• Learn Arabic phrases
• Send an e-card in hieroglyphs
• Download travel brochures
• Watch TV commercials about Egypt
• Look at an events calendar

• Download stunningly beautiful wallpapers and screensavers for your computer

For example, even though I'm traveling to Cairo in October to learn Arabic, I thought it would be a good idea to learn some basic phrases and vocabulary ahead of time.  To get started learning Arabic, I visited the "Want to Learn Arabic Phrases" section.   There I learned some basic phrases and watched and listened to five videos that cover such topics as arriving in Egypt, getting to your hotel, taking a taxi or visiting a souk.   Next, I'm going to use the site to decide what I want to do and see in Cairo and the surrounding areas when I'm not in school.   

I think this site is a great introduction to Egypt, and recommend it to anyone who is interested in the country that's offering visitors it's most precious treasure -- the sun!

[Note:  About the site, Mr. El Khadem adds:  "Through the newly added Arabic lexicon and our upcoming link-up with Google Earth, featuring satellite views of destinations and tourist sights, visitors can now begin their Egyptian adventure... before they go!"   Now isn't that a cool concept?]

The Glory of Ancient Egypt

Two Stunning IMAX Films Show the Glory of Ancient Egypt

If you are heading to the King Tut exhibit at the Franklin Institute, (see my earlier post), or to Egypt, for that matter!), I recommend that you schedule your time to first see The Mysteries of Egypt in the Franklin Institute's IMAX theater.  The Mysteries of Egypt by National Geographic is a stunning film that unlocks the myths and reveals the masterpieces of this amazing empire that began some 5,000 years ago.

Omar Sharif guides viewers on a magic carpet-ride that soars over the Nile and across the Valley of the Kings, descending into the shadowy chambers of King Tut's sacred tomb, a tomb for a king whose people believed that death was not an end, but the beginning of a great journey.  Accompanying him in the film is young actress Kate Maberly (of 1993's The Secret Garden).

This film portrays the glory of Ancient Egypt and the pride that modern Egyptians have in their heritage.  Of course, many of you reading this don't live near Philadelphia, so note that, while it's not the same as seeing the film on the large format IMAX screen, you can buy the DVD -- a worthwhile addition to the collection of any lover of history!

Also, a new IMAX movie premiered at the Franklin Institute on Friday, March 16th:  Mummies:  Secrets of the Pharaohs.  While I haven't had a chance to go see it yet, it sounds amazing.    The film follows researchers and explorers who, in addition to learning what the culture, religion, medicine and daily life was like thousands of years ago, are reconstructing mummy DNA and deciphering ancient texts to gain insight into modern human genetics and advanced medical treatments.  Read more on the film's website.

Narrated by actor Christopher Lee (you know -- Saruman from The Lord of the Rings?), the film helps unravel the mystery of the royal mummies:  how were they embalmed?  Why were they hidden where they were?  How were they recovered?  I'm fascinated by mummies as many people are;  here are some suggestions on where to start reading if you'd like to learn more about the ancient practice of mummification.  And here's a list of theaters worldwide that will show Mummies:  Secrets of the Pharaohs.

Note:  If you're confused about where King Tut fits into the royal line, download this file:  timeline.pdf .  It shows when King Tut lived and ruled.

Photo courtesy of the Egyptian Tourist Office.

King Tut Rules Again

Philadelphia Hosts Two Magnificent Egyptian Exhibits

The heat of the Egyptian sun formed beads of sweat on Lord Carnarvon's brow, and he wiped them away impatiently.  Besides him, Egyptologist Howard Carter peered into the hole he'd made in the door of the newly discovered pharaoh's tomb as hot air escaped from the chamber.  "Can you see anything?"  Lord Carnarvon asked anxiously, unable to stand the suspense any longer.

"Yes, wonderful things!" Carter replied.

It was November 26, 1922, and Carter had just made the most spectacular archaeological discovery of all time -- that of the tomb of a once little-known pharaoh, the boy-king Tutankhamun, who lived more than 3,300 years ago.  The only tomb of its era to be found intact and full of indescribable treasures (as well as a mysterious curse), Carter's find helped make Tutankhamun the most popular of the Egyptian pharaohs in the modern world.

Thirty years ago, from 1976-1979, Tut's treaures visited the United States.  No other cultural exhibit has piqued the nation's curiosity -- before or since -- in quite the same way as The Treasures of Tutankhamun exhibit.  During that period, nearly 8 million Americans viewed the rare artifacts during  sold-out tours at each museum where they appeared.

Now, from February 3rd to September 30th, 2007, Tut's treasures are once again on display -- this time, at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, the final stop in the current exhibit's U.S. tour.

Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs

More than double the size of the original 1976 exhibit, Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs brings nearly 130 pieces of Egyptian antiquities, many outside of Egypt for the first time, to the Franklin Institute.  Objects on display range from Tut's royal crown to the confinettes that contained his organs.  In addition, more than 70 artifacts from five other pharaoh's tombs of the 18th dynasty are on display.  Some of the artifacts date back 3,500 years.

The exhibit begins with a short film.  You'll explore galleries that highlight life in Egypt before King Tut, in which you'll learn about daily life, traditional Egyptian beliefs, and death, burial and the afterlife.  Then you'll move on to galleries featuring the revolutionary ruler Akhenaten, his religious revolution, the art of the period and then the life -- and death -- of the famous boy-king.

Finally, you'll learn about the mystery that surrounds Tut's death via CT scans.  Despite four previous examinations of his mummy, it was not until 2005 during a five-year Egyptian research and conservation project that the truth of why Tut died so young came to light.

Check back in the near future for a post on another amazing Egyptian exhibit currently in Philadelphia!

Note:  If you can't get to to Philadelphia to see the Tut exhibit, don't despair -- the exhibit will travel to London in November, 2007.

Top photo courtesy of the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC); bottom photo courtesy of K. Ciappa for GPTMC.