Some people might be disappointed or annoyed to visit an ancient Egyptian monument and discover a small army of waiters setting up tables for formal cocktails and dinner.
Once the initial astonishment wore off, I was fascinated, and not merely by the aesthetic juxtaposition of sacred carvings and white tablecloths - nor by the puzzle of how high-heeled ladies or waiters laden with soup-tureens could remain upright on that undulating floor. It was yet another addition to the wide-ranging list of modern responses to ancient marvels. I keep talking about how awed and humbled I feel in the face of the age and scale and eternal scope of these temples. Here's a perfect counter-example - how to use the same temples to make oneself feel big. Who am I, dining in the company of the old pharoahs?
The temples of Medinat Habu also house the most impressive collection of Victorian-era graffiti of any Egyptian monument I visited. Look at N. Pearce! They just don't put that kind of effort into graffiti any more.
The ocean is not defiled by mere human filth, and the temples remain wondrous.
3 comments:
Well how about that. I just learned to click on the pictures for a better view. Fancy never having tried that before.
Anyway, what do you suppose N. Pearce was doing there in 1819? Sorting out the spoils of the Naploenic Wars perhaps?
On another matter, I have replaced the Falco books. So feel free to liberate those you have.
Love from the PC.
I forget that other people aren't as click-curious as I am. Yes, I hope everyone knows they don't have to go blind peering at the screen to find the balloon in that final Karnak photo, for example. If you right-click any photo you can download it to your computer, print it or whatever you like - at least with the photos I've taken (I try to be careful about giving photo credits on those which other people took).
PC, I hope you understand I'm waiting patiently for tales of your travels on foot around Strathalbyn. Strath looks so exotic from here.
I had forgotten about enlarging the photos! Ages ago I discovered it accidentally, but then completely forgot ... and of course some of us are in the Mac minority and have computers without a right click facility, but file and save seems to do the trick.
Now that I have seen your photographs of the elegant tables in the temple, a backyard barbecue is just not ever going to be enough!
Now I am off to find the balloon in your Karnak photo.
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