Ancient Egypt Day 3
This morning we visited the wonderful Karnak complex on the east bank. It's relatively spread out, with lots to see. According to our guide book this is probably the largest cultural complex ever constructed by any civilisation.
The hypostyle (columned) hall was perhaps the most impressive single hall that we saw on our whole trip. It's the largest hall of any Egyptian temple, with a forest of 134 columns up to 23 m tall.
Many of the huge columns showed images of Min, the god of fertility who was perpetually in an excited state.
I've modified this photo to exaggerate the colors and make the image clearer - the real colors are more like this:
Now we are inside the temple of Luxor, built in honor of the god Amon-Re.
This mosque was built inside the Temple of Luxor, but why is the front door several meters off the ground. You can probably guess the reason why: when the mosque was built the temple was largely buried under several meters of sand, up to the level of the mosque door (the mosque is still in use).
The pylon (facade) of the temple of Luxor. As you can see, one of the obelisks is missing. You can find it in Paris, at the Place de la Concorde.
Luxor by night...
In the Luxor 'souk' (market) Catherine is buying some 'carcaday', dried hibiscus flowers which are used to make a very popular infusion drink that can be drunk hot or cold. It has calming properties - Catherine bought three packets!
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