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Ancient Egypt Magazine Issue Three - September / October 2000
Travellers Tales - A Lifelong Interest in Egyptology I was born one month after the finding of the tomb of Tutankhamun in November 1922. As it took over ten years to empty the tomb of all its treasures, I can remember most vividly the reports of all the fantastic artefacts that were being brought to light after over three thousand years. These articles appeared in the press during all my boyhood years, and brilliantly coloured my impression of ancient Egypt, the land of the Pharaohs, and started my interest in Egyptology. I served in the R.A.F. during the war and was lucky enough to be posted to Egypt, and spent over three years stationed at Heliopolis. During this period, in my off duty periods, I was fortunate to spend lots of time at Giza viewing the Pyramids, the Sphinx and the various mastabas. Also I was able to visit Memphis and the Step Pyramid at Saqqara. However, most of my time was spent in the Museum at Cairo, glorying in being able to see the actual treasures of Tutankhamun, particularly his incredible golden coffin and gorgeous mask. It was at the shop in the museum that I bought my very first ushabti which cost me the sum of five piastres – the equivalent then of one old shilling! During the last fifty odd years, I have been collecting anything to do with ancient Egypt, from actual amulets, ushabtis, Napoleonic and Victorian replicas to the wonderful copies of artefacts that are still being produced to this day. After the war, I attended evening classes for over ten years on the subject of ancient Egypt at various institutes – finishing up with three years study of hieroglyphs under the tuition of Dr Barbara Watterson: to whom I send my thanks and kind regards. My son recently bought me a copy of the first issue of your wonderful magazine, Ancient Egypt. This is the best book on ancient Egypt I have yet come across – congratulations – of course, I immediately subscribed to a year’s supply. However, another year’s subscription would be most welcome! C.R. Stone At
Home in Egypt To
make a visit to Egypt is a life-long ambition for many people, and Vicky
Jordan
is no exception. It took her twenty years to fulfil it, but was well worth the
wait. Now, with lessons in Egyptology and belly dancing, and an Egyptian
inspired home, Egypt fills her life but she longs to return. I have been interested in Ancient Egypt for over 20 years. It
has long been an obsession of mine and I have read, and own, dozens of books on
Egyptian subjects. I have also
visited the Egyptian Room at the British Museum quite a few times. I have just
recently completed a Higher Diploma in Egyptology and I also do Egyptian belly
dancing. When
the chance came for me to visit Egypt I did not hesitate, even though I knew I
would have to go alone. It was the one place I had always wanted to see. I went
to Luxor with the warnings (“Do not drink the water!” “Do not eat the
salad!” and so on) ringing in my ears. To
say everything was wonderful is an understatement and almost disrespectful to
Egypt. It was more than wonderful; it was a dream come true, especially after
waiting for 20 years. To
stand in front of the statue of Ramesses, to visit Hatshepsut’s Temple then to
go to the Valley of the Kings... To
gaze on the monuments that Pharaohs of thousands of years ago had gazed on was,
for me, spiritually uplifting. It made me feel humble but also very peaceful. I
think for me the one place that I really felt at home was Karnak Temple,
especially at the site of the Sacred Lake. I
decided before I went that I would try everything. The funds were low so I
decided to visit only Luxor, but I made the most of it. I tried Turkish coffee
which I found very bitter and strong and not to my taste at all. I sailed in a
felucca, which I found a bit daunting, but good fun. The group I was in visited
a Nubian village in which we rode camels. Well, I said I would experience
everything, but I will never ride a camel again! It must have taken about 15
minutes, but to me it felt like hours. I thought every step and slide would be
my last. I will never look at camels in quite the same light again. I
really enjoyed the Valley of the Kings although many of the tombs were closed. I
did get to see Tutankhamun’s Tomb which was a wonderful experience but also
very sad. I took a tiny plastic bottle to Egypt with me that I filled with sand
from outside the tomb. Once
at home again, I decorated my living room in Egyptian style, with Egyptian
themed wallpaper, lamps and paintings, Egyptian themed stencils and plates from
Egypt on the wall. It is a constant reminder of my visit to Egypt, but the
greatest memories of all are of the people of Egypt. I would like to say that both the Egyptian and Nubian people
were the warmest most gentle and eager-to-please people I have ever met. I hope
to return to my spiritual home and also to visit Cairo and Abu Simbel.
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