Walk Like an Egyptian

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hello everybody, It is time for another episode of the
World Traveler podcast, a show dedicated to all you adventurous
spirits out there, all you jet setters and midnight ramblers.
Here we go. Let's die right into it. Today's episode,
we're gonna journey to the great country of Egypt. First,

(00:26):
let's start off with some must see ancient Egyptian sites.
Egypt is a very old place. If you're going to
start anywhere, you might as well start off with the
Pyramids of Giza. The pyramids at Giza, including the Great
Pyramid of Cufu, are iconic symbols of ancient Egypt and

(00:50):
one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Visitors
can explore the massive structures, learn about their construction, and
see the internal chambers. The surrounding area, including the Solar
Boat Museum, provides insight into the ancient Egyptians burial rituals

(01:13):
and technologies. Next on the list, the Great Sphinx, located
near the Giza Pyramids, is a massive limestone statue with
the body of a lion and the head of a pharaoh,
often believed to represent Pharaoh Cofrey. It stands guard over

(01:36):
the Giza Plateau. And is one of Egypt's most recognizable landmarks.
The Valley of the Kings, located on the west bank
of the Nile near Luxora. The Valley of the Kings
is home to the tombs of New Kingdom pharaohs, including
Teuton Common. The tombs are decorated with intricate murals that

(02:00):
pick the pharaoh's journey into the afterlife. Visitors can explore
the tombs, some of which are still open to the public,
including the Tombs of Rameses the Second ten the famous
Tomb of Tutankmon. Luxor is often referred to as the
world's greatest open air museum. Its home to the Karnak

(02:24):
Temple complex, one of the largest and most impressive religious
sites in Egypt. The temple is dedicated to the god
Amun and includes massive pylons religious sites in Egypt. The
temple is dedicated to the god a Mouon and includes

(02:44):
massive pylons columns in intricate hieroglyphic carvings. The Abu Simbel Temples.
These monumental temples were built by Ramsey the Second in
southern Egypt, near the Nubian border. The larger temple is

(03:07):
dedicated to Rameses the second and features four colossal statues
of the pharaoh at its entrance. The smaller temple honors
his wife Nefatari. The temples were relocated in the nineteen
sixties to avoid submersion by the Assouan High Dam. Next,

(03:31):
let's take a look at Egyptians rich history and culture.
The history of Egypt spans thousands of years, and the
pharaohs ruled during various dynasties. The Old Kingdom is noted
for the pyramid builders, while the Middle Kingdom is known

(03:53):
for consolidation of power. The New Kingdom is marked by
military conquests and the construction of grand temples. Key figures
include tut In common akahen Nephetiti and Rameses the Second.
Ancient Egyptian religion was deeply intertwined with their daily life.

(04:19):
Gods like Ra, the son of God, Osiris, god of
the afterlife, and Isis, goddess of motherhood and magic, and Anubis,
god of mummification, were central figures in mythology. Rituals, sacrifices,

(04:39):
and temple ceremonies were integral to worship, and the afterlife
was considered as important as life itself. Next, let's take
a look at the legacy of Cleopatra. Cleopatra the Seventh

(04:59):
was the last active ruler of the Talemaic Kingdom of Egypt.
It's one of the most famous Egyptian rulers, known for
her political acumen, romantic relationships with both Julius Caesar and
Mark Antony, as well as her tragic death. Cleopatra left

(05:24):
a lasting mark on both Egyptian and Roman history. Egyptian
art and architecture are characterized by monumental structures like the pyramids, obelisks,
and temples, as well as detailed paintings and sculptures found
in tombs. They used art to depict religious beliefs, pharaohs,

(05:47):
and daily life. Hieroglyphs are the writing system that accompanied
many of these artistic works. That's enough for the old world.
Look at the modern Egyptian cities, starting with Cairo, the
heart of Egypt. Cairo is the bustling capital of Egypt,

(06:10):
with a blend of modernity and ancient history. The city
is home to the Egyptian Museum, which houses thousands of
ancient artifacts, including the Treasures of Touton Common. Other key
attractions include the Citadel of Solodin the Mosque of Muhammad
Ali and the vibrant markets of Islamic Cairo. Alexandria features

(06:37):
a blend of ancient and modern. Founded by Alexander the Great,
Alexandria has long been a cultural hub. Key sites include
the Biblioteca Alexandria, a modern tribute to the ancient Library
of Alexandria, the Quite Bay Citadel, built on the site

(06:57):
of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexander, and the Roman Ambu Theater.
Aswan is known for its beautiful scenery along with the Nile,
the Aswan High Dam, and its Nubian culture. The Nubian
Museum highlights history of the region's indigenous people. Aswan also

(07:21):
serves as a gateway to the Abu Symbal temples and
is home to the Pale Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis.
A Nile River cruise is one of the best ways
to see Egypt. Cruises typically last three to seven days
and take passengers between Luxor and Aswan, stopping at important

(07:46):
historical sites along the way. Many cruises feature luxury comminations,
gourmet dining, and opportunities for shore excursions to explore temples, tombs,
and ancient Ruins, Luxor, Aswan, and Edfu. These crew stops
often include the Karnak, Temple of Luxor, the Valley of

(08:08):
the Kings and the Temple of Horace in Edvu and
the Temple of kam Ambu. The serene waters of the
Nile provide a stunning back drop to the awe inspiring sights.
The temples along the Nile are some of Egypt's most
famous monuments. The Temple of Horace in Edfu is one

(08:29):
of the best preserved ancient temples, while the Temple of
Kamambu is unique for its dual design, dedicated to two gods,
Sobak and Horus. Next, let's take a look at Egyptian cuisine.
You've got to eat while you're there. Traditional dishes include koshari, fetah, mashi,

(08:55):
and koshari, all popular street foods made of rice, lentils,
pasta and topped with a tomato sauce and crispy onions.
Fatah is a celebratory dish of rice, bread and meat,
often served during festivals and special occasions. Mashi is stuffed

(09:15):
vegetables such as grape leaves or zucchini with rice and
minced meat, often cooked into tomato sauce. Cairo's famous for
its vibrant street food culture. Must try foods include falafel, shwarma, kafta,
and fatir. Many restaurants in Cairo and Luxar offer stunning

(09:39):
views of the Nile River, providing a serene dining experience.
Popular spots for dining along the river include the famous
Nile City Restaurants and the Floating Restaurants in Cairo. While
in Egypt, you might as well take out a good
desert adventure. The White Desert and Black Desert offer to

(10:02):
unique deserts near Cairo that have surreal landscapes. The White
Desert is known for its chalk rock formations that look
like giant sculptures, while the Black Desert is covered with
black volcanic rocks. These areas are perfect for desert's faris,
and travelers often explore them by jeeb or camel. Egypt's

(10:27):
western desert is home to several oases, including Siwa, Baharia
and Paraphra. The Siwa oasis is particularly famous for its
ancient ruins, including the temple of the Oracle of Amun,
which is where Alexander the Great was confirmed as a

(10:48):
divine ruler. Camel trekking is one of the most popular
ways to explore Egypt's desert regions. Tourists can experience the
vastness of these sand dunes, visit Beaudoin villages, and enjoy
the peaceful solitude of the desert. Unfortunately, that's all the
time we've got for this episode of the World Traveler podcast.

(11:11):
There's so much planet out there in so little time.
I can't thank you enough for listening, and until next time,