Thebes (Ancient Greek: Θῆβαι, Thēbai), known to the ancient Egyptians as 'Waset', is located along the Nile about 800 kilometers (500 mi) south of the Mediterranean. Its ruins lie within the modern Egyptian city of Luxor. It has long been famous as the burial place of many Pharaohs, the site of the largest of all Egyptian Temples at Karnak, and the reputed site of the 'Primeval Mound', where the 'World' began - and Jim, Faunus and friends have been directed to this city for a very special meeting - but Ethan is wondering if Luxor has a McDonald's....
Apparently, there was nothing left to do in the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Cairo - so they trudged back through the galleries, making for the very grand exit.
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| Museum of Egyptian Antiquities - Sunset - Cairo - Egypt |
No one spoke as they could see that Jim was deep in thought.
Again, without speaking, they returned to their carefully parked Mercedes Maybach limos, which as usual were of some considerable interest to the locals.
"Well that was a lot of hot, sweaty, sandy fucking about in the desert for very little...", Ethan commented, as they settled back in their air-conditioned luxury.
"Fine for you to talk....I did all the work - giving you all that fascinating information !", Teddy said petulantly.
"Yes, and you did very well, Teddy, but I think we needed that tour of Saqqara and Giza to get some background knowledge about ancient Egypt before actually going to where we are wanted.", Jim said, not wanting Teddy to have one of his long sulks.
"Yes....I can see that...but why didn't whoever it is send us an e-mail-thingy saying 'meet us at such and such a place, on such a day, at such a time' - and leave it as that ?.", Ethan said quite sensibly.
"Perhaps they don't know about emails...", Faunus suggested.
"True...", Teddy added, having calmed down a little.
"So what now ?", Ethan asked.
"Well first, back to the Gezireh Palace for a shower, a change of clothes, and a really good evening meal, and then I think we need to talk about what all this means...", Jim suggested.
Going back to the Gezireh Palace was easy to say, but in the Cairo 'rush hour' (which seemed to go on for most of the day), it was much easier said than done.
On returning to the hotel there was the problem of what to do with Ismail.
The problem in question is rather strange.
While it is quite easy for a 'foreign' tourist, ('foreign' in this case meaning non-Egyptian), to enter a high class Egyptian hotel, it is very difficult for an Egyptian to do so.
This 'ruling' is a result of the prejudice or inclination of the Egyptian Tourist Police on duty at the entrance to the hotel, and not, strangely, a decision taken by the management.
Fortunately Faunus, who the police took to be a high-ranking government official, gave a full explanation regarding Ismail, and there was very little trouble about this matter.
Also, Teddy's SEBF fortunately protected him from any problems with the police, and he was not require to suffer the indignity of being scanned, and in fact the police didn't even look as Ethan carried him through the security check.
All the groups bags, however, still needed to be scanned - presumably in case the group were smuggling bombs into the hotel - but there was no problem with the hand-guns that Jim, Josh, Ethan and Zac were carrying, as Zac had police authorization for those items.
So everyone returned to their rooms for a welcome shower and change of clothes, while Ismail was 'deposited' in the private lounge that Jim had previously arranged.
Dinner was the next item on the agenda.....
Now Ismail was a bit odd.
He had already told Jim that he was born in Cairo, and that his father was from Cairo, which probably explained his pale complexion.
"So what now ?", Ethan asked.
"Well first, back to the Gezireh Palace for a shower, a change of clothes, and a really good evening meal, and then I think we need to talk about what all this means...", Jim suggested.
Going back to the Gezireh Palace was easy to say, but in the Cairo 'rush hour' (which seemed to go on for most of the day), it was much easier said than done.
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| Gezireh Palace Hotel - Cairo - Egypt |
The problem in question is rather strange.
While it is quite easy for a 'foreign' tourist, ('foreign' in this case meaning non-Egyptian), to enter a high class Egyptian hotel, it is very difficult for an Egyptian to do so.
This 'ruling' is a result of the prejudice or inclination of the Egyptian Tourist Police on duty at the entrance to the hotel, and not, strangely, a decision taken by the management.
Fortunately Faunus, who the police took to be a high-ranking government official, gave a full explanation regarding Ismail, and there was very little trouble about this matter.
Also, Teddy's SEBF fortunately protected him from any problems with the police, and he was not require to suffer the indignity of being scanned, and in fact the police didn't even look as Ethan carried him through the security check.
All the groups bags, however, still needed to be scanned - presumably in case the group were smuggling bombs into the hotel - but there was no problem with the hand-guns that Jim, Josh, Ethan and Zac were carrying, as Zac had police authorization for those items.
So everyone returned to their rooms for a welcome shower and change of clothes, while Ismail was 'deposited' in the private lounge that Jim had previously arranged.
 |
| Dining Room - Gezireh Palace Hotel - Cairo - Egypt |
Now Ismail was a bit odd.
He had already told Jim that he was born in Cairo, and that his father was from Cairo, which probably explained his pale complexion.
 |
| Alexander the Great - Arno Breker |
In Egypt, as in many countries, ethnic origins, often hinted at by skin pigmentation, are socially significant.
Northern Egypt, (the Delta), was heavily colonized by Greek speakers after the conquests of Alexander the Great, and this continued after the Romans made Egypt into a province of their Empire.
 |
| Emblem of the Ottoman Turks |
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| King Farouk I - last Turkic Ruler of Egypt |
This was followed by the conquest of the Thebaid (Southern Egypt). In northern Egypt the Arabs used pale skinned 'slave soldiers', who were of mainly of Turkic origin, and were known as Mamluks.
Eventually the Mamluks seized power, but were eventually ousted by the Ottoman Turks, whose descendants ruled Egypt until 1952.
Regardless, there has often been a tenancy in recent Egyptian life for the upper levels of society , mainly from the north, to be pale skinned, and the lower levels to be darker - making an easily recognizable social divide.
So, like many Cairene born Egyptians, Ismail was to some considerable degree Europeanized, not that the group realized that, as they had not, as yet, come into any direct contact with many Egyptians - particularly those from the South (the Ṣa‘īd).
 |
| Ṣa‘īdi Landscape |
A Ṣa‘īdi (صعيدى) is a person from Upper Egypt (صعيد مصر). Approximately 40% of Egyptians live in Upper Egypt, and 80% of Egypt's poverty is concentrated in Upper Egypt". Millions of Upper Egyptians have migrated to Lower (north) Egypt for work opportunities. The word literally means 'from Ṣa‘īd' (i.e. Upper Egypt), and can also refer to a form of music originating there, or to the dialect spoken by Sa'idis. The Arabic word Ṣa‘īd, as a geographical term, means 'highland, upland, plateau'. The suffix "-i" denotes the adjective. Ṣa‘īdis, and their dialect, are the subject of numerous Egyptian stereotypes and ethnic jokes, mainly from the middle and upper-class Egyptians who own businesses in Egypt's major cities, and used to hire Upper Egyptian workers in construction fields. They are popularly assumed to be 'rural simpletons', physically stronger but less clever than other Egyptians.
Of course Faunus had realized that Ismail was well educated and from Cairo, and that is why he had not prevented Jim from becoming involved with the young man.
This was, in may ways, fortunate.
Ismail, through his father, and his Cairene relatives, was familiar, to some degree with European (and also American) food and table customs.
Unknown to the other boys, many lower class and Sa'idi Egyptians followed بلدي ('baladi' - 'country', or rural) customs, which include eating with the fingers, (right hand only).
Ismail, however, knew all about knives, forks, soup and dessert spoons - so taking dinner at the Gezireh Palace Hotel was no problem.
The evening meal passed without much conversation, mainly because everyone was very tired after all the walking and the climbing over all the ruins in the hot sun.
As usual during dinner, Teddy stayed in Jim's suite but, not surprisingly, he was sulking because of all the sand clogging his fur, and was waiting for Ethan to return and brush him.
As it happens, Ethan didn't return to brush Teddy, but rather returned to the suite to ask Teddy to go with him to the private lounge for a 'talk' with Faunus.
When Ethan and Teddy arrived at the private lounge, they found Faunus with Jim, Josh, and Zac.
"Welcome to our little 'symposium'.", Faunus said, smiling, and gesturing for them to be seated.
Plato - Symposium - Anselm Feuerbach
In ancient Greece, συμπόσιον (symposium) was a part of a banquet that took place after the meal, when music, dancing, recitals, or conversation took place.Literary works that describe or take place at a symposium include two Socratic dialogues, Plato's 'Symposium' and Xenophon's 'Symposium', as well as a number of Greek poems such as the 'elegies' of Theognis of Megara.
Appropriately all those gathered at this particular symposium, apart from Teddy, had been brought up, originally, in ancient Greece (The Story of Gracchus).
"Sym-whaty ?", Ethan asked.
"Symposium, Ethan - it's like a 'chat' after dinner...", Teddy explained.
Although Teddy had not been brought up in Greece (he had been made in the USA - and quite recently), his Greek (like most of his many languages) was very good.
Ethan, however, seemed to be forgetting his Greek - or was it just a touch of the sun ?
"So where's Ismail ?, Zac asked.
"Oh, I sent him home..."Jim replied.
"And where's his home ?", Zac asked - ever the good security officer ('tribune').
"Here... some of the time.... He's got a small apartment in Cairo, but he mainly lives with his family on the West Bank in Luxor.", Jim explained.
"So now he's home in his apartment, here in Cairo ?", Zac asked.
"Yes...why are you so worried ?", Jim replied - with a further question.
"Well simply because we don't really know who he is, or why he latched onto to us - or rather you.", Zac responded.
"I think he 'latched on' to Jim because he has some connection with this 'message'.", Faunus suggested.
"Well I'm a bit lost about this 'message-thingy'...", Ethan said.
"You're not the only one...", Zac said.
"Well to start talking about the message in detail, we must first decide how we travel to Luxor....", Jim began.
"Luxor ! Where's that ?", Josh asked, finally seeming to 'wake-up'.
"It's in Upper Egypt...", Teddy replied, although he hadn't been asked.
"It's all a bit strange,", Teddy continued, "because when we look at a map, the north of Egypt - Cairo and the Nile Delta - are at the top, which we take to be the North, but that part of Egypt is known as 'Lower Egypt', and at the bottom of the map, in the South - the Ṣa‘īd - leading to Nubia and the Sudan, that is known as 'Upper Egypt'.", Teddy explained.
"Mm.....trust the Egyptians to get it all the wrong way round, and confusing...", Zac said.
So far, (and it was only a couple days), Zac had not been very impressed by Egypt, or the Egyptians.
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| Teddy's Pillows and Cushions |
"Well at least we've got that all sorted out... I hope.", Ethan said, sounding non too confident.
"Yes...but Jim said that we had to decide how we travel to Luxor...but we've only just arrived here... and I like this hotel.", Josh said, sounding concerned.
"And so do I... and Teddy's got some really nice pillows and cushions here...", Ethan added.
"Yes, and the problem is that we'll probably end up in one of those cheap, modern hotels with nasty synthetic sheets and stupid wallpaper...", Josh said, being unusually frank.
"Now 'boys', I know you're tired after all that walking about at the pyramids, but stay calm.
There's a very nice hotel in Luxor, in the style that you like.
It's the same hotel that Howard Carter used when he discovered the tomb of Tutankhamen - and it's called the 'Winter Palace'." Faunus said - intervening.
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| Winter Palace Gardens - Luxor - Egypt |
"What do you think, Teddy ?".
Teddy instantly consulted his 'data-base'.
"Yes, it seems very suitable...
'It's an opulent 19th-century palace - now a hotel of rich classical design, and was once a winter retreat for the Egyptian Royal Family. Later, when it was a hotel, Agatha Christie stayed there, and in 1937 wrote 'Death on the Nile'. Illustrious dignitaries - from presidents and politicians, to artists and celebrities - have stayed in the sumptuous suites of the Winter Palace, from which you can see the Theban Hills of the West Bank of the Nile. Archaeologist Howard Carter, the discoverer of Tutankhamen's tomb, wandered the extensive gardens of this hotel with Lord Carnarvon, almost a century ago.'....
Winter Palace - Luxor Corniche - Egypt that's what my data-base says anyway...", Teddy said - sounding slightly apologetic that it was all the information that he could find....
"Right ! Let's get packed !", Ethan said enthusiastically.
"Yes... sounds OK, but like Jim said...how do we get there ?", Zac rather sensibly asked.
"OK, but first who is this 'Agatha Christie what's-it' ?", Ethan asked - who was always nervous about anything he didn't quite understand.
"Oh, just a writer of crime stories - but she was very popular in her time and very rich, which tells us the Winter Palace should be a good place to stay.", Teddy explained.
"But getting back to how we get there... what have you got, Teddy ?", Jim asked.
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| Egypt Air |
"Well it takes about eight hours by car - but then you would need a couple of stops - and it may not be safe - and anyway you'll probably be required to have a police escort - and that could be quite a hassle - filling in lots of forms and things.
Going by train takes about nine hours, but is not very comfortable, unless you go by night, but that costs about the same as flying - and the flight is only about one hour by Egypt Air from Cairo Airport.", Teddy said, again consulting his data base.
"Teddy...how do you have all these facts ?", Josh asked, puzzled.
"At night my data-base is updated by wi-fi from the internet.
It's no problem, as I don't sleep...", Teddy replied.
"So really you're a 'walking laptop'..", Ethan said.
"I don't take very kindly to that !...", Teddy said, and promptly shut himself down.
"Now look what you've done... Ethan !", Jim said, looking to Faunus for some help.
"Leave him for a bit, and then I'll switch him back on...", Faunus said.
"So, without having to trouble Teddy.....I think it's obvious that going by air is the obvious choice.
The chauffeurs can drive the limos down to Luxor first thing in the morning, so we'll have transport during our stay.
"So if you just give me a moment, I'll phone through and e-mail the reservations, and the seats on the earliest flight for tomorrow...", Jim said.
"OK... so what about this 'message-thingy' ?", Ethan asked Faunus.
"Well this is where it get's complicated.", Faunus began.
"Funny, I thought you might say that...", Josh said, grinning.
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| West Bank - Luxor - Upper Egypt |
"OK... I'll try to explain...", Faunus said...
"I have a transcendental 'link' to a very wise 'ولي,' - a 'sheikh', who lives in a small village on the West Bank of the Nile near Luxor.
The Arabic word 'ولي,'means 'helper' and 'friend' - a helper for those who need help, like ourselves, and the reference to 'friend' means a 'friend of god'.
He alerted me to a young man - Ismail - who had some understanding of our situation, and was familiar with ancient Egyptian history, being a 'tourist guide', and was at home in Cairo, where he lived as a boy...
And so I arranged for him to be at Saqqara.
He was then able to take you to Giza, and in that way gave you all a quick introduction to ancient Egyptian beliefs.
Eventually he took you all to the Cairo Museum (left), where he showed Jim the 'Anubis Shrine' (right) from the Tomb of Tutankhamun - which was the 'key' to the 'message'... which was simply that the next meeting would take place somewhere on the West Bank of Thebes - which just happens to be where this 'sheikh' and also Ismail live." Faunus tried to explain.
"Er... sorry Faunus... and don't be annoyed... but what does 'transcendental-thingy' mean ?", Ethan asked, as Faunus 'powered up' Teddy...
Teddy suddenly came to life - his eyes flashing...
"Right ! 'Transcendental'... meaning...
Exceeding usual limits - extending or lying beyond the limits of ordinary experience - and, in Kantian philosophy - being beyond the limits of all possible experience and knowledge.
Hope that helps, but I have no idea why you would want to know that..." Teddy said - his seeming confusion being caused by the fact that he had previously switched himself off, and had then been 'powered up' just as Ethan had asked the question - 'what does 'transcendental-thingy' mean ?'.
"Mm... interesting...", Ethan said, pretending to understand what Teddy had just said.
"Sorry to interrupt, but 'thought you'd like to know that all the arrangements have been made for tomorrow...", Jim said, getting off his cell-phone, and closing his laptop.
to understand the next two sections fully you may have to 'dodge' back to previous chapters - links are provided.
"Good !... But getting back to the real question, the thing that concerns me about all this is why us ?
Why should we be involved in all this weirdness ?", Zac asked.
"Well I don't know why, but it all seemed to start from when Jim got involved with that Dr. Brandt guy (left) - who later seemed to 'morph' into 'Sigi' (right) - apparently with some help from you, Faunus, and Teddy here.", Josh suggested."Possibly, but I guess that it might even go back to before that.", Faunus suggested....And Faunus continued,
"If you remember, Jim arrived unexpectedly.Something went wrong when he transferred from his original time and place, to this time and place.
What actually went wrong I have never been able to determine - but possibly someone, or something interfered with the transfer - so Jim landed up in the gutter on a rainy night, definitely 'off target'.
At that point that someone or something realized that Jim was not of this time or place - or as Brandt later put it, Jim was a 'time traveler'.
Probably some sort of a 'trap' was then laid by having 'Roger' accidentally come across myself, Jim and Max in the desert.
I suspected that it was not really accidental, and so I brought 'Roger' onto our side, but then 'Roger' - who we had renamed Glen - was abducted, and we got involved with the 'aliens'......", Faunus explained
"I quite liked the 'aliens' - funny, skinny little guys...", Ethan said, interrupting.
"Really...you were always calling them 'pesky'....I thought you didn't like them.", Jim commented.
"Well yes....but looking back on it now they seemed quite nice...", Ethan said lamely.
"Well that doesn't matter - the main point is that they - whoever they are, know that Jim, and possibly others are not just ordinary humans...", Faunus said.
"What are you saying ? That we're 'aliens', or something ?", Ethan said, sounding alarmed.
"No...not at all....but it all goes back to that business at Eleusis.....remember ?", Faunus replied, trying to calm down Ethan.
"Well I for one don't remember much about what happened at Eleusis...", Jim said.
"Well that's not really surprising...", Josh said, and Ethan nodded in agreement, remembering all the problems that Jim's amnesia had caused in the past.
"This is where we need you, Teddy.
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| The Farm in Eleusis - Attica - Greece |
Now you were not there, but I'm sure that you can provide us with some information about Eleusis.", Faunus said.
"Of course.", Teddy replied, as he consulted his data-base.
"It was near Eleusis that the family had the farm...remember Zac ?", Ethan said wistfully.
Zac shook his head, as if refusing to acknowledge what Ethan was saying.
Teddy wisely ignored whatever was going on between Ethan and Zac, cleared his throat and began:
Ἐλευσίνια Μυστήρια - the Eleusinian Mysteries were initiations held every year for the cult of Demeter and Persephone based at Eleusis in Greece.
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| Demeter and Persephone |
They are the most famous of the secret religious rites of ancient Greece.
The mysteries represented the myth of the abduction of Persephone from her mother Demeter by the king of the underworld Hades, in a cycle with three phases: the descent (loss), the search, and the ascent, with the main theme being the ascent - άνοδος - of Persephone and the reunion with her mother.
It was a major festival during the Hellenic era, and later spread to Rome..
For the initiated, the rebirth of Persephone symbolized the eternity of life which flows from generation to generation, and they believed that they would have a reward in the afterlife. There are many paintings and pieces of pottery that depict various aspects of the Mysteries.
The name of the town, Eleusis, seems to be pre-Greek and it is probably derived from the word Elysium.'
"Was that OK ? ", Teddy asked.
"Yes, Teddy....that was very good.", Faunus replied.
"Well OK, Faunus - and thank you Teddy....that was all very interesting, but that still leaves the question unanswered.....why us, and why should we be involved in all this weirdness ?", Zac reiterated, sounding rather unhappy with the way the conversation was going.
"Perhaps I haven't made things clear enough....", Faunus responded.
"The Mysteries of Eleusis have remained secret for millennia - for the very reason that they contain in themselves the very secret of 'life', and 'life in abundance'.
These secrets were embraced by the greatest philosophers of the ancient world, both Greek and Roman, and by great political figures, including Roman Emperors.
Your friends, and you, gathered here together in this room were party to these mysteries.
Now I think it's time to let you see just how powerful the 'Mysteries' really are.
Has it not occurred to any of you that none of you have aged a day since your visit to Greece in that other time ?
That is why I created Teddy for you - because he too would remain 'forever young', and so could always be your companion, mentor and guide, as well as your 'friend'.
And that is what these 'powers' wish to obtain from you....the knowledge of the 'Mysteries'.
But I have hidden that knowledge deep in your psyches - so that you have no conscious memory of that knowledge, but that is not to say that 'someone' may, at sometime be able to draw that knowledge from you.", Faunus said forcefully.
"So OK...say what you are telling us is true....then why let these 'alien' beings continue to contact and bother us ?", Josh asked.
 |
| Dr. Siegfried Brandt |
 |
| 'Sigi' |
"Because we may be able to convince them that you do not have this knowledge, and at the same time it's a way of understanding, and maintaining surveillance, on those who would have such designs on that knowledge.", Faunus replied.
"But why not just ignore, or hide from them ?", Ethan said.
"Well, as you should have seen by now, that's not really possible - but I am working on a way to negate their influence so that, rather like in the case of Brandt, we can be rid of them or deal with them in a benign form - like with our 'Sigi'.", Faunus explained.
"You mean turn them all into 'cute high-school guys' ?", Josh said, only half seriously.
"Now you've got me thinking...", Ethan began - before Faunus could answer the suggestion that Josh had made.
(Ethan had a 'thing' about 'Sigi'.)
 |
| Montauk |
"Well the 'mysteries' can give 'life' by altering time.
It's complicated, but time passes at different rates for different things - so some functions of the body can have time slowed down, while the rest of time continues 'normally' - allowing an extension of life
- as is happening to you, and which is what Brandt and Otto Cerny were working on, with some considerable degree of success.
Equally 'external' time can be changed, while 'biological' time - the time in the body - can remain the same - and this can appear as 'time travel' - which was the aim of the infamous 'Montauk Project'.
 |
| Upuaut Enthroned |
This obsession with 'time travel, and their lack of emotional responses was still their problem when they presented themselves as ancient Egyptians in the 'pyramid ship' at Chaco canyon - as Brody should well know - that is if I hadn't blocked his memories of what happened to him.
Having satisfied themselves about the emotional responses and physical responses of humans, the 'Egyptian' aliens were even more convinced that they needed to alter past events in order to prevent those problems that were causing the deterioration of their DNA, and cloning, and particularly the impossibility of sexual feelings that was depriving them of emotional responses, and thus limiting the creativity of their thinking in other areas.
To put it simply, they wanted to be 'human', and not 'machines'.", Faunus explained.
"Stupid, if you ask me...", Teddy commented.
"All these emotions are what mess humans up, if you don't mind
me saying.", Teddy added.
 |
| Skinny 'Alien' |
"Yes, maybe you're right, Teddy...", Ethan said, remarkably perceptively.
"So what are we supposed to do on this occasion - if we do meet with these 'beings' ?", Zac asked.
"It's difficult to say....", Faunus replied.
"It depends first who they are....", Faunus began.
"Meaning ?", Josh asked.
"Well if they are the skinny 'aliens' that you saw first time, then you don't seem to have much to worry about, particularly if you have Teddy with you.
 |
| 'Cobra' Headed Bullies |
If it's the 'aliens' purporting to being 'Upuaut', and his gang of pretty 'Egyptian' boys and 'Cobra' headed bullies - who may be the first lot in disguise.
As we haven't got Brody with us for them to play abut with - just act dumb, and see what they want.
However, I think that this message comes from someone else - but who that is I don't know, so just let me do the talking - and don't try to be 'clever' - and that particularly applies to you Ethan.....whoever they are, I doubt if they will appreciate, or even understand humor.", Faunus said.
"Okey-dokey, Faunus...", Ethan replied, still unable to prevent himself from treating the whole business as a bit of a joke.
'THE GOLDEN BOY FROM THE SEA - BELOVED OF THE GODS'
"Now.... as you're being unusually 'straight-forward' and informative with us this evening, Faunus, can you tell us why we were chosen to survive the eruption in Pompeii, that I presume killed most of the people in the city.?", Zac then asked as he considered the matters regarding the 'aliens' had, for the moment anyway, been sufficiently explained.
This was a matter that had been troubling Jim, Zac, Josh and even Ethan for some considerable time - and was, in many ways, obviously bound up with the initial problem with Brandt, and now these later problems with the aliens.
"Well Teddy, I know you weren't there, but have you any information on your data-base.".
"Yes...I have a little....do you want to hear it ?", Teddy replied.
"Yes...it might help...", Faunus said.
Now Faunus knew everything there was to know about this event, but he always tried to include Teddy in any discussion or conversation.
"OK..here goes:", Teddy said, clearing his throat, which didn't really need clearing, being animatronic, but it just helped to make him seem more 'human', or at least 'teddy-bear-like'.
Eruption of Vesuvius - 79 AD "Around 1:00 p.m., Mount Vesuvius violently erupted, spewing up a high-altitude column from which ash and pumice began to fall, blanketing the area. Rescues and escapes occurred during this time. At some time in the night or early the next day, pyroclastic flows in the close vicinity of the volcano began. Lights seen on the mountain were interpreted as fires. People as far away as Misenum fled for their lives. The flows were rapid-moving, dense, and very hot, knocking down wholly or partly all structures in their path, incinerating or suffocating the remaining population and altering the landscape, including the coastline. These were accompanied by additional light tremors and a mild tsunami in the Bay of Naples. By evening of the second day, the eruption was over, leaving only haze in the atmosphere through which the sun shone weakly. Anyone who was not able to escape at the beginning of the eruption was killed."
 |
| Amphitheater at Pompeii |
"Thank you Teddy...", Faunus said.
"Now you Zac, and Ethan, were there in Pompeii on that day - assisting in preparing the amphitheatre in Pompeii that Jim here, as Dominus, had recently acquired, shortly after the death of Gnæus Gracchus.
Having been forewarned of the tragic events that were to occur, I was able to transfer you, Zac, and Ethan to another time and place, at the very moment of the eruption - far in the future, and far away, which I chose because it was close to the sea, with a warm sunny climate, and a place where rich people came to enjoy themselves and relax, and also in an imperial country - so in many ways it was very similar to where you had been living.
 |
| 'Villa de los Jaguares' - Los Angeles - California |
It was, of course Los Angeles, where Gnæus - by then known as the 'Boss' - was living in a palatial villa - the 'Villa de los Jaguares' - and eventually I linked you all up - although later you spent much of your time in la Vegas ... where the 'Boss' had a number of business enterprises.
This I did because subsequently Jim was to join you - and later Josh - so you would all be together, and able to continue your lives.
Some things, however, didn't work to plan - but such is life.
The main reasons for these events, which seem so strange to you, were the fact that Novius had arranged for you to be inducted into the 'Mysteries', which in turn was because for reasons which we mortals may only guess, Marcus, as Jim was then known, had been chosen by some of the Æons to be particularly favoured, and I was instructed to ensure his well-being - hence - 'PER AUREA PUER DE MARI - DILECTUS A DEORUM'. - and that is all that I can really tell you.", Faunus said.
 |
| Apollo and Athena |
"And these Æons - these are Apollo and Athena ?", Ethan asked, trying to get Faunus to tell them a little more.
"Yes, that is what the Greeks, long ago, called them.", Faunus replied hesitantly.
"And you... are you one of these Æons ?", Ethan then asked.
"Now would I be sitting here, in a hotel room in Cairo, talking with you and a teddy-bear if I were an Æon ?", Faunus replied.
"No...'suppose not...", Ethan replied, knowing that he had not received a 'straight answer', but then not expecting Faunus to actually say who or what he really was.
"The Æons are the direct emanations of the ONE - Ethan, and thus are referred to as 'ineffable' and 'ever-living'.
"Yes, but after what you said, aren't we also 'ever-living' ?", Josh asked.
"No Josh....maybe 'immortal' - but not 'ever-living'.
The Æons have no beginning and no end - which is what 'ever-living' actually means.
It is a concept completely beyond human comprehension.", Faunus said.
"You mean it's 'transcendental' ?", Ethan asked.
"Yes !, Very good Ethan... we'll make a philosopher of you yet." Faunus said enthusiastically.
Ethan blushed.
"But I think that's enough for this evening..." Faunus said.
"So what's happening tomorrow, Jim ?", Zac asked, rising from his seat.
"Well I've made reservations for the Winter Palace - so that's OK... the limos are already on their way to Luxor, and I've ordered cars to take us to the airport tomorrow evening.", Jim replied.
"Evening ?", Ethan queried.
"Yes, Ethan...that was the earliest they had a flight, so we need to be at Cairo Airport at five, and the flight takes off at six-thirty - arriving in Luxor at seven-thirty.
Our limos will be at the airport when we arrive, and will get us to the Winter Palace in time for dinner.
Does that sound alright ?", Jim then asked.
"That sounds very satisfactory... even if I won't be having dinner.", Teddy replied.
"And what do we do during the day tomorrow ?", Josh asked.
"Well I think it would be a good opportunity to do some shopping...", Ethan said, grinning.
"Fine !..."Jim agreed.
Later in bed....
"I found some of those things that Faunus told us tonight a bit frightening...", Ethan said.
There was no answer from Jim, who was already asleep.
"Don't worry, Ethan... I'll always be here for you..", Teddy said.
"Will you give me a snuggle - just until I go to sleep ?", Ethan asked.
"Of course..", Teddy replied.
Teddy-bears, of course, are always faithful, and can always be trusted.
The next morning was noisy, bright and hot... as usual in Cairo...
Fortunately Ismail had returned to the Hotel, and also, fortunately, the police at the entrance had remembered him being with the very rich tourists, (Jim, Zac, Faunus and the others), who had been with him the previous evening.
A message was sent to Jim by the reception asking if he wanted to see Ismail.
Jim then feigned anger that Ismail had been detained at the entrance, and Ismail was quickly and politely escorted to the group's breakfast area.
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| Teddy Pasha |
"Good morning...", Ismail said to Jim.
"I see you have your furry guide on the table at breakfast.", Ismail observed.
"Teddy, please, if you don't mind, Ismail Am'r Effendi - ", Teddy said in good Ottoman style.
"Yes... sorry Teddy Pasha." Ismail responded.
The others look on puzzled, not understanding the archaic Ottoman titles Ismail and Teddy were humorously using - but then not understanding anything actually, as the whole conversation was in 'Cairene Arabic', (the Arabic spoken in Cairo).
Effendi - أفندي,is a title of nobility meaning Master. It is a title of respect or courtesy, equivalent to the English Sir. It was used in the Ottoman Empire. It follows the personal name, when it is used, Pasha - پاشا,was a higher rank in the Ottoman political and military system. As an honorary title Pasha was also one of the highest titles in the 20th century Kingdom of Egypt. In modern Egyptian Arabic, it is used as an honorific meaning 'Sir'. Among Egyptians born since the Revolution of 1952, and the abolition of aristocratic titles, it is considered a highly formal way of addressing one's male peers - often abbreviated to 'Pash' - especially when speaking to low ranking police.
"So, Ismail... can you recommend some good shopping areas for us ?" Jim asked (in English), remembering what Ethan had suggested the previous evening.
"I think that, because of the cars you were travelling in yesterday, - price is not a problem ?", Ismail delicately asked, in an oddly Eastern manner.
"لا..", Teddy immediately replied - ('no' in Arabic).
"Well today we will not have such expensive limousines - mine are already on their way to Luxor, but I have asked the hotel to hire me something similar for today - so, Ismail, to answer your question, prices shouldn't be a problem.", Jim replied, not realizing that Teddy had already answered in Arabic - and Ismail giggled - and Jim was confused.
"I believe that many people here in Cairo would go to Sharia Talaat Harb and, more for tourists is the Khan El Khalili.", Ismail said.
"Yes, and we can buy 'cool' shoes and shirts and trousers ?", Ethan asked, excitedly.
"Yes, Ethan... anything !", Ismail replied confidently.
"OK then... .Come on and finish breakfast, and lets get some limos and do some serious shopping !", Ethan said.
And so they did.
Jim ordered the limos, while everybody got tidied up, and nicely dressed.
Ethan and Teddy shared a limo with Jim and Max (Max was there to carry the shopping).
"So, Teddy... have you any info on this 'Talaat Harb -thingy' ?", Ethan inevitably asked.
"Of course Ethan.
Would you, Jim and Max like to hear it ?", Teddy replied.
Ethan nodded.
And so, as they sat in the equally inevitable Cairo traffic jam, Teddy began:....
"Talaat Harb Street - شارع طلعت حرب in Arabic - is a historic street connecting Tahrir Square and Talaat Harb Square. Originally it was named 'Sharia Suleiman Pasha' after a General serving under Muhammad Ali. The street was renamed in 1954 after Talaat Harb, the leading Egyptian economist of the early 1900s. The Midan Talaat, at the street's intersection with Sharia Qasr el-Nil is circled with buildings in elegant neoclassical style. Most of these buildings appear to be left over from the days of Khedive Ismail, yet the once grand appearance of these buildings has been lost to the clinging dust, battered shutters and general lack of outward upkeep. Many of the shops, businesses and coffee shops retain a certain elegance and sell high quality good.", Teddy concluded.
"Very nicely put, Teddy...", Jim commented.
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| شارع طلعت حرب - 'Sharia Talaat Harb' - Cairo - Egypt |
By that time they had crossed over from the island, (their hotel is situated on an island in the Nile - as you should know - see LINK), and were heading to downtown Cairo - slowly, of course.
"So here it is... the famous 'Sharia Talaat Harb'...!", Teddy announced.
"So how do you know that ? - I presume you haven't been here before.", Ethan asked.
"Well it's obvious....the street sign says it, -
شارع طلعت حرب - 'Sharia Talaat Harb'.", Teddy replied, pointing with his fury paw.
شارع طلعت حرب - 'Sharia Talaat Harb'.", Teddy replied, pointing with his fury paw.
"Yes... very clever, Teddy... in Arabic, of course..... Well some of us can't read Arabic.", Ethan said, sounding a little put out.
"I know, and that's why I am here - to help.", Teddy answered proudly.
So Jim asked the chauffeur to park, and the other limos behind them also parked, and they all got out.
"OK... let's do some serious shopping.", Ethan said.
'Sharia Talaat Harb' is good for clothes - very fashionable shoes, and very 'dodgy' watches.....
Also shirts, casual stuff, like jeans and 'tops', and electrical goods (which, like the watches, are sometimes 'dodgy').
The 'boys' were not stupid though to buy the possibly less reliable items, and mainly concentrated on clothes and shoes.
Max, who unlike Ethan, Josh, Glen and Zac, didn't have a lot of money (only being, nominally a 'bellhop' and 'lift boy') was not left out, however, as Jim and Ethan were very generous.
Ismail was very much in demand, as he was able to 'haggle', as even in high-class shops the price was always negotiable.
Teddy didn't haggle in Arabic, as he was being studiously ignored in all the shops, by all the shop assistants, after all, he was 'somebody else's business'.
Like Max, Ismail was generously rewarded for his invaluable help.
The only one who was not rewarded to any degree was Teddy... but then what do you buy for a teddy-bear - but Ethan did ensure that Teddy had some DVDs (in English, and some also in Arabic), that were difficult to find in the US.
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| Groppi's - Cairo - Egypt |
They also strayed onto the 'Sharia Qasr El Nil' (the Nile Palace) - one of the biggest shopping streets in Cairo, with many businesses, restaurants, and an active 'nightlife', not that the 'boys' would have the time to sample the 'nightlife' on this trip.
Like 'Sharia Talaat Harb' there are a lot of clothing and shoe stores in addition to banks and travel agencies.
There is also an ice cream shop called 'Groppi's' that has been there since the turn of the century, so Jim treated them all to ices.
The ices weren't enough, however, as it was well past mid-day, and so Teddy flicked through his data-base, and suggested a nearby restaurant called 'Felfela'.
Not exactly 'cordon bleu', it served good quality relatively simple Egyptian food.
Teddy thought it might be 'fun', as it had very bizarre décor - at least according to his data-base.
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| 'Felfela' - Cairo - Egypt |
Ethan thought it looked like an Egyptian version of an American 'roadside-diner' - but everyone agreed that the food tasted 'great' - and the portions were huge.
At the end of the meal, however, Ismail said they should not order drinks, but rather say their current farewell to Cairo (they were coming back) in the 'Maidan al Hussein', where there were very many fine 'coffee shops'.
Now time was moving on relentlessly (and Faunus was not really prepared to slow things down), so Max was sent back to the hotel with all the bags and parcels, (along with some newly bought luggage).
The original luggage, which the group had brought with them to Egypt, had already been sent to Luxor in the Mercedes limos, so all Max had to do was pack everything into the new luggage, and then take it to Cairo Airport, and wait for Jim and the others.
Meanwhile, the group made their way to 'Maidan al Hussein'.
"What's a Maidan-thingy, Ismail ?", Ethan asked plaintively - very much missing his Pepsi Max.
Of course Teddy answered...
"A maidan is a word from the Persian.. 'maydān' (not a typo) , meaning a city square, from the Arabic for the same.", Teddy explained.
"Thank you Teddy - but I wish you wouldn't talk in that funny way - it makes you sound like a dictionary.", Ethan said.
"OK... anyway the place that Ismail is talking about is a square that is in front of the 'Sayyidna Al-Hussein Mosque', which is near the 'Khan El-Khalili' bazaar.
The mosque is considered to be one of the holiest Islamic sites in Egypt.", Teddy said.
"And what does Sayyid-thingy mean ?", Ethan asked.
"It means 'Our Lord'.", Teddy replied.
"Yes... and who was this 'our lord' guy ?", Ethan then asked.
"Husayn ibn Ali (Sayyidna Al-Hussein), was a grandson of Muhammad, and a son of Ali ibn Abi Talib (the first Shia Imam, and the fourth Rightly Guided Caliph of Sunni Islam), and Muhammad's daughter Fatimah.
He is an important figure in Islam, as he was a member of the Household of Muhammad (Ahl al-Bayt), and the People of the Cloak (Ahl al-Kisā'), as well as the third Shia Imam."
"Wowy... that' all too complicated for me...", Ethan said.
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| The Shrine of Sayyidna Al-Hussein - Old Cairo - Egypt |
"Yes... well maybe some other time...", Teddy said.
"However, the 'Al-Hussein Mosque' itself was built in 1154, but was rebuilt in the 19th century with architecture influenced by Western Gothic styles.
Today, the mosque houses some items considered sacred by Muslims, such as the oldest complete manuscript of the Holy Quran - and the mosque is also believed to hold the head of the Imam Sayyidna Al-Hussein.". Teddy explained.
"Oh, that sounds really ucky !", Ethan said - who, not being Muslim, was unable to understand the significance of the mosque and the shrine.
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| Sayyidna Al-Hussein Mosque - Old Cairo - Egypt |
"Well, any way, we'll go to one of the coffee shops with the others, while Ismail takes Jim and Faunus for a quick visit to the Mosque.
And that's what happened.
Now Cairo is a noisy, crowded, badly polluted city, containing many sights that many would rather not see, but there are small oases of quiet and peace - usually found in the many mosques in the city.... and an outstanding example is the Al-Hussein Mosque.
It's beauty and peace were a revelation to Jim, as he walked through the vast, pillared prayer-hall, and found a place to sit on the seemingly endless dark green carpeting.
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| Coffee Shops - Maidan Al-Hussein - Old Cairo - Egypt |
And while Ismail was explaining the intricacies of Muslim history, Zac, Josh, Ethan and Teddy were struggling through the crowds in the 'Maidan Al-Hussein'
All they were looking for was a coffee-shop, but thankfully, in the maidan, there was a whole row of coffee-shops - and also more book shops than the human mind could comfortably accommodate.
Coffeehouses in Egypt are colloquially called an 'ahwah'. Also commonly served in 'ahwah is, oddly enough, tea (shāy). The first 'ahwah' opened around the 1850s and were originally patronized mostly by older people, with youths frequenting but not always ordering. There were associated by the 1920s with clubs (Cairo), bursa in (Alexandria), and gharza (rural inns) in the south. In the early 20th century, some of them became crucial venues for political and social debates.
And while the shāy was being ordered, Zac was keeping in constant contact with Max by cell-phone who, by then, was at Terminal Three at Cairo Airport, slowly getting the luggage checked for the flight - (in Egypt nothing is done quickly - No problems with the hand-guns and ammunition, however, as they were being taken separately, by limo, to Luxor.)
And so, with Ismail and Jim leaving the mosque, and the others finishing off their shāy in the coffee-shop, it was time to have a quick walk through the 'Khan-el-Khalili' on their way to join the limos, and then drive to Cairo airport in time to catch the flight to Luxor - the famed 'city of the hundred gates'.
As they walked through the ancient streets, crowded with stalls and small shops, Teddy gave a 'running commentary': ...
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| Khan el-Khalili - 'Cave of Wonders ?' - Old Cairo - Egypt |
"The 'Khan el-Khalili' is mainly occupied by locals rather than foreign merchants, but in many parts it is geared towards tourists
The shops typically sell souvenirs, antiques and jewellery, but the adjoining goldsmiths' souq, for example, is still important for locals.
Although less widespread than in earlier days, many craftsmen' workshops continue to operate within the bazaar (usually in the courtyards or upper floors of buildings) or in the surrounding districts, manufacturing some of the products sold here or exported elsewhere.[
In addition to shops, there are several coffeehouses (of course), restaurants, and street food vendors distributed throughout the market.
The coffee-shops are generally small and quite traditional, serving shāy, coffee and usually offering 'shisha' (water pipe), and probably the oldest and most famous coffee-shop 'Fishawi's', established in 1773."
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| Alāʼ ad-Dīn and the Magic Lamp |
"Jiminy Cricket !..Ethan exclaimed....It's like something out of 'Alāʼ ad-Dīn'...."
"Yes, Ethan, and I'm glad you got the pronunciation right...", Teddy said, approvingly.
"Did I ?", Ethan said, confused.
"And what do you know about Aladdin ?"...Josh asked, surprised.
"I saw the cartoon...", Ethan replied.
"Along with Pinocchio..", Teddy added.
"Of course... you know that... Pinocchio's one of our favourite cartoons.", Ethan said.
"OK... you don't need to tell everyone...", Teddy whispered.
For Teddy, watching cartoons didn't fit in with the intellectual impression he had recently been trying to project...
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| Cairo Airport - Terminal Three - Egypt |
"Anyway, don't worry, we'll be back after we finish our business in Luxor.", Jim said reassuringly, realizing that the others were a little disappointed with their 'whirlwind' visit to 'old Cairo'.
"But very soon we have a dinner date at the Winter Palace, in Luxor. so let's make sure that we catch our flight.", Jim added.
So soon the limos were speeding, (as much as you can speed in Cairo), from the city centre to Terminal Three of Cairo Airport - the terminal reserved for Egypt Air.
"But very soon we have a dinner date at the Winter Palace, in Luxor. so let's make sure that we catch our flight.", Jim added.
So soon the limos were speeding, (as much as you can speed in Cairo), from the city centre to Terminal Three of Cairo Airport - the terminal reserved for Egypt Air.
Max was looking rather disconsolate as he sat on his own in the less than luxurious departure lounge of Terminal Three.
"Sorry to leave it to the last minute, but don't worry, you didn't miss anything exciting - just a dusty old mosque, even more shāy, and an old bazaar - but we didn't have time to buy anything anyway...", Josh said, patting Max on the back heartily.
"But Jim says we're coming back to Cairo, after this business in Luxor, so there'll be plenty of time for more dusty old mosques, shāy, and ancient bazaars...", Ethan said.
"So..has everyone got tickets and proof of identity ?", Zac asked.
Everyone nodded.
"I haven't...", Teddy said.
"No... well you won't need anything like that...", Jim said.
"So I suppose he's sitting on my knee... again...", Ethan said.
"Yes... and less of the 'he'... It's Teddy to you !", Teddy said, obviously disgruntled at not having a seat to himself.
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| Egypt Air Boeing 777 - Cairo Airport - Egypt |
Soon they were out on the tarmac.
"You mean we've to climb all those steps !", Ethan said, apparently horrified.
"Yes, Ethan - it's good exercise for you.", Teddy said,
"And the 'plane, it's so small...", Josh said.
"Why don't you simply buy one, Jim ?... It would be a lot more convenient...", Zac said, half seriously.
The 'plane was a Boeing 777 - much smaller than the Airbus.
Now Teddy had quite a lot of information on his data-base about the Boeing 777, but he decided to say nothing, as he didn't want to bore anybody, so he just savoured the information in his own inimitable way.
The Boeing 777 is a wide-body twin-engine jet airliner developed and manufactured by Boeing. It is the world's largest twinjet and has a typical seating capacity of 314 to 396 passengers, with a range of 5,240 to 8,555 nautical miles (9,704 to 15,844 km). Commonly referred to as the Triple Seven, its distinguishing features include large-diameter turbofan engines, long raked wings, six wheels on each main landing gear, fully circular fuselage cross-section. The 777 was designed to replace older wide-body airliners, and bridge the difference between Boeing's 767 and 747. As Boeing's first fly-by-wire airliner, it has computer-mediated controls. It was also the first commercial aircraft to be designed entirely with computer-aided design.
You see... it is really rather boring - but Teddy enjoys things like that - as well as his Disney cartoons.
"I don't think I'm going to like this...", Ethan said - unaware of what was going on in Teddy's brain.
Fortunately it was not to be a long flight - in fact if it had been as long as the flight from Los Angeles to Cairo then most of the group would have probably gone insane.
The estimated duration of the flight was, in fact, about one hour.
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Map - the Nile - Cairo to Luxor - Egypt
open in new tab to enlarge
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The route itself simply followed the River Nile - from the window, a dark line in the sand, edged by areas of verdant green.
Then, to either side, was the seemingly endless yellow expanse of the featureless desert
The Nile itself could be easily seen at the time when they were flying, as the banks were lined with built up areas, some large - some small - but all brightly lit.
"Oh look,", Ethan said cheerily.
"They've got a nice little map here - just in case the pilot loses his way."
Teddy cleared his throat and ignored his obviously nervous friend.
"So where are we going, Teddy ?", Ethan asked seemingly genuinely confused.
"Luxor... near the bottom.", Teddy said, indicating with his furry paw.
Now having recently been on a flight that had taken over a day - they (apart from Ismail) all found it rather disconcerting to be on a flight where they had only just sat down, and got really comfortable, when it was time to get up, and check that they hadn't left anything behind.
Poor Ethan hadn't even had time to select a good DVD to enjoy when Teddy was nudging him, and telling him to look down at the lights of Luxor spread out below them.
The landing was smooth - but not being 'first class' this time, they had to wait their turn to leave the 'plane.
Then they all had a surprise, except of course for Ismail and Teddy.
Cairo is hot, but Luxor is much further south, and hotter, (even if only one hour south by air).
Ismail was used to the heat, and Teddy, being a clever little bear, had turned up his cooling settings in anticipation, having checked the ambient temperature from his data-base.
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| Luxor Airport - Egypt |
"Fuck me...! I can't believe how hot it is..!", Ethan exclaimed, as a 'wall' of hot air hit them as they stepped through the cabin door, and onto the steps leading down from the plane.
"And mind your language, Ethan...", Teddy said reprovingly.
"And it's quite late... and still hot !", Max added.
And yes... .Luxor is very warm, even in the evening - after all, it is in Africa !
"OK... so let's find the limos, and get some air-conditioning full on.", Zac said, as they staggered down the stairs.
The terminal was very quiet, and as they had been on an internal flight, there was no problem with passports and suchlike.
"Cute little terminal...", Ethan said, looking back at the 'Lego' style, 'Neo-Egyptian' architecture.
Fortunately the Mercedes Maybach Pullman limos were waiting for them in the Airport car-park (no parking was allowed in front of the Terminal Building for security reasons).
"So where are these hundred gates ?", Ethan asked, looking round, as they walked over to the parked limos, while fending off some scruffy looking 'porters' who were intent on carrying their bags - for some enormous, and unwarranted fee.
"Well in the 'Iliad' by Homer, he famously described the city as 'hundred-gated Thebes' - but there aren't really a hundred gates...", Teddy explained.
"Oh - so another disappointment....", Ethan said.
It was not a long drive to the Winter Palace Hotel.
On their way, they passed the Temple Complex of Karnak, but in the darkness there was very little to see.
The road closely followed the Nile, and compared to Cairo there was hardly any traffic.
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| Winter Palace - Luxor - Egypt |
At the hotel they were, of course, expected, and the Egyptian of bellhops, dressed in very smart uniforms, similar to that worn by Max back in 'Vegas, swarmed round the huge limos.
They were all quickly escorted up the carpeted double flight of steps to the main entrance of the hotel.
(Because it practically never rains in Luxor, outdoor carpets are a practical proposition.)
"Well I do like this !", Ethan said to Jim.
"Yes... it is nice...", Jim said, as he ruffled Ethan's hair, which reminded Ethan of what the 'Boss' would do - and the gesture brought with it a wave of regret.
Was he now Jim's 'special little guy' ? Ethan wondered - but Teddy knew that Ethan was.
Once out of the air-conditioning of the limos, it was possible to smell the musty scent of the river, and it was obvious that there were gardens near by, as the air was filled with the scent of flowers and herbs.
"So this is 'Thebes of the Hundred Gates'...", Josh quietly mused.
"May your spirit live,
May you spend millions of years,
You who love Thebes,
Sitting with your face to the north wind,
Your eyes beholding happiness.
O night, spread thy wings as the imperishable stars".
LINKIsmail left at the doors to the Winter Palace in order to return to the family home on the West Bank. Doubtless he was eager to have a meal of upper Egyptian food, and so he politely declined to eat with the 'boys'. He had, however, exchanged cell-phone numbers with Jim previously, and had promised to ring in order to invite Jim and Ethan over to the West Bank for the following evening. Meanwhile, the group took their evening meal, and eventually retired to their elegant accommodation, exhausted after a long day. Later they would spend the first day looking round the hotel, which had beautiful gardens, and a magnificent swimming pool, and then explore the city (town) of Luxor.
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All text - © Copyright Peter Crawford 2021
All Images - © Copyright Vittorio Carvelli 2021
Graphic Design - © Copyright Zac Sawyer 202