Swiss....Cheese....Yes....

Yes....Switzerland was our next destination. My Mother put it beautifully by saying, "Well I do not have to prepare for this trip studying historical facts or refer Fodor's guide. All one has to do in Switzerland is just to imagine that you are walking holding Mother Nature's hand".  Sure it was.

The first time I went to Switzerland was in 1997 on a Eu-rail adventure trip with friends.  I have to write about that fabulous experience one of these days.

This adventure with Mom was more well planned but full of excitement.  What I learnt in those trips both with friends and Mom was that the travel itinerary must have some spontaneous acts and out of the tourist routes. The heart of Switzerland lies in its beautiful mountain villages. Though I like Geneva, Zurich and Basel which are nice cities to get around especially for business trips, yet my favorites are Interlaken and Grindelwald. The towering peak of Mt. Eiger and the Alps range makes you feel humble and happy.

Alright, no Swiss trip is complete without tasting the real Swiss Fondue, Brie and of course chocolate. The best Fondue I had was in Grindelwald. We stopped at this restaurant for dinner. The Chef gave me a wide choice of vegetarian and patiently taught me the nuances of properly selecting the cheese dips.  I looked out of the window.  Mt. Eiger with its tall majestic peak glistening under the moon light looked so comforting.

We loved the villages on the way. Sometimes we stopped at a village cafe to learn more about the local lore's and tales. One such story we heard was about why the window sills have beautiful flowers in every village we passed thru. According to the tradition if the plants looked healthy and blooming it means that the household is peaceful and happy. If the flowers are withering and not pruned properly it means that there is some problem or issues in the house. The villagers usually step in to find out the reason and to help.

Interestingly, when human beings lived in a more communal and sharing way of life the interaction was more face to face. Now, we have created a "Web" around us, operate in a www World! Technology is an enabler to change the traditions. But the quest to connect, to share, to love and to be loved are still the same. Right?

We reached back to the hotel and checked the map to visit Lichtenstein another tiny country in the Rhine valley bordering Austria and Switzerland. My mind wandered from Mt. Eiger to the Himalayas, the Andes and the Rockies. What a beautiful planet is ours!


All content copyright © by Sobana Iyengar.

Amma....Hugs....Bliss....

Mata Amirthanandamayi, affectionately called as the "Hugging Saint" or Amma is in town. Just returned from the evening lecture and bhajans. It was a great comfort to be in her presence, who relentlessly works and helps the unfortunate people all over the World.  In today's lecture she mentioned about the need to reflect and to develop awareness. The human mind will always oscillate between good and bad thoughts and sometimes what is bad may even be more tempting. If one practices to distinguish between the good and the bad thoughts, that awareness will help one to prevent the action related to that bad thought.

Amma was born in a fisherman's village in Kerala on the shores of Arabian sea in India.  Started helping her poor villagers and showered love on them when she was a little girl.  She expanded her universal love to all. Her smile and empathetic hugs bring donations and volunteers to serve the community not only in India but poor and destitutes all over the world.  Her spiritual organization runs projects related to charity, education, housing and empowerment of women.

On the stage Amma was singing beautifully the Bhajan song "Praise Mother". The well orchestrated chorus, the rhythm of the cymbals, the lovely music from the harmonium and her sweet voice pushed me into that divine experience. Slowly my heart melted into sheer joy and peace.

On the way home, I was silent, smiling, and thinking "Thank You God".

http://www.amritapuri.org/9379/embrace-concept/





All content copyright © by Sobana Iyengar.

Mother …….London……Reflection….

Mom always had a great fascination for London due to its history and the treasures that were taken from India to adorn the British Royals. I think even the school anthem they had in those days “God save the King” must have been a part!. My grandfather worked for the British government and like all the educated middleclass family, talking and thinking in “English” was considered as a “cool” thing to do. My Mom literally grew up surrounded by books and poems of Wordsworth, Keats and Shakespeare!!. Luckily being an orthodox Hindu, my grandparents also taught her Tamil and Sanskrit literature and religious hymns which she adored and mastered.

Ok coming back to England, when I started going to London on business trips, I have decided to take Mom also with me. When I asked her to join me in one of those trips, she was very enthusiastic, started humming “London Bridge is falling down” and created a list of tourist spots to visit. She was very happy that she is visiting London as a free Indian now and not when India was ruled by Britain.

We arrived in Heathrow and there was not much scrutiny as it was one of the pre 9/11 period. We took a taxi and arrived at the Hilton near Nelson Square. My Mom said that every landmark looks very familiar as she had seen them many times in the Travel Channel or read in the books. Well, after a brief rest and breakfast we headed out. My Mom said “Imagine the time when the Palace had no electric lights and the horse carriages carrying those Dukes and Duchess in the cobbled stone streets of London”!

The principle of Monarchy in England has changed with the time and with the Parliamentary democracy, the Royals have become a “Living Museum” concept. I think the choice to maintain that tradition even though it cost a considerable amount in the budget, is important as we can witness the continuity and the preservation of an antiquated tradition unfolding in front of our eyes. We need those brief moments of “awe” and “wonder” in our lives to become a child again and to enjoy a fairy tale!

The most awaited Crown jewels! We went to the London Tower to see the jewels. The Kohinoor diamond and the Peacock throne plus beautiful Emeralds, Rubies and Sapphires looked adorable in the well protected show cases and heavily guarded. It is also amazing to see how a piece of lowly carbon was transformed into a piece of dazzling diamond in the cradle of the mother earth and gained value to be followed by war, treachery and greed.



London trip can never be completed without a visit to the British Museum, Greenwich, Stratford at Avon Stone Henge, and the Oxford University. In Oxford, my Mom sighed and said that she never had the opportunity to go to College. I said “Mom your scholastic aptitude and research mind is unsurpassable. Without you I would not have gone to College”. With a new vigor and a sense of gratitude, I took Mom back to London right into the Regent Street. Yes, to the oldest Indian restaurant in London, Veeraswamy’s. The Manager was happy to narrate the history and the famous people who had visited the restaurant to my Mom while I was busy munching the best onion and vegetable pakoras!!




All content copyright © by Sobana Iyengar.

Mother.....Mycenae.....Musings

When I said that I want to rent a car to visit Mycenae, my Mom immediately said "No I don't want to you to drive outside of Athens when you do not know enough Greek to follow the signs or be able to ask for help on the way". None of my defenses worked out. In the end it dawned on me that after all I want Mom to enjoy the vacation and why ruin that for her. What fun it would be if one of us was worrying. So, with smiles I asked the concierge to book us in the tour for Mycenae.  The bus promptly left the hotel around 7.00am.  First we visited Corinth. The land bridge that connects the Peloponnese peninsula and the mainland Greece was built sometime in the late 1800's.  After some photo shoots we were heading towards Mycenae. The olive groves and vineyards greeted us. The yummy Kalamata olives comes from this area.

Today, Mycenae is an archaeological site with ruins from the bronze age, the skeletal remains of a citadel, a town near the city Argos. Through Homer's epic Iliad we know more about the history of Helen "the face that launched thousand ships", Troy, Mycenae's opulence, its famous King Agamemnon's victory in the Trojan war. Facts or Fiction, his epics dated 10-11th century BC remain immortal.

One name that always connected to Mycenae is Heinrich Schliemann who had systematically excavated the sites at Mycenae and brought to light the Agamemnon's mask. But the  bronze age citadel and the Lion's Gate was excavated by the Greek archaeologist Kyriakos Pittakis.  Our tour group made Ah... and Oh... sounds and with camera's clicking we looked at the famous Lion's gate that belongs to the bronze age architecture perhaps around 1600 BC -1000 BC that represent the connector of bronze age into classical Greece.  My  Mom was quite happy to see the sites and said that she always imagine the big picture of how this would have looked in the ancient past.

The arid mountains and the dry summer breeze rustling thru the Olive trees whispered that humans are part of that history, integrated event of migration, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement or detriment. In our journey on this earth, we can only rediscover or reinvent, but cannot create a universe with a sun and a moon.

The tour guide announced that lunch will be served in a nice vineyard boutique restaurant and the vegetarians will get a special Greek salad with fresh feta cheese and yogurt.





All content copyright © by Sobana Iyengar.

Mother....Greece.... Glimpses

I want to reminisce some of the great moments of traveling with my Mother.  In 2001 suddenly we planned for a Mom and daughter vacation.  First, we headed to Switzerland, spent some days in Zurich and then went to Athens. My Mother couldn't wait to go to Greece.  She prepared more for this tour by getting books from the library and brushed her knowledge about the history of Greece.  During the entire trip I never needed a tour guide as my Mom was the walking encyclopedia, guide and a historian.

We landed in Athens around 7.00pm. On our way to the hotel we could see the Acropolis veiled in florescent lights.  We stayed at the Hilton Athens and I think the Manager must have read the excitement on my Mom's face and he gave us the room with the Acropolis view. Both of us stood in the balcony gazing the Acropolis and my Mom said, "Today, the temple of the Goddess Athena was just a reminder of the past but the vibration still brings numerous modern day pilgrims - the tourists".

Next day we started exploring the classic side of Greece. Our first stop was the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion. It is a beautiful seaside and we felt sad for the ruins. We also saw Lord Byron's graffiti in one of the pillars. It was a great day trip and we enjoyed every minute of it.

 Much awaited Acropolis! I was humming the music of Yanni whereas Mom was telling about the Elgin collections in the British Museum that were taken from the Acropolis. Her unique sari always collects fans for her. I remember this guy from Bulgaria was so interested in taking a picture with Mom!

When she saw the Olive tree supposedly an offspring from the sacred tree that belonged to the Temple in its heydays, my Mom was happy to go around the tree in clockwise as in Indian tradition and prayed. I could still remember the gleam in her eyes filled with serene peace and joy.  After a nice dinner at the Placa (a bazaar near Acropolis), we returned to the hotel. The moon was bright and the Acropolis looked beautiful silently witnessing the passing of civilizations, cities, wars, opulence and people - with the knowledge that everything on this earth will pass....

My Mom started telling me the history of Mycenae our next location.

All content copyright © by Sobana Iyengar.

Cheers.....Celebrate...Cheesecake.....

I am in Philadelphia this week on business. Now, back in the hotel I am watching the rain and reminiscing about the events of the past few weeks.

First, three cheers to Nashae, Khang, and Makayla for winning the speech contest organzied by It's Time on March 22nd.  I wish I was there too.  But as usual "If it is Monday it must be traveling"! Hats off to you Zalenda and the team for the efforts and for bringing the best out of these kids.

On March 29th,  I was thrilled by the news that archealogists have unearthed a pink granite doorway in Luxor, Egypt.  They consider this as the "Doorway to afterlife", perhaps a false door or one of many that were hidden in the tombs. Guess what.... it is from the tomb of the chief minister of my favorite Queen Hapshetsut!  Apparently this door was resued by the Romans  in one of their structures in Luxor.  When I visited the Valley of the Queens, somehow Queen Hapshetsut has captivated me. May be because of the compelling story of her power and her will to rise above the patriarchal monarchy and the priests. Perhaps because she was a woman who showed mettle and prowess. Whatever, it is really great to know that the World was not all that dark 4000 years ago!  Today, there she is once again revealing a pinch of the secret of that ancient civilization and making news.

Queen Hapshetsut's temple

Well it is almost 10.00pm. A hard day's work, a light hearted writing, and feeling great about the children who participated in the speech contest. Now it is time to celebrate all these wonderful events with the Newyork Style Cheese cake with strawberry topping!

Water...Water...Everywhere...

Clean drinking water has become a commodity, a consumer product, and a million dollar industry.  The ground water and the natural springs are being harvested to create the artificial clean water. Rivers are polluted with industrial waste and garbage.  Ocean liners and rigs pollute the oceans and endanger the marine species.

UN has declared March 22nd as the International Water day to bring awareness on water pollution, quality, and management of water.

Water pollution occurs at two levels - Ignorance and deliberate action. Let us hope that there will be more stringent laws and regulations on water pollution at a global level along with educating the masses on the consequences of water pollution. 

Here is the UN link for some good pictures with facts.

http://www.unwater.org/worldwaterday/flash/g1/gallery1.html

"Water, water, everywhere,

And all the boards did shrink;

Water, water, everywhere,

Nor any drop to drink'. "

thus laments Coleridge's "Ancient Mariner". I can imagine the appropriateness of these verses even though the context is different!.

Ada…..Anita……March 8th…...

Happy March 8th - International Women’s day. Every epoch in History women have contributed to the development of science, technology, literature, education, medicine, law, social changes, and politics. Most importantly they provided a base for the next generation of women to continue to work on the progress of mankind and women’s rights. Every country and culture has produced these pioneers - named, nameless or less known in the written history. Many women rose beyond the tight social, cultural and political framework to bring the freedom of thought, women’s suffrage, and education. One day, we will have a World where women and men will work together in mutual respect for the common good be it a small village in Congo, a rural town in India, or a tribal village in Amazon.

I want to remember two of such women who had the courage to think out of the box.

I was introduced to ADA by my Expert Systems Professor in one of his lectures on the history of computer languages. He mentioned that the first programming language was named after a woman Ada Lovelace. She was born in 1815 to the famous poet Lord Byron. Apparently her interests were in Mathematics and she wrote programmes along with  Charles Babbage the father of computing languages. In one of her futuristic comments Ada predicted that Babbage’s “Analytical Engine” could be used in creating graphics, create music, and complex scientific calculation.

Anita Snook, a pioneer in aviation famously called as Neta Snook was born in 1896.   She managed to break the social constraints and got her flying instructions and opened a successful flying school in Kinner, California. In 1917, she gave flying instructions to Amelia Earhart, the first woman to fly across the Atlantic. The student became more famous to the teacher's delight.

Let us celebrate and learn to reach new heights thereby providing yet another step for the disadvantaged women all over the World.

Inspire.. Dream.. Lead...

February is dedicated to commemorate the Black History.  All these days I was under the impression that it started with Martin Luther King until recently when I came to know of the inspiring history behind it.  Carter G Woodson son of former slaves James and Eliza Woodson of  New Canton Virginia, started the Negro Histroy Week in February 1926 to promote African American history and their contributions.  He was the first African American to get a Ph.D from Harvard University in 1912.  Later on, the month February was dedicated as the Black History month to remember the contributions of  the innovators, educators, artists, writers, scientists, politicians, sportspersons, philanthropists, men and women who fought for civil rights and justice.

Today I felt very honored to be a guest speaker at the Power Lunch program organized by IT'S TIME a non-profit  organization dedicated to help the youth to excel in social, academic and professional spheres.  The youth program is run in Washington DC under the leadership of Zalenda Cyrille. The first session is for learning and the second session is for the speech. When I entered John Burrough's Learning Center in DC,  Zalenda was  coaching the youth on public speaking. She showed them a video clip about the earthquake in Haiti and explained how to use the logical questioning technic to prepare a speech on Haiti.

I shared with the children about my education, career, my dreams and travels. The children asked me amazing questions on how I like my job, what is the most difficult thing in my job, how do I handle likes and dislikes in my job. Showed interest to know about my role models and my school days.  When I was telling them about my travels to S. Afrcia, Tunisia, and Egypt in Africa, they even recited all the countries in Africa in alphabetical order. Actually, it was a beautiful rap!

What a great Saturday morning. I felt very much energized by the enthusiam and interest shown by these young dreamers. It is about time that we need organizations like IT'S TIME to help young boys and girls to dream, to succeed, and to lead.

Snow! Child! Adult!....

Finally the blizzard hit the Washington DC area on friday.   Luckily, I returned home on thursday night from my business trip. Once we are prepared with the essentials like milk and groceries then it is waiting for the arrival of that first snow flakes. This time it was non-stop. The snow flakes were falling down rhythemically. TV news anchors were busy with the updates.
This blizzard brought almost 28 inches of snow, a record equal to the year 1922. After a while I stopped watching the updates and concentrated on the beauty of the snow.  Watching the snow slowly engulfing the surroundings is like observing an artist painting a landscape. The snow creates wonderful sculptures on the branches of the trees and shrubs.  During the night,  the moonlight has turned everything bright. It is almost similar to the northern lights.  It almost beckons one to take a walk. But, the practical side of me refused to wear the snow boots and the gear to venture into the night for a walk. So cosily I covered myself with a blanket and drank hot tea instead! 
This morning it was time to rock! Joined the children in our neighborhood and had a great time throwing snow balls and sledding around. Shoveling the snow does not seem like a chore anymore.

The weekend has ended so also the snow showers. The child in my heart has slept peacefully dreaming about the next chance perhaps viewing the sunrise from the plane. Meanwhile the adult side of me has began checking the tasks for the week and started packing for yet another business trip. "Woods are lovely dark and deep...".

Egypt Travelogue: Old Cairo - If God willing!

The morning was bright and sunny. Time to visit the  Islamic Cairo and the Museums. The name Cairo means the "city of minarets". Egypt's state religion is Islam. However, Islamic Cairo comprise the sections of old Cairo with the historical mosques, the citadel, and the famous Khan-El-Kahilili market area.  Egypt was conquered by the Arabs in 641 AD and since then Cairo has started accumulating its Islamic monuments. The oldest mosque is the Ahmad Ibn Tulun built on a small hill. There is also the impressive Al Ahzar mosque and the University is the second oldest surviving university built in 972 AD.  Thanks to our guide I could keep record of these historical dates with a probability of  +/- 5% errors!!

The Islamic Cairo is a mix of multiple ethnic groups. Women here dress more conservatively than in other parts of the city.  Our guide said that we must visit the City of the Dead which is a 4 mile stretch close to the Citadel with multi level tombs. There we found people walking and coming out of the tombs! Apparently, many poor immigrants from southern Egypt have taken shelter in these tombs and created a city of living among the dead.  Housing crisis is huge in Cairo and especially poor has no choice but to find whatever place they can find. 

One cannot miss the Citadel on the eastern skyline of Cairo. Saladin the Abbasid ruler used the citadel as a strategic military fort during the crusades. Continuous expansions and fortifications were made during the Mamluk period and finally the Ottoman turks took over it. Today, it lodges museums and mosques. Who are Abbasids? Who are Mamluks?. Well that is your home work to figure out!!

The early Ottoman mosque is the Sulayman Pasha Mosque. Mohammed Ali Pasha who ruled Egypt in the 1800's built the baroque style Mohammed Ali Mosque. We had a long walk in the citadel and now it is time to do some shopping!

A tour in Egypt is not complete if one has not visited the Khan El Khalili market. This is a vast sprawling market from small souveneir shops to expensive jewelery and other items. Here, one can get specialty goods like carpets, cotton material, essential oils and spices. The history of this market goes back to 1382 AD when Emir Khalili established this trading center.

It was quite interesting to walk through the narrow alleys checking out all kinds of goods.  The traders love bargaining. It is fun to bargain and to check with them where they are origianlly from. We met shop keepers from Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia, and Aswan area.  The area bustles with locals and toruists. There are Police outpost everywhere to help the tourists if they get lost in the maze of alleys.

Unlike the artisan village or gallery, in Khan Khalili market one can find machine made alabaster vases. Luckily, we made it a point to visit the artisan village in Luxor where the alabaster and onyx artifacts are hand made with stone implements. One can find the artisans in their cotton galabayas proudly showing the wares. Galabaya is a traditional Egyptian garment worn by men. 

We visited the Egyptian Museum at Cairo which is a walkable distance from Ramses Hilton located in the busy Tahir Square.  We saw the famous Royal Mummies and King Tutankhamon’s treasures.  The exhibits are awesome. To my mind, the grandeur and the opulence that the ancients enjoyed cannot be possible without a sophisticated technology which perhaps was lost or modified to suit the social fabric of the following time period.  History cannot tell imaginery stories if there is no evidence or facts, right.  I hope the monuments will be preserved for the future generations. There is so much history and so much for the future. Only peace, tolerance and non-violence will help progress and growth.

It is time to say goodbye to Egypt that fascinated me from my childhood.  This is another place I would like to visit again.  Our hotel staff gave us hugs and said "If God willing"!

Egypt Travelogue: Old Cairo - Merry Christmas

December 24th 2009.  We have decided to spend the Christmas Eve to visit the Coptic section in the Old Cairo.  Egypt is an Islamic state with a Civil Law System based on the Islamic (Shariah) law and the Napoleanic code. But, there are restrictions as to how much one is allowed to practice their religion in public. Our tour guide who is a Coptic Christian mentioned that their ID must mention the religion that they practice for access to education, employment and public services. This section of the Cairo is guarded by armed security personnel.

The remains of the walls of the ancient Fortress Babylon built by the Romans still surrounds the old city. I always feel that I could sense the vibrations of an ancient city be it Varanasi in India or Athens in Greece. It is like checking your Grandma’s old attic and looking at the vintage treasures like silk, heirlooms and antiques with awe and wonder. One cannot miss the fortress walls when reaching old Cairo.  The western tower that dates back to 98 AD was built by the Roman King Trajan.  Does the name ring a bell!  Yes, it was the same Trajon who is famous for the Trajon's column in Rome.

Our first stop was at the St. George’s the Greek Orthodox Church which has a nice spherical dome. The original church was built in the 10th century on top of a Roman tower.  The present structure was built somewhere in the early 19th century. There is a monastery adjacent to the church. We lighted candles and prayed for the World peace.

When we go down the winding Zuweila alley we will see the Hanging Church. The Hanging Church or El Mullaqqa Sitt Mariam is dedicated to Virgin Mary and our guide told us that this is the oldest Christian Church in Cairo built in the 8th century AD.  Next to that is the Monastery and the Coptic St. George's church.  St. George is a favorite Saint among the Coptics and the Greek Orthodox sects here. Our guide told us even Muslims visit the Shrine of the Chains of St. George on Fridays and Sundays.

During the 1st century AD, St. Mark visited Alexandria and propagated Christianity in North Africa. The first split occured in Christianity with the Coptic Church who consider Jesus as divine unlike the rest who beleive in the dual nature.  Let us move on without spending time on the philosophical differences or the splits that occured in Christianity until the end of middle ages.  Time to concentrate on the beautiful churches and monastery here in Cairo.

The Coptic Museum is a must to see with its splendid collection of ancient Christian relics and artifacts.  Coptic means Egyptian and one can find a distinct flavor of ancient Egyptian influence in the motifs found on the artifacts. Our next stop was the Jewish Synagogue Ben Ezra. Today it is a monument as no religious services are allowed. This Syangogue has an interesting story. It was originally built as a Coptic Church with a basilica structure. In 882 AD, Abraham Ben Ezra purchased the church as the Christians were unable to pay the taxes levied by the then ruler Ahmed Tulun. Ben Ezra converted the Church into a Syangogue.

The Synagogue became famous during the next centuries for the Jews in North Africa to come and celebrate the festivals. It is fairly big to accomodate the men in the main level and women in the upper level during prayers.
In 1892 the deteriorated strucutre was rebuilt with funds received from Jewish community.  When King Farouk was overthrown in 1952, the wealthy and influential Jewish community moved out of Egypt.  Slowly the Jewish population has dwindled and currently there are about 500 or less elderly people live in Alexandria and Cairo.  Hopefully differences are accepted in the future and peace will prevail.  Pictures are not allowed inside the Synagogue.  

When we came outside the guard wanted us to see where baby Moses was found and showed us a passage! But, our tour guide corrected that it is a medieval Geniza an underground hideout where they discovered numerous scrolls and ancient texts from the Middle Ages.
An armed guard showed us the way towards the parking lot. While walking, these questions came up in my mind. Why one group wants to wipe out the history of another group? Why do some people destroy a place of worship?  Is that the instinct we got from our hunting and gathering paleolithic ancestors?  As I was thinking about this and trying to find an answer, the primeval basic instinct hunger saved me!  Time to get some nice Egyptian Vegetarian food!

Egypt Travelogue - Luxor

We flew to Luxor from Cairo by Egypt Air. This saved us a day to spend more time in Luxor.  The ancient city of  the New Kingdom  with its capital at Thebes was dedicated to the God Amon-Ra. Our plan was to visit the Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, Luxor Temple, Karnak Temple and the Temples built by Queen Hapshet Sut the first woman pharoh and King Ramses III.  After a brief rest and breakfast we started our journey to the ancient sites. The two statues of Amenhotep III also called as the colossi of Memnon dated 14th century BC welcome us to the necropolis located in the west banks of the Nile. The two statues stand guard at the entrance of the mortuary temple which is now in rubbles and ruins.  Behind the statues are the limestone mountains facing the desert are the tombs of the Kings and Queens. The Egyptians also built tombs for the nobles, and common people.
 There are about 63 tombs in the Valley of the Kings. Tourists are allowed in about 11 of them. We visited the tomb of Tutankhamun and few other tombs. The whole valley is designated as the World Heritage Site and the paintings on the walls are protected by glass walls. One could still see ancient graffitti in some places. The rock cut corridor leads to the chambers. The funerary texts are etched on the walls.
After the visit to the tombs we headed towards the Temple of Ramses III which has beautiful paintings and columns with disfigured statues. 

Another noteworthy temple is the one built by Queen Hapshetsut facing the famous Karnak Temple.  The temple has three levels with huge columns and a big courtyard with colassal statues. This is located in the Valley of the Queens.

The Karnak and Luxor temples are in the east bank of the Nile and are dedicated to the God Amon-Ra. The west bank is the Valley for the dead and the east bank is for the temples. Amon-Ra with his consort Mut and Chon have statues in the Luxor temple. Queen Hapshet Sut has constructed two obelisks in the Karnak temple. These obelisks are the inspiration to the Wshington Monument in DC.

The avenue of the sphinx, the obelisks, the corridors, ritual tank which has an underground pipe connecting to the river Nile and the huge pillars are amazing. The colassal artifacts which dates back to 14th century BC to 900 BC make us feel humble.  The remains show us a glimpse of the past, a civilization that flourished and pushed the humanity to the present century. 

My head bowed in silence and I thanked those ancient artisans, architects, and sculptors.