Where We Be
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| Sunset is the perfect time to visit Luxor Temple; you enter between the two seated Ramses statues |
| This is the view from the outside if you peer around the corner at the right side of Luxor Temple |
| Luxor Temple -- Luxor, Egypt |
| The columned courtyard inside is softly lit for evening viewing |
| We love getting lost amongst the tall columns of this small but lovely temple |
| Passing by this second-floor mosque on the way to Luxor Temple, we hear drumbeats, tambourines, warbling trills, and cheerful singing in celebration of the end of Ramadan |
As we make our way towards Luxor Temple at
sunset, we can hear the sound of drums and
tambourines coming from a second-floor
mosque, along with high warbling trills and
cheerful singing. The Muslims inside are
celebrating the end of Ramadan. For an entire
month they have fasted from dawn to sunset,
even abstaining from a simple drink of water
during the daytime. Now it is time to rejoice.
Although Luxor Temple is much smaller than
the nearby Karnak complex, as our guide puts
it, “It is a jewel.” We see it as the last light of
day fades away. All the statues and columns are
softly lit for night-time viewing. The experience
is romantic and lovely. At the temple entrance
are two enormous seated Ramses statues. Next
to the left statue is a tall obelisk, but its match
is missing -- it's now located in the Place de la
Concorde in Paris. This is the famous obelisk
that the Egyptians are said to have traded for a
French clock that never properly worked.
Passing between the seated Ramses statues,
we enter a columned courtyard and drink in the
atmosphere of the place. It's a joy simply to
wander around on our own, relishing the oh-so-
foreign hieroglyphics and soaring columns. At
the back is a small temple, built by the ancient
Egyptians and since turned into a Coptic church.
sunset, we can hear the sound of drums and
tambourines coming from a second-floor
mosque, along with high warbling trills and
cheerful singing. The Muslims inside are
celebrating the end of Ramadan. For an entire
month they have fasted from dawn to sunset,
even abstaining from a simple drink of water
during the daytime. Now it is time to rejoice.
Although Luxor Temple is much smaller than
the nearby Karnak complex, as our guide puts
it, “It is a jewel.” We see it as the last light of
day fades away. All the statues and columns are
softly lit for night-time viewing. The experience
is romantic and lovely. At the temple entrance
are two enormous seated Ramses statues. Next
to the left statue is a tall obelisk, but its match
is missing -- it's now located in the Place de la
Concorde in Paris. This is the famous obelisk
that the Egyptians are said to have traded for a
French clock that never properly worked.
Passing between the seated Ramses statues,
we enter a columned courtyard and drink in the
atmosphere of the place. It's a joy simply to
wander around on our own, relishing the oh-so-
foreign hieroglyphics and soaring columns. At
the back is a small temple, built by the ancient
Egyptians and since turned into a Coptic church.
