E is for...energy, embroidery, egypt
E is for Egypt.
Egypt is, perhaps, the oldest nation on earth emerging sometime around 3150 BCE with the unification of the Lower and Upper Kingdoms. And Egypt is, of course, in the news right now and rightly so. But it is not modern Egypt that I dream of.
It is ancient Egypt, the Egypt of pharaohs and pyramids, of mummies and temples and scarabs, of stele and hieroglyphics. It is the Egypt of Isis and Ra and the exotic pantheon of gods that captured my attention and fascination. I don't know how old I was, maybe early teens, when I discovered Egypt or even how it came to my attention. Probably through something my father was reading at the time. He had an interest in archeology for a while and I remember reading Gods, Graves and Scholars by C. W. Ceram.
However it came about, my fascination with ancient Egypt blossomed and continues to this day and though I am by no means a scholar on the subject (I have probably forgotten more than I remember), I have read quite a bit about it. Each new archeological discovery rivets my attention once again until the story passes out of the news.
Oh Egypt, strange and familiar, so compelling, it calls to something in me. It is my past buried in the sand. I know those cryptic shapes, have carved them in the stone.
If I ever leave this continent, if I ever cross the ocean, it will not be to the capitals of Europe that I go. It won't be to France or Italy, not to Portugal or Spain or Germany. Not even to wild Russia or Poland.
It is Egypt that beckons.
How timely.
ReplyDeleteAs their countrymen have been on our minds for many days, I have to say that I have a lot of pride in our fellow man that they stood up for what was right and best for them.
Bravo Egypt.
I think it would be fascinating to visit too. I know I enjoyed the Mummy movies a lot :)
ReplyDeleteI have a friend who has been to Egypt and has all sorts of stuff from there. She gave me a coffee mug with hieroglyphs on it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice post about Egypt. So refreshing after all of the news currently.
ReplyDeleteEgypt has been one of the places at the top of my list of places I would like to visit too! My brother who is my best friend is the one that got me interested. I hope you get your wish.
ReplyDeleteEgypt is so interesting- every single aspect- when you go take me with you. Things can only improve now that Mr. M is stepping down- (hope) The people seem to have a handle on it and a desire for betterment. Cool-
ReplyDeleteWhen the Tut exhibit was here- I became overwhelmed actually and had to leave- too much- and the gold was HEAVY! Maybe I won't go along with you after all...
xxxooo
Yes, Egypt beckons to many...me, included.
ReplyDeleteE, in this post, is also for exotic. That's the sense I get from old Egypt.
ReplyDeleteMay your love for this beautiful land of antiquity, sooth the heart of those who fight for it today.
ReplyDeleteEgypt is a grand place indeed, and I too, which to return to it. I want to walk its land, not in uniform, armed to the teeth or afraid... I want to carry books to compare ancient beauty to the current, a camera to record smiling faces...
Now that you mention it when I have seen photos of your artwork there is a touch of Egypt there!
ReplyDeleteWell, a holiday in Egypt will soon be possible again.
ReplyDeleteGo, if you can; you know the only things we regret at the end of our lives are those we didn't do.
And what a different Egypt you will enter. Ancient, yet so much wonderfully new about it. Start planning!
ReplyDeleteReally nice!
ReplyDeleteBut if you change your mind and make stop in Europe - let me know, will you? :)
I can understand your fascination with Egypt. It was seeing the film 'Cleopatra' with Taylor and Burton that sparked my interest in all things ancient. Not the ideal introduction in many ways, but you have to start somewhere. I hope you get to go there sometime.
ReplyDeleteI hear you! I hear that same call.
ReplyDeleteI'm also fascinated by Egypt. There's just something about a land that's as old as time itself.
ReplyDeleteI interviewed an elderly lady recently who had artifacts from Egypt.
Her father was a corporate attorney in the early 1900's when antiquities were common souvenirs.
Interesting post. Ever since I saw the Tutankhamun exhibition in Toronto their history and art has resonated for me too.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking the same thing!
ReplyDeleteEllen: When you decide to go, please see the offerings through ShamanicJourneys.com in Eugene, Oregon. My spiritual journey with them was magnificent (and there will be a book coming out this fall with writings from those of us on that particular tour -- I've got photographs and four pieces in it).
ReplyDeleteCan't help but wonder what the future holds for that great nation. Can't help but long to go there myself.
ReplyDeleteE is for Ellen in Egypt! Nice thought, that.