Next Stop: Egypt - Learn more about the Ancient World postcard
Time to pack and embark on a trip a little different from what you're used to. Today's destination is Egypt, and the difference is that those who go to Egypt also end up on a historical expedition - or do you think it is not a real time travel to be able to stand before the pyramids of Giza or the Great Sphinx?
The Arab country, which is also considered a transcontinental state due to its territories in Africa and Asia, is one of the oldest populated spaces in the world. Just to give you an idea, Egypt has been inhabited since the 10th millennium a. Ç.
The capital city is the most populous city in Cairo; The official language is Arabic and the currency used in the country is the Egyptian Pound. Temperatures are high, especially in summer, and may exceed 40 ° C. In winter the thermometers record milder temperatures, but it is not very cold. As it is a desert region, it rains very little.
Ancient egypt
There is no way to speak of Modern Egypt without recalling at least some important aspects of the ancient civilizations that inhabited the country, whose cultural customs enchant us to this day.
Did you know, for example, that most of the pyramids of ancient Egypt were built to serve as tombs for pharaohs and their families? Detail: In all there are 130 pyramids. In fact, the afterlife was of utmost importance to the Egyptians.
The techniques of mummification were developed because the people of ancient Egypt believed that the souls of the preserved bodies would live forever. When stretched, the strips that covered a mummy can reach one mile.
It is still unclear how the pyramids were built, mainly because of the perfection of their shapes and the immensity of each. The Khufu Pyramid, for example, is the largest of all, and its weight is the equivalent of 16 Empire State Buildings, New York's more than 100-story skyscraper.
Many people believe that the pyramids were erected by slaves, but this is not entirely true. There is evidence that services were provided by paid workers. Those responsible for building the monuments were artisans and temporary workers. Slaves were part of ancient Egypt, but it is believed that they were used in more domestic services.
In ancient times, both men and women wore makeup in Egypt. The eyes were usually outlined with copper or lead. The paintings were made because the Egyptians believed this to protect against the sun and, in addition, offered magical healing powers.
If there is one thing that marks Egyptian culture is abundance: the alphabet, for example, had over 700 hieroglyphics! And when it came to religion, know that the Egyptians believed in at least 2, 000 different deities. They had gods for everything, and each had their own function. Everyone should be worshiped so that every citizen could have a balanced life.
Cats were considered sacred animals - each family is believed to have a pet kitten. The belief was that the animal would bring good luck to the house. To pass the time, they liked some games. One of them was called “Senet” and the idea was to throw sticks - almost as we do with the dice today - and see how many squares should be walked on a 30 square board. It was a kind of Ancient Life Game.
By the way, you need to know that many of the items used by mankind until today were invented by the citizens of the land of Cleopatra. Some of these items are: paper, pen, glass, locks, keys and even toothpaste!
Speaking of Cleopatra, it is worth noting that one of the best-known women in the world and who bears the eternal title of Queen of Egypt, in fact, was not Egyptian. Born in Alexandria, Cleo was actually part of a line of Greek Macedonians, descended from Ptolemy I, one of Alexander the Great's most trusted lieutenants. Cleopatra was one of the first people of the Ptolemaic Dynasty to speak the language of the Egyptians.
Egyptian women were ahead of their time and had even social recognition. Although they were viewed as inferior to men, it was common for them to achieve financial independence, to buy and sell property, and even when they worked they received the same as men. The women of ancient Egypt could even divorce and remarry.
The diet of the Egyptians, especially the rich, was based on beer, wine, bread and honey, so many pharaohs were overweight and even suffering from diabetes. Some historians and researchers believe that Queen Hatchepsut, for example, was obese and bald.
Modern Egypt
One of the largest countries in the world, besides being a true historical paradise, is also a great tourism option. If you are looking for a quiet place with a sandy beach, Sharm el-Sheikh on the Red Sea Riviera is more than recommended. The place is among the darlings of various celebrities, and now has modern facilities. If you have the money to make a luxury trip, this is the tip.
Speaking of Red Sea, it is worth mentioning that the region is one of the best rated by divers. The crystal clear waters allow wide access to the incredible underwater scenery, with tropical corals and various specimens of marine animals, circulating while you dive.
Another very common sport among the Egyptians is golf, so don't be surprised to find green fields amid desert landscapes. These camps are mostly located in luxury resorts, so you need to have a little more money in your pocket to join the players.
Now if you have no money to spare and therefore cannot play golf or stay in the Sharm el-Sheikh area, rest assured that one of the best attractions for those who are more economical is to shop. It may be a bit of a paradox to want someone without a lot of money to go shopping, but the reason is that Egypt is the land of bargain, and even if you are on a tight budget, you will certainly be able to return from your trip with a few bags.
In this more consumerist sense of the thing, the tip is the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, which is in Cairo. Marked product prices can easily be negotiated with merchants - a great place, therefore, to buy souvenirs, because there is everything there: from rugs to key chains. Then the tip is to try the traditional Arab coffee - the region is full of establishments selling the invigorating drink.
Once you have settled in Cairo, knowing that getting to the pyramids is no difficult task. They are actually close to Cairo's inner city, and some are even disappointed that they would have to stumble into the middle of the desert to find them. Not quite.
It is also indicated that you know the Cairo Museum, which is full of interesting exhibits and, they say, not very well organized. There you will be able to see up close some millennial mummies and of course the pharaoh statues such as Amenhotep III, Ramses II and Akhenaton. Not to mention the famous treasures of Tutankhamun.
When you decide that you are going to Cairo, preferably choose a hotel in the city center. It has everything and for every pocket. Why is it better to stay downtown? Because this area is best suited for those who need public transportation, banks, supermarkets, currency exchange and the like.
Once you are settled in, remember that Cairo is a giant and tumultuous city. You will be depending on chaotic traffic and you will hear horns all the time. If you are without a tour guide or have been totally on your own, ideally you should choose taxis and subways as a way of getting around.
To eat, you will have restaurants of all kinds, but keep an eye on the typical dishes, so you won't complain later. In addition to kaftas, there is also hamam, which you should eat only if you want to know what a pigeon tastes like. When in doubt, always ask which ingredients are on the dish you choose.
City of the Dead
The place is what its name says: a huge cemetery that eventually became housing for living people. Homelessness is a problem that affects the entire country, so many people ended up living in cemeteries. By "a lot of people, " mean: two million people.
Whole Families Live in Old Tombs Children often play among the dead, and when the weather is hot - almost always - the smell is very uncomfortable. These people end up living in abandoned graves without electricity or drinking water.
There are many tourists visiting the City of the Dead, and if you want to do the same, it is good to remember that the place is considered dangerous because it also houses some outlaw criminals and drug dealers.
Residents of the City of the Dead live unrelated to what happens in the country. They are forgotten there by a government that gives them no opportunity. Some cemeteries even have their own businesses, such as bakeries and grocery stores.
