It promised to be cooler today. High temp will only reach 24° C. First on the list was a 45 minute meandering stroll through the souk to the Unfinished Obelisk site.
Public drinking water stations are scattered throughout Aswan neighborhoods. Most have a small supply of reusable drinking cups.
Many bakeries were making their daily deliveries.
Attractive doorway, in better shape than most.
Very common scene in neighborhoods. Garbage strewn everywhere. Stray dogs just lying around. Fortunately, none are aggressive.
A newer local school. The front gate had just opened to admit students.
Typical neighborhood with unpaved road; these buildings are in better condition than many other neighborhoods.
Open spaces just fill up with garbage.
The Unfinished Obelisk in a pink granite quarry from approximately 3500 years ago. If completed, it would have been 42 m tall, 1/3 larger than any other currently standing obelisk. Unfortunately, the obelisk cracked and the project was abandoned.
The historical significance of this UNESCO site is the demonstrated technique of initially carving on three sides, and then carefully chipping away at the undersurface to separate it from the bedrock. Ancient Egyptians were not afraid to take on massive projects.
Picture standing inside the obelisk channel to emphasize scale.
Across the street from the Unfinished Obelisk was Fatimid Cemetery with origins dating back to the ninth century.
There were two of these within the cemetery complex. Not sure if they were coffins being prepared for upcoming burial.
Public drinking water stations are scattered throughout Aswan neighborhoods. Most have a small supply of reusable drinking cups.
Many bakeries were making their daily deliveries.
Attractive doorway, in better shape than most.
Very common scene in neighborhoods. Garbage strewn everywhere. Stray dogs just lying around. Fortunately, none are aggressive.
A newer local school. The front gate had just opened to admit students.
Typical neighborhood with unpaved road; these buildings are in better condition than many other neighborhoods.
Open spaces just fill up with garbage.
The Unfinished Obelisk in a pink granite quarry from approximately 3500 years ago. If completed, it would have been 42 m tall, 1/3 larger than any other currently standing obelisk. Unfortunately, the obelisk cracked and the project was abandoned.
The historical significance of this UNESCO site is the demonstrated technique of initially carving on three sides, and then carefully chipping away at the undersurface to separate it from the bedrock. Ancient Egyptians were not afraid to take on massive projects.
Picture standing inside the obelisk channel to emphasize scale.
Across the street from the Unfinished Obelisk was Fatimid Cemetery with origins dating back to the ninth century.
There were two of these within the cemetery complex. Not sure if they were coffins being prepared for upcoming burial.
Thank you Henry, Linda, Tim, Jeff, and Priscilla for the wonderful commentary and photos. To the extent you can, please keep them coming. What an incredible journey. Not exactly a Rick Steves' tour. Stay safe.
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