Walking around Luxor (Ancient Thebes)

We had some down time from the tour in most of the cities- at least a few hours- to walk around a bit on our own. This was very difficult in Asswan and Luxor especially, as Egypt is noticably starved for tourism and you do get hassled a lot...but it's still worthwhile to venture out!

In walking around Luxor I saw some interesting graffiti that I really liked. 

Also walking around, I got to see Luxor temple. This is one of the few temples that's open at night, making for some really beautiful views. Since it was late and we were meeting back to get on another sleeper train I didn't have the time to go in, but still was impressed. 

This temple and all of Karnak were at one point connected with a large road that was flanked by hundreds of small sphinx statues. As they excavate more and more in the area, they are sowly starting to open up this road. Ahmed told us that in the next few years they are hoping to open it all up so that you can actualy walk from Luxor temple all the way to Karnak on this sphinx road. This is a section of it that they have open now. 

For those of you who've also been to Paris, the obelisk there is the twin to the one pictured here from Luxor. It once sat on the opposite side of the entrance to the temple. I just loved seeing this all at night. 

Interestingly, smack in the middle of this temple....is a mosque. Apparently, this whole temple area was burried under the sand. True to form of most religions, the people in power coming in took note that this site was important to the people and instead of building a new holy place just built right on top. When, years later, some artifacts were found and the area began to be excavated, the houses and people that were there were moved. However, it was decided that there would be too much uproar over moving the mosque that was there. So.... it's still there, still open, and just sitting right in the middle of an ancient Egyptian temple! You can see it all lit up below on the right.