"Jumping into the Nile River to explore... " a Egypt Travel Page by jumpingnorman

So many tourists visit Egypt, and the relics are just so numerous that not all of them can be placed in glass cases. Most are just exposed to the elements and they have survived through thousands of years because of the heat and dryness. I don't even remember where this picture was taken and it might have been just a fleeting moment, but I don't think I should have been that close. Though there were no "signs" and I saw others were touching the limestone, I should have known better - so I am PUNISHING myself by placing this picture here! I felt guilty after touching this Goddess and I hope She accepts my apology.

I asked one of the young girls if she could take my picture, handing her my camera...then I was surrounded by all these smiling young faces and even the teacher came up to me in curiosity. I was wondering whether I looked or acted so foreign to them? But smiles are the key to communication - though there was a language barrier, they appeared pleased to know me and I noticed they were still furtively glancing at me as I was walking through the complex (smiling shyly).

The Valley of the the Kings (there is also one for Queens) is a huge place, almost like an amusement theme park where you go from one exciting tomb to another, recognizing the famous names of pharaohs.
Tutankhamun of the 18th dynasty ruled from about 1333 to 1323 BC, and his tomb was found by Howard Carter almost intact in 1922. Amazing stories surround the discovery of the tomb. And the treasures, specially his mask, should be visited by everybody at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. I stood in front of his mask for a full ten minutes, just staring at his eyes because I did not know when I'll see it again! The Tut tomb was not as spectacular as the others, but it has so much story and drama going for it. I liked King Tut so much so I bought a good-sized colorful papyrus painting of him and his wife (also his sister?) in some kind of a hunting picnic (note: the quality in exclusive/specialty papyrus shops are much better than those on the streets). I stopped myself from shipping back a life-sized sarcophagus (kids might hide inside! hehehehe).