| Page Views: 828 Last Visit to Alexandria: May, 2007 | An antidote to 'pharaonic' fatigue by Tijavi - last update: Aug 19, 2007 |
Had your fill of mummies, pyramids, tombs, cartouches, obelisks, pharaohs, temples, etc., etc.,? Dreaming of Ramses II, Hatshepsut, Tuthmosis III and Ptolemy while sleeping? Tired of the desolate expanse of the West Bank desert? Developing claustrophobia from entering the pyramids and the tombs in the Valleys of the Kings and Queens? Having sniffles from the dust gathering on the thousands of artifacts at Cairo's Egyptian Museum? These are simply signs of pharaonic fatigue.
Alexandria, Egypt's second largest city may be the antidote against all these. The city, while not less historical than Luxor and Cairo, has surprisingly 'little' to offer in terms of ancient monuments and pharaonic temples. Its attractions - cool Mediterranean breeze (could get chilly during winter), atmospheric ahwas (local coffeehouses) and sheesha (waterpipe) cafés, wonderful beaches, eye-popping public art and cutting-edge public buildings, and interesting architecture - provide the perfect escape from pharaohs and pyramids, in a less hurried, less chaotic (vs. Cairo), and hassle-free (think Luxor's menacing touts) environment.
The best way to see Alexandria is after doing Cairo, Luxor and Aswan. The city's magic lies not in its rich history, for which it has little to show, but rather on its ability to provide that needed variety to your Egyptian experience. |
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| Pros: | "Less hurried, less chaotic, almost hassle-free" | | Cons: | "Has very little to show for its rich history" | | In A Nutshell: | "The antidote to chaotic Cairo and tout-central Luxor" |
Tijavi's Alexandria Travel Tips
 Comments for Tijavi about Alexandria | | | | |
Nemorino Wed Nov 4, 2009 12:26 UTC
I like the looks of the new 21st century Bibliotheca -- great idea to build a monumental new library on the site of the ancient Great Library. The Alexandria National Museum sounds like a fine new initiative, too. | Luchonda Sun Feb 17, 2008 09:49 UTC
Thx for showing us the architecture in Alexandria. Greetz from belgium | TheLongTone Thu Aug 30, 2007 22:34 UTC
Moody sky you've got there! The union hotel will give you proper (turkish') coffee with your breakfast if you ask nicely... | toonsarah Thu Aug 30, 2007 09:30 UTC
I fully understand your concept of "pharaonic fatigue" - even on the most fascinating of historical trips you crave variety :) Loved especially the mural, Akhenaten & library - as a librarian I've wanted for some time to visit the latter! |
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