The Lost Files: The Temple of Luxor

One of the misleading elements of a blog is that it gives the impression of keeping one up-to-date on the adventures and escapades of the blogger, which could very well be the case, except when the blogger is a slacker.

Like myself.

In such a case archives of photos and events build up that should be posted, but instead languish away in obscurity. In an attempt to (begin to) rectify this egregious delinquency, witness the beginning of ‘The Lost Files’.

Beginning with April’s trip to Egypt. Based on what was posted, you’d never know we got past the pyramids. Two of us, however, remained in Cairo as the rest of our group bussed back to Israel. Going first to celebrate Mass with the Missionaries of Charity, they told us about the Franciscans in Luxor, which was our next destination.

Far up the Nile River in the heart of Egypt, Luxor was once the capital of ancient Egyptian, known then as Thebes. Taking the night train that followed the Nile, Father Severhino and I arrived in the city at dawn, which today boasts the most extensive temple complexes of the ancient pharaohs, as well as many of their tombs.

Our early arrival gave us a view of the main temple in the morning sunlight.

Going right in, we had the site virtually to ourselves.

Not counting guys like this, of course.

One of the most spectacular things of walking through the ancient ruins was the sheer magnitude of the scale. Everything was so massive.

Our research confirmed: there remains the remembrance of those who walked like an Egyptian.

All in all, it was a monumental site:

With much to ponder (so we sphinx).

Spending two nights in town (more photos yet), we were able to get to know the Franciscans and meet the Catholic community, as well as celebrate Mass for the sisters who ran a grade school. Definitely an experience worth chronicling.