Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Egypt, Part Four - Cairo Museum

The theme for the next day....mummification!

We visited the Cairo Museum. I knew the museum was a site not to be missed, but I didn't really have a clear picture of what we might see or what to expect. Like I said, I didn't put in nearly as much research as I should have planning the trip.

We weren't allowed to take pictures of the two biggest attractions: the royal mummies and the treasures from King Tutankhamen's tomb. The later was a real treat as I had no idea the iconic head dress would be something I would see this trip.




The throne from King Tutankhamen's tomb. 





We paused before entering the mummy room. As you may recall, Peter turned tail as soon as he entered the burial chamber in the Great Pyramid, thinking there was going to still be a mummy inside. 

He and I stuck our heads into the mummy room and peered into the first glass case. The mummy was a female with long bony teeth jutting through protruding, withered lips. Her long hair, straw-like and yellowed by the embalming chemicals used by the Ancient Egyptians during the mummification process hung from her linen-sheathed shoulders. She had a hole in her cheek and another in her skull, and though her arms were crossed on her chest, her wrists were twisted at an awkward, physiognomically impossible angles.  

Uh-uh. No way. I didn't see this happening. 

After some initial hesitation outside the mummy room, everyone built up their inner Indiana Jones and steeled themselves for the horrors that awaited, and after much deliberation, everyone did indeed enter the mummy room. 

We have had a few visitors to our bedroom since, but no one has yet to admit it was the mummies who brought them there. 







After the museum, we headed across Tahir Square to Abou Tarek, a small neighborhood eatery, for kushari, a traditional Egyptian dish originally made in the 19th century, made of rice, macaroni, and lentils mixed together, topped with a spiced tomato sauce, and garlic vinegar, and garnished with chickpeas and crispy fried onions. 

It was our most authentic, truly Egyptian experience and a true highlight of the trip. 

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