The clock struck two in the morning. I woke up in the cold room, surrounded by soft white blanket wrapped around my legs. It was a quiet morning, except that the alarm was blaring non-stop. Moans came after, Uja and Carmen are waking up from their deep slumber.
It started as a simple plan, an idea that Uja and I never thought could actually become reality in a short time. The idea of going to Abu Simbel spiralled few weeks ago, and suddenly it's taken over. We went through the Upper Egypt by train, buses, taxis and even a cruise from Luxor to Aswan.
Nearing three am, groggy and tired, three of us went out to the dock and met the person in-charge that was going to take us to Abu Simbel.
Despite the fact that none of us was awake enough, the sky was still coated with darkness and I could just make-out the sandy roads ahead with many rocks formation scattered around.
"Where on earth are we?" Uja asked me, suddenly. I smiled, shaking my head a little to fight the sleepiness that has been tempted me for a while.
"We're heading onto the Sudan's border. But it's still a long way to go."
There were few buses with their army-escort passed by that kept their distances, headlights weak in the approaching sunrise. The journey was very long and moderately quiet until we finally arrived at Abu Simbel.
Abu Simbel Temples located at Abu Simbel, a village in Nubia, southern Egypt and the site is very near to Sudan's border. The temples are actually two massive rock formations, the complex is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The temples were carved out of the mountain during the Pharaoh Ramases II's reign as a monument to himself and his beloved Queen, Nefertari to commemorate his victory in Battle of Kadesh.
"I can't think of any more beautiful temple after I saw these two, Uja."
Uja nodded in agreement while taking some photos. It was strictly forbidden to take pictures inside the temples for whatever reasons, mainly to preserve the original paints that was still on the walls to this day.
The complex was relocated completely in 1968 in order to prevent them from being submerged during the creation of Lake Nasser.
It started as a simple plan, an idea that Uja and I never thought could actually become reality in a short time. The idea of going to Abu Simbel spiralled few weeks ago, and suddenly it's taken over. We went through the Upper Egypt by train, buses, taxis and even a cruise from Luxor to Aswan.
Nearing three am, groggy and tired, three of us went out to the dock and met the person in-charge that was going to take us to Abu Simbel.
Despite the fact that none of us was awake enough, the sky was still coated with darkness and I could just make-out the sandy roads ahead with many rocks formation scattered around.
"Where on earth are we?" Uja asked me, suddenly. I smiled, shaking my head a little to fight the sleepiness that has been tempted me for a while.
"We're heading onto the Sudan's border. But it's still a long way to go."
There were few buses with their army-escort passed by that kept their distances, headlights weak in the approaching sunrise. The journey was very long and moderately quiet until we finally arrived at Abu Simbel.
Abu Simbel Temples located at Abu Simbel, a village in Nubia, southern Egypt and the site is very near to Sudan's border. The temples are actually two massive rock formations, the complex is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The temples were carved out of the mountain during the Pharaoh Ramases II's reign as a monument to himself and his beloved Queen, Nefertari to commemorate his victory in Battle of Kadesh.
Our trip to Abu Simbel was completely unplanned. Amidst finishing all of exams and classes and preparing for the next semester, we didn't have a spare to think about our sudden journey. Admittedly, there was an unusual excitement when we finally saw the great temple of Abu Simbel that people always talked about.
Uja nodded in agreement while taking some photos. It was strictly forbidden to take pictures inside the temples for whatever reasons, mainly to preserve the original paints that was still on the walls to this day.
The complex was relocated completely in 1968 in order to prevent them from being submerged during the creation of Lake Nasser.
I sat on the bench, almost pulled by the scorching sun and sat quietly for a while, enjoying the windy weather, the privacy and the silence and the breathtaking scenery laid around me.
"I bet you have no regret coming here, Carmen."
Carmen smirked. "We don't have these kind of view in Switzerland, Amira."
"I know."
Looking back, I remember wondering: "Where would my adventure be next?"
Prior of meeting Carmen, Uja and I were associated with Asa and Jie, we were planning to go to Sudan together later that week. Maybe I will give Asa a call and arrange our visa together in Aswan later.
"Should we head back now? I wanna explore Aswan as soon as I can before we go to Wadi Haifa."
Patience is a virtue, Uja.
"Alright. Let's go."
See ya.
- 08:09
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