Kom Ombo
Trip Start
Oct 07, 2007
1
30
45
Trip End
Oct 31, 2007
Kom Ombo,
Egypt
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Another early morning... who planned this thing? We were up, and packed, and loading into a car to join up with a convoy, which is the only way you are allowed to travel from Aswan to Luxor by car.
Obnoxious
Convoys are kind of ridiculous. It is clear that they were put in place because a few people let fear get the better of them. A convoy is not the best way to avoid terrorists' attacks, what makes a better target than 18 buses, 6 vans and 4 cars all traveling together? Lets be honest... It sounds like a good idea, but it is not practical. The worst part is that you have to visit the sites on a very strict timeline and you flood the place with all the rest of the tourists in the convoy. You end up staying too long in places you are finished with early, and do not have enough time in places you really enjoyed.
Medical History
Sobek
The temple in Kom Ombo is one of the places where I felt really tight for time; I would have loved to wander around it for longer. As one of the only places dedicated to Sobek, a God represented by a crocodile, it was one of the first temples that felt a little different. There were mummified crocks, which were a little weird, but it had numerous carvings that were totally unique. It is famous for its medical carvings that represent almost every surgical tool used today.
Reflections
It was a beautiful day, and Ben took a fantastic photo of the Temple reflected in my sunglasses. If I were ever to go back to Egypt, I would take a cruise either from Luxor to Aswan, or Aswan to Luxor because Kom Ombo is one of the stops and it would be worth it to be able to spent time at this temple outside the 'convoy crowd.'
-Ash
