The Siwa Oasis
Hello and Happy New
Year! And I HOPE that wherever you might be it’s WARM. It
certainly isn’t warm here in Florida...in fact snow flurries
are predicted for this weekend. As I write that I have to
stop and think about this: Snow in Central Florida. Hasn’t
happened in more than 3 decades. AND, of course this
instantly turns my thoughts to beautiful sunny (WARM) Egypt,
which I returned to in December. I usually visit Egypt in
the winter months and as I think back on my many trips over
I can’t remember a single one where the weather was less
than stellar.
“Stellar”
gives me a very good segue to talk about Siwa, and the trip
I just took. The Siwa Oasis is one of the very
fascinating places on earth...it’s been called “a place out
of time.” “Stellar” suits Siwa, especially its night sky
where the stars seem to gleam with extra brightness. Or so
it seems because the nights are planetarium black. The Oasis
has only just begun to show up on the traveler’s radar
screen because it’s easier now to travel to. And this area
has lately been in the news with the fascinating (yet
disputed) discovery of Cambyses’ Lost Persian Army remains
some 60 miles south. Lost, it was said, to a smothering sand
storm as the army was preparing to overcome & conquer Siwan
rebels. But who really knows?
Historically, the Oasis was most famous as the home of the
Oracle Temple of Amun, where it was confirmed to Alexander
the Great that he was, indeed, a god. One of the possible
burial places for Alexander is supposedly in Siwa near the
Oracle Temple (that was his request, it was said) but his
tomb location remains one of the great mysteries of
archaeology (and at least 3 other places make this claim as
well). In truth the concrete evidence that Alexander ever
visited Siwa is scant, but like so many purported
happenings, it makes a great story.
Siwa is a speck of green in the Sahara’s Great Sand Sea.
It’s been known from Antiquity for the high quality of its
dates and olives and today its winding streets are shaded
with date palms. The Oasis is a depression some 60 feet
below sea level with bubbling hot springs and a mild
climate. Local people are ethnic Berbers and their language
still survives, as does their unique culture.
Why Visit Siwa? First and foremost, because it’s like
nothing else you will see in Egypt. Or anywhere else. It
is a step back centuries in time...donkey carts probably
outnumber motorized vehicles 3 to 1. It is a place to
recapture a natural balance of nature, mankind and life. And
maybe just a wonderful time out from everything we think is
essential. Lots of good reasons. Also, it’s beautiful as
only a desert can be beautiful.
We are planning to add an excursion to this special place.
And I just wanted to whet your appetites now for what is to
come. And also because thinking and writing about Siwa
relieves some of the dreary grey I see outside my window!
Have a wonderful New Year...and wishing you all Exceptional
Travels to come!
Joyce
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Oracle Temple of Amun |
View from the ancient Shali Fortress
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At Adrere Amellal in the afternoon sun |
Adrere Amellal
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Shali Lodge Upstairs Terrace...yes the palm tree
grows through the floor |
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