Discovering The Treasuries of the Nile, by Guest Writer, outstanding doctor and friend, Dr. Raul Barrios

Dr. Raul has an impressive background having studied and worked all around the world. To see his bio: http://www.burjeel.com/abu-dhabi/dr/dr-raul-barrios/

Discovering the treasures of the Nile

I have been following with excitement my friend Jim’s blog and promised to make a small contribution. On the day of his birthday I decided to start writing about the trip as a token of appreciation.

I have been interested in the culture of ancient Egypt – Beloved Land “tA-meri” -as named by the egyptians-(similar to America!) also called the Black Land – Kemet  “kmt” (with common roots to the words chemistry, alchemy, etc.) and Red Land – Deshret “dsrt” (to me similar to the word desert although its etymology  is explained  by way of the latin desertus meaning left waste), its politeitstic, religion, its “sacred carvings” or “the god’s words” -hyeroglyphs- carved or painted on impressive temple walls, its gigantic monuments that contain astrotheological secrets yet to be fully explained.

I flew to Cairo and from here took another plane south to Aswan, where my cruise through the  Nile River “hpy”, the longest river in the world, would start. The itinerary included visits to to Philae temple, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Hatshepsut, Luxor and Karnak temples.

The ship was equipped with comfortable suites with views of the river, an upper sun deck, a lounge with a dance floor  for the evening entertainment and a main dining area, a shop where you could buy souvenirs and jewellery.

Hapi was the god of the annual flooding of the Nile in the Egyptian religion. Is typically depicted as an androgynous figure with a big belly and large drooping breasts, wearing a loincloth and ceremonial false beard. Due to his fertile nature he was considered to be a caring father who helped to maintain the balance of the world.

Our first stop was the Philae temple, also known as the Pearl of Egypt, located in Agilkia island. The temple is dedicated to Black Isis, the mother Goddess. She is one of the main characters on the Osiris myth, in which she resurrects her husband, the divine King Osiris, and produces and protects his heir, Horus. She also had a great physician role as she was able to heal her husband Osiris. She was portrayed in art as a human woman wearing a Throne-like hieroglyph on her head.