Guest Article: 10 Interesting Facts About Egypt

Egyptian Museum Cairo pic source:

Adam Spawton-Ricer

Egypt has been drawing in tourists since the ancient Greeks first struck up a relationship with them in the 5^th century BC, but today the most popular region with foreign tourists are the Red Sea resorts. All inclusive Egypt holidays in the red sea resorts have a wide appeal because of the variety of activities on offer – as well as the chance to see some of the lesser-known historic sites of ancient Egypt.

Before you head to Egypt for your summer holidays, get to know the country a little better with these 10 facts you probably didn’t know (or had long forgotten)!

1. Did you know that the official name of Egypt is actually the ‘Arab Republic of Egypt’ and is known to the locals as ‘Masr’ or ‘Misr’.
2. Cairo, the capital city of the country, is the largest city in the whole of Africa and the Middle East.
3. Many of the most useful household objects were originally invented by ancient Egyptians. Scissors, deodorants, toothbrushes, keys, combs and locks are just a selection of these things we couldn’t live without today!
4. 5,000 years ago the architect Imhotep lived and worked in Egypt; it is believed he is the earliest scientist to be known by name anywhere in the world today.
5. We have the Egyptians to thank for our 365 day calendar and 24 hour day!
6. Most of the Egyptian population is located near the Nile River as this is the only ground across the country where food can be grown.
7. Sadly, global warming could threaten many coastal cities of Egypt with flooding if the sea levels rise in future years.
8. Egypt is about the size of France and Germany combined and most of the land is barren desert terrain.
9. Around a whopping 78 million people live in Egypt!
10. In Egypt the literacy rate for locals is only 68% for men and 47% for women. 

    

    Spices such as Cumin, Fenugreek and Corriander were used as medicine in Ancient Egypt. Pic source:
    

    Adam Spawton-Ricer

On your holidays to Egypt you’ll find it hard to get away from the fascinating ancient history of the country, so here are 5 quirky facts about Ancient Egypt too!

1. In the time of Pepi II of Egypt, the pharaoh used to have a number of naked slaves covered in honey nearby so that any flies would be deterred from landing on him.
2. Egyptians used early folk medicines in an attempt to cure ailments; infections were treated with soil or mouldy bread.
3. Ancient Egyptian children did not wear any clothes till they were teenagers due to the extreme heat.
4. Egyptian Pharaohs never let their hair be seen, wearing either a headdress or a crown to cover themselves up.
5. In Ancient Egypt both women and men wore make-up (mostly eye make up). It was originally thought to be a form of protection against the sun but later became a way to adorn themselves!
   
   
   About the Author-
   
   
   Adam Spawton-Ricer is a writer and blogger whose main focus is on Egypt's Red Sea resorts, he intends to return to Egypt in the new year to dive in Dahab. Adam also writes about Amsterdam and review hotels there. 

   
   

   Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article  and the pictures provided are those of the author, and not of the Dispassionate Observer.
    

Off the Cuff: A road trip to Bardhaman

A trip to Bardhaman by road was always a dream in my student days in the University. In those days I commuted from Howrah Station in Kolkata to Bardhaman by train (mostly local trains which made inordinate delay in reaching the destination and at times express trains which were a shade better.) In mind, though, I always longed for a long drive from Kolkata to Bardhaman traversing the beautifully laid highway. After I completed my study the link with the "Rice Bowl of West Bengal" faded away as I concentrated hard on my job in Kolkata. Two years passed and Bardhaman became a story of the past. However, destiny chose to play a different game. I resigned from my job and came back to Bardhaman after two and a half years as a Junior Research Fellow in the University. Bardhaman has changed quite a bit by then. SBSTC buses have started operating by road from Dharmatala in Kolkata to Tinkonia Bus stand in Bardhaman. The day I got this news I made up my mind to avail a bus back to Kolkata from Bardhaman. To my wonder air-conditioned buses were also available at an affordable cost. I got the ticket of an AC Volvo bus and ran up the stairs in excitement. The journey that day was one to remember amidst a chilling air condition which made me to shiver at times! 

                                     

                                     Me and Ananda Sir at the Highway

This, however, failed to quench the thirst for a long drive. There were days when one fine morning I would wake up in bed and decide that I should get hold of a car. Fortunately, my loony impulses found strong resistance from my head. Paulo Coelho might have taught us that listening to our hearts is a virtue and following our dreams the ultimate goal but in reality one can land up in big trouble by just following the heart! I always had regard for one of his statements-When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it. True were his words! My dream became a reality after a long wait and when it came, it came good!

Department of Mass Communication and Department of Sociology in my University are housed under one roof and this opened up the opportunity for me. Ananda Mohan Kar, one of the young professors of the department of sociology turned out to be a neighbour back home. A suave and knowledgable man, Kar, is a delightful company for a scholar who is yet to learn the nuances of his trade. The best part about him is his love for travel and zeal to learn new things. One day he came up with the idea of a road trip to Bardhaman by car. He was driven by two interests- primarily to ferry some books and journals to Bardhaman from home and secondly to enjoy a trip. I agreed to the proposal readily and the date was fixed in no time. He got hold of a white ambassador which came honking early in the morning. The books were placed in the dickey and we sat cosily in the car. To our delight, the driver was a prolific speaker with a number of interesting stories to share!

                                     Ananda Sir with the "Special Driver"

Soon the car was speeding past beautiful fields and trees in the national highway. In this time of winter the morning was pleasant and I had put on my jacket. Ananda Sir looked animated and at times was humming one of his favourite tunes. Sunlight was smiling on the trees along the road. I loved the sight of paddy fields, cattle and busy farmers. Refreshing and soothing for the eyes used to vehicles and gigantic buildings in Kolkata. As the car approached Singur, Sir started looking for a road side Dhaba. In my mind I tried to recollect the location of a Dhaba which I saw in one of the bus rides back to Kolkata. Not far away from Singur, we landed up at the spot. The Dhaba named 'Destination Veg Food' had impressive exteriors and as we strolled past the corridor into the restaurant, the interiors spoke of class. Alu Paratha and a preparation of peas were in offing and the order was placed in a jiffy. Three of us devoured the delicious food. Good food and some interesting stories from our driver acted as a fuel for the rest of the journey as we got back to the car. Ananda Sir rubbed his eyes, adjusted his specks and then with a jovial smile quipped, "Next stop will be at Shaktigar. We should have a taste of their famous Langcha sweet."

                                               Destination Veg-Food

                                          Ananda Sir waiting for the food to arrive

We stopped the car near the famous "Adi Langcha Bhavan" (Adi meaning the original one to distinguish it from others having the same name). Three of us sat at one of the corners, caught hold of one waiter and asked the rates. The Langcha sweet was available at Rs 5, Rs 10 and Rs 25 according to size. We ordered the one which cost Rs 10 and waited eagerly to have a bite. Pictures of some notable personalities on the wall caught my attention. Celebrated names like June Maliya, Bratya Basu, Somnath Chatterjee, Kharaj Mukhopadhay, Chinmoy Roy and Rabiranjan Chattopadhay have all posed for photographs after having their share of this special sweet. I felt good to be in august company. Finally each of us was served one big Langcha sweet in paper plates. On contrary to general perception it did not seem to me an irresistible stuff. It was good but not one to die for. 

                                            The Adi Langcha Bhavan

                                               One big Langcha Sweet

                               pictures of some notable visitors at the eatery

The end of the Langcha episode signalled that we were at the final lap of the trip. Soon we were approaching the Bardhaman town. The car hurried past the hustle and bustle of a busy town life and we knew this journey was all but over. I could see the sombre face of Ananda Sir as he looked through the window. The ambassador took the last turn to enter the gates of the University of Burdwan. Getting down from the car for the final time was not pleasurable. I felt like leaving back a wonderful part of me back in the seats. Ananda Sir gave a sigh and made arrangements for unloading the books and documents which also were a part of the journey. Deep down our hearts we both knew that this was an experience that we both wanted and maybe we both wanted it to linger on for a little more..