Yesterday we drove along a desert road to the ancient Anba Bishoi Monastery, about 100 kms. northwest of Cairo. It's a collection of five chapels, the principal one of which is named for St. Bishoi, who was born in 320 of the current era. The monastery was sacked several times by marauding Berbers, and each time rebuilt. Although the defensive tower dates from the fifth century, most of what we saw dates from the fourteenth.
From there we drove to Alexandria, where we visited the Eastern Harbor, the site of the Pharos lighthouse, one of the wonders of the ancient world, and the new Bibliotheca Alexandrina.
Today we’re to explore Alexandria, visiting some of the great historic sites, including the second century catacombs of Kom-es Shouqafa, which were tunneled into the bedrock by a rich Alexandrine family who followed the ancient Egyptian religion, and the Roman theater. We’re also scheduled to visit the Alexandria National Museum, located in a restored palace and one of the country’s premier institutions. After lunch, we’ll continue exploring the city, ending our sightseeing at the Montazah Gardens, the site of two palaces built by the Mohamed Ali family, who ruled Egypt from the mid-19th century until the revolution that brought Nasser to power in 1952.
Back at our hotel, we’ll hear a lecture about the Underwater City of Cleopatra. By that time I'll be ready to collapse from stimulus overload.
[written while still in New York, based on the official itinerary. I look forward to reporting some of my observations when we return.]
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