This temple isn't unique in that it was built by the Romans around 400 BC, however, it is unique in that it was built in another location then where it is now!
When the two dams were built to harness the Nile in the early and mid 1900's many temples and archeological sites were to be submerged. This temple and about 60% of all historical sites were going to disappear. They were literally cut up, moved to new locations and reassembled!
This is a picture of our guide explaining some of the hieroglyphics to us.
Oh, here is an interesting historical note: She explained that the typical Egyptian temple consisted of an outer courtyard, an inner holy place and then a very holy place for just the holiest holy man. She went on to parallel this to the human body. The outer courtyard was the arms and legs and surrounding the holier places. It's entrance symbolizes the "opening" between the legs. (stay with me here!).
The holy place is where the common priests worked and is like the body with the heart, lungs, intestines, etc. and the holiest of places symbolizes the head with the openings for the gods's to communicate with the highest priest.
Now, some of you with a little Old Testament background will recognize the interesting similarities with the Israelite Tabernacle/Temple and a typical Egyptian temple. Feel free to discuss this among yourselves!!
We finished the afternoon with a sunset ride in a Felucca. Similar to what we will be on for the next three days sailing on the Nile to Luxor.
We did hook up with two other American's and an Aussie on our trip to Philae. After deciding to skip dinner with them, since we have to be in the taxi at 3:30AM tomorrow for our trip to Abu Simbel, (Aussies rarely get to bed before 3:30), we were flagged down by our local guide, Essmat. He was enjoying the evening at his local tea/water pipe bar.
First of all, (I think) we were honored to be invited to join him. Secondly, I did ask him if women ever come here and he just laughed.
So, here we are sipping tea with Essmat with all of the water pipes around us, and no other women in site. He did, however, show us family photos of his wife and four kids.
