Funny the things that stick in your mind. The ex-Mr. TWLG and I were especially excited to be going to Egypt, on our way to Oz – the Pyramids, The Sphinx, Tut’s Tomb – hieroglyphics, all that history, the romance of the Nile and the desert too. Yet one of the strongest memories I have is how amazed I was by how close the desert and the Pyramids are to Cairo – just a suburban bus ride, in fact. Given, this shot was taken thirty years ago, but you wouldn’t believe we were at the edge of suburbia – or at the end of the 20th century, for that matter.
I suppose it’s because the figures – and the camels – are in silhouette that the shot seem timeless – and of course, converting the almost monochromatic colour slide to sepia. Somehow, it seems very Bowles, and Morocco in the early 20s to me.
The Wanderlust Gene 
Agreed. But by now you’ve seen as many shots of that propinquity as I have, Meredith. I find it horribly disappointing …
That shot is wonderful !
Oh dear, M-R, I’ve lived in a bubble, I think – or a memory lock, perhaps. If I’ve seen modern images of Cairo up against the Pyramids on TV or in pictures it seems they’ve made no impression. Certainly my memory of that bus ride, of taking a sharp right and seeing those iconic shapes floating in a sea of shifting sand … oh boy! Oh, and the ride itself … even now I laugh – the conductor moving to the back of the bus via the ceiling, using the hand rails and his toes, somehow skimming peoples’ heads as he scuttled, horizontal like a gymnast on a vault, occasionally dropping down between the densely packed bodies in the aisle … the good humour and solidarity of the commuters, the laps of the seated piled high with everybody’s shopping … 🙂
They say that’s what travel is all about, don’t they ?
It wasn’t for us; it was the vistas and the vedutas and the ruins … we were a solitary pair.
Ah yes it does. Romantic. exotic, sort of Graham Greenish goes to the desert. Love them.
You’ve got it, Francesca 🙂
Fabulous, both of these photos. It’s as if the camels await the two men walking towards them in the second photo. Thanks for these photos, I have a fascination with the desert and its peoples.
This will be about as close as I get to Egypt, except in Las Vegas 🙂
Oh yes, I always think so too – though if truth be known, if they are waiting, it’s because their drivers are hopeful of a ‘fare’! Now, a Las Vegas Egypt … 🙂
Egypt, a place I want to visit, but seems so distant from me. Thanks for the lovely photos!
There’s so much wonderful world out there, isn’t there Elizabeth?
These are such fabulous photos especially the last one. Timeless indeed.
That’s sweet of you, Nicole – glad you like it. 🙂
Silhouettes are very romantic. They are as you say “timeless” and can instantly transport you to exotic places. In my youth I went through a period of painting only silhouettes. I was in love with them and their magic I felt they held.
How clever of you, Michelle! I wouldn’t have been able to paint anything recognisable – probably still couldn’t! But they are romantic and I love how they leave enough room for our imaginations to fill in lots of storyline ourselves. I hope you’re feeling better and enjoying your summer, dear?
Careful editing maintains the mystique and romanticism of so much doesn’t it Meredith! Beautiful, timeless shots even if the reality is hovering ever so near but then this scene is a very part of that reality. I could go on and on and on . . . . . !
Patti … 🙂
I agree, this is a timeless image. Thank you for sharing it with us, Meredith!
Bless you Amy 🙂
I love the desert–a couple of mine were taken there, too.
I’m drawn to the romance of it, Victoria – from the distance of an old photograph – or a well written novel!
I understand your surprise. I was surprised how close to a busy road Stonehenge is.Civilization encroaches.
Yes – right near the highway! 🙂
I was there 22 years ago, and had the same shock that you did. We were whisked from the airport, to the desert where the pyramids almost jumped out at us, and straight onto a camel. Our guide hardly gave us a minute to catch our breath after the long flight. 😯 I love the scenes you captured here, Meredith.
A bit of culture shock, Sylvia! 🙂
How’s life down under panning out? Have you come to terms yet?
Come to terms? Sort of, Jo – I’m glad I made the move when I did, and that I’ve found somewhere comfortable to live, just waiting for a bit of a spark!
That’s what I’m missing- your spark! Your posts mostly seem to look back instead of at where you are now? Or am I missing something- didn’t you start another blog?
Because I follow links back from my comments and never have time to make it to the Reader I may well have missed some? Apologies if so. Wishing you well 🙂
You’re right – spark missing, not getting into my new blog at all – still looking back too much … It’ll happen one day, I just have to keep my eyes open for it! 🙂
It surely will. Hugs! 🙂
🙂
Where you there in the 1970’s Meredith? That person looks to have bell bottom trousers on. Love the atmospheric, ancient feeling the black and white gives to these photos
No dear, it was the early 80s – on my way back home. I can’t really remember the details about the couple, but I remember it was windy – hot in the sun, chilly in the shade … so perhaps it was wind in the pants, rather than bell bottoms! 🙂
Oh M!!!! Really really wonderful…Not only Bowles….But with your images, specially the second one, the first thing I thought about was Gertrude Bell…Wonderful wonderful!!!
Hugs!!!
PD: Keep your eyes and your heart open…There is so much inside of you…It must go out step by step!!!
Oh yes, one of those redoubtable women explorers. What lives, eh? 🙂
A very evocative capture Meredith. And yes, timeless! The proximity of the desert was just as shocking even in 2010, although there is a lot more construction obstructing that first jaw dropping glimpse from the road.
I suppose there’ll come a day when they could be surrounded … how weird that’ll be!
This has so much atmosphere. 🙂
And I think that each of these would make great covers for books 🙂
Ahha 🙂 So romantic, aren’t they? They make me think of books, so ….