International Conference, “Sekhmet Omnipresent”, in Luxor

[Winged Isis]

For those on the spot:

Betsy Bryan and Hourig Sourouzian announce an international conference, “Sekhmet Omnipresent” to be held in Luxor, Egypt, Thursday, March 23 to Sunday, March 26, 2017 in the Mummification Museum Auditorium. It will be devoted to the imagery and cultic significance of the Sekhmet statues, lions, and lioness deities.

More info here: http://luxor-news.blogspot.com.au/2017/ ... luxor.html

[Brian Yare]

I'll be there for at least part of it, but 3 days of Sekhmet may be a bit too much. The site visits early on Saturday and Sunday appeal, and I hope that transport (assuming that it is provided) can get me as close as possible to the Temple of Mut.

I've booked a room in the Iberotel for 3 nights rather than commuting from the west bank. That seems to be where transport is arranged from, but I couldn't get any further details from Betsy Bryan. The only information online seems to be Betsy's "program" on FB, that has been copied onto Luxor Times.

[Winged Isis]

It would be appreciated if you let us know about your experiences please, Brian.

[Winged Isis]

Found this:

"Sekhmet omnipresent" conference at the Mummification Museum in Luxor, Egypt.

phpBB [video]

Source:

[Brian Yare]

On the right hand side of the aisle, bottom right of the opening picture, you will see my yellow tee shirt.

It was an excellent conference: I was surprised not to be bored by 4 days of the Lioness Goddess. As usual in that theatre there were a few problems with the technology: the lectern really is not designed to hold a computer, notes, light, pointer, hand-held microphone, etc. Some of the speakers had no recent experience of using the large, hand-held, wireless microphones: elsewhere they would have used lapel-mikes for many years.

Guests (i.e., not official speakers or invited participants) were not included in any of the catering or the 2 site visits, and it took me 3 days to obtain a copy of the revised program.

I am reporting via my blog, with links from my face-book page, so will not be reporting here as well.

The Iberotel was a rip-off. The basic price for B&B was acceptable, but there was no wifi, no tea and coffee in the room, very tardy service of coffee at Breakfast. Nowhere comfortable to use the computer in the room. Very few power sockets in the public areas. The TV in the room was Neanderthal. I doubt if the place has seen any repairs or upgrades in the last 20 years. And the price of laundry: I'm glad that I didn't need to use this facility.

Meals in the Cote Jardin and the Chinese restaurant were on the pricy side, and the Pizzeria Romance was closed. When was the last time that it was open? I can't find any reviews on TripAdvisor. But it was in the beverage area that they were completely out of order.

Le55 for a 500ml bottle of Stella, Le250 for the cheapest bottle of wine, Le25 for tea or coffee, Le15 for a small bottle of water. But the biggest shock was Le50 for a single shot of Egyptian Ouzo: the same brand and strength that I can buy a 750ml bottle of at "Drinkies" for Le40!

For comparison, Eatabe charges Le30 for Stella, Le160 for the cheapest bottle of wine wine and Le7 for a small bottle of water.

Check-in and Checkout were inefficient. They wanted payment in US$. Unfortunately their card reader for hard currency was giving errors so they had to accept payment in Le.

AVOID.

[newcastle]

I agree with every word re Iberotel Brian

That's why I just use the bed.

Food & beverage I take elsewhere...and I have my own wifi.

Experience tells you how to circumnavigate the other tiresome aspects...like the neaderthals at reception

[Brian Yare]

The one thing I didn't mention: the view from the 5th floor Nile View Rooms is great, even if the balcony is tiny (and there is no outside light on the balcony).

[newcastle]

The one thing I didn't mention: the view from the 5th floor Nile View Rooms is great, even if the balcony is tiny (and there is no outside light on the balcony).

True....but last time the barstewards gave me a room at the end..looking down the corniche. Still technically Nile View...but the noise from the roundabout below was appalling.

[Brian Yare]

I got lucky, with 523. 3 rooms south of the only working lift. I don't know whether the 2nd lift is broken, or just turned off to conserve energy.

[newcastle]

I got lucky, with 523. 3 rooms south of the only working lift. I don't know whether the 2nd lift is broken, or just turned off to conserve energy.

It was non-functioning when I was there a couple of months ago.

I did think of sleeping in the bath (to escape the noise)....if I'd been 3 feet shorter.

[Who2]

70 delegates turned up at The Marsam on Sunday for a BBQ, they had been chatting about Amenhophis III.
They do love to discuss what old stuff that they have just dug up, the farmers around me keep 'shtum about any old crap they dig up, and they dig up a lot...

[A-Four]

70 delegates turned up at The Marsam on Sunday for a BBQ, they had been chatting about Amenhophis III.
They do love to discuss what old stuff that they have just dug up, the farmers around me keep 'shtum about any old crap they dig up, and they dig up a lot...

Although many on here will never believe what you say here my dear Dr, but what you write is totally true. Years ago during my time there, I saw many truly wonderful items, some of solid gold, I joke not. Many of these were discovered during international digs, which I assume is the same today. The truth is that unlike the 'Father of Egyptology', the modern day doctors expect that anything their average ****-shoveler finds they will simply hand over,.......not so, and therefore we discover that such digs only find things that require a great big JCB to remove, such vital small items never, these days, see the light of day.

There was once a small gate on the eastern side of the open air restaurant at the old Marsam, don't know if it's still there, believe it or not, before the dams at Asswan, you could stick a fishing rod there during flood, and get a catch every fifteen minutes. Any how, I digress,......in the modern day, I assure you all who read this, more of the 'old stuff' has passed over that same gate, than any other passed over the back wall at the old Luxor Hotel. It is still no wonder that the Egyptian authorities regard every one of the international digger doctors as crooks.

[A-Four]

Many thanks for your up-date here Brian. .

Just one general question, which I feel would have been asked,.......What do the present day doctors believe was the reason why did A-III feel the need to totally surround his mortuary temple, plus the area around Mut, with statues of Sekhmet, one seated followed by one standing,...............I, along with a couple of silent member here are a little curious. We have our own ideas, but wonder what are their's. .

[John Landon]

My mate "Phil the Greek" family home is in Greece on a mountain side.
When adding an extension to the property, they had the misfortune to discover a small column from what may have been a house or temple, but certainly from ancient times.
For obvious reasons, It was under the cover of darkness, lifted out of the ground and reburied further down the mountainside.

[Brian Yare]

Many thanks for your up-date here Brian. .

Just one general question, which I feel would have been asked,.......What do the present day doctors believe was the reason why did A-III feel the need to totally surround his mortuary temple, plus the area around Mut, with statues of Sekhmet, one seated followed by one standing,...............I, along with a couple of silent member here are a little curious. We have our own ideas, but wonder what are their's. .

The seated statues are (or were) in one set of areas while the standing ones were in a different set. They did not alternate as you describe.

There was much speculation as to how many there were originally, and why they were needed. But I don't think that your question was answered.

[A-Four]

Many thanks for your up-date here Brian. .

Just one general question, which I feel would have been asked,.......What do the present day doctors believe was the reason why did A-III feel the need to totally surround his mortuary temple, plus the area around Mut, with statues of Sekhmet, one seated followed by one standing,...............I, along with a couple of silent member here are a little curious. We have our own ideas, but wonder what are their's. .

The seated statues are (or were) in one set of areas while the standing ones were in a different set. They did not alternate as you describe.

There was much speculation as to how many there were originally, and why they were needed. But I don't think that your question was answered.

Many thanks for your info here Brian, have just got home, been a very busy day. Just a couple of other points I would like to pass by you, In hope you can help, and will write it up on here within the next couple of days. .

[A-Four]

I just wondered if there had been any discussions with the Egyptian authorities on any future expansion of the A-III Concession site, being West as far as Noir El Gourna,, and/or South, thus removing the road, being that it is little used these days, and as I am sure you are Aware a number of alternate routes for tourist, and even the large buses are now available.

I do not know whether it was discussed but, during Belzoni's time, Mr Salt was more or less giving away 'a free Sekhmet' for each and every serious large purchase, no matter who bought. On show in the British Museum are four, however in the basement, and not on show are a further thirty either standing or seated. I do know that when the new Millenium quadrangle was completed, the intention was to place one on each step, upto the first floor. I'm sure you have noticed nothing such materialised, in fact there is a new idea there to create a restaurant of similar standard to that in the quadrangle at the Wallace Collection,......for God's sake.

I believe there was at one time as many as 900 of these statues in total, with more than 700 at A-III alone, countless are either in small museums or private collections throughout the world, so I hope they are not ever hoping to collect together a registration for a 'head' count.

I have brought up an old topic from 2013, when I, Stan and Aromagician were in conversation, it might be of interest to you.