As an avid surfer, I’ve grown accustomed to the water. But this time, out there in the desert of Egypt, it was just Christopher Sugrue, the Sphinx, and the Pyramids of Giza having a party. Being in a desert for once was a whole new experience for me, and my first visit to Egypt was unforgettable.
From CHRISTOPHER SUGRUE |
The few things I brought with me from my hotel room were my camera, a small jug of cool water, and my sunglasses (gotta protect my eyes from the Sun, y’all). While our tour guide was babbling about the history of the Great Sphinx and the Pyramids in his accent, I decided to stop lollygagging and began my own journey under the radar to discover the magic of these gigantic monuments myself.
I parted away from the group, went off to wander, and before I knew it, I found myself standing in between the Sphinx’s feet.
“Christopher Sugrue, the Sphinx is very glad to have finally met you,” I said to myself.
From CHRISTOPHER SUGRUE |
This mythical creature with a lion’s body and a human head has waited centuries to see my 21st century reincarnated body. I looked up to carefully study the Sphinx’s enormous head. Based on the pamphlet that I’ve been carrying, the Sphinx had lost its beard and nose. Legend has it that a Sufi Muslim from centuries ago, who, along with other worshippers made offerings to the Sphinx in the hope of increasing harvest to no avail, was outraged and destroyed the nose. He was hanged for vandalism. Meanwhile, a fragment of the Sphinx’s beard is up for display today at The British Museum.
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After much marveling at the beauty of the Sphinx and itching to visit the Pyramids next, I went back to the spot where I last saw my tour group. They already left.
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