So last night’s adventure: I got a chance to see the opera Aida at the Giza Pyramids. One of our teachers is also a famous opera singer. She and her brother both work for the school. They were able to get us tickets for this event. Aida used to be given every year until 9/11. After that, not for five years, and then, only if politically safe. This year they the Cultural Commission scheduled 4 performances. They are hoping to resume giving this opera every year. Part of me felt guilty for going without Bill, but I just had to go. Verdi wrote this opera to take place in Egypt. Mostly it was written to take place on Luxor (I hope to see that opera there as well), but you can’t sneeze at having the Sphinx and the Pyramids as background. Look at the photos.
We had a full day at school and then loaded back onto the van. The mood was palatable. Almost did not seem real that we were getting to go to see this. Our van driver was watching us closely. Usually we are tired and worn out from school; fairly quiet on our way to and from school. Last night we were laughing and giggling. We blasted down the highway looking for landmarks and getting excited. Our first view was a set of spot lights and a huge black outline. Then it was gone. Did we see what we thought we saw? Then we got off the highway and onto city streets. We saw horses and donkeys; little carts and people walking everywhere. The buildings are old looking and the ironwork is ornate. Felt different from other parts of Cairo. Somehow we got side tracked looking for a camel. We kept finding horses, beautiful horses, and donkeys. Including one very cute little baby burro following its mother, but no camels.
All of a sudden we turned a corner and we were at the gates for the pyramids. But we still could not see a thing. Rebecca suddenly yelled that she saw a camel, but we all missed it. We were out of the van and at the entrance gate. It is still dark and there was still nothing to see. I am starting to wonder about now what was happening. We gave our tickets and wondered into the grounds. All of a sudden there was a stone wall lit by spot lights. Just beyond it were four hulking dark shadows. Amazingly the pyramids were suddenly there. I tried to take a picture of them, but couldn’t get them to show up. I started to fiddle with my camera, the whole time with my mouth wide open not believing what I was seeing. I kept messing with the camera and went to sit down.
We were in the first section right in the middle. You couldn’t see the stage, and everything was dark, so I began to people watch. The group in front of us was German. I think they were a tour group. The group behind us was Egyptian and also taught school. We also talked to a group of Canadian teachers. Everyone was excited and anxiously awaiting the opening act. The first chime rang and amazingly, for Egypt, people began sitting down. The second chime rang and everyone got quiet and started turning off phones. And finally, the third chime rang. The conductor came out, on time, and the lights came up. The first scene all you could see beyond the stage was a dark outline. The opera was bright and colorful, without being overly flashy,.a brilliant balance of light and color.
Radames is hoping to be chosen for battle so that he can free Aida who is a slave to Amneris. Amneris is in love with Radames. Radames is in love with Aida. And slowly the story builds. All of a sudden the background lights up and it is the Sphinx and the Pyramid behind it, full living color. By this time I had figure out how to get a picture of it so that it shows. From here I took pictures and became entranced by the opera. I have seen Aida before a few times, but never like this, and never again. When it was over the lights went down and we filed out quietly. And I do mean quietly. Everyone was deep in thought and you almost felt guilty talking. It was awe inspiring and almost indescribable. I hope that it is again next year, because I want Bill to see this.
This event and others I have seen and witnessed are unique to Egypt, and I am glad to be living here. I will write again soon.
Cheers to all,
Jonina
We had a full day at school and then loaded back onto the van. The mood was palatable. Almost did not seem real that we were getting to go to see this. Our van driver was watching us closely. Usually we are tired and worn out from school; fairly quiet on our way to and from school. Last night we were laughing and giggling. We blasted down the highway looking for landmarks and getting excited. Our first view was a set of spot lights and a huge black outline. Then it was gone. Did we see what we thought we saw? Then we got off the highway and onto city streets. We saw horses and donkeys; little carts and people walking everywhere. The buildings are old looking and the ironwork is ornate. Felt different from other parts of Cairo. Somehow we got side tracked looking for a camel. We kept finding horses, beautiful horses, and donkeys. Including one very cute little baby burro following its mother, but no camels.
All of a sudden we turned a corner and we were at the gates for the pyramids. But we still could not see a thing. Rebecca suddenly yelled that she saw a camel, but we all missed it. We were out of the van and at the entrance gate. It is still dark and there was still nothing to see. I am starting to wonder about now what was happening. We gave our tickets and wondered into the grounds. All of a sudden there was a stone wall lit by spot lights. Just beyond it were four hulking dark shadows. Amazingly the pyramids were suddenly there. I tried to take a picture of them, but couldn’t get them to show up. I started to fiddle with my camera, the whole time with my mouth wide open not believing what I was seeing. I kept messing with the camera and went to sit down.
We were in the first section right in the middle. You couldn’t see the stage, and everything was dark, so I began to people watch. The group in front of us was German. I think they were a tour group. The group behind us was Egyptian and also taught school. We also talked to a group of Canadian teachers. Everyone was excited and anxiously awaiting the opening act. The first chime rang and amazingly, for Egypt, people began sitting down. The second chime rang and everyone got quiet and started turning off phones. And finally, the third chime rang. The conductor came out, on time, and the lights came up. The first scene all you could see beyond the stage was a dark outline. The opera was bright and colorful, without being overly flashy,.a brilliant balance of light and color.
Radames is hoping to be chosen for battle so that he can free Aida who is a slave to Amneris. Amneris is in love with Radames. Radames is in love with Aida. And slowly the story builds. All of a sudden the background lights up and it is the Sphinx and the Pyramid behind it, full living color. By this time I had figure out how to get a picture of it so that it shows. From here I took pictures and became entranced by the opera. I have seen Aida before a few times, but never like this, and never again. When it was over the lights went down and we filed out quietly. And I do mean quietly. Everyone was deep in thought and you almost felt guilty talking. It was awe inspiring and almost indescribable. I hope that it is again next year, because I want Bill to see this.
This event and others I have seen and witnessed are unique to Egypt, and I am glad to be living here. I will write again soon.
Cheers to all,
Jonina
OMG!!! That sounds so amazing! I am so jealous!!! Am so glad you are finally able to post. I was checking every other day and then gave up, but got Bill's email today and have been reading all of your blogs. Sounds truly wonderful. We can't wait to come and visit, hopefully next year.
ReplyDeleteNot much new has been going on with us, just working. We did take off a week and stayed home and painted the area around the hot tub and the shed in the back and anything else I could find to paint. Mom and dad thought I was crazy cause I was up painting after midnight, but I enjoy it!
Did have to go back to work to get some rest though.
I am going to visit Sam the first weekend in November with a few friends. Should be fun meeting the boyfriend, soon to be fiance!
Take care, Pat
That is wishful thinking on my part as far as the finace part!
ReplyDeleteI hope he is a good catch. He seems nice and his family seems to like Sam. I can just imagine you with a paint brush. You are an incrediable artist. YOu should think about expaning on that gift. Cheers Jonina
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