Kom Ombo

Kom Ombo is an amazing site. Perched on the edge of the Nile, it gives a sense of what it must have looked like thousands of years ago as people approached the temple. Most of the decorations were completed by Ptolemy XII, Cleopatra's father.

What could be more "authentic" than a snake charmer? Everyone steered clear of the cobra--everyone, that is, except our kids, who immediately understood that something so potentially dangerous couldn't possibly have fangs (and it didn't). Cameron drew more attention by holding the snake than the snake charmer did, I think! Honestly, does anyone really think a live biting poisonous cobra was loose amidst thousands of tourists?! Well, if you did, sorry to burst your bubble on that one.

Like many other temples, Romans and early Christians came in and added their own elements of worship into the temples. Christian altars were built, but they often incorporated the symbols that were popular or traditional for that temple (like the cobra and sun engraved on this altar).

One of the more interesting sights was the Nilometer. It was large well-type hole that reached to the water below the temple. Narrow steps led to the bottom and the priests could measure the level of the Nile. If the water level was high, then crops would be good and taxes could be set high. If the water level was low, crops would not be good and the taxes could be lowered accordingly. Apparently, it still works in that we could see water at the bottom!

Despite all the amazing history, it's nice to know that the kids haven't lost their grip on pop culture (check out Noah's Pokemon book that he toted along on this jaunt!) and both Cameron and Noah instantly recognized this mysterious looking building as something straight out of a Star Wars set!