Memphis
Founded almost five thousand years ago by the old kingdom pharaoh Menes, the city of Memphis was once the seat of government and an important religious center for the god Path. Much, if not all of the cities ancient grandeur has faded leaving only a few stone reminders to hint at what was once the preeminent capital of ancient Egypt.
My first stop was at Memphis' open-air archeological museum. Consisting mostly of one building to protect the broken colossus of Rameses II. Somewhere in the dim recess of history, the Colossus was toppled by either earthquake or religious zealots. Broken at the knees, the once great Rameses II now lays on his back looking up wondering why all these strangers are looking down on him. Other than the colossus there is a nice 80-ton sphinx and few vendor stalls selling tourist trinkets.
I waved goodbye to the museum, walking into the city to see what modern Memphis had to offer. The Memphians I encountered were hospitable to an odd looking camera-toting stranger. Inviting me to join them for tea and watch as the local champions faced off in a game of dominoes.
