Once again it’s time to make another difficult favourite decision.

Having studied architecture in NYC and coming from a culture that is known for its ancient monumental structures — this was an almost impossible task. So my choice had to be outside the, immediately obvious, box.

_{source: SuzyT: pixabay}

Some obvious choices for me would be the Parthenon and the Athenian acropolis, the ruins of the Minoan palace of Knossos, the recently visited duomos of Florence and Milan or the Vatican in Rome. Not to mention the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, the original Twin Towers or newly built 1WTC. Or, since a monument doesn’t necessarily have to be of monumental size —another possible choice could have been the small church atop mount Psiloreitis.

_{screenshot of the definition of monument. Source: google dictionary}

So I wanted to pick a place that I’ve been to and made a lasting impression on me. I traveled to Egypt about 10 years ago. It was an awesome experience for multiple reasons. We were only in Egypt for the day and took a bus from Alexandria down towards Cairo, with Giza being the final destination.

the Great Pyramids at Giza

At first you see them from a far and they’re tiny, three-dimensional triangles in the sand. You can see them from the city which changes the fairy tale aspect that they had. Then there’s the Sphinx. A different essence of mythology and fantasy comes to mind when I think of them. And then to experience them in person is something completely different. It’s like seeing a colorized photo of an old black and white. It makes it all that much more human.

_{source: leonardobcorrea: pixabay}

When the bus finally gets close enough you can see the sheer mass of them. Then you begin to walk closer. Until you actually stand at the base of one of these great pyramids, it’s hard to understand. The building blocks at the base are about the size of a medium sized sedan (car).

Then after snapping out of the trance, you experience the typical human element of a high-traffic location. The “gypsies” trying to sell you souvenirs. Everyone in my company was ready to quickly fork over their strong-valued euros, for these little trinkets being peddled. But I couldn’t miss an opportunity to have some fun. So I haggled them down from five euro for one item, to three euro for three. I was very satisfied with myself even tho I’m sure they still made off like bandits from the deal too.

_{souvenirs at a bargain price}

conclusion

So my choice came down to something that was foreign for me. And monumental in both awesomeness and grandiosity. It brought me back in time, as history is something that I thoroughly enjoy, to a mystical place. If you ever get the opportunity to go I’d recommend that you take it!

_{@hrissm in the desert}

I nominate @loveisintheair

_{Thanks @tkappa for the challenge!}

Rules

Choose one of the Themes below (a different one for) each day and explain why it's your favorite*
Post a picture of the theme. It can include yourself if you like...
Nominate up to three people each day.
Tag it with #favouritethisandthat (*damn your British English) 0:-)
Do this for 7 days in a row if you accept the challenge.
Kept from the previous waybackmusic challenge: please follow @greek-trail for great content made by [our fellow] Greek Steemians

Themes You Can Choose From

_{the above text in “rules” has been modified by @hrissm}

Sorry Mo... Ancient wonders | Favorite* monument | This and That Challenge Day 6