More details on the way

So much to see, every meter along the way to the pyramid!

Pillars

Pillars along the causeway.

Middle East backdrop

Against the background of all going on right now, I can only recommend yesterday's ILO report on global employment.

It's Executive Summary says the following on the Middle East:

"The downward trend in the regional unemployment rate in the Middle East was interrupted by the global economic crisis, and current estimates for 2010 show a level of unemployment at 10.3 per ...cent, which is the highest regional rate in the world. The youth unemployment rate is almost four times the adult rate. Gender inequalities continue to be a major concern, as the gap between male and female employment-to-population ratios, at 47.2 percentage points, is twice the global average. Economic growth in 2011 is projected at 5.1 per cent, falling short of pre-crisis trends, with little change expected in the region’s unemployment rate."

Sewage?

I can only understand these shots to be of a sewage system under a paved road... - any other guesses?

Morning light

Soft midwinter morning sunlight, when we arrived in Abu Sir on New year's Eve.

Walking up the causeway

Details on the way up!

Approaching the pyramid

A causeway up to the pyramid (we will look closer too, I promise).

Abu Sir pyramids

We visited on a day off, I think, usually Czech archaelogists are said to be active here - but out of bounds for tourists so far. Amazing site and so privileged to be able to go - just on the outskirts of the desert.

Abu Sir!

We had a unique opportunity to visit Abu Sir, a little north of Saqqara, southwest of Cairo - with pyramids not yet open to the public. On the way there, we passed through villages and culture landscapes, eventually reaching the edge of the desert!

Back to the Middle East!

We spent almost 10 days including New Year in Egypt - a wellneeded injection of Middle East for my peace of mind. Despite the dramatic developments in Egypt and the region (right now Tunisia is at the top of our attention), that is - it felt good to be close to Egypt and Egyptian friends at the time of the New Year bombing in Alexandria and to show solidarity by celebrating Orthodox Christmas mass in Cairo.

These shots are from Alexandria.

Final odds and ends

A last look at an amazing exhibition!

Mass effect

Maybe not quite mass effect, for this was a small selection of terracotta soldiers, but something of the repetitive effect of rows and rows can maybe still be felt.

Not only soldiers

but horses!

The amazing location

Maybe the room was the best bit, amazing hallways in the undermath of Stockholm, originally built as military facilities, but truly awesome for the exhibition purposes!

Details

Every man formed in minute detail - apparently according to a range of predetermined alternatives, though but still very personalized.