October, 2021 Compass - Ancient Navigator Small Group Luxury Travel

The Compass

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Volume 1, 10th Edition

October, 2021

Location of the Month

The Temple of Dendara

This often missed temple is just a few hours south of Luxor. This Temple dedicated to the Hathor has amazing colors and unique scenes. The surface is easy to walk and with the high ceilings on the first floor it is comfortable.

Once you arrive and pass the visitor center you will walk through the first pylons. There you will be greeted with an open air museum. Most guest start by walking around the temple to the right. Here you will get a glimpse of the lake and what was once the docks.

Admire the carvings as you will be able to witness the only location in Egypt were there is a full size carving of Cleopatra VII.

You can easily explore this Temple in about one to two hours. It is worth the drive and the time to explore it.

If you travel with us, you can visit Dendera on an optional excursion. We will take you in a private van and you will have an Expert Egyptoligist with you the whole time to explain the temple in detail and answer any questions you may have.

Shortly passed the carving of Cleopatra VII you will notice another one of a kind: all of the crowns of Ancient Egypt carved in one place. These carvings are unique as you will get a chance to see the differences and similarities between all the crowns.

Once you have had your chance to explore the exterior of the Temple you will now be able to enter the inside. Here you will find colorful scenes on the ceilings. If you look closely you will see all the signs of the Zodiac painted on the ceiling.

Head up stairs and you will see the location of the original Zodiac Sign. A replica sits in its place as the original was taken by the French and now sits in the Louvre in Paris.

On the upper deck you will also get a nice panoramic view of the area.

Head back down and you can go to several chambers below the first level.

Monthly Weather

Egypt:

46.8°F to 62.2°F

Word of the Month

ʿafwan

Meaning:

You’re Welcome

Recipe of the Month

Aish Baladi – Egyptian Flat Bread

You will experience this table stable many times if you visit Egypt. This simple yet favorable bread is enjoyed at almost every meal. In Egypt you will find this bread being made out in the markets or at restaurants. Follow your nose to guide you.

Ingredients

1 tbsp. active dry yeast

2 ¹⁄₂ cups water, heated to 105º

5 cups whole-wheat flour, plus more for dusting

1 tbsp. kosher salt

1 tbsp. vegetable oil, plus more for greasing

Cracked wheat bran for proofing, optional

Instructions

In a large bowl, whisk the yeast with the water and let stand until foamy, 10 minutes. Add 2 ¹⁄₂ cups of the whole-wheat flour and stir until smooth. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and let stand for 30 minutes.

Uncover the dough and, using your hand, stir the salt and oil into the dough and then add the remaining 2 ¹⁄₂ cups whole-wheat flour and mix until the dough comes together. Scrape the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. Place the dough in a large bowl greased with oil and cover with plastic wrap. Let stand until doubled in size, about 1 ¹⁄₂ hours.

Place a baking stone on a rack in the oven and heat the oven to 500° for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, punch the dough down and divide into 16 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball and then flatten into a 5-inch circle. Lightly sprinkle the cracked wheat bran, if using, or more whole-wheat flour over 2 parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Divide the dough circles between the baking sheets and loosely cover with a kitchen towel. Let stand until slightly puffed, about 30 minutes.

Working in batches, place the dough circles on the hot baking stone, spaced 2 inches apart, and bake until puffed and lightly charred in spots, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer the breads to a rack and let cool for 5 minutes before serving.