Greetings Family,
How are you? I am fine. I am back in Egypt--the Black Land of Africa. This
makes trip number twenty-two for me. I planned this trip long ago and then
had many second thoughts. I did not get much support and I ended up with a
travel agent from hell. A revolution took place here and I wanted to cancel.
But it seems like I am just supposed to be here.
I have a small but brilliant group this year. Among the people with me is
the distinguished African mathematician Dr. Abdulahim Shabazz. Dr. Shabazz
is eighty-four years old now but he is still spry and a fountain of knowledge
and wisdom. He has trained half of the African-American mathematicians in
existence and he seems to be a big fan of mine.
Tourism is down here by eighty percent. But on the surface so far everything
is normal. I am told that there are still protesters sleeping out on Tahir
Square but I have not been to that part of Cairo yet. Everyone seems proud
of the revolution. One Nubian brother that I have known for a while even
proudly showed me the sword wounds that he received early in the struggle.
He told me that he was in the hospital for six weeks.
The mood is clearly anti-Mubarak here. The former president and his sons
have been arrested and are awaiting trial. National elections are scheduled
for September.
Perhaps most importantly, I have heard nothing about major damage to any of
the archaeological sites and that is very good news indeed.
Yesterday, we began our tour with a visit to the Giza Plateau. Yes, the
pyramids are still standing and look as magnificent and imposing as ever.
Following the Giza Pyramids we went to see Herumakhet--the Great Sphinx. I
was told three new things: First, that another Great Sphinx had been found
just a few kilometers away. Secondly, that a room with hieroglyphic writing
had been found underneath the Sphinx. And, thirdly, that the Sphinx is not
carved in the likeness of King Khafre of Dynasty Four but Narmer of Dynasty
One.
It was also near the Great Sphinx that I met to newly wed couples from
Darfur, Sudan. They were all much darker than me and very friendly. We
actually talked about the impact of Malcolm X! I also met a father, son and
daughter from Libya. The brother told me that his family had been in Libya
for generations. He was black as a lump of coal!
So, here I am and the trip is just getting started. Today we visit
Sakkara--the site of the Step Pyramid designed by Imhotep. Then we go south
where, among other things, I hope to visit the archaeological site of my
friend and brother Tony Browder in Luxor.
So this is just a long overdue update about brother Runoko Rashidi and his
doings. I trust that you are well. By the way, I have a new book coming out
soon. It is called Black Star: The African Presence in Early Europe. It is
being published by Books of Africa Publishing House in London. The Preface
is by Robin Walker and the Introduction is by Charles S. Finch.
Stay strong sisters and brothers. I hope to post you again soon.
By the way, I am already planning next year's tours. I plan to take another
group to Egypt next July and Brazil in November 2012. I think that I finally
found the right travel agent this time. It is run by brother Kenneth Smith
and is called Dreams Come True Travel. It is a very appropriate name!
Many blessings!
In love of Africa,
Runoko Rashidi
www.travelwithrunoko.com
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