Not far from Thebes is the village of Luxor: not much in itself, but
just a place to stay while visiting the temples. It is pleasing to note
that they have done a good work there in raising the embankment in the
hope of keeping the Nile water out of the temples. The bank is steep;
for the Nile rises high every year. In olden times these temples were
evidently protected from the water by some means; but now it rises half
up over them. The Temple of Luxor is one of the most beautiful and
interesting in Egypt; though not so imposing as the Temples of Karnak.
As you approach you can only see a part of it; for there is a fence
up there, and if you want to go through you have to show a ticket. A
so-called "monument ticket" can be obtained from the government for about
six dollars a year, and this will enable a visitor to see every monument
in Egypt. The fund thus raised is used to save the monuments, and every
penny of it goes to that work.
[Illustration: RAMESES STATUES AT LUXOR]
The beauty of the Temple of Luxor is in its splendid colonnade. It must
have been superb when in good condition, with colors fresh and bright.