History - Lili on the Loose

28 07, 2016

Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa

By Lili|July 28th, 2016|Categories: Attractions & Sights, History, Travel|Tags: 2015, Africa, Alexandria, Anubis, Apis Bull, catacombs, catacombs of kom el shoqafa, Dream of Egypt, Egypt, Egypt Explorer, Egyptian, G Adventures, Gadventures, GAP, Greek, Isis, Middle East, roman, Travel Thursday|0 Comments

Source The mysterious Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa in Alexandria were discovered a little more than a hundred years ago when a donkey disappeared into a hole in the earth. What was uncovered was a complex of 3 story underground catacomb. While the upper floor is pretty bare from design the middle floor has a unique tomb that combines Egyptian, Greek, and Roman iconography. Above the entrance you can see many Uraei (cobras) with the sun disk, and the winged vulture, a common sight of Egyptian temples. But on the side you see a greek Agathodaimon (serpent) wearing the double crown

16 06, 2016

Hieroglyphics and Nilometer on Elephantine Island

By Lili|June 16th, 2016|Categories: Attractions & Sights, History, Photography, Travel|Tags: 2015, Africa, Aswan, cartouche, Dream of Egypt, Egypt, Egypt Explorer, Elephantine Island, Hieroglyphics, Middle East, Nilometer, Photo Essay, Psamtik II, Travel Thursday, UNESCO, UNESCO World Heritage Site|2 Comments

Near the Nilometer on Elephantine Island in Aswan, Egypt, there are massive boulders you can see from the river with hieroglyphics inscribed with the cartouche of Psamtik II. It is really amazing to see these hieroglyphics so clearly from the water. And to withstand the test of time. The entrance to the Nilometer is an unassuming doorway with steps leading to the nile. It is one of the oldest Nilometers in Egypt and was in use until the 19th century. Every other week Travel Thursday brings you travel tips and information on the amazing sights and activities the world has to offer.

19 03, 2016

History of the Steiff Teddy Bear

By Lili|March 19th, 2016|Categories: History, Souvenirs, Travel|Tags: Europe, Germany, plush, Steiff, stuffed animal, Teddy Bear, toy|0 Comments

The first Teddy Bear started in Germany with an Elephant. Actually it was an Elephant pin cushion. By 1879 Margarete Steiff had a successful clothing business and had made an Elephant pin cushion but found that children liked to play with it. In just 6 years 5000 little Elephants had been sold, and Margarete started to make different animals. As the variety grew, the phrase "For children, only the best is good enough!" became the hallmark of the Steiff brand. In 1902 Margarete’s nephew created the design for the first stuffed bear with movable arms and legs. But it wasn't until 1906

28 12, 2015

Museum Monday: Discobolus

By Lili|December 28th, 2015|Categories: History, Museums, Travel|Tags: 2011, ancient greek, Christmas in Germany 2011, Discobolus, discus thrower, Europe, Frankfurt, Germany, Liebieghaus, Städtische Galerie Liebieghaus, statue|0 Comments

This statue is from the Städtische Galerie Liebieghaus collection in Frankfurt, Germany. This is only the top half of the statue, the other is nude and preparing to throw the discus. I loved the bright red background of this part of the museum. A marble discobolus Museum Monday is an every other week series about museum news, objects, and reviews.

14 11, 2015

The History of the Christmas Nutcracker

By Lili|November 14th, 2015|Categories: Buying Guide, History, Souvenirs, Travel|Tags: 2011, Alexandre Dumas, Austria, buying guide, Christmas, Christmas in Germany 2011, Christmas Market, decoration, E.T.A Hoffman, Europe, Fuchtner, Germany, guide, history, Nutcracker, Salzburg, Steinbach, The Nutcracker, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, Ulbricht|0 Comments

Nutcrackers at a German Christmas Market. Nutcrackers in some form have been around since ancient times. However, they were much different in design and from from what we consider the Christmas Nutcracker. Those didn’t appear until the mid 1700's when many Germany mines had shut down and the workers had to figure out other sources of income. They turned to the abundant forests and their woodworking skills to craft dolls, toys, Christmas Pyramids, angels, and nutcrackers. The first nutcrackers were made to look like authority figures such as kings or soldiers. These “nut cracking” officials symbolized the

4 11, 2015

This Day in History: First Steps towards Tutankhamun’s Tomb

By Lili|November 4th, 2015|Categories: Currently Traveling, History, Travel|Tags: Africa, Cairo, Egypt, Luxor, Middle East, Tomb, Travel Thursday, Tutankhamun, UNESCO, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Valley of the Kings|0 Comments

Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon at the entrance of the tomb. 1922. “At last [I] have made wonderful discovery in Valley; a magnificent tomb with seals intact; re-covered same for your arrival; congratulations.” Howard Carter's cable to Lord Carnarvon on November 5th, 1922. The day before, on November 4th, Carter's team found the first step of a sunken stairway and then on the 5th they reached the sealed doorway to the tomb. A few weeks later Carter and Carnarvon would open Tutankhamun's tomb and entrance the world with their findings. Today I'm sadly leaving Luxor to head back to

22 10, 2015

Sun Festival at Abu Simbel

By Lili|October 22nd, 2015|Categories: Events, History, Travel|Tags: Abu Simbel, Africa, Amun, Egypt, Middle East, Ptah, Ra, Rameses II, Ramses, Sun Festival, Travel Thursday, UNESCO, UNESCO World Heritage Site|0 Comments

Today is Rameses II birthday! Each year on this day (and February 22nd, the day of his coronation) the morning light pierces into the dark chamber of his temple at Abu Simbel, shining on the statues of Ramses, Ra and Amun. They are 3 out of 4 statues in the central chamber, the last one Ptah the God of Darkness, which remains in the shadows. Source Red more here. I'm excited to be heading to Abu Simbel during my trip to Egypt!

21 09, 2015

Museum Monday: Fayum Portrait of a Young Woman

By Lili|September 21st, 2015|Categories: History, Museums, Travel|Tags: 2011, ancient egypt, Christmas in Germany 2011, Europe, Fayum portrait, Frankfurt, Germany, Liebieghaus, Mummy, Städtische Galerie Liebieghaus|0 Comments

The Städtische Galerie Liebieghaus in Frankfurt, Germany doesn't just have statues, it also has a few beautiful Fayum Portraits. These portraits were often painted during life on wood, and were placed over the mummy upon death. Portrait of a young woman Read more about Fayum Portraits here. Museum Monday is an every other week series about museum news, objects, and reviews.

7 09, 2015

Museum Monday: Woman of Pompeii

By Lili|September 7th, 2015|Categories: History, Museums, Travel|Tags: Colorado, Denver, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, DMNS, exhibit, North America, Pompeii, statue, USA|0 Comments

A statue of a woman from Pompeii I love statues, there is something captivating from being able to walk around and seeing the artwork from all sorts of angles. This statues is from Pompeii, and was part of the A Day in Pompeii exhibit at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science in 2012. Museum Monday is an every other week series about museum news, objects, and reviews.

15 06, 2015

Museum Monday: Athena

By Lili|June 15th, 2015|Categories: History, Museums, Travel|Tags: 2011, ancient greek, Athena, Christmas in Germany 2011, Europe, Frankfurt, Germany, goddess, Liebieghaus, Städtische Galerie Liebieghaus, statue|0 Comments

Today's feature comes from Städtische Galerie Liebieghaus in Frankfurt, Germany. It is a statue of Athena, the goddess of war and wisdom. I was struck by the detail the folds of her dress and her helmet. This ancient greek statue would have been painted. Athena goddess of wisdom and war. Close up on the detail of her helmet. Museum Monday is an every other week series about museum news, objects, and reviews.