I was just reading Everything Everywhere, a blog on one person’s travels around the world, and this part on the pyramids at Giza is a bit heartbreaking.
“You will notice as you approach the pyramids that it is not like what you have seen in pictures all your life. While one side of the pyramids are up against the desert, the other side is right up against a residential neighborhood. In fact right across the street from the main gate to the pyramids is a Pizza Hut. That that is literally what the Sphinx is looking at.”
When I was in junior high, I went on a trip with my spanish class to Mexico. One of the places we visited was Teotihuacan, to see the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon. They were beautiful, awe-inspiring landmarks, and it made me feel sick and sad to read that they opened a Wal-Mart right next to the site recently. That this pinnacle of an ancient civilization was lessened by proximity to a homogenized box store, its impact was lessened, it was cheapened. Here is a wonder…and here are plastic bits of nothing–on sale! Why haven’t these great treasures been preserved, been given the honor and respect they deserve?
Then, I feel a little guilty for basically admitting that I don’t want the people who live in these places to have modern things or conveniences, because it interferes with the romanticized idea I have of the ancient world. But surely there must be a happy medium? Something that will preserve these ancient sites yet not result in the Sphinx peering at a Pizza Hut?
Well I think I did emerge from an Auntie Anne’s stand, so.
I am on to you, pretzelcoatl. :shifty eyes:
In many cases the people who live in these places do not want our Walmart, Taco Bell or Pizza Hut, and are being damaged in other ways by their presence.
I’m in a dark mood today anyway, but this just makes my heart ache. It will be harder and harder for people to imagine what these sights were like before “development”.
I don’t know about the great pyramids, but in Mexico, there were groups protesting the Wal-Mart and groups anxious for it because it represented ‘progress’–I can’t find the article I read about it when it first opened, but people apparently were so anxious to get inside that they mobbed the entrance. Even if Wal-Mart is providing jobs to people who would not have them otherwise, and is trying to be respectful of the location it is hard for them not to look like a bad guy in this situation. It’s just…distasteful. Visiting the pyramids at Giza was one of my high life priorities…but visiting the pyramids across the street from the Pizza Hut dampens my enthusiasm.
Oh really? People in other countries don’t want chain stores? have you personally asked them? Have you taken a sociological survey?
Sadly, I am in no way joking.
There is a burger joint across the street from the entrance to Auschwitz.
The burgers were, dare I say, a tad burnt.
Re: Sadly, I am in no way joking.
I can’t even imagine being hungry anywhere near Aushwitz, much less with it in line of sight.
Re: Sadly, I am in no way joking.
You kidding me? Those tours are long and walking-intensive.
Re: Sadly, I am in no way joking.
Yabbut as a Highly Sensitive Girl I personally would be too emotionally distraught to eat. Then again, Auschwitz is someplace I probably would not tour.
Re: Sadly, I am in no way joking.
OR, ALTERNATELY:
Funny, I think there were probably several million people who were hungry in Auschwitz at some point.
Re: Sadly, I am in no way joking.
That is different, sunny Jim. 😛
That is indeed saddening. I’ve always wanted to see the pyramids and the Sphinx, but the political climate over there is just too nasty nowadays for me to travel there. A Pizza Hut by the Sphinx…..*sigh*
No good suggestions to offer, regrettably.
cheers,
Phil
I’ve wanted to go as well, but I definitely don’t want to go as a female traveling alone. But…butted up against a residential neighborhood and a pizza hut…it makes it seem like less of a destination. 🙁
I sometimes feel this way…if a Pizza Hut or a Wal-Mart opened in Delphi (which won’t happen; not enough flat land) I’d be sad.
On the other hand, one thing about Athens that is very, very neat is how archaeological sites are surrounded by the modern city. You’ll be walking down the street and suddenly it’s UNEXPECTED ROMAN AGORA IS UNEXPECTED. It’s kinda cool.
(Also, I know this isn’t what you meant, but if I had to choose between Pizza Hut and, say, beggars with missing limbs and children trying to sell you batteries and film, which is what you’ll get in Cambodia, I’ll take Pizza Hut. Though the ideal of course is neither.)
That blog makes me envious. Must plan another overseas trip soonest.
I haven’t been to Athens (or Egypt…) but it sounds like the way Athens has done it has allowed the city to thrive while being respectful of its legacy, instead of, say, picking an out of the way tourist destination and plunking a Wal-Mart down next to it to capitalize on the tourist traffic in the area.
My favorite Athens story (usually entitled “How I Came to Like Tomatoes”) involves UNEXPECTED ROMAN AGORA.
Also, surprisingly enough, UNEXPECTED ROMA TOMATO.
Wow. I went there too when I was 3 but still remember. That suuuuucks
As a student of history, I too am saddened by the lack of care some nations take to guard classic or ancient architecture. You think the governments in control of these relics would at least establish some kind of physical perimeter or guards around these sites to protect them from modern encroachment. Tourist dollars alone should cause such a reaction. Then you have a safe pyramid with a Taco Bell half a mile away. Everybody’s happy, in my opinion.
Alas, you and I do not make the laws of the land. Hopefully your next bid for Dictator will result in success. =-)
When I’m benevolent dictator, I’m knocking those businesses surrounding landmarks down and I won’t even think twice about it. It will be for the greater good.
Sad, sad.
Sadder: The day they drape the sphynx with advertisements or project logos onto the pyramids.
From the forked tongue of capitalism, a whisper: “Progress!”
On that day, someone is getting stabbed by me.
maybe the sphinx really likes pizza :/ no one ever stops to ask the sphinx what s/he/it wants!
I’ve tried asking but it isn’t big on communication. It just stares, like I should know the answer already.