24 CultureShock! Egypt
Ramla, where Ramla station is located. Alexandria’s culture
has many distinct Mediterranean influences such as in the
European quarter as well as its characteristically Egyptian
areas. The bulk of Egypt’s foreign trade passes through
its port. The population of Alexandria currently exceeds
two million.Luxor
Located in Upper Egypt, the contemporary city of Luxor
was built on the ancient site of Thebes. Luxor now has a
population of around 200,000 persons, most of whom seem
to be rather sagacious hawkers and vendors working in the
tourist industry. Here, modern Egyptians combine an exotic
history with modern commercialism. Hordes of foreign
visitors throng the streets, even in the scorching summer
heat. What most people think of as Luxor is actually three
distinct areas: Luxor city (including Luxor temple), the village
of Karnak, and the necropolis of ancient Thebes. The sheer
magnitude of Karnak’s intricate temple complex boggles
the mind. On the west Bank of the Nile, directly across from
Luxor, the famous Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens,