So I finally made it to Egypt after dreaming about it for years. My main goal? Checking out those mysterious catacombs in Alexandria everyone keeps talking about. Got up crazy early and squeezed into one of those minibuses locals use – seriously packed like sardines but dirt cheap.
First Impressions Above Ground
Walked through this dusty neighborhood and bam – there’s just this hole in the ground with some old broken columns around it. Felt kinda underwhelming at first. Paid my entry fee and this guard started explaining how deep it goes. Thought he was exaggerating till I saw that spiral staircase winding into total darkness.
The Descent Into History
Started climbing down those worn stone steps, counting about forty steps before it got really damp and cool. The air changed completely – smelled like wet earth and ancient stones. My flashlight caught these carvings on the walls that made my jaw drop – Egyptian gods with Roman haircuts and outfits, like some ancient mashup art.
Noticed three things immediately:
- The tunnel got narrower with every step – shoulders brushing both sides
- Rock carvings showed weird funeral banquets with people wearing Greek clothes
- Air got heavier and you could hear water dripping somewhere below
The Main Chamber Shock
Turned a corner and nearly dropped my flashlight. This giant circular room opened up with three levels of burial niches carved straight into the rock walls. Felt like being inside some creepy stone beehive. My guide pointed at this deep shaft in the floor – said they used to dump bodies down there before putting them in the walls. Gave me chills.
Why This Place Sticks With You
Couple hours later, back in the sunlight, I couldn’t stop thinking about:
- How ordinary people built this 2000 years ago with just hand tools
- That funky mix of Egyptian/Roman designs everywhere – literally ancient cultural blending
- The sheer bravery needed to bury your dead underground like that
Honestly pictures don’t do justice to how massive yet claustrophobic it feels down there. And that weird combo of cultures? Nowhere else on earth you’ll find mummies hanging out with carved Roman togas. Totally messed with my sense of historical timelines. Worth every sweaty bus ride moment.
