Date: Mar 26, 2002 - 13:12
I smell salt, yes I do...The coast was off in the distance and my legs where beging to feel a little bit better...Thanks to LAMBIE, I have renewed strength to carry on to Pelusium....Nearing the coast line, I took in a deep breath....Ah the salt air is music to my lungs, so dry and hot it was in that ole desert....I picked up pace and ran along the waters edge for a bit soaking them feet, and yes it felt good!!!....Turning back inland again, I continued to pick up my pace...As I neared Pelusium a crowd of people lines the road, cheering me on, reaching out to pat me on the back...I smiled as I hoisted the torch higher, the GLORY of EGYPT!!!!!......
Pelusium:
Pelusium is known by many names, Pelousion by the Greeks, Sa'inu and Per-Amun by the Egyptians, Seyan in Aramaic and Sin in Chaldaic. Both Seyan and Pelousion translate to mean "mire" which refers to the mire and marshes that surrounded the city. Pelusium's impact on trade was due to the city residing on the route of the caravans from Africa to Asia, and its harbour joined the sea to the branch of the Nile called Pelusiac. Ancient historians describe a bustling port with quays, magazines, and customs offices; industrial areas with salt vats, textile workshops, pottery kilns, and fish tanks; military installations; and temples. Ships from the eastern Mediterranean and caravans from Syria-Palestine came to Pelusium to exchange goods, such as wine, oil and honey, which were transported to Egypt and the Red Sea by Nile barge and overland roads. Pelusium was also famed in antiquity for its textiles, particularly its dyed linens.
The city was also both a departure point for Egyptian expeditions to Asia and an entry point for foreign invaders attempting to conquer Egypt. In 373 bce the Persian satraps, Pharnabazos and Tithrantes attacked Pelusium, but were driven off by Nectanebo I. Thirty years later, Artaxerxes III destroyed an Egyptian army lead by Nectanebo II who was the last native Pharaoh. The the city was transformed into a desert of mud when the branch of the Nile surrounding the city choked up and overflowed the region. The ruins of a fort called Tineh have been found though.
Pelusium yes indeed, I have finally made it...Ahead in the distance I could make out my hand off point...There stood Oset, looking fine as he always did, hand outstreached and ready to run that flame through Egypt.....
Oset darlin, you take this torch and make Egypt proud!!!....I dont suppose you have a place where Ahmes can pass out now????
Reaching out to Oset, I place the torch into his hand...Off he went south and off I went to get some sleep...