Louis Armstrong in Egypt, playing for his wife

A Facebook friend just posted this.

Impressions of Giza differ from person to person. My own experience was, and still is, that of being blown away by the pyramids but underwhelmed by the Sphinx.

The sheer physical scale of the pyramids is stunning, considering their age. Stand at the bottom of the largest pyramid and look up, and you can’t fail to be impressed.

The Sphinx, for all its symbolic significance, has always struck me as just a glorified statue. It’s a lot smaller than many photos suggest.

Interestingly, Flaubert had exactly the opposite reaction. He was unimpressed by the pyramids but overwhelmed by the Sphinx. However, Flaubert’s letters from Egypt are the most appalling example of cruel and arrogant orientalism that I’ve ever seen. Just put Edward Said on a 9-foot ladder next to the basket and ask him if he can make a slam dunk. I’ve read few things more embarrassing and enraging than Flaubert’s adolescent exploitation and mockery of, and sometimes physical violence against, Egyptians. Those letters are a disgrace.