Donald P. Ryan > Quotes

“Boundaries?”Heyerdahl provocatively asked. “I have never seen one, but I hear they exist in the minds of most people.”
― Donald P Ryan

“The Egyptians believe that many illnesses are caused by the contaminating residue of internal bodily wastes. If you're suffering from one of the maladies common to many travellers, however, your body might already be purging itself on its own.”
― Donald P. Ryan, Ancient Egypt on 5 Deben a Day

“Do any of you peasants read hieroglyphs?”
― Donald P. Ryan, Ancient Egypt on 5 Deben a Day

“Paper made from the papyrus plant is a genuine product of Kemet. A roll of this material can be purchased for about 2 deben. Ask a local scribe or artist if they'll be willing to inscribe or decorate the paper with something characteristically Egyptian; perhaps a nice Nile scene with a boat. (You might want to check with a second scribe to make sure that the first one didn't write something to the effect of 'the superiority of the Egyptians is obvious everywhere', 'go home, vile foreigner', or 'I went to Egypt and all I brought back was a sheet of this paper'.”
― Donald P. Ryan, Ancient Egypt on 5 Deben a Day

“Does this loincloth make me look fat?”
― Donald P. Ryan, Ancient Egypt on 5 Deben a Day

“The parading of a sacred image through the streets is an opportunity to consult the gods as oracles. Questions can be asked or presented in writing as the procession passes by. An accidental, intentional or perceived nod or tilt of the cult image can be interpreted as a 'yes' or 'no' answer, which might decide some very important issue in one's life. 'Should I marry so and so?' 'Was I overcharged for those sandals?' or, perhaps, 'Should I go home now?”
― Donald P. Ryan, Ancient Egypt on 5 Deben a Day