#the suez canal in 1863 (? is that right?)

[confessionsofanoperaghost]

Leroux!Erik Timeline: an attempt

Erik’s timeline-- no one has to agree with me, but I’m going to share my research anyway. As always, take what inspires, leave the rest. And au/headcanon away with whatever ages you like. Don’t let anyone tell you what to do with your fics.

The following uses only what Gaston Leroux has given us and my own research into history. (I’ve never read Susan Kay) There are very few dates that are firm in Leroux, and this was done on purpose. It’s really challenging to puzzle out all of his innuendos into historical events. @fdelopera has an AMAZING timeline and argument for the story taking place in 1884 (a leap year, btw). I strongly recommend their work and really their entire blog, especially for any Lerouxian.

Certain dates confirmed by Leroux: Erik builds the foundations of the opera. There is a contest held to see who would design the new opera house in Paris in 1860. Due to the Franco-Prussian war and the revolution and the commune and the siege of 1871, the opera wasn’t completed until 1875. Erik’s foundations were utilized during the siege of 1871 as torture facilities and burial grounds and god knows what else. (During the “week of blood” that ended the siege, 20 thousand revolutionaries and another 877 soldiers were killed. Another 38 thousand people were arrested.) Leroux also says that the Shah of Persia liked Erik in part because he fought the Emir of Afghanistan. Most notes given in new translations of Phantom of the Opera say that this is in reference to the taking of Herat (by the British) in the 1850s, ending in ‘57. Which is crazy early. However, there is one more possibility: the Shah and the Emir began fighting again in 1863, ending with a sudden and (in this Phan’s opinion) a highly suspicious death of the Emir. Assuming that Erik is actually sent away from Persia for knowing too much politically (and not just too much about architecture) he and The Daroga would arrive in Paris maybe in 1863 or 1864, a fantastic time to start building the foundations. Leroux does also say that Erik “set up as a builder, the sort of builder who builds ordinary houses with ordinary bricks for ordinary people.” He does this as he subcontracts for Garnier. But work on the opera house is unsteady af because of funding during revolutionary times. Other places that Erik may have subcontracted with include the Suez Canal across the Mediterranean, and the Cadir Kiosk in Constantinople (Turkey). I mention this because Leroux says that Erik worked for the Sultan of Constantinople, building strange contraptions where there were body doubles (robots!) dressed like the Sultan (Abdul Hamid). Leroux says that a bunch of bizarre and magnificent things were revealed during the Young Turks Revolution of 1909 were indeed built by Erik. Abdul Hamid is without a doubt the Sultan that Leroux is referencing: he was paranoid af, constantly having things re-built around him with secret places to hide and replacing everyone around him for fear he would be assassinated. However, Abdul Hamid’s rule and subsequent decline into madness happens very late: after the book takes place (if you believe fdelopera, as I do, that the year in question is 1884). But, the Coup d'etat that puts him in power happens in 1876, RIGHT when Erik may have been doing subcontracting work on the East bank of the Mediterranean.

So, it’s fuzzy, but CONVENIENT. And until I have a better timeline, that’s how it goes for me.

Before the 1863 mysterious death of the Emir of Afghanistan, we have no certain dates. But I’ve been hypothesizing like a physics professor trying out different ages for Erik to be when he single-handedly kills the leader of a country AND for him to have had enough time for him to have learned Punjab lasso (Presumably India) Tonkin Pirates water tricks (Vietnam) and become a magician of Russia (fair at Nizhni Novgorod) known to all in the east.

TLDNR: Erik doesn’t know his own age exactly, but is “51, give or take 7 years” when he meets Christine (who Leroux says is 19 or 20, same as Raoul)

[wikitopx]

Ismailia is a city in north-eastern Egypt that was founded during the construction of the Suez Canal in 1863 by Khedive Ismail the Magnificent – the person who played a big role in the modernization of Egypt and Sudan during his reign, and where the city’s name came from.

The city is situated on the west bank of the Suez Canal, which is the capital of the Ismailia Governorate. Many visitors might go and explore Egypt but will have to think of dropping by Ismailia. In fact, the city is popular with tourists from within Egypt but is really not a major tourist spot for international visitors. Crazy right? Because they could be missing half of their lives! Ismailia may not be a popular destination in Egypt but it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have what other cities in the whole world have to offer. Let’s check out these beautiful things to see and things to do in Ismailia, Egypt.

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1. Visit Lake Timsah

Egypt is full of gorgeous lakes, but Lake Timsah is one of the most famed spots for its magnificent blue waters. Popularly dubbed Crocodile Lake, the lake lies between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea and is overlooked by numerous sandy beaches.

You can rejuvenate after a hard day by walking by the lake’s cool waters or sipping a coffee or cocktail from the veranda of one of the many cafes nearby. Or get there early in the morning to choose the most peaceful spot and settle down with a good book.

2. See the Ismailia Museum

The Ismailia Museum is a small museum, but it houses numerous objects that are really worth seeing. Most of the things that you want to know about Egypt, especially their history, can be found here.

Over 4,000 different artifacts from Pharaonic and Graeco-Roman times are displayed including statues, scarabs, stelae, and information about the first canal built by the Persian Darius between the Bitter Lakes and Bubastis.

A 4th-century mosaic masterpiece is a sight that showcases characters from Greek mythology–Phaedra sending the love letter to Hippolytus (her stepson), and Dionysus riding a chariot driven by Eros.

3. See the abandoned Israeli Bunker in Sinai (Tabat Al-Shagara)

This popular site is located to 10 km (6.2 mi) to the east of the Suez Canal from Ismailia. Feel like you were present during the time when the place was an Israeli Operations control center. This place also gives you a great scenic view but be sure to wear some sunscreen as the place is in an open ground. You will surely spend most of the time under the sun!

4. Explore the Natural Science Museum

If you happen to bring your kids or little ones on your next trip to Egypt, a museum is a top choice not to waste your time and money. Aside from being able to enjoy the place, both the kids and the adults will surely learn something after visiting the Natural Science Museum. They also have tanks for more photo options too!

5. Have a sumptuous meal at Nefertiti Restaurant

Nefertiti was known to be an Egyptian queen and the Great Royal Wife of an Egyptian Pharaoh, Akhenaten. She reigned, together with her husband, during the wealthiest period of ancient Egyptian history and claimed different titles such as Great of Praises, Lady of Grace, Sweet of Love, Main King’s Wife, and his beloved.

In fact, there is a restaurant in Ismailia to pay tribute to her. Nefertiti was made famous by her bust and you can even see it on this restaurant’s menu. They serve fresh seafood, grilled items, and pasta and if you are going to ask for their bestseller, order their grilled shrimp!

6. Pay a visit to a Mosque

Even if we normally go to a different place, we should also make time to visit a holy place. After all, it’s good to be curious when it comes to different religions. A mosque is a place of worship for devotees of Islam.

It is where religious activities, such as teaching the Quran and educating future imams – a worship leader of a mosque, take place. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to visit a mosque when you plan to visit a Muslim country. Not only will you be curious about this religion, but you will also be fascinated by how beautiful mosques are.

7. Enjoy relaxing views of the Suez Canal (from USD 148)

The Suez Canal is perhaps one of Egypt’s most famous waterways, teeming with watercraft since its opening in 1869. A trip to this seemingly modern canal is at once an encounter with ancient Egyptian history – since the time of the pharaohs, ancient east-west canals preceding the Suez Canal have been built to link the Nile River to the Red Sea.

Hop on a ferry to cross the busy canal, or simply stroll along its banks and admire the many watercrafts passing through on their way to the northern Indian Oceans. An idyllic vacation-ender before leaving Ismailia!

8. Attend the International Film Festival for Documentaries and Shorts

One of the most sought-after events that happen in Ismailia is the celebration of documentaries and shorts films. This festival started in 1991 as it is believed that shorts and documentaries should be given importance.

Filmmakers in Egypt as well as in other countries treasure the festival because this is the time to showcase their works and celebrate their hard work.

9. Cilantro

The Ismailia branch of the Egyptian home-grown coffee empire has the best view in the town. Cilantro also does decent sandwiches and other snacks. It's 3km east of town on the main road that runs alongside the canal.

10. Reda Helmy

The top spot in town for shish tawooq (grilled chicken on skewers), Egyptian liver and pretty much any other meat you can stick on the grill. There are great salads and mezze to clean all that meat as well as tagens (stew in deep clay pots).

More ideals for you: Top 10 things to do in Foggia

From : https://wikitopx.com/travel/top-10-things-to-do-in-ismailia-708592.html