Egyptian Adventure: Classic Croft Cosplay
Typing out these words still feels a bit odd, as if this trip was in reality only a very convincing dream - the same dream I’d been having since the age of 12. I was introduced to Tomb Raider just prior to my teen years, and Lara Croft’s adventures began an inescapable desire to see Egypt’s ancient sites with my own eyes.
But this trip wasn’t a dream. My mother and I flew out to Cairo in early April to take part in Cairo Maker Faire’s Geek Fictions festivities. Although I’d never before felt confident enough to cosplay as Classic Lara Croft, I couldn’t miss the opportunity, and whipped up a Last Revelation inspired ensemble.
For the photoshoot, my mom and I - along with the other talented guests and the Geek Fictions crew - drove out to the Fayoum Oasis south of Cairo. The day became a grand adventure which involved jeeps getting stranded in the sand, our crew freeing them by pushing (in full costumes), and contending with the heat of the Sahara. It was one of the best days of my life.
The rest of the week was just as phenomenal. In addition to attending the fantastic convention, My mom and I took a day trip down to Luxor to see The Valley of the Kings (and visited King Tut’s tomb!), Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Colossi of Memnon, and the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Back in Cairo, we climbed inside the Pyramids of Giza, rode a camel the long way to the Sphinx, explored the Egyptian Museum, spent some time at The Citadel, and explored the rest of the city. You can see some of my photos above, paired with the phenomenal cosplay shots from the super talented Elbably Photography. You can see more photos from the trip on my Instagram.
I’d like to thank the Geek Fictions crew one more time for having me out to Cairo and fulfilling a lifelong dream, in addition to introducing me to so many new friends in the process. I also highly encourage those of you interested in traveling to Egypt to do so. Despite unrest in the region, I always felt safe and welcomed by the wonderfully kind and hospitable people. I hope I can return again soon.
