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domo-kun
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Queens, Floral Park
In NYC Since: 2001

from Japan to NYC ... and I love NYC! 

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Why do they throw coins at the museum?



I went to see a great exhibit of Egyptian art at the Metropolitan Museum, called Hatshepsut : From Queen to Pharaoh. Afterwards, I went to the Egyptian wing to see the famous Temple of Dendur. That's where I saw mostly high-school kids throwing coins into the water that surrounds the temple. Now this is a weird custom! What is it about seeing an Egyptian temple that's thousands of years old—surrounded by cat-headed statuary and located in one of New York's most interesting glass-wall interiors—that makes you want to throw coins in the water? Do you think it's good luck? Or you just want to get rid of those pennies weighing down your pocket? But I do know now how they get all those coins out of there: A maintenace guy with big hip-wader boots goes in and fishes them out.


Tags:   coins, egyptian art, met museum, temple of dendur


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Posted on 5/9/2006 ( Permanent Link )
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Comments (3 total)

 GURU 

TwoWheeler

I do know that if you walk with a kid anywhere within view of a fountain, that the kid will run over and ask you if you have any money he/she can throw away. They make a wish and throw your pennies in.
I'm sure that after the Met has some poor schlep get down in the drink to retrieve the money they can add it to their days receipts. I guess it makes up for the money they don't get out of me when I show up and offer them significantly less in admission than their "suggested donation."
It will comfort the little tykes to know they're helping to keep the city's elite in wine and cheese at the next opening.


Posted on 5/9/2006. ( Permanent Link )
 

domo-kun

You reminded me of something! I overheard someone ask the guard nearby what happens to the money. He said it goes into the "general receipts" fund.


Posted on 5/9/2006. ( Permanent Link )
 

brucek

The Tut exhibit was cool as hell...I met a sweet looking met intern that day and hooked up she .....I blew it a month later by falling asleep on some royals bed. i drove a hack 36 hours straight and just faded..

The things a kid will do for tail ...


Posted on 5/25/2006. ( Permanent Link )