The reviews are in, and they are unequivocal—the Friends of the Library’s Cultural Bus Tour to the California Science Center was an overwhelming success. Participants raved about every aspect of King Tut: Treasures of the Golden Pharoah.
Bus trip passengers loved the convenience and the social aspect of the group outing; passenger Jessie Fowler said she loved not having to worry about driving and parking. “It’s such great fun,” she said, “to go with a group of people you know.”
Once the bus arrived at the CA Science Center, the exhibit of over 150 artifacts definitely delivered on the “wow” factor. Ruth Dods, a frequent bus trip participant said, “I’ve never seen so much gold in my life! I’m standing there with my mouth wide open—so much gold from back 3000 years ago.” Others mentioned how thoughtfully the exhibit was laid out, with one floor devoted to the items discovered with the Boy King, and the second floor dedicated to the tomb site and archeological dig itself. The exhibit, described as “a Tut show for a new era,” also presented what new scientific technology has revealed about Tut’s life, health, and lineage.
Trip organizer Carol Weiner said that the exhibit had been set up in a way to facilitate understanding, with thoughtfully placed signage in both English and Spanish. Ruth Dods said that she also enjoyed the discussion about how King Tut has become woven into our culture.
Other participants noted the IMAX movie Mysteries of Egypt, which provided context for the exhibit, and the two gift shops at the end, which provided retail therapy for even the most Tut-obsessed. This is the last U.S. stop for these artifacts; from here, the exhibit goes to Europe and then to its final home in Egypt, where authorities say it will reside permanently.
Carol Weiner said that the Friends’ cultural bus tours help smooth the process for participants at every step, from planning to transportation to admission, and the group rate “really helps keep prices accessible.” Thanks to Carol Weiner for a fabulous job on another cultural bus tour—keep your eyes open for announcements of the next one!
About Friends of the Thousand Oaks Library
The Friends of the Thousand Oaks Library is a California-based group of avid library advocates dedicated to enhancing the Thousand Oaks Library with support services and intellectual and cultural programs that enrich the lives of area residents of all ages. Learn more at www.ftol.org.
Contact
Kathy Leslie, Publicity Coordinator
Email: publicity@ftol.org