Blogs from Aswan, Upper Egypt, Egypt, Africa - page 5

As the sleeper train pulled into the busy Cairo station, I had flashbacks of the filthy overnight trains in Vietnam. We were all pleasantly surprised once inboard, when Jess and I were shown to our private two bed cabin, complete with a dining table, sink and lamps. This was certainly a step up from trains in Asia and everyone in the group was running from room to room excited about how "luxurious" it was, having all spent time in Asia....the simple things!!! As nice as the decor was, it was actually the most uncomfortable of all train travels I've experienced so far. I felt as though I was on an out of control vibrating bed, being thrown this way and that around the carriage. Many of us where still in a zombie like state when we ... read more

My first good sleep so far in the last 3 days has been this overnight train! Fell asleep around 11:30pm and were woken up by the train staff at 8:30am. They got us up in plenty of time for breakfast, re-freshing and then lots of time to sight-see out the window as we came into Aswan! The breakfast again was crappy so we didnt eat much of it. We actually took in the next 2 hours of scenery from the train! It was beautiful along the Nile! So green - lots of banana plants, sugar cane fields, etc. a lot like what I'm used to seeing in the caribbean islands. At 10:30 we got off the train and headed towards our Nile cruise boat where we would be staying the next 3 nights even though we ... read more

Wow did the wind pick up last night!!! Kamikane (wind in Hawaiian) raced through the hills, howling and causing windows to shiver within their frames. Across the Nile, a sheet of white film filled the sky, as the sands of the Sahara were blown about. It's so beautiful and powerful to watch nature cleanse the earth... especially from inside the villa! It was also so hot last night. Such a dichotomy in my mind. Wind = Cool. I am also staying in a newer section of Aswan, where houses are being built and construction is almost non-stop. In fact, they are so nocturnal here that some of the work doesn't start until after sunset - including the jackhammer! Last night was no exception. Bulldozers and large trucks were in and out of the area all night ... read more

What the ...??? Yesterday was an interesting day. As usual, Cindy and I knew that we were processing unseen energies. We've been doing a lot of that! :) Normally, in the late morning, I sit with Cindy and Ashraf (my hosts) for tea and discussion which can last several hours. Most of the time, esp when Cindy and I sit and discuss the metaphysical life, we can both feel energies filling up and processing in the background. For me, it often shows up physically as getting lightheaded and sometimes feeling like I am about to leave my body. Or I will get chills up and down my body out of nowhere. Yesterday, instead of sitting together and chatting over tea, we each went our separate ways in the house. Sure there were chats and passing comments, ... read more

Today was the day I was going to head back to Cairo. I had until 4pm before my flight. So I woke up early this morning, at about 8am, and had a day trip planned to the Temple of Philae. I had to first get to the entrance of the site, then take a boat to the island which the temple was situated on. It was an intriguing journey. I took it all in. I think this is the site I've spent the most time at. It's simply beautiful and breathtaking, and the surrounding land and water scapes made it even more so. I spent a good hour admiring the place. It was going to be the last attraction of its kind that I would see. Getting off the island was a bit of a problem ... read more