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Published: November 8th 2009
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Kim and Mom
We're dressed up for Egyptian Nite. Yesterday was so busy that I didn’t have time to write. So I’m trying to catch up this afternoon, Sunday, while we are jockeying for position at the only lock on the Nile between Aswan and Luxor.
So, yesterday. We had an opportunity to “sleep in” which meant a choice. As breakfast was served between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m. and we didn’t have to meet our guide, Ahmed, until 9:00 a.m., did we want to sleep or eat? I slept. By accident. Kim tried to call my room to wake me up, but I never heard the phone ring and she thought I was in the shower. So I only had a couple of minutes to get dressed to make it for breakfast. So no. She and Rich went down and brought me back a few small danishes and a glass of orange juice.
The riverboat has 58 cabins, so it’s not that big, and since it is just the start of “the season” here (tourists), the boat is not full. That makes it nice for us. We eat buffet style for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and it seems like we are always ready to eat. Trying hard not
Unfinished Obelisk
So interesting how the ancient Egyptians created their obelisks. to each sooo much and hoping that we do enough walking to negate the calories!
Yesterday was a full day. After breakfast, we met Ahmed and left the boat to go to the granite quarries. The granite quarry was purely rose granite and it is not mined anymore. There is an excellent example of how the ancient Egyptians carved the obelisks, because left behind is an “unfinished obelisk.“ Apparently a crack appeared right before they were to take it out of the ground, and it the project was abandoned. Holes were carved out in the shape of the obelisk, a line was chiseled and cedar wood was used to push the bock away from the granite. Cedarwood is not native to Egypt; it was imported from Lebanon.
Lots of other tourists, some in big groups, also are visiting these sites as we are. Interesting to hear the moans and groans of some of the Americans. I’m sure they’re more moans and groans from other countries, but obviously we only recognize our own!!! Each “tourist attraction” has one way out … through a bazaar of souvenir shops with very aggressive vendors. No, nada, nien, no way Jose, are our
Quarry
Not used any more, it was strictly rose granite. usual answers to the hawkers. Don’t touch anything because then it looks like you are interested and the haggling begins. I’ve put Rich in charge of all my haggling, although we haven’t had any time to do any serious shopping.
Next event that day was the Aswan High Dam, taking a look at it close up and personal. Rich was very interested in the amount of kill-o-wats or whatever it produced. It must be a guy thing. I just wanted to go to the next temple. But it was good to see, and we traveled back and forth over the 1902 Dam. I remember nothing about who built what, but I think the Russians helped the Egyptians with monies to build the High Dam after the US bailed out. I could be way wrong, but have no internet access to check it out.
We drove back from the High Dam to another boat dock and boarded a traditional felucca (combo sailboat/covered motor boat). We sailed “gently past Elephantine Island and the West Bank” just as our itinerary promised, where we viewed the Aga Khan Mausoleum. The Mausoleum was built above the Aga Khan’s villa after his death in
Boat Trip
Around Elephant Island. Do they look line a line of elephants? 1957. He allegedly spent the winter months in this villa after discovering the medicinal powers of the local sands. There are many rocks on the island that look like elephants. Check out the pictures and see if you can tell.
Time to head back to the boat after our short sail. Our boat cappy had items to sell, of course, and Kim and I sat on the bottom of the boat and picked out a few things.
We did all this by 12:30 as the boat was ready to leave. We’re behind on our cruise itinerary, so we’re not sure what’s next on the agenda.
We spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying watching the banks of the Nile as we moved north. On the east side, trees; on the west side, sand dunes. It is beautiful.
But no rest for us. Tonight we are told is Egyptian Night. Everyone is encouraged to “dress like an Egyptian.” So you know me, I’m up for it. Kim, Rich and I all got outfits. Rich thought he was donning traditional Egyptian garb, but come to find out it was traditional Arabian, with the towel on his head and
Moi
On the boat. everything. We wore our outfits to dinner, because that was what we thought we were supposed to do, but that was a language barrier issue, and of course we were the only ones “dressed up.“ Rich wanted to bet that no one else would dress for the after dinner “gala.“ Should have taken the bet. I would have won. Most everyone purchased one item to wear, some more than others, like us. The gala event was sitting in the lounge listening to Egyptian disco. We only stayed a bit; talked to some other passengers and went to bed. We had a very early start to the day.
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Varda
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I'm SOOO Jealous
T, as I told you years ago, you are a wonderful writer! Your blog makes me feel that I'm right there with you. That is a true gift. It looks like you're all having a great time. I look forward to your next posts. Thank you, thank you! Love, V