Stranded on the Nile

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Unfortunately, not much to say about our Nile Cruise on the MS Nile Treasure. From the first moment we saw it, we knew we had a bottom rung cruise. The rooms had a stinky smell, either like mold or sewage depending on the room. There were no balconies and some of the rooms didn't have windows that opened, even. The main problem was that our engine broke - one of the two - and we went very slow. The ship told everyone that they deliberately turned it off so that we could "enjoy the scenery". But when we were stuck at the Esna Locks with other ships bypassing us because of our engine...we found out something was up. We were at the locks for over a day, parked with other boats, with all the entailed pollution and lack of views. Plus at the mercy of the rowboat vendors, who would throw things on board to be sold - you threw back a plastic bag with money if you wanted it. Their items would fly onto deck and hit people. Annoying after a time - couldn't even open a window without someone throwing in items and knocking over your drink. While we were there, the Esna Locks broke as well and it took 6 hours to fix them, creating a huge backlog. So we spent several days sequested on the tiny MS Nile Treasure, in not-so-comfortable rooms, with our only refuge the smoke-ridden lounge, or the sundeck with its varying temperatures (often cold, as its winter in Egypt). We had cards and books, but there is only so much you can do to amuse yourself. And you start to think - okay I'm in Egypt for a reason! I'm here to see Egyptian people, eat Egyptian food, see Egyptian monuments. I'm stuck on a cruise ship with 100 other tourists and I'm eating half-assed European food and I'm not getting any EGYPT right now.

We were on the cruise ship from the afternoon of February 18th to late on February 20th.

We had a few hours of sailing and seeing the Nile go by, but mostly we sat at the Esna Locks, waiting and waiting to go through. Susan, Will, and myself took turns leading yoga asana sequences, and I taught a brief introduction to bellydance to a few of my tour mates. We played cards for hours. I knitted an entire black scarf, learning to knit while I was there.

My mom's birthday was celebrating with a big cake and all the cooking and serving staff coming out and singing, and playing drums. They got me up to bellydance in her honor, in my street clothes. The cook and I did some dancing - he sorta danced like a chicken with his hands at his waist, arms akimbo, and shoulders shaking as he pranced around in a circle. I imitated him and we ended up dancing encircling eachother with these odd chicken-y movements. But in the end, everyone said I was a good dancer so I guess I did okay! The other birthday girl was also named Teresa and was also born on February 18th.

I also performed on the cruise ship, during tea time. I performed to "The Sea of Alexandria", followed by "Tigi Ya Matigish" and a drum solo. Tour groups from all different countries were gathered watching me, from Thai to German to Aussie. I will probably be on a few people's home videos and maybe even show up on youtube somewhere. I had a feeling it might happen so had brought one of my setlist CDs from my restaurant shows. Plus I had the costume I had bought, and a bit of makeup. I really enjoyed having the chance to share my dancing with my tour group (and with the other tour groups too). I had been talking about all week but somehow that made it real for them. It is very gratifying to have people be impressed by what you do, especially when you've taught them a few moves and they've admitted that it's not easy! Anyway, I felt like a star and I had fun and I hope that I brought a lot of joy into the room. My tour group was the best, doing a lot of clapping and cheering for me. *smile*

I got to know alot of the staff and tour leaders, the Egyptians, who were all fascinated by me as a belly dancer and wanted to talk about it, why I was doing it, where I learned it, what dancers I admire, etc.

It was a difficult few days, especially with the mold smell in the cabins, smoke smell in the lounge, and the day it was cold on deck. The day it was warm was a bit better. But either way, we spent many days on board - Monday, Tuesday, and most of Wednesday - and went a bit stir-crazy. But also had some fun and bonded with eachother. There were highs and lows. I think if we had been moving the whole time, we wouldn't have minded. But being stuck at the locks was sorta scary - with only one working engine - we didn't know if we'd ever make it to shore again.

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Photos

My stepdad & the Nile
My stepdad Scott and the beautiful Nile behind him, when we were finally cruisin' along.

Alli on deck
Our boat was finally moving - joy!

Sunset on Thursday night
Just before disembarking at Edfu, the sun set and the moon rose over the banks of the Nile.

The infamous Esna Locks
This was our view for a long time.

Bundled up on deck
Tuesday afternoon was very cold, but it was better to be up on deck than in the lounge.

Vendors
Portable shops and a ton of captive shoppers...

Performing on MS Nile Treasure
Performing in my new costume on the MS Nile Treasure to a very enthusiastic and fantastic crowd. Thank you all!

Comments

[Mary Micheal]

Nile Trasure is amazing Nile cruise, I recommend it to all my friends prefer to spend some nights on the Nile Cruise, the food was perfect, our cabin was very nice with big window to the nile, totally the service on board was more than Excellent