Abu Simbel and Aswan

---

Finally the slow train from Cairo arrived in the city of Aswan on the Nile. It is really hot here, must be way over 100; so we shower after our 14 hours on the train and try to get a bit cooler in the air conditioned hotel. Tonight we visit a Nubian's house where he tells us about the Nubian culture which was somewhat displaced when the Aswan dam flooded their homes and farms.

Then the morning of the 1st of June we got up at 3:30 a.m. (to avoid the heat) and drove in a GUARDED CONVOY to the Abu Simbel site. Abu Simbel was relocated in a man made mountain, having been flooded by Aswan. It is impressive, not only for its size, but in my mind as much as for the fact that it was removed and relocated at tremendous cost by a consortium of nations to preserve these impressive structures. It is two "temples" carved out of solid rock.

Again, cameras are not allowed inside the mountain, so I can't show you the inside which is covered with hieroglyphics and includes giant statues as pillars holding up the mountain. The inside area is probably 5,000 sq feet carved into numerous rooms.

Tomorrow we set sail for 3 days on fellucas, the traditional sail boat on the Nile, our destination being Luxor, more sightseeing and where we meet our expedition truck.

Food here is very basic, usually rice, some unidentifiable pot roast with gravy, tomato based sauce/salsa stuff, and a couple of kinds of bread.

Had dinner tonight at a restaurant on the Nile with the local beer, Stella.

It will be 3 or 4 days before I have an internet connection, so until then....inshallah....as god wills

---

Photos

On the way to the Nubian House
These feluccas often have motors as well as sails

Desert along the Nile
this is very scenic

Sunrise over the Sahara
Riding on the bus to Abu Simbel

Abu Simbel, temple of Ramses
Carved from the submerged original site and moved to this manmade mountain

Abu Simbel, temple of Ramses
Carved from the submerged original site and moved to this manmade mountain

Abul Simbel- second temple
the second temple at the site. Both have large inner chambers full of carved statues and hieroglyphics carved on the walls

hotel Orchida St. George, Aswan
air conditioned, hot water showers, what else could we want!!

Dinner on the Nile
I know, there is no food in this picture. I took it while waiting for them to bring the dinner.