Walk like an Egyptian

Howdy Folks!!

Just been enjoying the afternoon sun by the Nile, or more to the
point, taking a break from Cairo - its crazy! I had no idea it was
so big and hectic (there are nealy as many people living in Cairo
than in Australia!). Traffic eveywhere, Hundreds of taxis meandering,
avoiding bicyclists with crates of bread on their head, donkey drawn
carriages going the wrong way up a 4 lane road, and pedestrians-
you play Frogger to cross the streets, thats the done thing.
Plus eveybody loves to say ' hello - Welcome' to you and every now
and then you get a little "friend" who is very keen to know where
you are from, invariably has a brother living there, and just happens
to have a Papyrus shop on the way to the city centre that he has
so kindly offered to walk you to. Thank Allah for the words "La, Shukran"! - But its all good natured so no worries.

I've now finished my tour and only have one more day in Egypt before
I leave for Nairobi. My Tour started in Cairo. We saw the Pyramids
(and gone inside one of them), but i think I told you that already!
and all of Tutankhamuns treasures in the Egyptian Museum - VERY
impressive, and a bit wierd considering he only lived to be 18!
Caught the overnight train to Aswan where we saw Philae Temple at
night during a cheesey but entertaining sound and light show, and
had dinner in a Nubian household.

Thay said I was swimming in egypts largest river..

.....but I was in denile !!!!

We then spent three strenuous and tiring days sailing from Aswan
to Edfu along the Nile on a Felluca, a small sailing boat, the deck
of which was covered in matresses and cushion - Oh it was tough!!
Amazing to see the Nile from the Nile, and just how life giving
it is. Its bank are lush green with desert 50 meters behind. Our
crew cooked us typical basic Egyptian fare, which was very yummy,
but - yep - had the unwanted side effects!
Being the group artisty type person, I was volunteered to help paint
the names of our two Fellucas, Nile Bird and Linda. I did such a
good job the crew wanted some pictures too - so Bobby Dazzler (for
those who know him) is immortalised on the Nile!

Saw some Fantastic temples - Kom Ombo, Edfu and Karnak, in varying
states of presevation, but still astounding how complete they are. And how OLD!!!
We drove to Luxor where we were bestowed with a new form of transport
-Donkey! My donkey 'Thunder' did me proud. He did a fine job of
taking me to and from the Valley of the Kings, although a bit too
keen in overtaking on the cliff edge for my liking. The ride was
a bizarre mixture - Awe inspiring views from the clifftop to ancient
temples below, to the hilarity of watching the rest of my group
trundling along on little trooting donkeys that are all jostling
for position! The Tombs themselves were impressive, for the workmanship
and beliefs involved and also their age. Saw Tutankhamuns tomb,
which was a bit boring compared to the other ones (bit it was the
only one with stuff still inside it) and - Yes Steve- I couldn't
go straight in, I had to Toot and come in!

We drove to Hurgada and on to St Catherine, where we saw the Burning
Bush (someone has put it out though) and climbed Mount Sinai, where
Moses received the 10 Commandments, in the dark to watch the sun
rise. Pretty spectacular! However, they are going to have to make
the top of the mountain bigger, it was full when we got there. I
clambered to the only unoccupied bit of rock I could see. When I
got there I discovered it was people sleeping under rock coloured
blankets. I had to squeeze up onto a teeny bit of real rock that
had a large black downward expanse next to it. When the sun came
up I could see just how far the drop was, but also that I had the best seat in the house!

For the next couple of days we trekked through the desert - not
exactly what you think- very dry, yes, but very rocky and canyony.
I kept expecting to see Jawas peeking behing rocks. Very Dramatic
scenery. The first night we stayed at an Oasis in a Bedouin tent
and for part of the second day I rode a camel - OOOf!those saddles need redesigning!

We then went to Dahab and went snorkelling in the Red Sea. We went
to the Blue Hole which is one of the worldwide best places to be
if your a diving type, apparently. And I can see why, just 10 meters
from the shore you can swim over a vertical drop of 80 meters encircled
by coral and fish less than a meter from the surface - amazing!
I also had a quick go at diving too.

And now I am back in Cairo, I have just been to see Mosque-Madrassa
of Sultan Hassan, one of the worlds largest and most impressive.
It is Ramadan at the moment so I feel too guilty to eat or drink
anything in public! Everything stops at 5:04pm - sunset, its time
to eat. Everyone eats, no matter where they are, it quite a communal
thing. They set up tables in the street and sit and wait with food
infront of them from about 4:45.

Only one more day here before I head over to Nairobi, not sure when
I will get to write again, but til then I hope you are all well
and happy. For those at work - dont work too hard, for those still
travelling - Bon Voyage, and for those in Aus and NZ - Can I come and visit!!!

See Ya Byeeee

Wilbur