Hello from Luxor (still here!)

Hello all,

I am still in Luxor and am now on the cruise boat. It is much smaller than the other boats surrounding us but I like it. It has the capacity for 28 passengers. I am sharing a room with Rachel, who was on the Sinai portion with me. In the past few days, I have had a lot more free time as the new group of people who did not particiate in the Sinai trip are having to do the excursions my group did when we arrived. I have enjoyed the time to myself! Yesterday afternoon I laid on the pool deck and rested. Luxor is a relatively quiet city compared to what I have seen.

On Monday, after I last posted, I joined the Cruise boat and then went out into Luxor and saw the Mummification Museum (really cool - they had the tools used in mummifications along with a mummified person and animals). I also went to the Luxor Museum. This is an impressive museum. It is so well laid out that there is a natural flow which ensures that all items are seen. The pieces were extraordinary. Plus it was air-conditioned which is nice in the heat of the day.

I had an early night because I had a wakeup call for 4:45am the next morning. I went up into a hot air balloon at sunrise. It was incredible! To see Luxor from above was beautiful: I could see the major sites on the West Bank (the sites I had seen the days before), the lush Nile Valley and the Egyptian homes. It was so peaceful up in the air at dawn with just the sound of life (donkeys making noices, children saying hello, the sound of inflating the balloon). I was so glad I did the balloon ride. Following a smooth landing (we didn't even bounce!) the crew sand a song and we all danced together. It was such an brilliant experience and felt so raw and spur of the moment (minus the drum on hand for such occasions!).

I ended my main sightseeing with a visit to Habu Temple and the Tombs of the workers. There was a tomb I went into that was amazing: it was all painted and was in such perfect condition that it looked like it had been painted yesterday. It really helped me visualize what the temples I have already seen would have looked like complete (engravings and colour everywhere!).

I am currently trying to find a cookbook so that I can attempt to make the wonderful food I have tried. It is like a whole new world has been opened up for me (no more PB&J sandwiches for me... well maybe not as often!). I only wish you all could be here to experience everything with me.

This afternon, we set sail for our cruise down the Nile to Aswan. Along the way I will be visiting Edfu Temple, Temple of Kom Ombo, Abu Simbel, St Simeon Monastery by Camel, a Felucca trip, visiting a Nubian Village and Philae Temple. It will be a busy few days but who knows when I will be back in Egypt!

I finally went shopping. It can be a very stressful experience. Walking through the markets you are continually bombarded with comments and requests to look and spend money. I think it is particularly hilarious when they offer to help me spend money! But I have mastered the art of saying No thank you ("La Shokran") and to always keep moving. It has been frustrating to hear the comments made about my looks and my body (all positive but nevertheless degrading) but that is part of the culture. I think they just don't quite understand how to communicate exactly what they are thinking (or maybe I am wrong!). But it has been difficult at times, especially when I walk on my own, to ignore the remarks/comments (Mom and Dad - you raised me well!). But overall, there have only been a few times where I felt extremely uncomfortable but it was nothing serious.

Anyways, I have bought a blouse that looks like a galabeya (the long outfit men and women wear). It is really big so I have had to pin it. But yesterday I looked at some jewellery. I went into a shop recommended by Explore! and looked at some necklace pieces. My favourite symbol that I have seen in the temples is the symbol for Life. It mimics the shape of the Nile River as it branches off into two rivers. When I asked for the price I was told 300 LE. I asked my tour leader if that was a reasonable price and he said 280 (I think he was joking). I decided that I would offer 250. I was shocked when the sale person accepted right away. But then I learned my lesson. He broke the 200 bill into smaller notes and started handing me money back:50, 75, 100, 150. He only charged me 100 LE for the necklace, plus he gave me a small scarab piece as a gift. I was told that I have to learn to barter, which I now know I am horrible at. But it also helps if you know what items should cost beforehand. So I now have a new piece of jewellery and know that I have to try harded at getting a decent price for an object!

Well, I am going to wrap this up by saying that everything is going really well in Egypt. It feels like I have been gone for months already and miss you all. I will post some pictures now and hope you enjoy!

Love, Lisa