We arrive mid morning and Tour of the Temple
of Isis at Philae
In Aswan, the 4th floor of the
hotel on Elephantine Island offers a wonderful view of the city—its sounds and
lights across the river. I like Aswan much better than Cairo. The city has a
lively air and commerce continues despite the call to prayer.
In the evening we return to Philae Temple for
a light show. Without a single actor—just lights, narration and music—the story
of Isis and Osiris was told in that impressive setting.
Later, volunteers from the group were taped
answering questions for a TV station. Who knows if we ever made TV- speculation
was probably in the middle of the night.
In Cairo we saw security soldiers on every
corner. Here we have a security escort wherever we go. It is a mixed
blessing-you feel safe but not inconspicuous.
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Nubian Restaurant |
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Aswan Market |
Total contrast Between the Life of the people And the wealth of the few. |
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Women in the market |
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Friday
2/13/04 – Day 7
Early, early we
fly to Abu Simbel to see the temple of Ramses II and Nefertari.
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The sun shines on
the statue of Ramses in the temple sanctuary. It shines twice a year, once on
his birthday and again on his day of coronation. Though the temple was moved |
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Despite the benefits of the High Dam, many
antiquities have have been moved. The resulting Lake Nasser has caused the
“drowning” of Nubia and other ancient places.
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Saturday 2/14/04-d8 We set off by camel to the Monastery of Saint Simeon. It is
blowing fiercely; even the locals are wrapped against the biting sand. I am
grimacing, trying to stay aboard Lulu, my camel. When I close my mouth, my
teeth are covered with a layer of sand. But it was fun. The monastery was a
peaceful place. |
Later we had tea
at a Nubian home. The simple compound had electricity and a satellite dish. |
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At lunchtime we board the Ninfeadue, our
home for the next few days as we start our trip back down the Nile. It is Valentine’s Day, Happy Valentine’s
Day, bahiri. |
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