Egypt - an education - part 7
OK - I'm back to finish my report on the Egyptian situation nowadays as I saw it.
By the way, Ian, your Friend Mike and companion were a real pleasure to meet here last Sunday and we had a good time, though uneventful. Both were pleased and complimentary about Slovenia and Slovenians, and they certainly saw a lot of the country. I am sure that Croatia will be also an exciting experience for them. Their only negative comment (not unexpectedly - I too found it an unwelcomed blight from abroad) was a surprise that here too there is a profusion of "graffiti".
Our hotel on the Nile, the boat "Ochestra", continued down the river to "Edfu" where, after breakfast, we viewed the temple of "Horus". To get there and back (perhaps one mile from where the boats were tied up) the tourists are driven by horse drawn coaches (seating for 4 - but very tight). There must be at least two hundred of these coaches constantly ferrying tourists to and from. The guide advised us that the price is already included in our cost of the tour AND that this included tips for the drivers and that we are to ignore their begging for more. The crafty Egyptians were of course not deterred from asking or demanding additional E. Pounds or Euros, if not for them, for their horse. But even regarding their horses, there is a big bulletin board at the entrance to the temple complex (which I read, but was ignored by others in their rush to stay with the group) that is a dedication to a rich English lady who set up a foundation for the perpetual care of these herd of horses pulling tourists, to be properly housed, fed, shod, as also to get veterinary care.
The Temple of Horus was of course (as are all the others) properly impressive for all of us to ooh & aah, take more photographs and be amazed all over again at the ancient culture. No point in describing the contents and peculiarities of each of the many temples and tombs individually.
One positive aspect of this city of horse carriages is that it is cleaner than previously noticed native habitations. I actually saw people sweep and wash with water hoses their streets and places in front of their shops or homes. Logically, with so many horses leaving their urine and droppings wherever day in and day out, the whole place would quickly become a stable knee deep in excrement that even Hercules would not be able to clean, as in one of his seven tasks.
Upon returning to our boat, we had a leisurely quiet day, waiting our turn to go through the locks, which we did at "Esna", but already after dark. I took a long shower and then lounged on the deck under a hazy sky most of the afternoon, while others left to do more shopping in the city. For the final night on the boat, there was a party after supper for which many bought native traditional clothing. Frankly, I was amazed at how spendthrift some tourists are. I too was tempted to at least buy something to fit in, but decided not to - everything was pricey, and when and where am I going to ever again get an opportunity to wear it?!
To be continued.
Ata.
By the way, Ian, your Friend Mike and companion were a real pleasure to meet here last Sunday and we had a good time, though uneventful. Both were pleased and complimentary about Slovenia and Slovenians, and they certainly saw a lot of the country. I am sure that Croatia will be also an exciting experience for them. Their only negative comment (not unexpectedly - I too found it an unwelcomed blight from abroad) was a surprise that here too there is a profusion of "graffiti".
Our hotel on the Nile, the boat "Ochestra", continued down the river to "Edfu" where, after breakfast, we viewed the temple of "Horus". To get there and back (perhaps one mile from where the boats were tied up) the tourists are driven by horse drawn coaches (seating for 4 - but very tight). There must be at least two hundred of these coaches constantly ferrying tourists to and from. The guide advised us that the price is already included in our cost of the tour AND that this included tips for the drivers and that we are to ignore their begging for more. The crafty Egyptians were of course not deterred from asking or demanding additional E. Pounds or Euros, if not for them, for their horse. But even regarding their horses, there is a big bulletin board at the entrance to the temple complex (which I read, but was ignored by others in their rush to stay with the group) that is a dedication to a rich English lady who set up a foundation for the perpetual care of these herd of horses pulling tourists, to be properly housed, fed, shod, as also to get veterinary care.
The Temple of Horus was of course (as are all the others) properly impressive for all of us to ooh & aah, take more photographs and be amazed all over again at the ancient culture. No point in describing the contents and peculiarities of each of the many temples and tombs individually.
One positive aspect of this city of horse carriages is that it is cleaner than previously noticed native habitations. I actually saw people sweep and wash with water hoses their streets and places in front of their shops or homes. Logically, with so many horses leaving their urine and droppings wherever day in and day out, the whole place would quickly become a stable knee deep in excrement that even Hercules would not be able to clean, as in one of his seven tasks.
Upon returning to our boat, we had a leisurely quiet day, waiting our turn to go through the locks, which we did at "Esna", but already after dark. I took a long shower and then lounged on the deck under a hazy sky most of the afternoon, while others left to do more shopping in the city. For the final night on the boat, there was a party after supper for which many bought native traditional clothing. Frankly, I was amazed at how spendthrift some tourists are. I too was tempted to at least buy something to fit in, but decided not to - everything was pricey, and when and where am I going to ever again get an opportunity to wear it?!
To be continued.
Ata.
posted by Okorn Family at 12:23 AM
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