More Egypt day 1

Right where was I.

Day one still. The photo thing here was irritating me immensely and I stopped.
The heat (Wall of Hot) was astonishing, you actually felt your arm drying out it was that hot. Scary hot. All you could se was desert and the airport. Going through the airport was rather easy. You had to find a pen, then find somewhere to write on. Then past the rather bored and (exceedingly) grumpy looking guards (they didn't care if you smiled, you had a dose of the glare to sort you out) and then had to wait for ages at the baggage carousel.

We were seriously panicking at this stage (CGBF wasn't stressing, he was calm and merely hyper aware what'd happen if our bags went awol. The Syphilis felt sad that he had no luggage or changes of clothes). Why were we (was I) so alarmed. CGBF's sister had left for Egypt 6 hours before us. Hers was missing. It had never left Charles du Galle airport with her and as a result she was in Cairo with no changes of clothes, wraps/sun stuffs or assorted bits of lady kit (shoes) that people need when going anywhere. It also meant that Cairo airport had an absolutely Livid person to deal with. we were worried and I was laying bets that there would be unhappy baggage people in two cities if it didn't show up fast (The Syphilis didn't take it).

Eventually (it always seems longer when your stressed doesn't it) they arrived, quick check, yes they are our's and we were off towards the coach. Our first glimpse was sand and date palms. Here there no no gentleness to the land, there was the burnt heat and giant mountainous seemingly lifeless sandy crags in the distance. We couldn't see much lushness from here besides the manicured lawns, complete with more date palms and locals in the traditional dellijab outfits lounging in the shade under them. The smell was like nothing else. Heat, scorched earth and desert. I would like to say there was no cases of sand or dust being blown about. Much to my suprise. The light was blinding and even in the shade looking at something in the shade with you it was necessary to squint.

You just had to stop thinking and just marvel, take it all in at how different and exotic it is in comparison to the UK (and this was just at the airport). Where I grew up it was lush green farmland, hills and mountains so you couldn't not gape. For all of 10 seconds before self preservation instinct kicked in and sent you trying to curb the whole start-pelting-towards-shade dear merciful shade oh bliss bliss bliss I love you shade and bus shelter (it was a bus shelter for busses, not people waiting for a bus).

We were directed towards the coach with the warning not to tip anyone or let anyone take our luggage echoing around. Just give it to the bloke putting it onto the coach. Somehow missing the role call which kind of made us, "You, I know you" infamous. Ooops-be assured there is a guilty look residing on my face right now). Here we got our first experience of someone trying to bug us for money. I didn't know what was going on. The bloke was taking the luggage (his job) and was snaking his hand out at everyone and he had a coin in it. I thought someone must have dropped it and he was trying to give it back to the person in front. I thought of saying to the person who'd just left you've dropped a coin and when I hesitated he started to snake his arm towards me. Last I saw he was jabbing his hand at my rapidly escaping back. I cleared off at this stage and said to CGBF what happened and was told, nope, he was trying to get a tip (naive me). The company's policy is to take £15 each per person and tips people from that, the people are told you will be tipped at the end and not to bug people. It thankfully worked on the boat.

The bus drive along was spent with me jammed to the window (remember kids who spend most of the journey plastered all over the window leaving smeary marks? Yea, that was me). i couldn't see enough and I was fascinated by everything. There was date palms everywhere, gorgeously colourful blooming flowers up all the verges. It is a different world. There are two types of houses, modern ones, adorned with concrete columns with a forest of steel spikes stabbing towards the sky. These meant that another level could or would be added at a later stage. And the older, traditional mud huts. Rich brown colour and often seeming to have paused in the middle of cascading dust. These were one only story high from what I remember and the roofs were wooden beams covered with with palm or banana leaves. Later I found that this was the outer "courtyard" type area. The insides had a more sturdy roof that provided more shelter. A great many of the larger, more wealthy ones were compounds, surrounded by high walls and railings which made me at least pause to think.

You can see the plastered mud brick houses (in very good condition in comparison to others we seen) and the newer ones with the pillars here

The sky was the most amazing colour. You just don't reach that at home. The palest of colours shaded everything as the sun and light rapidly faded. The sunlight is so bright that dark colours aren't possible.
The land got more lush as we approached the Nile. Which was immense, and dark. Surrounded by boats and palms and with the mountains in the near distance behind all under a blue lilac sky.

We had arrived on the day after Ramadan had ended (good if accidental timing) and the people were out in force. It is customary to get new clothes and walk along the river at dusk, to see friends and family. Sounds appealing. Not so sure about the clothes shopping though.

We headed out to the tour company's compound. Because we were going along the main road to Cairo we passed loads of check points, elevated vantage points and armoured, weapon carrying men (ahem, surrounded if there was shade) filled pillboxes. Not a comforting sight when you realised that they weren't lounging around chatting to their friends. Not to say that wasn't happening, but they were all alert and watching the world go by.
Being from Northern Ireland I am used to armoured and beweaponed men wandering around looking a bit scary.

When we saw the Nile it was very scenic (and I must admit I did wonder would there be any crocodiles upstream in a less populated area). It was amazing the colours, sandy rock, dark green river waters, pale wooded date palms and the lush foliage covered in blossoms. Behold piccies

As we headed out we saw lots of donkey drawn carts (very heavily laden). I think these were the main transport of goods outside the village but there were cars, people on 3 wheel buggies, horse drawn gigs, a compound with camels in and loads of bicycles. often multi passenger irrespective if they are supposed to have them or not. All of which seemed to be driven with the horn being wacked as often as possible. Everywhere you went it was a chorus of beep beep beep beep Beeeppppp hoanck beep beep mrrrmmmmm beep beep beeeeeep Bla bla bla etc etc.

It was a very surreal moment when someone went speeding along on a motorbike, a madly grinning friend squidged on behind him, holding on his shoulder what looked like part of a door with a huge mound of bread rolls cling filmed on top! we saw that several times, but could I get a photo? Impossible. At first I was looking at CGBF and eventually asked, was that bread? yea it was wasn't it? then degenerated into laughter about it.

The ship was docked in a compound and when we got on we were greeted, then they took our passports away from us. Scary. The floor was made of marble and the railings were made of brass along with the massive incense burner which was regularly used. So the whole area was frequently perfumed with the most lovely fragrance. Afed (I hope that's right) the (very friendly) shop owner got me some which was really good of him. It was all very impressive, even The Syphilis was impressed. Our room was on the top passenger deck (it was that or the bottom one and I'm not going for that. Someone from Ireland in steerage, nope, not happening) and sadly at the back. So when the ship was running we could hear the engine and when the staff were feeling musical them treating the piping like drums and playing a little tune on them. Erratically and at random intervals.

The Syphilis was amused at my shriek as I found what I had initially perceived to be a camel in the wardrobe. It was a just a big lumpy hairy blanket but still. I also found one of the tinyest baths ever. Bit bigger than mum's footspa truth be told. But not by much. The lock didn't work so you needed to sing if you were in there when the other person wasn't about.
The first night's food was nice enough but a bit unexciting. Someone remarked that they wondered what the 4 class ship's food was like. But this night was the exception and considering that the ship (if I remember correctly) is inspected by a UK based company every single time its about to sail before passengers get on. So all in all you can understand that it was probably disrupted. Veggies and fish for me, stewed steak for the meat eaters.

After we got to settle in the main lounge area, watched a video (the tourist will do this and have fun. Nice of you to tell us. You will have fun) and got with a glass of Hibiscious tea (main ingredient in many fruit teas). Now I could drink loads of the Hibiscious tea (can be drunk hot or cold). Not because I like it, but because I'm not sure if I do. You'd imagine that I'd be able to make my mind up, but no. I'm uncertain. Its a bit hmmm, do i don't I.... hmmm edging towards yes. swallow and it edges towards dislike. Its quite strange. I kept thinking of Data not being sure if he likes the drink and realises he hates it. Not quite sure if I'm more primitive because I can't make my mind up. I hope it means my palate is still being refined and isn't sure if the multi layered quality is to my taste or is t just that it is ok going down, but the after taste is a bit blaagggg.
We also got warned about the water, bottled water only for everything. Just because the natives "have stomachs that can digest live crocodiles" doesn't mean we do.

The next day, we were leaving at 6:30 (alarm call at 5:00) go to... The Valley of The Kings, The Valley of The Queens and the two statues of Pharoah Memnon. Then sailing in the afternoon Wooohooo. We were about to get started (though I must admit at an anti social time)

I should mention the craft side of my life.
I have finished those two scarves and I intend in warping the loom again tomorrow, I've just made up the warp (not to people, string makes a crap measuring length. It stretches at a differend rate to yarn so you never entirely sure whats going on. I need a warping mill). I shall include a picture when I get a photo sorted out.

I for some reason ordered a peg loom. Which is more primitive than what I have. But at least I can get rid of that stuff I'm allergic to and make rugs that I can felt.

Yarn. I had a bit of a bender, I got a lot of yellows and brown yarn I want to make a chunky shawl or coat for myself with (I don't normally like yellow but I live creamy browns so maybe that was it).

Knitting. I finally figured out where I stopped knitting on the Blur shawl before I left and.... I finished the hat today. CGBF's liberated it and I've found another pattern which I may use for the Bob. I also worked on the Linda Wings shawl and AnneyLamie got her shawl. She liked it . Once I've finished I'll make that lilic one for her which should be more a managable/wearable size (the latter from experience seems to be fairly crucial. Let me know any fun experiences you lot have had out there with this).

Hopefully I'll blog sooner. I've had a sensitive tummy recently so I've been curled up under a blanket a lot.