We are back in Cairo after an incredible trip on the Nile. We went as far south as Abu Simbal. That is where the great statues of Ramses were moved after the High Dam was built at Aswan, thus creating Lake Nassar. Lake Nassar is the largest manmade lake in the world. We were about 1/2 hour drive away from Sudan, and pretty near the equator. We had unseasonably hot weather, about 116. Yup, it was hot. However the temples were amazing, and the ice cream was worth every cent.
We flew back to Aswan and started to sail north. We thought we would be bored on the ship, but it was pretty interesting going through the locks and watching the negotiations between the captain and the official of the locks. They were at top volume, which meant we could hear every word. Of course it was all in Arabic so we understood little if anything. We were betting on what was being said, but we certainly could be wrong.
Eventually we got to Luxor, unfortunately too late to go to the Museum. Since it is supposed to be a fantastic museum, we were disappointed, but we watched a movie in the lounge with the members of our travel group. It wasn't too shabby.
We flew back to Cairo yesterday and today we went to the Citadel which houses the mosque of Muhammed Ali- no, not the fighter. We also went to another mosque which was much older. Then we went to Coptic Cairo. Coptic is a form of Christianity. There we went to the hanging church. It is about 60 feet up, and was built on another foundation which is not there any more, thus it hangs. Services were going on inside, but since I don't know the language, I don't know what they said. Near by is the crypt where Mary, Joseph and little Jesus were supposed to live. There was a service going on in there as well, so we couldn't go inside. I was disappointed that we missed that.
We then went to the Egyptian Museum. Since we had already seen most of it when we went earlier, we went to the mummy exhibit. Ramses the Great's mummy is there as are many others. I wonder if they wish they could have just been left alone in their tombs. I hope no one digs me up in a few thousand years.
Tomorrow we will return to my son's home and fly home Sunday. It has been a truly educational and wonderful experience. The group was great fun. We ranged in age from 12-82, and there wasn't anyone we wanted to vote off the island. That is pretty amazing when you think of it.
We are currently experiencing a sand storm, of all things. Wicked wind, and since there is a lot of sand around, we have a sand storm. Fortunately the temperature is cooler, so we are happier.
Be well. See you soon.
