Definitely the bus I need to be on!
All photos are here.
Sunday, 3 January 2010
Saturday, 2 January 2010
Habibi! Come Closer! Over and out, til next time...
Home, back in London bed, and all a bit weird having a room all to myself. Fresh, crisp white cotton sheets and no GN snoring up a storm or rolling in at all hours.
Final verdict on Egypt: I will definitely return to Aswan and Luxor, and would also make the effort to reach Abydos and Dendera. Cairo was worth the effort for Zoser's Step Pyramid, but the big and famous Khufu I could take or leave. Not sure Abu Simbel was worth the effort, but I haven't yet reached the Ramses period in my Egypt lectures, so that might change. The world renowned Cairo museum is down-right shabby, and only some items are labelled (badly). I'd love to return in a couple of years when this is fully rehoused in a brand new site. Food:sucks. Booze: worse than food. People: if you can get past the baksheesh mentality of having to tip for EVERYTHING (including bloody toilets!) and the constant haggling, Egyptians are very pleasant and friendly (sorry Laurence, I know you were hoping I'd get gunned down by fundamentalists). It's a country that has seen 7010 years of mixed rule, but maintains a very strong identity.
The trip posse were great, and I really hope we manage to get organised enough to have Ahmed take us on a tour of the British Museum when he's over in March. Here's hoping he doesn't try to appropriate the Rosetta Stone...
Will post some pictures manana, mainly because I think the world needs to see an obelisk made of prawns and a sand-pyramid.
X
Final verdict on Egypt: I will definitely return to Aswan and Luxor, and would also make the effort to reach Abydos and Dendera. Cairo was worth the effort for Zoser's Step Pyramid, but the big and famous Khufu I could take or leave. Not sure Abu Simbel was worth the effort, but I haven't yet reached the Ramses period in my Egypt lectures, so that might change. The world renowned Cairo museum is down-right shabby, and only some items are labelled (badly). I'd love to return in a couple of years when this is fully rehoused in a brand new site. Food:sucks. Booze: worse than food. People: if you can get past the baksheesh mentality of having to tip for EVERYTHING (including bloody toilets!) and the constant haggling, Egyptians are very pleasant and friendly (sorry Laurence, I know you were hoping I'd get gunned down by fundamentalists). It's a country that has seen 7010 years of mixed rule, but maintains a very strong identity.
The trip posse were great, and I really hope we manage to get organised enough to have Ahmed take us on a tour of the British Museum when he's over in March. Here's hoping he doesn't try to appropriate the Rosetta Stone...
Will post some pictures manana, mainly because I think the world needs to see an obelisk made of prawns and a sand-pyramid.
X
Friday, 1 January 2010
One Night Only! One Night Only!
Happy New Year - bring on 2010!
Last night shenanigans started early and we were all dressed up, Egyptian-styley. I gave myself Egyptian eyes, which looked suspiciously Winehousey. Worst cover-band-duet EVER (Pokerface? Seriously?). Mike had the most authentic gallabah (cannot spell that word consistently for the life of me.) and actually managed to look quite debonair, whereas Andrew was unknowingly wearing Egyptian pyjamas. Given there were about 1000 people there, mainly Russians and Germans, we managed to uphold the fine reputation of the English Abroad, despite having a token American, a surrender-monkey, and obv a Saffa or 2, plus others. The 8 still standing did a convincing rendition of Token New Years Eve Song, with plenty of la, la, lai-ing. Even Phil was in his element as there was a belly-dancer, though she wasn't a patch on Thalia - his first belly-dancer-love from the boat. Mel and Pete were on top form, and may I say what lovely, pleasant, kind, and truly charming people they both are. On a totally different topic, Pete googled and found this blog.
Today was a day of travelling, as usual, and about to take final leg back to Heathrow. Gagging for a G&T!
Last night shenanigans started early and we were all dressed up, Egyptian-styley. I gave myself Egyptian eyes, which looked suspiciously Winehousey. Worst cover-band-duet EVER (Pokerface? Seriously?). Mike had the most authentic gallabah (cannot spell that word consistently for the life of me.) and actually managed to look quite debonair, whereas Andrew was unknowingly wearing Egyptian pyjamas. Given there were about 1000 people there, mainly Russians and Germans, we managed to uphold the fine reputation of the English Abroad, despite having a token American, a surrender-monkey, and obv a Saffa or 2, plus others. The 8 still standing did a convincing rendition of Token New Years Eve Song, with plenty of la, la, lai-ing. Even Phil was in his element as there was a belly-dancer, though she wasn't a patch on Thalia - his first belly-dancer-love from the boat. Mel and Pete were on top form, and may I say what lovely, pleasant, kind, and truly charming people they both are. On a totally different topic, Pete googled and found this blog.
Today was a day of travelling, as usual, and about to take final leg back to Heathrow. Gagging for a G&T!
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