Aswan

Since our overnight train from Cairo was running on "Egyptian time" we arrived in Aswan about 90 minutes late (at about 11am). We were welcomed to our hotel -- which overlooks the Nile -- with some delicious Hibiscus tea.

After lunch we all boarded a motorboat for a ride along the Nile. Mr. Hamid, an elderly Nubian gentleman provided us with a comprehensive tour of Aswan and with little Nubian history. The boat captain played a little Bob Marley in the background.

We then stopped by a little restaurant along the river for some Nubian coffee which tasted more like mulled wine. The strong flavor of cardamom left my tongue a little numb.


Finally, we ended up on Elephantine Island for a traditional Nubian dinner at the home of four local sisters. Actually only one sister lived there --- according to tradition the eldest sister always inherits the house. We dined on lentil soup, bread baked in a clay oven, potatoes in sauce, rice, nile perch and chicken.


Tomorrow we head to Abu Simbel at 3:15am. So I will sign off for now!

Picture One by George: Our group on the roof of our motorboat during our ride down the Nile River
Picture Two: Mr. Hamid, Nubian Elder giving us a history of Egyptian Nubians
Picture Three by Hoda: Waiting for our Nubian Coffee
Picture Four by Jaya Bird: Nubian local making our coffee
Picture Five by Jaya Bird: Getting ready for a traditional Nubian dinner
Picture Six by Jaya Bird: Nubian women selling scarves and other handmade gifts after our dinner.