Today is December 10th and I arrived home on the 1st.  I came back with an unintended souvenir from my trip - a really nasty cold.  I am finally feeling myself and getting my photos and videos sorted.  There are some photos and posts that I have yet to make, so stay tuned.

Over on the East Bank I noticed this woman's nice white laundry hanging up over the usual unpaved, dusty street. By the way, this is a two way street with parking on both sides, and room enough for only one vehicle to drive through.  Needless to say that special skills are required.

Village of old Gourna.  Settlers here were traditionally 'employed' as tomb robbers.  About two hundred years ago they settled here and many homes were built over tombs of the nobles.  The tomb was the cellar.

In 2006/7 the government forced the people to move to a nearby location and destroyed part of the village. This is what is left.

The workers village and tombs.  The workers and craftsmen worked ten day shifts constructing the royal tombs.  There is a lot of interesting information on the net.  Just ask Mr. Google.

A big thank you to all who have commented or emailed me.  Joseph, I get e mails with your comments from blogger, but cannot figure out how to respond sorry.

I cannot believe that in two days I will be packed and heading home.  So sad.

I did it. I climbed the 80 some stairs to the roof deck of the hotel.  The views are stunning.  I sat on the settee and the Nile was on the left.  On the right was the mountain - the Valley of the Kings etc.  Straight ahead there was a spectacular sunset.

Just had to share three photos.  The first is the entrance to the dressmaker's house.  The second is of the two buffalo tied up in the front yard.  The third shows the side of the house.

Well, it wasn't a typical itinerary on any tour, but gave me more insight into life here.  Mohammed just left and I mentioned that I was surprised at how many visitors go to the hospital.  He said Layla did not have many because he did not make it widely known she was there, as he is busy these days and cannot sit for hours welcoming visitors.

He brought her home this morning and in one hour he is taking me to visit her.  He is also taking me back to the dressmaker so that I can get her to fix some of her mistakes, inshallah!

Time to get ready for the day........it is already 1:30. :)

Back to the hospital for a last quick visit and more guests.

Then off to visit with Sayed at the office we were at a few days ago.  It was then he invited us to his cousin's wedding.

I thanked him for inviting me and said it was a new eperience for me.  He said that I was very lucky to be there at that time because it was indeed special.  There had never been such a party  before.  He then went on to tell me who some of the important guests (on the stage) were.  Members of parliament (relatives), and someone who was head of the Egyptian actors association, among others.

They showed me photos of the bride and groom at the party we missed. She looked lovely in a white wedding dress and it all resembled a wedding at home.

The newlyweds are honeymooning in El Gouna, Red Sea, Egypt. 

Many men kept coming in to visit and stop for a drink.

Noby, Mohammed's brother, and two other men jumped in the car and off we went.  Stopped by the entrance to a colourfully lit lane way filled with shops.  At the end it opened onto a Mecca of tourist shops. 

Apparently the cafe owner had invited us for a drink (the marvel of cell phones and the grapevine), We had mixed fruit juice and mango lassis, freshly made Mmmmm.

As we left I saw why this was a tourist haven.  It was just a stones throw from Luxor temple, which we see from the West Bank.

Then it was back to the hospital and more visitors.

The security man was a real talker.  He knew Mohammed and also lived on the West Bank.  In the short while we talked (excellent English), I learned his life history.  He got married ten years ago at 37, has three children, two jobs, and his dad had two wives, etc.

There were two men sitting opposite me.  The one on the left, with the shisha, smiled and waved a greeting.  I smiled timidly - didn't know him.

Meanwhile the kids were almost wrestling with the goat.  I was told it was trying to run away.

All of a sudden shisha man got up, moved towards the front of the cafe, whipped off his galabaya (dress), and it appeared he was wearing boxers!  He put on another galabaya, held up a knife, and went to the entrance.  OMG, he was the butcher.  Yes, right then and there that poor little goat was being prepared for its net life in a pot.  No wonder he was trying so desperately to run away - smart fellow.

It is funny how well known names and signs are used around the world.  In Kabul, on Chicken Street, there is a KFC-complete with authentic sign.  However, the Kentuky has been changed to Kabul.  Anyone for a bucket of Kabul Fried Chicken?

This Hard Rock Cafe served teas, coffees, juice, and soft drinks.  Of course the ever present shisha was popular.  

As we were entering there were two young boys with a goat.  I joked with them and said that I hoped that it was not going to be dinner.

We then went to the Hard Rock Cafe????, at least that is what the sign said.  A friend and his brother had just opened it that day.  His other business is on the Red Sea, where he lives, at Marsa Alam.

Next he drove to the hospital to take Layla some koshary.  I opted to wait in the car because there would be a lot of visitors.  Visiting hours are from four to eight and it seems almost mandatory to visit anyone you know who is there. 

Mohammed had taken her a blanket the night before and the koshary was some extra food she would enjoy.  Guess hospital food is notorious everywhere.

I am not sure how long I waited because the time flew.  It was fascinating to watch the comings and goings.

Some shots...

Yesterday, Saturday, Mohammed asked if I wanted to cross over the river with him,  of course I said yes, even without knowing where we were going.

We stopped at an outdoor restaurant/take out place.  From what I could see rotisserie chicken was big business with them.  They also did kebabs, and koshary.  He bought koshary.  

This morning there was a lot of activity here, unfortunately not because of lots of tourists.  One of the music group had left the water running in his room and by the time housekeeping got there the room was flooded.  Let's say that Mohammed was not a happy camper.

Tonight the 'real' wedding party with a bride, groom, dancing etc. Is on the East Bank in a rented hall.  I have no idea if we have been invited or not.  I did not get a chance to ask Mohammed because after the flood, he took me along for a drive because he went to pay his respects to the family of someone who had just died (I waited in the car).  By the way, if one misses the village news on the grapevine, a van drives around with a speaker system announcing the news.  A few minutes after arriving back at the hotel Layla, his wife called for him to come quickly as she had just cut her finger.  He called to say he would be way for  hours because the cut was bad and he had taken her to the hospital where, after first aid, he was to take her to the other hospital.

The groom's wedding party last night was a big surprise.  First off, it was not on the East Bank, but here.  I knew there was a Syrian Sufi group hired to play, and I knew the bride would not be present.  Thinking back it might be likened to a bachelor party without the booze, dancing, music, and minimally clad women jumping out of cakes.  Would that still be a bachelor party?

What I found:

We were greeted warmly and led to a seat behind some German guests from Marsam who had been brought by the owner.  They only stayed less than an hour.  Mohammed's friend greeted us and stayed for  a chat.

Aside from the three or four German women, and yours truly, there were no women present.  There was seating for about seven or eight hundred guests although half were empty by the time we got there.

Apparently earlier dinner was served to all, then there was a two hour prayer session.  During our time the groom was greeted and best wishes said (or the equivalent).  The music group was playing religious music.  All this was taking place at the front quite a distance way, but monitors were set throughout so that all could see what was happening up close.

We stayed for about an hour more then took our leave.

The drive back from Hurghada.