November 5 - Luxor

The muslim call to prayer this morning woke me at 4:30 am.  It was so loud, I was convinced there was a loud speaker right outside our window.  (yes, there are loud speakers on the roofs to broadcast the call to prayer).  Some people in our group like the call to prayer, but I find it ugly sounding and completely annoying.

It is 39 degrees today, thankfully it's not humid.  The sweat just runs.  I've had 3 cold showers today.

Our balloon went over the Colosium Memnon, who was killed by Achilles.  An earthquake in 29 AD destroyed most of the temple.  We had a good view of ancient tombs in the side of a hill, more than 4000 tombs are located there.

Egyptian merchants are well versed in a good number of languages when it comes to bartering.  Our group has tried german and hungarian, both were known by the merchants.  They call to me, "my sister" when they want my attention.  The next question is usually, "where are you from", so that they can have that language ready to go for negotiations.  Generally they start at a price 70% higher than you will actually pay for the item.  But this process is not for the faint-hearted, bartering takes time, waiting for your change requires them sending your cash to another merchant for a smaller bill as change, and during that time the upselling goes on.  However, things are quite inexpensive in Egypt.  100 egyptian pound is 20 canadian dollars.  we are usually haggling over 1 or 2 canadian dollars when a deal is nearly reached.

The Valley of the Kings was pretty amazing.  there are 62 tombs cut deep into the hills.  I went inside three of them, photography is not permitted, so I must store these wonders in my mind.  The carvings - hieroglyphics are elaborate, floor to ceiling, and ceiling.  Since they are underground, they have not been exposed to light and so their colorings are preserved.  All the hieroglyphics were actually painted in all of the temples, but in most they are simply the color of the rock now.  Even Abu Simbel with its grand statues were originally painted.  Seeing these preserved cravings in the tombs was undescribable, the colors were rich and fantastic.

Right now I'm sitting on our hotel roof top, watching the sunset once again over the Nile.  Our group is going for supper together and then we all part ways.  It's been a fantastic week!