tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50886830947270478062024-03-24T11:13:56.571+02:00“Our Luxor B&B" Luxor life, slice by slice!Flat in Luxor? Apartment in Luxor? Holiday Rental in Luxor? Luxury Accommodation in Luxor? Is this what you’ve been searching for? The “Our Luxor” Holiday Apartment isn’t on the Side of the Dead, or the on edge of town; no, we’re right in the middle of the real Luxor where you can see life lived in all its glory! We love to know that we are safe and secure among our caring neighbours in this closely knit community. Come and join us in the best private accommodation available. Discover 'Our Luxor' Apartmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907869521357887832noreply@blogger.comBlogger515125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5088683094727047806.post-19654479135665503292024-03-16T15:09:00.002+02:002024-03-16T15:09:27.913+02:00Welcome to "Our Luxor". A guided tour of what once was!<p>Whilst King Tut's Mummy, and the mosquitoes of the West Bank, are great to visit for a couple of hours; we chose the relative civilisation of the East Bank for "Our Luxor"! We like to be around everyday folk in what passes for a 'normal' environment here in Egypt.</p><br />Just take a few minutes to come along with me and enjoy this personally guided tour of our beautiful and exclusive apartment.<br /><br />We'll start out in the main street, look up to the left to see the name plaque; "Haret Osman". (If you click on any of the pictures, you can see them all together, and bigger!)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />Our street sign is of the old fashioned type, it was rescued by one of our neighbours when they changed them to the more modern design. The street is named after his grandfather, Ahmed Adam Mohamed Osman; Haret Osman translates to Osman Alley.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjI7FmKRRGAoBgjF08NAmcrN4xRxGutYV23z9C9bAeslaw9h58ZhPTGFgdXmtQuM_TMX4nsFr30bZnJQ243k7Pg4tiRXR1qgWwJTLECCvB17f5-zXCoVZ9KwjdHUnUqr_zI0B_EegxsjQR/s1600/Street+Sign.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1228" data-original-width="1600" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjI7FmKRRGAoBgjF08NAmcrN4xRxGutYV23z9C9bAeslaw9h58ZhPTGFgdXmtQuM_TMX4nsFr30bZnJQ243k7Pg4tiRXR1qgWwJTLECCvB17f5-zXCoVZ9KwjdHUnUqr_zI0B_EegxsjQR/s400/Street+Sign.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmRtr8mC-SsUU18_CecBSd0a3OiYxdmMoexHqQFH5gqxCRAEKgA74Q0VkDvTQxUJB5DOxKTn6ophDaGSK02QK4VsmDMjSn21Ot5dzk7IkE0wKHn0G4DQTa8xy9mvBYRXWkZSfqxSIpg69/s1600/New+Street+Sign.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="164" data-original-width="212" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmRtr8mC-SsUU18_CecBSd0a3OiYxdmMoexHqQFH5gqxCRAEKgA74Q0VkDvTQxUJB5DOxKTn6ophDaGSK02QK4VsmDMjSn21Ot5dzk7IkE0wKHn0G4DQTa8xy9mvBYRXWkZSfqxSIpg69/s400/New+Street+Sign.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9L3LehuE_MGpwfmcY-UTZw9UzT_NXWhu_gEVFIzptS7FBvD97tBR7Ph7CCPCl1l1Bx06pE-_kqjo5K_sEemHhzBjjKqouStZ2VJB74kddSHTO7giPDfrEygkmQbB5gVNJoI4Z1Qqdwb9U/s1600/SAM_7584.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9L3LehuE_MGpwfmcY-UTZw9UzT_NXWhu_gEVFIzptS7FBvD97tBR7Ph7CCPCl1l1Bx06pE-_kqjo5K_sEemHhzBjjKqouStZ2VJB74kddSHTO7giPDfrEygkmQbB5gVNJoI4Z1Qqdwb9U/s400/SAM_7584.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>While our alley is typical of the 'old style' Luxor, being very narrow and inhabited mainly by different branches of the same family, the mud-brick house at the end is a relic of the original architecture, the rest of the buildings are now of the more modern, reinforced concrete, construction. (We still have the odd small earthquake here now and then, lol.)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpofIjY0lejYH8tY_rr5oT1p0m-N7EzILUih7bnC1KhpRGS3AeZAIhOXpCmmgc2i8mnYiAa54QHXxXCrz2a8ILw6PQb95dmQPdg_aNdu2xPKiI1EDDJFmPXnLi0Fz-Mrvz7IlC19lUbmAT/s1600/SAM_7541.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1141" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpofIjY0lejYH8tY_rr5oT1p0m-N7EzILUih7bnC1KhpRGS3AeZAIhOXpCmmgc2i8mnYiAa54QHXxXCrz2a8ILw6PQb95dmQPdg_aNdu2xPKiI1EDDJFmPXnLi0Fz-Mrvz7IlC19lUbmAT/s400/SAM_7541.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQFTqitTQ8D11vaZCCdEyAYh11rfG2jj6UHYXykeyFbd4m95MioN5YHiiRWhevPyuf0qVuLOJZepvdlVr0KqRBjkxCXQ-zZIZ1TfaCGUtJM0wSoZHUVKIejwjoYnLm_mTy3UKLgHPPxfx/s1600/SAM_6709.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQFTqitTQ8D11vaZCCdEyAYh11rfG2jj6UHYXykeyFbd4m95MioN5YHiiRWhevPyuf0qVuLOJZepvdlVr0KqRBjkxCXQ-zZIZ1TfaCGUtJM0wSoZHUVKIejwjoYnLm_mTy3UKLgHPPxfx/s400/SAM_6709.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>After climbing the stairs, past the clinics of a local surgeon and a dentist, we come to the privacy and comfort of the third floor, which is exclusive to our guests and ourselves. Here we find the extraordinary oasis known as "Our Luxor"!<span id="goog_1206309911"></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjah1R2dSHopgbKXhnxUqckyPi1tk7H2W2y175aR2j8I9KqvQ0fPzwKCj0hH_V0V2orcMbJt-ZTJ5sh3AeFKZ5NuIumsrIbrYP_74Uv00AmG0wmYezR_XSBKNQiyg2USMCPDpCu13UjUvUj/s1600/SAM_6714.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjah1R2dSHopgbKXhnxUqckyPi1tk7H2W2y175aR2j8I9KqvQ0fPzwKCj0hH_V0V2orcMbJt-ZTJ5sh3AeFKZ5NuIumsrIbrYP_74Uv00AmG0wmYezR_XSBKNQiyg2USMCPDpCu13UjUvUj/s400/SAM_6714.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh1oMIOO6Y2mAUC0VYg9rtyezfC_nObnvBd0qpp8tBOfqX84EwYsiO1KzsyPzjPma1GCtnQUkHTLHVmBW5IdcGuYby8AHkH6uyv-sit_2hkFoFr61RblsxJVRQgZjBDLWN6b6A1MFxtPet/s1600/SAM_7570.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="918" data-original-width="1000" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh1oMIOO6Y2mAUC0VYg9rtyezfC_nObnvBd0qpp8tBOfqX84EwYsiO1KzsyPzjPma1GCtnQUkHTLHVmBW5IdcGuYby8AHkH6uyv-sit_2hkFoFr61RblsxJVRQgZjBDLWN6b6A1MFxtPet/s400/SAM_7570.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> In the entrance hall, we catch our first impression of the unmistakable Arabian style which pervades "Our Luxor"! The ablaq Moorish arch is emblematic of Egyptian architecture from the Mameluke period, and the meshrabiya screen is redolent of a faintly remembered, bygone, age of the mysterious harem with its seductive ambiance! The hallway is otherwise sparsely furnished, with a few antiques set on a handmade woollen rug.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp6akwI7tnb5BDbBj1EzjsaIkjNj43VE1hPztydL7ynfikJuoK7J9gK7MN-Sx31tH3Iqfvw8LU5Ii1thtoT-jQmNU_HpDYeVV1aNzLRYbv93KWQQRuFJsl_MEszQ2ptBCh6azbHxZNiL0k/s2048/20211127_144330.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp6akwI7tnb5BDbBj1EzjsaIkjNj43VE1hPztydL7ynfikJuoK7J9gK7MN-Sx31tH3Iqfvw8LU5Ii1thtoT-jQmNU_HpDYeVV1aNzLRYbv93KWQQRuFJsl_MEszQ2ptBCh6azbHxZNiL0k/s320/20211127_144330.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">As we turn towards the large livingroom, we pass through another striking piece of meshrabiya work as we behold a room fit for a Pasha!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtAIhvKbgBIkkiI41mENklCD5KfWjGQ4cuj9W7aD7TyKFWgynxo_D9cyieW6SuHJj-x8ICWOSxcN338EsJlfWWW1CtMbG35QvAl7bZJFAQsmzssijpTePaVtEb3Q4ddjgJT6l2qpsrQgaA/s2048/20211128_160146.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtAIhvKbgBIkkiI41mENklCD5KfWjGQ4cuj9W7aD7TyKFWgynxo_D9cyieW6SuHJj-x8ICWOSxcN338EsJlfWWW1CtMbG35QvAl7bZJFAQsmzssijpTePaVtEb3Q4ddjgJT6l2qpsrQgaA/w300-h400/20211128_160146.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Some of the sumptuous soft furnishings in this 'salamlic' (traditionally, the room where the Master's guests would be welcomed) have been traded around the world before finishing up gracing the specially designed and commissioned handmade furniture of "Our Luxor". Antique desert prints, from the hand of a French artist, adorn one of the walls.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjupyQ4iaTOo86PC64I2iADeGESxNq0mUDM2d_wl6Ih26BFH5EPaR1r0l9I26gzzAGfGzdBzbonQaUroYWxGRfddO2VGFfOpGWEYovPLwPfqUPOUTb1eHzmwW_MS36qAUhnd5uwlU4iRzqK/s2048/20211127_145031.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjupyQ4iaTOo86PC64I2iADeGESxNq0mUDM2d_wl6Ih26BFH5EPaR1r0l9I26gzzAGfGzdBzbonQaUroYWxGRfddO2VGFfOpGWEYovPLwPfqUPOUTb1eHzmwW_MS36qAUhnd5uwlU4iRzqK/s320/20211127_145031.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>In addition to the A/C etc, a major feature which departs from tradition is the large balcony windows. We Westerners like the natural light, but seeing as light equates to heat; Egyptians prefer the gloom created by the pitiful light seeping through their small windows, which are usually fully shuttered!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOX6NOm-HslvIy1BblbTrpjIP0aA2SSvLNBhR1gX7VB0ZPBpiyMdzA4xpCFuw1-c9iPoqpGydo-k_9hfd1VdWrt2u8w70wnt0ZnOgq-C1UYnA41q-n2ulSi98YqfREAds3jAO7TDUgQ7zn/s2048/20211127_144519.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOX6NOm-HslvIy1BblbTrpjIP0aA2SSvLNBhR1gX7VB0ZPBpiyMdzA4xpCFuw1-c9iPoqpGydo-k_9hfd1VdWrt2u8w70wnt0ZnOgq-C1UYnA41q-n2ulSi98YqfREAds3jAO7TDUgQ7zn/w400-h300/20211127_144519.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">The exquisite hand knotted carpet took eighteen months to make and, coupled with the heavy fabrics, creates yet more of a sense of the opulence enjoyed by the fabulously turbaned Turkish Pashas of old.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> (Those who once ruled over the downtrodden descendants of Egypt's all-conquering ancient civilisation.)</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1QZ5szqf1S_dmZ5GJJ_4O-9iTxi96_57axe_Nd4V2Cpo342FF4iZ62UejB16lbUwWEGviAM4C2VV2QslReEmL-f-z9595JXkhySpuZDTnEi12qDs2uJuBVt_hct37POuh8ZSMLG0gu6b6/s2048/20211127_144402.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1QZ5szqf1S_dmZ5GJJ_4O-9iTxi96_57axe_Nd4V2Cpo342FF4iZ62UejB16lbUwWEGviAM4C2VV2QslReEmL-f-z9595JXkhySpuZDTnEi12qDs2uJuBVt_hct37POuh8ZSMLG0gu6b6/w400-h300/20211127_144402.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4Oy479KBGGXesTC3aCOnCH10ttTmvQiZ7WvFcWIuV2XXHlb7XA_TssSXyiTCvjz5H21Pd0ti6SjaUhqnujeUSxRReSZTjYpuwmf8ONnFr6NtCK2bU5HLpF84WVjSDdhBirqHtZbPocIP/s4032/PXL_20211128_140956726.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4Oy479KBGGXesTC3aCOnCH10ttTmvQiZ7WvFcWIuV2XXHlb7XA_TssSXyiTCvjz5H21Pd0ti6SjaUhqnujeUSxRReSZTjYpuwmf8ONnFr6NtCK2bU5HLpF84WVjSDdhBirqHtZbPocIP/w400-h300/PXL_20211128_140956726.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-ZZdRvTEXKbs5LSfK7QQ8FkV0AGd4LUkUc_fBjyIYYSVaV2L1tX3UA6rK462ejo5Sq0sx9hRsacIO1rjoB45ZqQdRwZHyaKy8qCTE0e3I6LifQjviF1lyquB46Z1x35UKovBquom_itF/s2048/20211128_160348.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-ZZdRvTEXKbs5LSfK7QQ8FkV0AGd4LUkUc_fBjyIYYSVaV2L1tX3UA6rK462ejo5Sq0sx9hRsacIO1rjoB45ZqQdRwZHyaKy8qCTE0e3I6LifQjviF1lyquB46Z1x35UKovBquom_itF/w300-h400/20211128_160348.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /> </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Temporarily leaving the gorgeous sights and textures of the One Thousand and One Nights, we can have a quick look into the kitchen; where there are all the usual (boring) kitchen things!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4Sg1m1mNel4m28qOr6Wky_7a15A4RFtCgU3ymCW3jeqfmHXR_4sddl2ys2nv_dzqTQeZfxTOKBwLPhmTKku-DJb7XbDCTa9NQr2mrPZ_uQ1Uvww-DsCRNpdXkLmywmmaPrk7XSUNvMMS/s1600/more+flat+pics+2014+004.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4Sg1m1mNel4m28qOr6Wky_7a15A4RFtCgU3ymCW3jeqfmHXR_4sddl2ys2nv_dzqTQeZfxTOKBwLPhmTKku-DJb7XbDCTa9NQr2mrPZ_uQ1Uvww-DsCRNpdXkLmywmmaPrk7XSUNvMMS/s1600/more+flat+pics+2014+004.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyPeFOQgriuqYDi1kh_cnS9YbkTBGAxdmnNdbbaT-_ZD8awazVbiuu9qgMq-PEBBWB8rcHxJsbSueiOi6tUGGxcjcArIObAFyGX9AmR3y7WZMHXeFiSdlwRE7RfQMLVfYVK_y-mW4ra4p/s1600/Oct+2112+Renovated+Kitchen.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyPeFOQgriuqYDi1kh_cnS9YbkTBGAxdmnNdbbaT-_ZD8awazVbiuu9qgMq-PEBBWB8rcHxJsbSueiOi6tUGGxcjcArIObAFyGX9AmR3y7WZMHXeFiSdlwRE7RfQMLVfYVK_y-mW4ra4p/s400/Oct+2112+Renovated+Kitchen.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>If you really do need to cook while you are on holiday; then the kitchen at "Our Luxor" has all that you will require: Pots, pans, crockery (hand painted) and cutlery, an electric oven with two hobs on the top, kettle and coffee maker. There is a fridge and a stainless steel sink and ample worktop space. (There's always chocolate in the fridge too!) <br /> </div><div style="clear: both;">Why are we even in here? There's an adequate restaurant on almost every street corner, and food is very cheap, but what's more: if you're staying with us you will be on holiday! Who wants to slave over a hot stove when the sun is shining and you're in a very foreign and exciting place? </div><div style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div style="clear: both;">Entering the bedroom, there is the en-suite with thermostatically controlled shower (rainfall or hand-held) handwash basin and WC. Not terrifically exciting, but worth a quick look!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXsCilWuoTUf1cKs8jVz4lj4warp7pkgLzvuVVe06aK0O4XY7StmzOQppLLiqmf2UzoBtd1GrPuNIz1l0agp3aDtyr7yi41bHMv3sGPS67prJZ3waFAgSaWa4Nxk0O4WS6f0Z0jYg4GdN/s1600/Bathroom+2+Oct+2014.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXsCilWuoTUf1cKs8jVz4lj4warp7pkgLzvuVVe06aK0O4XY7StmzOQppLLiqmf2UzoBtd1GrPuNIz1l0agp3aDtyr7yi41bHMv3sGPS67prJZ3waFAgSaWa4Nxk0O4WS6f0Z0jYg4GdN/s1600/Bathroom+2+Oct+2014.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUKnvPOVKtXzz4EE2VCpIP_F5BeblTeW1xaQh7YNkW-XRy3zB0atyjD82C3C-zmL7woixyv1QrsdqtFBC5fsJiJfeJ4qGQlQIM5iM44ncgFQOglwq4yYKHyIHDWzRNLqI53AQq8FaYamyZ/s1600/Bathroom+Oct+2014.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUKnvPOVKtXzz4EE2VCpIP_F5BeblTeW1xaQh7YNkW-XRy3zB0atyjD82C3C-zmL7woixyv1QrsdqtFBC5fsJiJfeJ4qGQlQIM5iM44ncgFQOglwq4yYKHyIHDWzRNLqI53AQq8FaYamyZ/s1600/Bathroom+Oct+2014.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>The bedroom is set with a kingsize bed. The bed is as comfortable as it is welcoming, with European style mattress (as opposed to the hard cotton-stuffed Egyptian staple) and a decorative mozzie net. (Being on the East side of the river; this is just for decoration and is not required as protection!) We commissioned an English artist to provide us with the lovely stylised lotus flower.<br /><br /></div><div style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWiU5DqKEyp1egY7Rik703gh69RXsGLULFyFD-HCQlNLpByQsdNMpnWBASbXdVrCvYtl1O_-huZvHoksJ69Y5l6G4QfOa9uxTXAOJPv45N0FlxonrXG5_s9MfAIzMGipl17nvcs3yopE8e/s1600/SAM_6767.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWiU5DqKEyp1egY7Rik703gh69RXsGLULFyFD-HCQlNLpByQsdNMpnWBASbXdVrCvYtl1O_-huZvHoksJ69Y5l6G4QfOa9uxTXAOJPv45N0FlxonrXG5_s9MfAIzMGipl17nvcs3yopE8e/s400/SAM_6767.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRSd9sGxJrKUQo7MOUZKLTaz6JIMgUFap4A2hydwyHW9GdWVJLTePYM5_Oe-zi5BwLlvqEK5NZM_AJfpkqAkwKgmOmfKEirXPFM3dXVWj5QhcniDX6f4nhCVqVcii97uLn-FzpM90achnk/s1600/SAM_6771.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRSd9sGxJrKUQo7MOUZKLTaz6JIMgUFap4A2hydwyHW9GdWVJLTePYM5_Oe-zi5BwLlvqEK5NZM_AJfpkqAkwKgmOmfKEirXPFM3dXVWj5QhcniDX6f4nhCVqVcii97uLn-FzpM90achnk/s400/SAM_6771.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Like the livingroom, this room is also air conditioned, so it can be cooled during the sultry nights. Again, the furniture was designed specifically for "Our Luxor", and handcrafted by local artisans.</span></div></div><div style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div style="clear: both;">Well, other than the balcony (off the livingroom) which is available for smokers, and a separate WC and handwash basin; that's about it for the actual accommodation! All that really remains to be seen is the roof terrace, on the next floor, where our B&B guests are fortunate enough to be served their famous "Our Luxor" breakfasts. We are great believers in the 'ample breakfast' philosophy, and our six courses come with copious amounts of tea and coffee in order to set our guests up for the day!</div><div style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZhO22FzEIj_xJOM0bJxlBykGvtSjvdWqGwqTsImj0Ntxtsn18WQ188tPudm75Wq6-OVia88P-L5Z569H97lrQBVArR-C5PUsbw3ZS2YtHENZVaZkhZDS7lV1YzJFm1NKacR9U1T6FGyc/s1600/flat+details.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZhO22FzEIj_xJOM0bJxlBykGvtSjvdWqGwqTsImj0Ntxtsn18WQ188tPudm75Wq6-OVia88P-L5Z569H97lrQBVArR-C5PUsbw3ZS2YtHENZVaZkhZDS7lV1YzJFm1NKacR9U1T6FGyc/s320/flat+details.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="clear: both;">The terrace has various seating possibilities, and rugs and cushions can also be provided. Whilst there is a large shaded area in which to hide from the sun, there is also ample room for the sun worshippers to acquire their daily 'fix'!<br /><br />Our Moroccan style fountain is a recent addition to the roof terrace, the trickling sound of the water is quite relaxing.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_qPSwZ4ovzsDqQ7vi4RV70NnveHsOEA_aSorJ-rdZyim3hHpRncA93jQHBUE1Ggwi009IsWgWb046LpDrucEpNokVkDPzDfNK9YZDePQeeh7vnopk6vrPVdgQSLKH03bVsUDg_Md3rlI/s1600/SAM_7563.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="711" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_qPSwZ4ovzsDqQ7vi4RV70NnveHsOEA_aSorJ-rdZyim3hHpRncA93jQHBUE1Ggwi009IsWgWb046LpDrucEpNokVkDPzDfNK9YZDePQeeh7vnopk6vrPVdgQSLKH03bVsUDg_Md3rlI/s320/SAM_7563.JPG" width="227" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Under the canopy; are the doors to our small rooftop flat on the left of the picture below. You can see that we are very close </span><span style="text-align: left;">by if required!</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiHq2Sjwy6ChIX41OuiqLhz1rrQDgBZX1EaL6uHMJaVQ5uCsn9UhAzEYTNOBOMbuBc94MLPTxzxT3qn5XaHxXvbQxwRp4Gt2fse2qDjb6_QhACkZx3kqRq0PAyQq-qxuTHkcctefpl8ksX/s400/SAM_6870.JPG" width="400" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht6IqB201-UPwBH-MFmZTkVxHVrlz4BdKoQLftMM0zLCqIldQCbVxT0CY-mLjfBBOWi5SYb5YpNAvt3uY12PZxAi6hsQ90KAC2fUDJ1TRPmhTa0PRxGyImu9jgHo2TiI-djmvuguRieGQs/s1600/SAM_6863.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht6IqB201-UPwBH-MFmZTkVxHVrlz4BdKoQLftMM0zLCqIldQCbVxT0CY-mLjfBBOWi5SYb5YpNAvt3uY12PZxAi6hsQ90KAC2fUDJ1TRPmhTa0PRxGyImu9jgHo2TiI-djmvuguRieGQs/s400/SAM_6863.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">The view of the Sphinx Avenue and Luxor Temple is particularly impressive when illuminated in the evening, this shot was taken just five minutes stroll from "Our Luxor".</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKANFSfrUECL7GqOSnb8h1Gwsf1ufaJig5tsTFCNcWG3GKKA5ZIQGH1SGNWwT3dZp_ifqaOplg_zMxFB9SpeA0BNhfOdIsn6AMvjLAmTZIbYkGC-tp127TD92naAN8YQEYnV7IergAaEk0/s1600/Temple+013.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKANFSfrUECL7GqOSnb8h1Gwsf1ufaJig5tsTFCNcWG3GKKA5ZIQGH1SGNWwT3dZp_ifqaOplg_zMxFB9SpeA0BNhfOdIsn6AMvjLAmTZIbYkGC-tp127TD92naAN8YQEYnV7IergAaEk0/s1600/Temple+013.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="clear: both;">Now that you've seen it, what do you think? Search as you may; you'll only find inferior copies of our classic style anywhere else in Luxor, and not one of them in the prime position of the actual town centre! <br /><br />All that guiding has given me a thirst, so I'm off for some tea! Bye for now.</div><div style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div style="clear: both;">As I write this I'm sad to say that we sold this apartment last week, and that it is no longer available to rent. I'm sorry if this causes you any disappointment, but; such is life! I hope that the rest of the Blog gives you a little entertainment as well as a valuable insight into "Life in Luxor". Bye bye!</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div>Find <a id="flipkey_best_of_property" href="http://www.flipkey.com/vacation+rentals/egypt/nile+river+valley/luxor/">Luxor Vacation Rentals</a> on FlipKey</div><script type="text/javascript" src="http://data.flipkey.com/widgets/jsapi/24396/5qe/5m9p/"></script></div>Discover 'Our Luxor' Apartmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907869521357887832noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5088683094727047806.post-67698091152753451302023-02-28T21:36:00.001+02:002023-02-28T21:36:33.032+02:00<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i><u></u></i></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"><i><u> Embarrassed? Me?</u></i></b></div><p></p><p>Well Playmates, yes I am embarrassed to come on here and expect that any one of you might still click onto my Blog any more. It's been ages since I've written anything worth reading, I know; and this isn't going to be scintillating either! Nevertheless, now that I'm here I do have a couple of little snippets which might give you a smile or be of some other interest, who knows?</p><p>I came across a face with which I've been familiar for years, yesterday. He used to hang around (like a bad smell!) at the junction of the two markets, the Tourist and the Egyptian, near enough to the Chez Omar Restaurant on Youseff Hassan Street, belonging to our long-time friends, Hassan and Hussain, the identical (loveable rogues) twins. But he was in the wrong place! Bold as brass, he approached us outside the Winter Palace, "Ah Mr Edward, Madame, here, take my business card." Intrigued that he was now a businessman of some sort (and with business cards!!!) I proffered my hand to receive this newfound introductory device. Here it is for your delectation Dear Reader: </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGm0ZtaJ76ZQ0oWp6Kx7RbzpIP4rmcWb-VOcGzk22IXmGDBnWqNHPCE0dl8Z9kdxCnzS6PYf3-MBp3257SgR0tJJPd6A7FoOoFKOCZbzdv50oUkjTC-9C2QXZ-cC5AKEs3GMQJPEEadSWltjTvIrqR0gIVXgl_dP7QqjyLteA8B4lHb-7LCN_c9GBxw/s4032/card.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGm0ZtaJ76ZQ0oWp6Kx7RbzpIP4rmcWb-VOcGzk22IXmGDBnWqNHPCE0dl8Z9kdxCnzS6PYf3-MBp3257SgR0tJJPd6A7FoOoFKOCZbzdv50oUkjTC-9C2QXZ-cC5AKEs3GMQJPEEadSWltjTvIrqR0gIVXgl_dP7QqjyLteA8B4lHb-7LCN_c9GBxw/s320/card.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">And</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">the inevitable reverse:</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_3k5-QYeLwctuz0lSrqGe5jbHcKBhsNDGLagggviHpJ3bEyCz5yOPLP5T446wlyvhqzSpLEbdpK4SkOb0U3pgVJ-cH8FVCW6nw5Ap2OJl0iAuJg7mxkXgOXSrpje1wX6kLqKW_df8UUZ-YelStr20XDJBpfE22ZaruHANOiTZdIMPDOhngQ9aLlVXA/s4032/PXL_20230219_152242665.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_3k5-QYeLwctuz0lSrqGe5jbHcKBhsNDGLagggviHpJ3bEyCz5yOPLP5T446wlyvhqzSpLEbdpK4SkOb0U3pgVJ-cH8FVCW6nw5Ap2OJl0iAuJg7mxkXgOXSrpje1wX6kLqKW_df8UUZ-YelStr20XDJBpfE22ZaruHANOiTZdIMPDOhngQ9aLlVXA/s320/PXL_20230219_152242665.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>On the back of a fag packet! Novel, for a businessman trying to make an impression, don't you think? Or maybe not; it certainly made me take notice!</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Now then, you know that Madame Farida and I are from Geordieland where we speak..... "queeah like"? Probably the most famous of all Geordie phrases is "Howay the Lads", which roughly translates as "Come on, play up you chaps", and is an exhortation given with great gusto at the 'futbaall' when the 'Toon' (Newcastle United) are playing. Well, there <i>just has to be </i>an expat Geordie businessman (I wonder where he gets his cards from?) in China with a canny (Colloquialism: meaning, 'good') sense of humour. I found the following on display outside the plumbing and tool shop of our good friend Mr Hany Awad, also on Youseff Hassan Street:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxZQOTT9VNXHHeO4At00lUMf2CwQbhVBan2E9s_qk6yBMVRO8Sxx9Uskknl9Z8tropkYrH73TW-55M98oRW7lv7mk5-I24dX3njJIZ-yPgkqW3N6f3ye2mlCkks7RVfb2shu0hxt0Hetqf1UtRp-cmXf23oH9lJc9a25iTSRS72RsQaS-Pz8svVh1xw/s4032/PXL_20230213_192537657.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxZQOTT9VNXHHeO4At00lUMf2CwQbhVBan2E9s_qk6yBMVRO8Sxx9Uskknl9Z8tropkYrH73TW-55M98oRW7lv7mk5-I24dX3njJIZ-yPgkqW3N6f3ye2mlCkks7RVfb2shu0hxt0Hetqf1UtRp-cmXf23oH9lJc9a25iTSRS72RsQaS-Pz8svVh1xw/w225-h400/PXL_20230213_192537657.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div>Just in case you don't recognise it, it's a petrol driven water pump, for the farmers to use to irrigate their fields etc. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now, here's something which definitely caught my eye! Something that I haven't seen in the shops in NE England for quite some time:</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBOP-yRaKVIxALey-58On-k7MtAfO6JQ7pir4fcchfctgkm4vkRGhoZKQyMrqIm5nBFJg6hceFur6TtL0Az0j4EEfyOlKkmFcW7T-MUw-uniDx56PJ6YB-4UyvwTYFYO9khZh13mMlWLA350YLFjIrDbwhslT5Nd3--iNg7gQ0Hm6gxZhDkUFH-HW6w/s4032/PXL_20230219_165013997.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBOP-yRaKVIxALey-58On-k7MtAfO6JQ7pir4fcchfctgkm4vkRGhoZKQyMrqIm5nBFJg6hceFur6TtL0Az0j4EEfyOlKkmFcW7T-MUw-uniDx56PJ6YB-4UyvwTYFYO9khZh13mMlWLA350YLFjIrDbwhslT5Nd3--iNg7gQ0Hm6gxZhDkUFH-HW6w/w225-h400/PXL_20230219_165013997.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br />I'd bet that you weren't expecting to see that old familiar name? Well, familiar and beloved in the North anyway. I cannot fathom why or how it should have become popular here, but there you are.</div><div><br /></div><div>Next up is a bit of a sad sight, at least for those regular visitors and many expats who frequented the place for quite a few years to buy typically English goods:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMSD1n3Y7Ceeq_K6XMm4ZteUH5LxAKCctI6vzWN7oGA2tMW8iZNdS9iBnGXontpyvUCIV-XVxArJdpLfkxp3IlxFirZola_5jOPiLPtaFTR2MxlivStysZ_GqqXQFh4uSho2KWvOeOX6ijj_9Zf1i6SACnJ8axmA8wg-b18hdDgCFdZW2pqdoyWZkDRg/s4032/PXL_20230205_091756225.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMSD1n3Y7Ceeq_K6XMm4ZteUH5LxAKCctI6vzWN7oGA2tMW8iZNdS9iBnGXontpyvUCIV-XVxArJdpLfkxp3IlxFirZola_5jOPiLPtaFTR2MxlivStysZ_GqqXQFh4uSho2KWvOeOX6ijj_9Zf1i6SACnJ8axmA8wg-b18hdDgCFdZW2pqdoyWZkDRg/w225-h400/PXL_20230205_091756225.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>This is what remains of the famous "Arkwright's Open All Hours" store which is on St Joseph St. They used to stock things like Weetabix and leg of New Zealand lamb, and maybe even Marmite, but no more! I suppose that some visitors will still have their old Arkwright's T shirts, emblazoned with the name and a picture of the shop bike, which used to stand outside?</div><div><br /></div><div>Whilst we were away last summer, Adam (of coffeeshop fame) across the alley, started building another floor on top of his building. This is for his eldest son, Haggag, who is to be married in the foreseeable future, insh'Allah. Well, it's coming on bit by bit, and some of the interior is being started as well. There are some fancy panelled doors, for instance. But, even though they are quite fancy and no doubt expensive, the joiners still aren't able to sand off their pencil marks before varnishing them:</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilrFtCYqitIendfktighSpyXilQS0J8YSHbHgsqqbLFLtNhDaGqfAjODphw-BDVpoM41xllw3a7XZy1U6Z6ADIBw__ABpt79dxL9SGTYNgjvP-qmtWknjG3JKWs3ienkMUGDrWpQxGE74hZduwzveIzgJSIb1WzXxSHEvUVl1zNxIO21HdPI4qkC3Jgg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2441" data-original-width="2209" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilrFtCYqitIendfktighSpyXilQS0J8YSHbHgsqqbLFLtNhDaGqfAjODphw-BDVpoM41xllw3a7XZy1U6Z6ADIBw__ABpt79dxL9SGTYNgjvP-qmtWknjG3JKWs3ienkMUGDrWpQxGE74hZduwzveIzgJSIb1WzXxSHEvUVl1zNxIO21HdPI4qkC3Jgg" width="217" /></a></div><br />Why do they do this? It just spoils everything they do, permanently. There are still pencil marks on some of our most exotic pieces of furniture, after 16 years!</div><div><br /></div><div>The Muslim's "Holy Month of Ramadan", is almost upon us. This is when they're not allowed to eat, drink, smoke or have sex between sunrise and sunset. (I'm sure that there is more to it than those ''verboten" pastimes, but they will remain a mystery to us outsiders!) Anyway, even though our Muslim friends are forbidden such delights, research assures us that they manage to get through a lot more of everything during those 30 days!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgLK_BqDndUHi-ELo8P4F_fi5zPpGJGQx5PDKiXEGjwn9tHne80jsYPUeFZKyR13bbqMj2ZOPX_UJPwThHqGN4-nbz_JqoH140dUT746G3b48am7lGfw0QbRIJKmBuewXGSmkLky-SJ8_KDNwuj2J0GxVXLBD2ApMd8V__83gAtZe3CWg5Q320z0nEQ/s4032/PXL_20230225_140707582.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgLK_BqDndUHi-ELo8P4F_fi5zPpGJGQx5PDKiXEGjwn9tHne80jsYPUeFZKyR13bbqMj2ZOPX_UJPwThHqGN4-nbz_JqoH140dUT746G3b48am7lGfw0QbRIJKmBuewXGSmkLky-SJ8_KDNwuj2J0GxVXLBD2ApMd8V__83gAtZe3CWg5Q320z0nEQ/w400-h225/PXL_20230225_140707582.MP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>Here's a queue for something on 'Ramadan special' at the Government shop up our street. Times are exceptionally hard here and queues like this appear quite often. It reminds me of the old films of Soviet era shopping in Russia, where the people queue and the shop is virtually empty, anyway. You'll notice that the women are queueing to the left and the men to the right?</div><div><br /></div><div>I've some more pictures to post, and I hope to get back to do another Blog in a day or two.</div><div><br /></div><div>See ya!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div>Find <a id="flipkey_best_of_property" href="http://www.flipkey.com/vacation+rentals/egypt/nile+river+valley/luxor/">Luxor Vacation Rentals</a> on FlipKey</div><script type="text/javascript" src="http://data.flipkey.com/widgets/jsapi/24396/5qe/5m9p/"></script></div>Discover 'Our Luxor' Apartmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907869521357887832noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5088683094727047806.post-54244014110076535232022-09-29T00:53:00.001+02:002022-09-29T00:53:13.550+02:00"Rest to the weary"<p>Well, we are getting on a bit, you know? And, at our time of life, we're allowed to take things as we do; slowly!</p><p>A short break at our favourite hotel was (is?) just the ticket. The Cataract beckoned!</p><p>As we prepared for our arduous 3 or 4 hour journey in a First Class Carriage on the VIP train up to Aswan, I had to do some shopping for essential supplies, biscuits and the like, for the trip. I got a great pic of the working at the Four Seasons whilst out and about:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB4WdIXziP2AQDfU40ChzsTETxK1JCdmbEM52uoyEOCXZNb82msU6GQufbRpqBHg9xYm6WY_X8oYduaSLR3Q8kMKI0MicaSo0AjmZPq0vBT-WKKnTboa5NRvizKXD6R9PVeBeNL0hR4W0KAh87nwI8zxD4ttMiPEV-daLcDTWKq1-u9fpfZoUpfQsrMQ/s4032/PXL_20220920_192143328.NIGHT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB4WdIXziP2AQDfU40ChzsTETxK1JCdmbEM52uoyEOCXZNb82msU6GQufbRpqBHg9xYm6WY_X8oYduaSLR3Q8kMKI0MicaSo0AjmZPq0vBT-WKKnTboa5NRvizKXD6R9PVeBeNL0hR4W0KAh87nwI8zxD4ttMiPEV-daLcDTWKq1-u9fpfZoUpfQsrMQ/w300-h400/PXL_20220920_192143328.NIGHT.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p>I also had a rather frightening flashback when I passed a wagon near the station. Just look at this back spring, the very sight of it had all my weary old muscles aching at the thought of getting it out of there and then back in!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHEBraN4k-BIshNkN6qRWva_w41Ri7ARvlu087kBLbJ-4oa6fQJ5_3wysMfzYHefuiYYF3Qrqg-yJwhEWlXWyeQN-DhL2_gZEhS5_hZ7LDj9WHOCugrig82lK1nwvAjLurBaewbJnPKM5TZzMQqR8Uwdh7Ek25kIm-vyLu6SnODa5q5PxnkDwAyyLyoA/s4032/PXL_20220925_140322269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHEBraN4k-BIshNkN6qRWva_w41Ri7ARvlu087kBLbJ-4oa6fQJ5_3wysMfzYHefuiYYF3Qrqg-yJwhEWlXWyeQN-DhL2_gZEhS5_hZ7LDj9WHOCugrig82lK1nwvAjLurBaewbJnPKM5TZzMQqR8Uwdh7Ek25kIm-vyLu6SnODa5q5PxnkDwAyyLyoA/w300-h400/PXL_20220925_140322269.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p>Thankfully, those days are now long gone, and only re-appear in the odd nightmare from time to time! They like their big Mercs here, and they always seem to be so high off the ground, that's because of those huge springs, of course.</p><p>Coming up here on the train I saw some great wagons! There were about 6 or 7 six wheelers with drawbar trailers and double height sideboards all together at one point, but I was too slow with the camera (OK phone camera!) but I did catch these at another place:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyQcefzu6kRTQjaWiGc9BJmoP0UnmumQZED1Q7ZHQgOApCNRaddXJF2fYm5MeL2WV8oadHGF2XQM-Atuzojkg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p>There are some areas of towns in Egypt which seem to specialize in certain trades. Close by to where I captured the tippers above, I also shot this:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxZxJ5ynWAy-zzv9Uq5NSk515wJwQqNNX16cCkKqvG2aaBl7muGLQFCxAN_9ZY5PjCMr5c6Py3k5r0-u4Z2DA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p>Here, we have a little wrought iron workshop, as you can see by the lovely set of gates in the process of being made. But they also carry out vehicle repairs too, evidenced by the small tipper with the body raised and the short inspection pit to the right of the gates. Everything here is similar to what we see in our own countries, but on a different scale and usually with a lack of what we would term 'proper' equipment. The mechanics and artisans etc just get on with the job in hand, where necessity becomes, quite literally, the mother of invention!</p><p>We were allocated a room on the top floor of the Nile Wing of the Cataract, here's a quick panoramic view from our balcony, just to finish this little posting off|;</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSMPhadyu2WegMcnhRl1VyM-W_l1V0Q3PyuKm82Ehb_UXqZFsQJsoMbHWKN-H4-59tv6jwHMCVkBguwD_fdxTl0GWY-HojFemHxcNL0SY7wp2n2kn26qIi1FIrhFfNyNjEHt9R5daA0tzDKUtQdJKmUxT5sEAUks6CGA1VwdeqNOmgoXsCayHGw-JdA/s4432/PXL_20220926_130118760.PANO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1677" data-original-width="4432" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSMPhadyu2WegMcnhRl1VyM-W_l1V0Q3PyuKm82Ehb_UXqZFsQJsoMbHWKN-H4-59tv6jwHMCVkBguwD_fdxTl0GWY-HojFemHxcNL0SY7wp2n2kn26qIi1FIrhFfNyNjEHt9R5daA0tzDKUtQdJKmUxT5sEAUks6CGA1VwdeqNOmgoXsCayHGw-JdA/w640-h242/PXL_20220926_130118760.PANO.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> That's the Mausoleum of the Agha Khan, the smallish looking square building towards the left and up on the desert sands, with the Coptic Cathedral behind the Old Cataract Hotel, to the right. Cracking view, eh?<p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div>Find <a id="flipkey_best_of_property" href="http://www.flipkey.com/vacation+rentals/egypt/nile+river+valley/luxor/">Luxor Vacation Rentals</a> on FlipKey</div><script type="text/javascript" src="http://data.flipkey.com/widgets/jsapi/24396/5qe/5m9p/"></script></div>Discover 'Our Luxor' Apartmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907869521357887832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5088683094727047806.post-75005915032308673572022-09-21T21:35:00.005+02:002022-09-21T21:41:54.319+02:00Nearing the end of the Summer Season, but possibly the beginning of the Four Seasons?<p>Yes, Playmates, I was past the Iberotel last night as I went shopping at all of the supermarkets in the South of the town. I noticed the tower cranes, between Ibn Khalid Walid Street and the river, as I came along the Corniche on Mr Badawi's caleche.</p><p>I should have got him to stop earlier, as there's a gap between the old Novo and the new wall, where you can observe the whole site. But, I missed the chance. And so I ended up precariously balanced on the driver's seat of the conveyance, hanging onto the hood for grim death with my right hand, and trying to take a video with the phone in my left. Here it is for your delectation, Dear Reader:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyrssukdkiDSZq2X78-m7BXk1bs3xXTZtSuzIAzRgHQ4MgZKXOwcLur8x_zozvxsCY7IFpfHjEWNjjrcru4zQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They're certainly getting on with the job now! I hear a little rumour that some of Egypt's great hotels have been sold by the Government to the UAE! Of course, this would include our Winter Palace here in Luxor. We'll see, I suppose. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If foreign governments are buying into Egypt's tourism sector, and foreign hotel chains are investing their cash here, maybe there's still a possibility for the Luxor population to rise from their torpor and to make tourists feel welcome again. I hope we can all hope and pray for such an outcome.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's only by connecting with people from different cultures that we can possibly get to know what makes them tick. It's only then that we can begin to accept their differences, and admit that perhaps we shouldn't be trying to change each other's cultures, but to be fascinated and in awe of their otherworldliness!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is what makes travelling worthwhile (to me, anyway) to find connections where we may not notice them in our hurriedness, and to just stop and admire 'le difference'. (My word, I'm getting a bit carried away here!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Firstly, we went to the Forty Market on New Hospital St. All I managed to find there was the skimmed milk, fruit yogurts and crisps! Just along the way a little, is the fruit and veg bloke whom we know though our little (long dead now) mate, Mr Goma, for lemons and ginger. Next nearest was the little bakery where we get chocolate coated croissants and soft sweet buns for our cups of tea, and then on to the relatively new and flash Rayah market on Medina Street. I was looking for Lurpak butter, but I only found porridge there. I left the caleche while I walked back up the street to the Omar Market, we'd passed there on our way, but don't like to use it except in emergencies. (For historical reasons, which I won't go into at this juncture!) They had no Lurpak either, so it was back to the caleche and along the road to Kheir Zaman on TV Street. Now, of course we were on the wrong side of the dual carriageway, so Sayed dropped me outside of Mr Bahaa Sherif's underground (household goods) shop and left me to cross the road while he followed on up to the roundabout and came back down the other side. He arrived just as I emerged from the shop with two 200 gram packs of the beloved Lurpak unsalted butter!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">During the journey, we encountered several folk to whom we had to have a natter, so it took quite a bit of time! On the way back, we were reminded of the very different culture yet again, this time one driven by religion. Coming up is the birthday of the Prophet (Muhammad), commonly referred to as the Moulid el Nabi. I'm not sure when it falls, as it's eleven days earlier every year due to them using the Islamic calendar! Anyway, here are a couple of the stalls selling the huge sugar dollies with their elaborate dresses, and the red sugar warriors. I'm sure that some of them have been in storage since last year, uuuurgh! Also the Turkish Delight, which bears no resemblance whatsoever to that which carries the Fry's name. (Could just fancy a bar of that now!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy6if_NqlAX6Lq9IuSA6yZ7RyhVaBapYleLoe6NwfDo3YOg-luZAjzRb7ySs-tM5hYdBmz_UHhsz6rTzYxwRQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well that's about it for tonight I think, as it's shower time. Oooh, just in case you're the slightest bit interested, I bought another melodeon today! It's a 1 row Italian Busilacchio, possibly from the '30s. I hope it's as nice as it looks in the photo! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWK9vBc2-teWmJbTvUcawPmvok83a7mJ6evpwQUJoEQlpgieHCo1OoMDyY7nvi7OYiigW-lv-GaIqoPN9qmZrL_Y5_n1Qxlx4uS6Q1ZHnh8_GyGGVGGS4wjLFMONP9Ye0S33hLu_VdVQmYuRm7kDmNs9ILIPZPwNdqFpxdCsC1_oLhKayLsNwkgIJaw/s126/My%20Busilacchio.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="116" data-original-width="126" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWK9vBc2-teWmJbTvUcawPmvok83a7mJ6evpwQUJoEQlpgieHCo1OoMDyY7nvi7OYiigW-lv-GaIqoPN9qmZrL_Y5_n1Qxlx4uS6Q1ZHnh8_GyGGVGGS4wjLFMONP9Ye0S33hLu_VdVQmYuRm7kDmNs9ILIPZPwNdqFpxdCsC1_oLhKayLsNwkgIJaw/w400-h368/My%20Busilacchio.heic" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> I'll have to wait another 6 or 7 weeks to find out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><h2 style="background-color: white; font-family: graphik, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 34px; letter-spacing: -0.01em; line-height: 40px; margin: 0px 0px 4px; min-height: 1px; padding: 0px;"><br /></h2><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div>Find <a id="flipkey_best_of_property" href="http://www.flipkey.com/vacation+rentals/egypt/nile+river+valley/luxor/">Luxor Vacation Rentals</a> on FlipKey</div><script type="text/javascript" src="http://data.flipkey.com/widgets/jsapi/24396/5qe/5m9p/"></script></div>Discover 'Our Luxor' Apartmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907869521357887832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5088683094727047806.post-72742721700344729452022-09-17T20:54:00.003+02:002022-09-17T20:54:58.637+02:00Friday Night's 'Amami' Night!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Is there anybody out there who is old enough to remember that TV advert? </span><span style="text-align: left;">Ladies giving their hair a 'home perm' so they'd look their best for the weekend! </span><span style="text-align: left;">I doubt it, or at least that you'd remember it anyway, Dear Reader. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well here in Luxor (as in most of Egypt, and other Muslim countries as well I suppose) the ditty would be that, "Thursday Night is Wedding night!" It's thought to be a good omen to start your wedding on a Thursday night as, after sundown, it becomes Friday; and Friday is the Muslim Holy Day, when thoughts turn to Allah and his Messenger.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, here we are on our first Thursday back in Luxor, and there's this wedding celebration across the school yard. thankfully, it only went on until about 1.30am or something, I'm not quite sure, as I eventually fell asleep. But, God bless them anyway, they'll need all the help they can get, getting married just now here in the Land of the Pharaohs!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz6SIv9p5nuTjNyFplUsv-EN6IcDzYvogacMzi4Yf57zWpoHxZHwW6PBoKUH8RtqxgVqsnpwW6lOy_d_1v5Iw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>Talking about weddings.....we've come back to the news that our neighbour and friend, Mr Adam (of coffeeshop fame) is preparing for his eldest son to be married! They're so far on that they are building on the roof across the alley, so that No. 1 Son, Hagagg and his new missus can move into the family building. This is the traditional scenario, the young wife moves into the family home and becomes the helper of the mother. (Or, I've been told, often the slave of the mother!!!) I've no doubt though that Mrs Adam will be a welcoming and loving Mother-in-law. God bless them all, as well. </div><div>Here it is after the first day of building. Two labourers mixing and carrying all day, one (seemingly) apprentice bricklayer and one gaffer bricklayer. You can see the new brickwork against the wall of the next building, as well as that at the edge of the roof above the alley. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxABc-uJ5sUuC5uNLZHW6e9irRu4JNaGODu4M9fRgCejzgi6UIvQ7XpZKTioZMtRdz9jyEN8mtoiklMzB5v3g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div>I'm pleased to say that it looks as if it won't impinge on our still stunning view of the West Bank Mountains! I love to sit in my chair in our living room, where I can peer out at this view, day or night!!!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr6Bjm5RoK36eAfEPvYUennD5jQf17XtEqyASnngWzQhPRtOIsPa-9ZnRERPpI4p5CK4FuhndGC09Kzar6gRNd-A9-HzC1ha7Q7Bl5MYCWkv0LUxXsUVZMUEHQtmXO5g6lin0sSFukwKaa6T7RuYVFuf5TBbUoKj_OWxrw4zwzSn_QUb2nurXiZm_p0Q/s4032/PXL_20220915_182441635.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr6Bjm5RoK36eAfEPvYUennD5jQf17XtEqyASnngWzQhPRtOIsPa-9ZnRERPpI4p5CK4FuhndGC09Kzar6gRNd-A9-HzC1ha7Q7Bl5MYCWkv0LUxXsUVZMUEHQtmXO5g6lin0sSFukwKaa6T7RuYVFuf5TBbUoKj_OWxrw4zwzSn_QUb2nurXiZm_p0Q/s320/PXL_20220915_182441635.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /></div><div>Now then, I know that one or two of you might be thinking that I've lost interest in blogging about our favourite place, but I'd like to assure you that that's not the case! We've had a difficult few years recently; along with both of us catching (lol) cancer and being operated on to remove it (successfully in both cases, I'm very grateful to report) we've also had to nurse the other three members of my family as they all sadly died, I'm the only one left! </div><div><br /></div><div>Although we both love Luxor and wouldn't have missed our 15 years of being here for the world, we have been slowly coming to the realisation that as we get longer in the tooth, we cannot carry on indefinitely in travelling back and forth and looking after guests from all around the world. (Even though we'd love to!) So we are going to sell our beloved home here, and retire properly to our first home back in NE England, in good old Windy Nook.</div><div>So, if you're young at heart and fancy completely changing your life to one which delights you every day with new experiences and challenges, then we could help you achieve that for a surprisingly affordable sum of money. Drop us an email with any questions to ourluxor@yahoo.co.uk </div><div><br /></div><div>Oh, nearly forgot; we came via Hurghada and stayed at the Marriott hotel overnight. Come the morning, I thought that I'd almost persuaded Freda to jump into the water with me at the private beach, but then we came across this sign...... foiled again!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7DxPRPvFamZdcbn-HfwVenr3jcAGw2poz_o7qc77fzT773ZSP9VFg_J5AvLt4uhzRh24eWjx5xjlNKZpefMdX1qtu44D6QI38deXgJ4KbpuP4PN532DUXBkC38d5Xni-45D4smRwOrAzbV-c3ZkrsiFjEfHOGnudmju2JHT3RTb6-umurCzBswsQvhw/s4128/Marriott.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7DxPRPvFamZdcbn-HfwVenr3jcAGw2poz_o7qc77fzT773ZSP9VFg_J5AvLt4uhzRh24eWjx5xjlNKZpefMdX1qtu44D6QI38deXgJ4KbpuP4PN532DUXBkC38d5Xni-45D4smRwOrAzbV-c3ZkrsiFjEfHOGnudmju2JHT3RTb6-umurCzBswsQvhw/s320/Marriott.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div> It's no fun being orphans!</div><div><br /></div><div> TTFN</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><br /> <p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div>Find <a id="flipkey_best_of_property" href="http://www.flipkey.com/vacation+rentals/egypt/nile+river+valley/luxor/">Luxor Vacation Rentals</a> on FlipKey</div><script type="text/javascript" src="http://data.flipkey.com/widgets/jsapi/24396/5qe/5m9p/"></script></div>Discover 'Our Luxor' Apartmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907869521357887832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5088683094727047806.post-42397175066879484162022-03-23T00:21:00.003+02:002022-03-23T00:27:15.773+02:00Who's a clever boy then?<p>Yes, I have to admit, it's ME! I've figured out how to get videos from my new (to me!) phone. It used to belong to my No. 1 Son and it's a very fancy Google Pixel 4. I've only had it for about 3 months or something, and am ever so slowly getting the hang of it. </p><p>I've started to use it instead of my camera; 'cause it takes better quality pictures, is quicker and it's also more convenient, in that I only have one piece of electronic wizardry to carry around. What's not to like?</p><p>I'm sure that there's some way of converting the videos it takes to the correct 'format' (see, I'm even picking up the jargon!) for the Blog to accept, like Wav files or mp4's or whatever. Our Richard (my recently deceased brother) knew all about that sort of thing, and would often show off and embarrass me with more jargon that you could throw a stick at! But I wish he was still here.</p><p>Never mind, I've just found out that I can load videos straight to YouTube, and then use the Blog to pick them out of there! So here are a few recent ones for your delectation...........</p><p>We'll start off with the two which I posted links to in the last post on here. It turned out to be a right mess, don't know how; couldn't have been anything I did, surely!!!</p><p>This is a taste of the 'Stick Fighting for Abu Haggag' which has been a tradition here at Al Hod (just outside of our building) since heaven knows when. It's a recognised part of the Moulid of the said Sheikh, which ends 15 days before Ramadan. I took this from the first floor of the 'Fat Brother's' building next door.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/V5P6dsoABl4" width="320" youtube-src-id="V5P6dsoABl4"></iframe></div><br /><p>This next one is also a regular feature of the Moulid, but happens at ad hoc times and places with different people and styles, too. It's the same sort of thing as the Whirling Dervishes. who are properly a sect which is banned in some Muslim places. (And not just an entertainment of sorts on the Nile Cruisers.) The rhythmic movement (or so I'm told|) tends to alter the normal pattern of blood-flow through the brain, creating a trance-like effect where the participant feels in closer communion with Allah. It's obviously a very personal, if public, experience, and being so I asked if was OK to film it before commencing. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/E6FWO_SJ_nY" width="320" youtube-src-id="E6FWO_SJ_nY"></iframe></div><div><br /></div>I'm absolutely fascinated by this sort of thing! This seems to me to be the same as what is described as a Zikr, in some of my elderly (19th Century) books about Egypt. But my neighbour called it something entirely different, which I couldn't get the gist of!<div><br /></div><div>As you will remember, Dear Reader, I spent a lot of my life repairing road going vehicles, cars, wagons and buses, so the following vid is a bit of an indulgence. It's what we in England would call a "Back Street Garage" except that it's on a main road here.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/026p2T6iJYE" width="320" youtube-src-id="026p2T6iJYE"></iframe></div><br />Just one more, as it's time for my beauty sleep. This is a 'pop up shop' which is selling Fawannies! Fawannies being the plural of Fanous, and the Fanous being the representation of the lights which were traditionally displayed to light the way home for the pilgrims returning from the Hajj at Mecca. In recent years, most of those I've seen for sale have been disgusting plastic things from China, but I'm delighted to see that these are proper, very thin and lightweight, tin plate examples, and probably made here in Egypt. Most homes which can afford one will have at least one hanging somewhere prominent for everyone to see. Rather like Christmas decorations in Christian countries. Anyway, enough rabbiting........</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Jpes49Qcepc" width="320" youtube-src-id="Jpes49Qcepc"></iframe></div><br /><div>That's all folks!</div><div><br /></div><div>See you all again soon, Insh'Allah.<br /><p><br /></p></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div>Find <a id="flipkey_best_of_property" href="http://www.flipkey.com/vacation+rentals/egypt/nile+river+valley/luxor/">Luxor Vacation Rentals</a> on FlipKey</div><script type="text/javascript" src="http://data.flipkey.com/widgets/jsapi/24396/5qe/5m9p/"></script></div>Discover 'Our Luxor' Apartmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907869521357887832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5088683094727047806.post-22240146515079774652022-03-03T16:56:00.000+02:002022-03-03T16:56:13.766+02:00Did I say, "The work is actually going along at quite a pace"?<p> Actually, yes I did, I've just checked back!</p><p>Well, I went past the building site again on the local (1.75LE) 'bus, and was so surprised that I asked the driver to stop and got off, in order to have a better look. That shows real commitment in a "journalist" doesn't it? (You can reimburse me the fare when we next meet, Dear Reader.)</p><p>Here is another shot of the works:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwfbYCMkJ7mZSoNCheDIRS4vvuvaU0To0HKpfn1isSWD_vW4GMEZCxbQdOMm50JGmiKToKH73JCVPWt4YDwZs9mCml0hZweeOd4fKt2u_uk-qz9z5T5atPeolRDkGSkPEo_QzyUWb-geohSP-3SFWkyND5b-lz2RFvmEuUlVjCoV6QGuwA7B9zm1h_gg=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwfbYCMkJ7mZSoNCheDIRS4vvuvaU0To0HKpfn1isSWD_vW4GMEZCxbQdOMm50JGmiKToKH73JCVPWt4YDwZs9mCml0hZweeOd4fKt2u_uk-qz9z5T5atPeolRDkGSkPEo_QzyUWb-geohSP-3SFWkyND5b-lz2RFvmEuUlVjCoV6QGuwA7B9zm1h_gg=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>I think that they've poured a lot of concrete in the past couple of days, and there are quite a few individual bases there now. Mind, I'm surprised that those rocks in the foreground haven't been dug out yet. It could be a serious task, though.</p><p>Anyway, from there, I walked up Ibn Khalid Walid Street a bit and then turned off to pass the, dead before it was finished, Morris Hotel (which is up for sale, if you have any spare sponduliks) and call to see our long-time friend and travel agent, Mr Bahaa, in his new office nearby. On the side road I couldn't help but notice the following:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgejY7oKYrX_e0W1KdH1ZdCMzKkNErm8l7-pjOhHTSE1tYFq1dCipjbaIhZ38U9vI8emf3isxcLIg4w4Tj5_yKdwMB5zk6ka5ShQBOjg-UEDKmWCapHEI4s25sq_Jr29phy5ZvQN4Q2uSltPBBwNee3TIkICUZDimc-RHquf1fO_SF-qdwgPkvwS5vBoQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgejY7oKYrX_e0W1KdH1ZdCMzKkNErm8l7-pjOhHTSE1tYFq1dCipjbaIhZ38U9vI8emf3isxcLIg4w4Tj5_yKdwMB5zk6ka5ShQBOjg-UEDKmWCapHEI4s25sq_Jr29phy5ZvQN4Q2uSltPBBwNee3TIkICUZDimc-RHquf1fO_SF-qdwgPkvwS5vBoQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>I may have shown you these before (my memory, you know?) but that isn't just a roof, it's (I believe) Luxor's first attempt at harnessing the sun's power to create electricity. I seem to recall that the wiring wasn't up to the job, and burnt out with the intense heat. I cannot imagine that much electricity would be produced with that much sand on the receptors, what do you think, Dear Reader?</p><p>Another complaint I have is regarding what was formerly a lovely park area behind the Temple, opposite McDonald's. Years ago, it was a pleasant oasis in the heart of town, with trees and grass and lots of local families. Some just stopped to rest in the shade of the many trees, some had picnics others came with their children to just spend time with their neighbours or whatever. It was lovely!</p><p>Then, the powers-that-be decided to excavate what turned out to be some Roman remains, and the trees all went the distance! Now, the whole area has been fenced in, and it's become a haven for the flying rats (otherwise known as pigeons!) whilst local people now have nowhere to just chill. It's very sad!</p><p>Here are the pigeons, in their element it would seem:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIbUab7jelFgbOQS4ixTC5M9VXQRC-j1tgH8Z08f4oIpGUjmWWHiOyf9Mm4ZSw0rzz1LUGS78X7vM9PSHxr95rwWCz1ecgl6Pnsg4zh2znYGtDPpMty2do43syGqB0eUdK2vfvkVflFHoaBTnjLx5J2JNohc_kphA4ez2s8Oq5B4UOoeLw_3nltFNl4A=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIbUab7jelFgbOQS4ixTC5M9VXQRC-j1tgH8Z08f4oIpGUjmWWHiOyf9Mm4ZSw0rzz1LUGS78X7vM9PSHxr95rwWCz1ecgl6Pnsg4zh2znYGtDPpMty2do43syGqB0eUdK2vfvkVflFHoaBTnjLx5J2JNohc_kphA4ez2s8Oq5B4UOoeLw_3nltFNl4A=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>You have to look through the fence to see them, as they all gather at this end, where people feed them!</p><p>I almost forgot! Some whizzkids were on with the fancy laser lights again last night, in the Temple, I presume. We were watching Netflix on our laptop on the roof terrace at the time, so I only got a couple of minutes of video for you. </p><p>Ha! They're on my Google Pixel phone, and I cannot find a way to get them off and onto the Blog, sorry. Here's a taste, by way of a still picture: </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNAvWio6LtT8utLXYF1kYal5H6u09zJj0BFMnyKuggGvrdf5UvAEZFGbYTaCS1EGWOvdiHj22Jc4bPWSHn_xy1T5AnxbIBX8k2W6FvswEIBX1HEAg42tG9GvW59txU-ZoFwVakrmiDtp6WHIfr3sAuXqRbQMCBm4c04_xzFMfuWAnCJLNnyfmEuWze5Q=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNAvWio6LtT8utLXYF1kYal5H6u09zJj0BFMnyKuggGvrdf5UvAEZFGbYTaCS1EGWOvdiHj22Jc4bPWSHn_xy1T5AnxbIBX8k2W6FvswEIBX1HEAg42tG9GvW59txU-ZoFwVakrmiDtp6WHIfr3sAuXqRbQMCBm4c04_xzFMfuWAnCJLNnyfmEuWze5Q=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>Sorry about that, it was a good little video as well. By the time I get up-to-date with technology, I'll be in my box.</p><p>See you later, alligator!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div>Find <a id="flipkey_best_of_property" href="http://www.flipkey.com/vacation+rentals/egypt/nile+river+valley/luxor/">Luxor Vacation Rentals</a> on FlipKey</div><script type="text/javascript" src="http://data.flipkey.com/widgets/jsapi/24396/5qe/5m9p/"></script></div>Discover 'Our Luxor' Apartmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907869521357887832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5088683094727047806.post-90395680752025518062022-02-28T12:19:00.063+02:002022-03-01T07:49:17.344+02:00A posting of little observations and snippets from our favourite place; Luxor!<p>This visit, we went back to using EgyptAir for our travel. Although we found the TUI flight from Newcastle to Hurghada and coach across the desert very easy last time, EgyptAir's direct service was more cost effective for this journey, and it was a breeze! Even the BA flight from Newcastle and the treck between Heathrow's Terminals was hassle free. Of course, there was nothing to report regarding the actual flight, except that I managed a night time pic of somewhere in Egypt from the air:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvFYOoNMy0uStSS7wnxaZwa4RkHKge5byauQ_vORItbpY5868mnWMqVuklhYw_YPYxaRWSzsrs2zoIxb5Y_lMu_ECgAf_o-UtnEh6_n1tNKAh4YMzkL-fDkca2BWK98ikqT1Id9trMykOT0zbm3tCqAJBK3mFkP_XIbxPRekjLvovktNNgF5xf5Yd52w=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvFYOoNMy0uStSS7wnxaZwa4RkHKge5byauQ_vORItbpY5868mnWMqVuklhYw_YPYxaRWSzsrs2zoIxb5Y_lMu_ECgAf_o-UtnEh6_n1tNKAh4YMzkL-fDkca2BWK98ikqT1Id9trMykOT0zbm3tCqAJBK3mFkP_XIbxPRekjLvovktNNgF5xf5Yd52w=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>I've noticed that whatever time of year it is, the farmers on the West Bank are forever burning stubble. Is this because they have several growing seasons each year? I hate it, as their fires always deposit large bits of burnt straw (or whatever it is!) on our nicely cleaned roof terrace and stairs, the beasts! Almost on the first day I noticed this as I made my way, by caleche, along the Corniche:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikP0swZ17jNaTUq3G17d8kWyUksnz4eq-hBSX-ygr3eXE6ONijtTU0hh09G17s-j6wmzqMnljkMT5eTJkqsHADT8XJ-gWe8UA8sGjPrPKBj_ToTj4xeMOLfGa1xj2zf2JgsT1n53_STeHtIsat53MEG_mrmjAaP3lNNQq-S85PB8aEv2s27hXew_X4pQ=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikP0swZ17jNaTUq3G17d8kWyUksnz4eq-hBSX-ygr3eXE6ONijtTU0hh09G17s-j6wmzqMnljkMT5eTJkqsHADT8XJ-gWe8UA8sGjPrPKBj_ToTj4xeMOLfGa1xj2zf2JgsT1n53_STeHtIsat53MEG_mrmjAaP3lNNQq-S85PB8aEv2s27hXew_X4pQ=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Mind you, and this is only really of interest to regular visitors, I was both surprised and pleased to see the following:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLf47g1X3-UXm026QmczjifzDaVi7pTqKB1Bf-b3vg48mzlAdDsz8qsTMbbwNV8OWz7P8QHcEL0qu5yKNuMp5wAOeLiQC--JMPrK-f-ITYmfa--Z_BlIdFdGA9clp9sZiJCFqGA7orNgS0-k8ClRzIDeg4LJI11SQMsZM-I7zxpCmg2d5rqyW9gO-txA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLf47g1X3-UXm026QmczjifzDaVi7pTqKB1Bf-b3vg48mzlAdDsz8qsTMbbwNV8OWz7P8QHcEL0qu5yKNuMp5wAOeLiQC--JMPrK-f-ITYmfa--Z_BlIdFdGA9clp9sZiJCFqGA7orNgS0-k8ClRzIDeg4LJI11SQMsZM-I7zxpCmg2d5rqyW9gO-txA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>If I remember correctly, I snapped this on our first day back. It is, of course, the site next door to the Iberotel (Novotel) on Ibn Khalid Walid Street. The story goes that the Four Seasons group have had an option to build a super-duper hotel here for years, and it now, at last, seems to be coming to fruition! If nothing else, it goes to show that such a big concern believes that Luxor tourism is expected to pick up considerably, and that has to be good news for all. The work is actually going along at quite a pace, and much more groundwork has been accomplished in the last two weeks. It's really quite exciting to see!</p><p>Being Egypt, catastrophes (or catsaftermes, as friend Stan Laurel would have it) still occur regularly. And so I found myself, once again at the Awad's (the collection of plumbers shops just down our street) looking for bits and pieces! Whilst in the queue, I couldn't help but notice the following, just lying there:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBMWH8JNdw0NYDfScHo4k4GbAt_Rm474iTd51J_PxN_Q1hI83p6kp0Yd7buCXNr5PSrAZevWyunZ_S5YxZiOueschn_rmbv0RRPBBH4B3lUe29o_OjSC7TDXDN5XNvuikDb22OpEq516qNPft8sezqkQQSePYsQ0PEcJWzsRP0Y6nstHEE0F0YkVS2Ow=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBMWH8JNdw0NYDfScHo4k4GbAt_Rm474iTd51J_PxN_Q1hI83p6kp0Yd7buCXNr5PSrAZevWyunZ_S5YxZiOueschn_rmbv0RRPBBH4B3lUe29o_OjSC7TDXDN5XNvuikDb22OpEq516qNPft8sezqkQQSePYsQ0PEcJWzsRP0Y6nstHEE0F0YkVS2Ow=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>If only I'd known about this in the '60's, when I was running those old rust buckets, it might have saved me a small fortune! Who else knew that Jaguar had produced their own anti-rust stuff for use on their cars?</p><p>This picture below is of something I was very surprised to see!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQJVw7DY2exSQVstdd2IUJT7dHJHHTbLR5hGlLZkjlQOilil-984TxXXcsdruHfQIt-RBLC8TvuUalBItXuUFYuUIzDusX-AjBuaYR86QAHCsu5ZsnZsmD3l1dHx5F-Dymvb-NKNZ-IDSRdQdDemoQFzSWbzUi6BPBRSNJfsG89a3VSdXnOvPDQKib5A=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQJVw7DY2exSQVstdd2IUJT7dHJHHTbLR5hGlLZkjlQOilil-984TxXXcsdruHfQIt-RBLC8TvuUalBItXuUFYuUIzDusX-AjBuaYR86QAHCsu5ZsnZsmD3l1dHx5F-Dymvb-NKNZ-IDSRdQdDemoQFzSWbzUi6BPBRSNJfsG89a3VSdXnOvPDQKib5A=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Yes, that's right; it's a rather portly Egyptian out jogging, complete with sweat gear and headphones, but with a rather large and hairy dog running alongside. Dogs here are usually only kept as watchdogs, because of them being ritually unclean they're not supposed to be kept as "pets". Perhaps the bloke's a Christian, as they may not have the same aversion, who knows?</p><p>When we were here in November last year, and the Kebash Road was officially opened, the floodlights on the West Bank mountains were either cleaned or replaced; it made a huge difference to the view from our terrace. Well, I'm pleased to report that they re still lovely and bright, what a difference to before the CoronaVirus pandemic:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtz47Rinzd2pfP8DViom7OVByNDN1vldEYsxbTdtVxQs4y7W5yeUciWOQjb59VtRenbHS35ycGnyMoB1gUGyCuzBNWLrwlxK9Jw7WQS5n0_AkawUcFq6R6G0LuDVczSVht-cD-sgP0Y88HOfyONvpn5MK0pqH_DkgJ71LFmYfHkSPVP3O1QDaJmwCGKQ=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtz47Rinzd2pfP8DViom7OVByNDN1vldEYsxbTdtVxQs4y7W5yeUciWOQjb59VtRenbHS35ycGnyMoB1gUGyCuzBNWLrwlxK9Jw7WQS5n0_AkawUcFq6R6G0LuDVczSVht-cD-sgP0Y88HOfyONvpn5MK0pqH_DkgJ71LFmYfHkSPVP3O1QDaJmwCGKQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>We've had one guest while we've been here; a lady who was previously staying at the Winter Palace. Somehow, she hadn't originally booked the full length of her sojourn in Luxor, and the hotel was fully booked when she came to extend her stay there. Unusual, I think you'll agree, but never mind. Where else could she possibly upgrade to for the few days left to her in the "Largest Open Air Museum in the World", other than the splendid "Our Luxor"? Sadly, she could only enjoy the delights of our guest apartment for three nights, but she definitely appreciated our unmatched hospitality.</p><p>We also have another guest, but of the non-paying sort! (And, with a burgeoning family!!!)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgL4G5hldEexvOqafhkPQpzVmhHcyqX6CyQl0Pi_BIYnym3yuCl93j5mo-PaN9cJMVQuY0ZhC9k_-xd3tZ6TSrBFmViftJwS9AI5Ajp2fJ2raV1f7_iGCwoBS7zQpVZ_aN9ET3Ll1eTrNXorTkKyFN_vRWjxZYGC-0b7SyHui1tpyswO3fA9bpx04RNew=s1817" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1017" data-original-width="1817" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgL4G5hldEexvOqafhkPQpzVmhHcyqX6CyQl0Pi_BIYnym3yuCl93j5mo-PaN9cJMVQuY0ZhC9k_-xd3tZ6TSrBFmViftJwS9AI5Ajp2fJ2raV1f7_iGCwoBS7zQpVZ_aN9ET3Ll1eTrNXorTkKyFN_vRWjxZYGC-0b7SyHui1tpyswO3fA9bpx04RNew=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Yes, there she is, ensconced on top of our bedroom air-con unit, as large as life! I spent ages screwing the non-aggressive anti-bird stuff all over the place to stop these little devils pooping everywhere, and still one of them finds a little chink in the armour where she can build her nest. What a liberty! Still, though, I can hardly turf out an expectant mother, can I Dear Reader?</p><p>Freda bought us a new tube of toothpaste;</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8FYiyRYfu7spZFbr4M7WMLxckdxOHrUoawVuoc0J4WLJZFsTd5Dm5OMDdQwftP3enGwy5uUd3jgBP_VY8FnDvtLxmalFCe1RuFlLV5RUeSh4HecE3cQk6leuwKneYVKWms1UoZ3fGgR-Fua7JH_4NQDDi1Qzb99TvkwIwk4noCs6w86kQCNiF1-enwA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8FYiyRYfu7spZFbr4M7WMLxckdxOHrUoawVuoc0J4WLJZFsTd5Dm5OMDdQwftP3enGwy5uUd3jgBP_VY8FnDvtLxmalFCe1RuFlLV5RUeSh4HecE3cQk6leuwKneYVKWms1UoZ3fGgR-Fua7JH_4NQDDi1Qzb99TvkwIwk4noCs6w86kQCNiF1-enwA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>The paste, more like a gel, is the same colour as the tube would you believe? Probably so that you don't notice the blood leaking from your gums, which, according to the scary ads on the telly, means that you're going to die of mouth cancer almost immediately! And I don't know why that couple are smiling so, could it be that they enjoy brushing their teeth with stuff that's obviously made from old Elastoplasts? That's exactly what it tastes like!</p><p>But maybe the tourists don't know about that yet, as they certainly seem to be here in increasing numbers. 18 balloons up for the first trip this morning, I know this 'cause we were up at the unGodly hour of 5.30, and watched them; rising like spectres from the gloom of the early morning mist and smoke on the Side of the Dead. I got a picture of a goodly number of them for you:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhi3FY57ZrOMvF8AqlctpvFycdKWGthdUCNZpwGMx2_M_xHxWq3YKkB1eXZIo7eqLca2OaQZ1KjBXzQGqB3o8SfxRHaVhilv9_zh_LAu4NHcQPSNfUqaAZT0pb0sqelCQkK8xuDGzXeI4_7UtuMzqcXtqJ2kzS-aukhOC4HES03H3hMDcVv5SpFuS9oeA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhi3FY57ZrOMvF8AqlctpvFycdKWGthdUCNZpwGMx2_M_xHxWq3YKkB1eXZIo7eqLca2OaQZ1KjBXzQGqB3o8SfxRHaVhilv9_zh_LAu4NHcQPSNfUqaAZT0pb0sqelCQkK8xuDGzXeI4_7UtuMzqcXtqJ2kzS-aukhOC4HES03H3hMDcVv5SpFuS9oeA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br />In the meantime, even here in Luxor, the acquisition of melodeons must carry on! I've bought two of them via eBay since we arrived. One is this old old Hohner:<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKlAP2oCDKhUbhCvvgMn56-HPXcRqdmokvgWOdffC4uSTzT5GDXTpAfWFL5b18pH_FfvBk8SxWGvxqIi8_9JB_dOBskMSimSwyPe3lx1VD0gmjCnQWXhAmdEBH8L5PgofPvKdNm5b0Nw93bj3r3CyKIvka7wklIaPBzbz1T4LX7w03hEsoWmDP9k1EvQ=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKlAP2oCDKhUbhCvvgMn56-HPXcRqdmokvgWOdffC4uSTzT5GDXTpAfWFL5b18pH_FfvBk8SxWGvxqIi8_9JB_dOBskMSimSwyPe3lx1VD0gmjCnQWXhAmdEBH8L5PgofPvKdNm5b0Nw93bj3r3CyKIvka7wklIaPBzbz1T4LX7w03hEsoWmDP9k1EvQ=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>It's obviously scrap. But at 99p I can find some useful parts from it, I'm sure. The other one was considerably more expensive, but I'll make something of it when I get back to good old Windy Nook. It's another Hohner, but an "Erica" this time, I quite like it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVMnIrkfmj6eJBMHOmAwAwflrbTlsUqDoq5wQ5uGwiIpPFQiy9-4IH8qd_8hjULmQlJ-eNUr0aBvlJmEwdUY6rosEaZ7Nj79uZcmsRCWnOHfQKOy9NfEnWizl8ybbAzqwq9Fk2D0B2Glu79IdQouplJrTHr0vILf-5RKH49T34Yua951i0zQiygixm-A=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVMnIrkfmj6eJBMHOmAwAwflrbTlsUqDoq5wQ5uGwiIpPFQiy9-4IH8qd_8hjULmQlJ-eNUr0aBvlJmEwdUY6rosEaZ7Nj79uZcmsRCWnOHfQKOy9NfEnWizl8ybbAzqwq9Fk2D0B2Glu79IdQouplJrTHr0vILf-5RKH49T34Yua951i0zQiygixm-A=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>I expect I'll find them both at Number 1 Daughter's shop when we return.</p><div>I think that's all for just now, but I will be back!</div><div><br /></div><div>Keep well, everyone.<br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div>Find <a id="flipkey_best_of_property" href="http://www.flipkey.com/vacation+rentals/egypt/nile+river+valley/luxor/">Luxor Vacation Rentals</a> on FlipKey</div><script type="text/javascript" src="http://data.flipkey.com/widgets/jsapi/24396/5qe/5m9p/"></script></div>Discover 'Our Luxor' Apartmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907869521357887832noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5088683094727047806.post-23338663392631543812021-12-05T19:30:00.000+02:002021-12-05T19:49:57.004+02:00As I've said many a time, "It's no good being poor and looking poor!<p>We were moved to our proper room when our original booking date (Saturday) arrived. They knew exactly which suite to give us, as there is a set of shelving in the small office which was obviously designed to accommodate a serious collection of melodeons. If only I'd realised, I could have brought the lot, instead of a solitary1 Row!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEit4dRbNje_sMgZTmD8IKu3nJRL3y3TM-eTdTfBeFM4AC-TNxL8oJgYHiYuOqZbz75-Kjs1wjp16A9Dh66O_TlN6yEJNeQf3byHxHJ1PKZVpPIQv5DdrJJ81aJBno32JkuOfiSy9fGEAP08yYd4inIfHHwQzR33uf8E9_nzfpzZGG7X52Bl7gW9cXnIEA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEit4dRbNje_sMgZTmD8IKu3nJRL3y3TM-eTdTfBeFM4AC-TNxL8oJgYHiYuOqZbz75-Kjs1wjp16A9Dh66O_TlN6yEJNeQf3byHxHJ1PKZVpPIQv5DdrJJ81aJBno32JkuOfiSy9fGEAP08yYd4inIfHHwQzR33uf8E9_nzfpzZGG7X52Bl7gW9cXnIEA=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">I have to say that the suite is palatial. It's bigger than our flat in Luxor, and also bigger than our home in Windy Nook! Would you like a look around, Dear Reader? I'm sure that my beloved took a video. (Actually, she now tells me that she took 4, so that they might load more quickly.) What do you think, Dear Reader, have we fallen on our feet yet again, or what?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz4wJ3xQFhv2yvPk1V7NrD0q5Oo93GvzkFG9m4eYP1F9nXF_3SkjNMi3IIsk9HBfghQfonyB77IoaasBQjoqA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dydkZyP7mwEq-9Azhszm-AMg9Ai-p-1praDKD4jhlWAU-xEf3_cHxkVIpNe_iGEEVdXuJnCDWnjzO5COVl-8A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzllp9rPGe_Env3L_SdP2i4UcN7RBT4W59vfZlDmw4qkfFT4tFfol34OhxE5yZu11i3XdK-oZJ-9VB1T6loMg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwJ6tHcQBhPidW_3KNxk50hwE5lzQ9knCs1sczrwf_OD2T8MpCAzY42NqFtTNKNkcqyn7ncdxNcoapBz9X__A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><p>I wondered about these new lights in the floor towards the bar, as they seemed to be running off-centre! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEherftG9vpcDzuDlObzgYtLoF5-DgkvfUoSian3nxhqY-1or-CLaeHBodepZ19T4MEYXeyyPotspS6niY_6mCpREAT-_fywcnRCGq8S7betWjD32NjnfQyaXdHsy5TOZ2LfwMR23XyIDzoukENQ8gke1KPIF8A0_rX4f0sUiGWUw6W9RmGxPQQh44LJvQ=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEherftG9vpcDzuDlObzgYtLoF5-DgkvfUoSian3nxhqY-1or-CLaeHBodepZ19T4MEYXeyyPotspS6niY_6mCpREAT-_fywcnRCGq8S7betWjD32NjnfQyaXdHsy5TOZ2LfwMR23XyIDzoukENQ8gke1KPIF8A0_rX4f0sUiGWUw6W9RmGxPQQh44LJvQ=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">But then realised that they were reflections from these beautiful chandeliers:</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvbEg2Ky4ipSEy2vYgfLe1rHwIJOb6-kKlkoVPLWt1kZV7T7hVB9RzVTFhXh7pHP7BIJrgyzfxj_TkDzjw4kQREXQn8qRD1P5g3YtdWEMGaZH7I8cCIguDP91o0FWbP21PFqbg7Iqc-LECd_q-jG-3hhncdwwpvBaypeWh_xOJBXSlJsxiE4GnUNGZmg=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvbEg2Ky4ipSEy2vYgfLe1rHwIJOb6-kKlkoVPLWt1kZV7T7hVB9RzVTFhXh7pHP7BIJrgyzfxj_TkDzjw4kQREXQn8qRD1P5g3YtdWEMGaZH7I8cCIguDP91o0FWbP21PFqbg7Iqc-LECd_q-jG-3hhncdwwpvBaypeWh_xOJBXSlJsxiE4GnUNGZmg=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><p>It's always worth staying in the best quality places that your finances can stretch to, Dear Reader. At the Cataract, they even had something which we at "Our Luxor" hadn't even envisaged:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEghnxfHWmuox2OnYiDQbmFRMXBgs4ECmZkX0Mh-sOqFam4ITuUgBLEq6fyz3U3Z5JNEdsYw2OBnstCyNDX3a3Yq68_oruT76TXKvax5yxcJs49ylcWcYy2jJsDe9bDk68TjodIpi9DjtyNHuwUR3rfsqKMXR7QW92HJ1t0XXdBADKNE6UQusXSSKywc-Q=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEghnxfHWmuox2OnYiDQbmFRMXBgs4ECmZkX0Mh-sOqFam4ITuUgBLEq6fyz3U3Z5JNEdsYw2OBnstCyNDX3a3Yq68_oruT76TXKvax5yxcJs49ylcWcYy2jJsDe9bDk68TjodIpi9DjtyNHuwUR3rfsqKMXR7QW92HJ1t0XXdBADKNE6UQusXSSKywc-Q=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>No, Dear Reader, not the trousers, but the double electrical socket which they've craftily concealed in the wardrobe, just in case you're passing by and feel the sudden need for some instant electricity! I was also rather taken aback when spying this in the room:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuaq980R5GwHWmFE3crMYZGgEkaOGxzG42d47xra4lLXR6zqImSOXXyK3udPmSbCcKFUc3ncOgwIG52bSFWRO5fLWo5J2g_n9T01PhvVcjcbqpny2B-oH_9uyk1An1KhwY8TLwVET6jVlQcWhGVFX_Rm5q8nPwCEupgXXx9GqRaPFrhkP7A8H7CPtolw=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuaq980R5GwHWmFE3crMYZGgEkaOGxzG42d47xra4lLXR6zqImSOXXyK3udPmSbCcKFUc3ncOgwIG52bSFWRO5fLWo5J2g_n9T01PhvVcjcbqpny2B-oH_9uyk1An1KhwY8TLwVET6jVlQcWhGVFX_Rm5q8nPwCEupgXXx9GqRaPFrhkP7A8H7CPtolw=s320" width="240" /></a></div><p>For a moment, I thought we'd travelled back in time to the sixties, and Rediffusion TV! (For those who aren't English; Rediffusion was a company providing TV signals, via a hard-wired cable network; every customer had one of these [or something VERY like it] on their window sill, for changing TV channels.) But his turned out to be a volume switch in the bathroom, for the TV or Bose radio and music system, which I didn't have a clue how to work, so left well alone!</p><p>We're struggling on here, making do with room service meals, as we cannot be bothered to go to the fabulous and famous '1902 Restaurant' in the old building. (We found it more conducive to slouch, in our oversized bathrobes, in front of one of the giant sized TV sets, watching junk movies from the USA.)</p><p>We've got some food on its way just now, so I'll say "Au revoir." until next time. Mind you, it's so nice here, that when our Premium Bonds come up, I think we should start to winter at the Old Cataract in Aswan!</p><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div>Find <a id="flipkey_best_of_property" href="http://www.flipkey.com/vacation+rentals/egypt/nile+river+valley/luxor/">Luxor Vacation Rentals</a> on FlipKey</div><script type="text/javascript" src="http://data.flipkey.com/widgets/jsapi/24396/5qe/5m9p/"></script></div>Discover 'Our Luxor' Apartmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907869521357887832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5088683094727047806.post-21226530366574522362021-12-05T18:13:00.049+02:002021-12-05T19:05:37.198+02:00"It's nice here, isn't it?" exclaimed Abdou the West Bank Donkey Man, for the umpteenth time!<p>Yes, he was a lovely fellah as he took Number 2 Daughter and I on our donkey tour of the West Bank farming lands and villages, then stumbling over the mountains from the King's Valley to Hatshepsut's Funery Temple. Great fun was had by all, including him as he had to keep stopping my donkey from wandering into the path of the fully laden six-wheeled tipping wagons coming pelting down the road from the Valley area.</p><p>Of course, that was many a long year ago, when she was a little girl, instead of the fully grown beauty queen and devoted mother which she now, who (just about!) singlehandedly runs the pharmacy at our local hospital! But we still have a laugh when any of us comes out with Abdou's catchphrase.</p><p>And so it was, as we gracefully made our way up the Nile on Mr Ramadan's Nile Cruiser, the Royal Viking. "It's nice here, isn't it?" I must have said that to Freda at least a half dozen times, and each one raised a smile for both of us. It IS nice, and genuinely so! I'm ever grateful to our good friend Mr Ramadan Hagaggi for helping us to travel on her, as we do really feel like part of his extended family. (He's a nephew of our dear departed neighbour [the English speaking Egyptian Guide, Licence No. 9 in all Egypt!] Uncle Mohamed, whom we had the privilege to help and care for during the slow decline towards his death, and whom we still miss greatly!)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifUuJAuxLMDzQYjPWvxOH_KbXredTFuAVjj33jmHa7NXPoMGmLgBYlBmOajbezA4IRv7V5nDPmGnGFypduOd3JEcAb1XT8FtljtQVRB20BjrKs3cNZHgAs6O-oQmAJd4sXKpqa-IrGHV8Zg0RgtLr_AfNv4Yb9qJug8732ziNEux4hSzPdh0Bwj9bOqQ=s653" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="529" data-original-width="653" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifUuJAuxLMDzQYjPWvxOH_KbXredTFuAVjj33jmHa7NXPoMGmLgBYlBmOajbezA4IRv7V5nDPmGnGFypduOd3JEcAb1XT8FtljtQVRB20BjrKs3cNZHgAs6O-oQmAJd4sXKpqa-IrGHV8Zg0RgtLr_AfNv4Yb9qJug8732ziNEux4hSzPdh0Bwj9bOqQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p>We've been fortunate enough to cruise the Nile on this vessel about 5 or possibly 6 times, now, and I love it. I cannot honestly put my hand on my heart and tell you that it's the most luxurious Nile cruiser on which we've sailed, but the very fact that we keep on returning to it must tell you something? It's comfortable, certainly clean enough; and with every usual Nile cruiser facility available onboard, the crew/staff are attentive and kindly as ever, and the food is very good, even improved upon previous visits! Roll-on next time, we can hardly wait!</p><p>(If you type 'Royal Viking', into the little search box at the top of this page, you'll find lots of posts about her and also the Cataract, as the two have often gone hand in hand.)</p><p>The main purpose of the cruise was to get us to Aswan, and our pre-booked stay at the glorious "Old Cataract Hotel". I've probably told you all this before, Dear Reader, but the Cataract is my No. 1 favourite hotel, ever. There is the old building, known as the Palace, and also the concrete monolith which was formerly the "New Cataract", which was in the same style as the equally awful (but both adequate and cheaper) "New Winter Palace" in Luxor. Now, it has been almost re-built (a few years ago, I blogged about it at the time!) as "The Nile Wing" and is the very apogee of luxury and modern style! I'm writing this very Blog in the office part of our suite in that building, who's a lucky boy then? </p><p>Here's the view from the balcony, of the room which we were allocated on arrival, I think it's outstanding!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJPJhmABoT2m_yAW8Ex2CM19f00WBWBJ75pxFrrPZSHDf0hSGStV4HfrYgbDkv05nJD9MQdhdBfU9XPU9z0cL9pjN72nU7rLIIHttvU-mf0cHLh2Y_gGzlKFe43c3OI6QX-GtzdqLzgJtk-8FGsH5KNczbXcFopcj1WBtHeKPrGN7oeimoNWwetf7BRA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJPJhmABoT2m_yAW8Ex2CM19f00WBWBJ75pxFrrPZSHDf0hSGStV4HfrYgbDkv05nJD9MQdhdBfU9XPU9z0cL9pjN72nU7rLIIHttvU-mf0cHLh2Y_gGzlKFe43c3OI6QX-GtzdqLzgJtk-8FGsH5KNczbXcFopcj1WBtHeKPrGN7oeimoNWwetf7BRA=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><p>Mind you, this room on the 6th floor wasn't what we were really expecting, but we were glad of it, nonetheless. Our original booking was for Saturday, but the cruiseboat leaves Aswan in the very early hours on Saturday, so we had to leave her on Friday. Frantic phone calls and emails etc to the Cataract manager had him struggling to find room for us in an hotel which was already bursting at the seams. But, star that he is, he did it, good old Mr Osama Saied! Thank you.</p><p>The room was very nice and well appointed, but........twin beds? Really, for old folk who've been married for a month short of 50 years?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyzD3YzBLFQorf4e1UYE2GPVkOzR47M71TQdGSTCDOfbKrtrDzQ91NnCYMDUAuCR2quvAMY2tKwCYPy2xoNsQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Thankfully, by the next night, our proper room was available and made ready for us. But that's for another story!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div>Find <a id="flipkey_best_of_property" href="http://www.flipkey.com/vacation+rentals/egypt/nile+river+valley/luxor/">Luxor Vacation Rentals</a> on FlipKey</div><script type="text/javascript" src="http://data.flipkey.com/widgets/jsapi/24396/5qe/5m9p/"></script></div>Discover 'Our Luxor' Apartmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907869521357887832noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5088683094727047806.post-44995614795178151672021-11-29T17:24:00.004+02:002021-11-30T09:37:19.456+02:00The Egyptian Orphans!<p>Orphan pictures, that is. I hadn't forgotten about these, but they somehow just didn't make it into any of the Blogs I've done so far on this visit. I hope that at least some of you find them of a little interest.</p><p>And here we go! </p><p>Firstly, one or two shots taken at the Marriott Hotel, where we spent our first Egyptian night in almost two years. It was a bit pricey for just an overnight stop, but it came recommended and we didn't want to end up in some flea pit!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtWXUy25vKsybxONDJj29xhbYRhidVLIWrWbAWfu8LEX2z0uSQzhKmk8F3rw3xsJQvab6Ux-7ZCqpt1BIyo9nG-erEqQ_00VmgI1jelEtI3B4uatbzU_WH961Au_7wfrqOKAhc_pblQo1E/s4032/PXL_20211030_094438371.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtWXUy25vKsybxONDJj29xhbYRhidVLIWrWbAWfu8LEX2z0uSQzhKmk8F3rw3xsJQvab6Ux-7ZCqpt1BIyo9nG-erEqQ_00VmgI1jelEtI3B4uatbzU_WH961Au_7wfrqOKAhc_pblQo1E/s320/PXL_20211030_094438371.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi010jKODxJF5O05cngcFVExPMpJLXMmh24tRJ9_XPWAv0q9ixkvrjVyTjGytAfoqr57xJ6alomrQjtZsIgKMB0nyYyoH93zTD0lsNl66w1Z6zEO7hI9vuzbZyHVM_XaXwtcij7-p6hnEYD/s4032/PXL_20211030_094509734.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi010jKODxJF5O05cngcFVExPMpJLXMmh24tRJ9_XPWAv0q9ixkvrjVyTjGytAfoqr57xJ6alomrQjtZsIgKMB0nyYyoH93zTD0lsNl66w1Z6zEO7hI9vuzbZyHVM_XaXwtcij7-p6hnEYD/s320/PXL_20211030_094509734.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div>Those two were taken from the hotel's private jetty, the little beach is really quite nice! The next pic, however, shows that even expensive, modern 5* hotels in Egypt, just cannot get it quite right:<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMkQwzSViW4hbJAkY8hi4g2NIJs_Mx8U6XRy3TydKLZgpXyur2DpaUZF4FNZDyygMmPTT5CjMUYygIU89Yr5DW0FKKRY7pa7hcHwqZ0jLSTLc1sAiX4F_y62H9LBEeBOLMGl98wIr5RGz/s4032/PXL_20211030_114939070.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMkQwzSViW4hbJAkY8hi4g2NIJs_Mx8U6XRy3TydKLZgpXyur2DpaUZF4FNZDyygMmPTT5CjMUYygIU89Yr5DW0FKKRY7pa7hcHwqZ0jLSTLc1sAiX4F_y62H9LBEeBOLMGl98wIr5RGz/s320/PXL_20211030_114939070.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Mind, I suppose that ladies, who are often the most critical, might not even have noticed those missing!</div><div><br /></div><div>We travelled across the desert to Luxor in a GoBus coach, and I would recommend this mode of transport to anyone! I found it much better than the private transfers which we've taken before. Better ride quality, more room to move, and better views. And that's without the certain knowledge that, in the event of a collision, you're always safer in a larger vehicle. I was rather taken by the other traffic on the road, especially the heavy goods vehicles. What was that about having only red lights showing to the rear?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxsJg6twMh9EnltlL4X174Qh5w-HNE9JXeAzY5Inu_fmZk-yHjaK4A5jwBPGRo8ouClkC3WtJWOu-aABZ0lvQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div>So, that more or less brings us the the place we love, that's right, Dear Reader; Luxor, and in particular; Our Luxor, where we'll really feel that we have arrived and can settle in comfort once again! Of course, Luxor was in the throws of preparing for the Grand Opening! (Of the Sphinkes Road.)</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQo2SqlpRdcEWIDrRCK9LIc4bETP0nRU6TlmU9xWd6_E0Hn_L06fX7ClNLmxby7CdSOuRR_io2LxvyzuOui1pfXpoXcsvhZDO6Awx3C_Jhng71qgYzMvnkmCd0P25wewIai-AJraRUMzQ/s4032/PXL_20211121_085943671.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQo2SqlpRdcEWIDrRCK9LIc4bETP0nRU6TlmU9xWd6_E0Hn_L06fX7ClNLmxby7CdSOuRR_io2LxvyzuOui1pfXpoXcsvhZDO6Awx3C_Jhng71qgYzMvnkmCd0P25wewIai-AJraRUMzQ/s320/PXL_20211121_085943671.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dztZqJvYMSB2JMzy9qwhmXqfO357Ut3cH0AoZYrsEFX6WhACpkx1G-VWP3dHzczAW8O8FJpwsHzoqVabbZepA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /></div><br /><div>"Surely, that's not it?" I can hear you exclaim. No, that's a shot of them re-surfacing the Corniche in preparation for the world's dignitaries. Except that it's not! It's some sort of viscous black paint, to make the road look fresh, I did notice that the zebra crossings had been masked off beforehand. By the time that they'd renewed the white and yellow lines, you couldn't tell, honestly!</div><div><br /></div><div>Of course, we had been warned that we'd find everything in Luxor in a state of flux! We knew that the Winter Palace, along with everything else which was facing a main road, was being given a fresh coat of paint, and the surrounding pavements were renewed and planted with lovely flower arrangements and the like.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfCUkIfEvx9UmIBNH4ifmZ8UEsncHsJGuQqlHREFQagUxCW9Y_gAFVChmPNYoLh1aX9Yki3sf6Nx0qsxKiEr-Fbxn2tTV0dZtJC9nMg_tjP2bRH2ktNZX-JpVw4hUT-0Ho4UsveAJESF4L/s4032/PXL_20211121_113141300.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfCUkIfEvx9UmIBNH4ifmZ8UEsncHsJGuQqlHREFQagUxCW9Y_gAFVChmPNYoLh1aX9Yki3sf6Nx0qsxKiEr-Fbxn2tTV0dZtJC9nMg_tjP2bRH2ktNZX-JpVw4hUT-0Ho4UsveAJESF4L/s320/PXL_20211121_113141300.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>When we arrived at the hotel, we were surprised to see a gang of men heaving on a rope, leading skywards! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzUvJvo1NeNbw_by-dqfFTPcBLvVmmIYLYuvsAGy2Ca8cxmdDJGq-AFLkodIvVnGnR_FxLtJUp6A37gBexJFQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div> A similar scene was spied at the St Joseph Hotel in "Little Britain":</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZGjQT2RgnXS4PQQHWf89mLTJon0xGKJtrGASHVxaU3M2C-GYWHtCLBMoTzP-f9jR5-8GpgDnml_Dz8kcwGZz4Jj7-qU3aHIXBeOFlqMJoZS7hPtIP4uveCbXTTDwR1j9jPK23XIeoFRQ/s4032/PXL_20211123_093253393.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZGjQT2RgnXS4PQQHWf89mLTJon0xGKJtrGASHVxaU3M2C-GYWHtCLBMoTzP-f9jR5-8GpgDnml_Dz8kcwGZz4Jj7-qU3aHIXBeOFlqMJoZS7hPtIP4uveCbXTTDwR1j9jPK23XIeoFRQ/s320/PXL_20211123_093253393.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Back at the OWP, I was dismayed to see that they've been installing heavy iron gates at both sides of the entrance. Not quite the welcome which holidaymakers would be expecting, methinks?<div> </div><div><br /></div><div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsyU9nGW0qwYoCaPytknarIrNcfa3XwFzjIasM_Tio9cRedRFb1Dz7D2dSekXFzeqpVMQcjOT9c0BJKh_52VuLtBKPWbRJAIklCAqwlwUOIL5QaKaBAhQ0CS33fHrSh6k_gDt1YMSdChHC/s4032/PXL_20211125_105113846.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsyU9nGW0qwYoCaPytknarIrNcfa3XwFzjIasM_Tio9cRedRFb1Dz7D2dSekXFzeqpVMQcjOT9c0BJKh_52VuLtBKPWbRJAIklCAqwlwUOIL5QaKaBAhQ0CS33fHrSh6k_gDt1YMSdChHC/s320/PXL_20211125_105113846.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Of course, there were the ongoing and seemingly never ending rehearsals every night, with the lasers beaming through till dawn and also the singing practises going on till all hours.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkS5H4OiLtrI2yd28_1cFak4rW2ak1EPFETpkF9tBcFQsc9npNv0qxpEzbfbaxSj4wfhc8X6XNTpTbhqw9v2EltrGGjwK1h8TQ0DmQ6AIEINRr62sfGGRIXcEvHdqNcDO2b_Or9PjEWWkc/s4032/PXL_20211125_161102831.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkS5H4OiLtrI2yd28_1cFak4rW2ak1EPFETpkF9tBcFQsc9npNv0qxpEzbfbaxSj4wfhc8X6XNTpTbhqw9v2EltrGGjwK1h8TQ0DmQ6AIEINRr62sfGGRIXcEvHdqNcDO2b_Or9PjEWWkc/s320/PXL_20211125_161102831.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Being the nosiest couple in Luxor that I know about, meant that we had to venture out to the Old Winter Palace on the day of the festivities, just to see who was who and what was where, you know? </div><div>On the way, we stopped to peer over the low wall, near the Emilio Hotel at the bottom of our street, which encloses the Avenue. I got this little video, which includes the three Solar Barques to be used in the procession. They look as if they're mounted on tea trolleys! What do you think, Dear Reader?</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwlsjtOCenww01eA4t1dS6WRCmOWA6IRfEqu7sNlmB1cdIqdYPP8BN2ks9nQsP56dOXJvR3HMSnSSalInoopg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div>In the foyer of the OWP (where anybody who's anybody can be seen) we came across a lady who was alone, she was Macedonian! I've never met anyone from there before! </div><div>After spending far too much time over tea, coffee and conversation, we were eventually asked (most apologetically, I must add) to move into the bar. Obviously they were expecting someone even more important than Mr and Mrs Edward! In conversation with Mr Ahmed (the hotel VIP butler) he told us that he wasn't yet sure whether President El Sisi was staying with them or not, as the decision is always taken at the very last minute, for security purposes.</div><div>When we left the hotel, we crossed over the deserted Corniche El Nil to view the Nile. I've never ever seen it so.... empty!</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyndteMdjKSkqLj6-JZajmMBgkLxq_ZRvnfEfTvbQn_N6XvxPGtrJN7c67i1OLm_9swpwGXoYoPJKl2tzRbzA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /> Later on, we ventured out yet again, ever hopeful of seeing some of the festivities from the low wall of the Avenue of Sphinkes at the bottom of our street. There were policemen of one sort or another very few yards (or maybe even metres, them being Egyptian!) but no-one seemed too interested in two old kawadgers (a term often applied to tourists, but which really refers to invaders, or conquerors, or so I'm told) nor the old Egyptian man and his wife who were also tourists, but from Cairo. </div><div>However! After a short while, we were asked to move away from the wall. The Egyptian tourist's protests didn't cut any ice, I fear, and we had to make do with standing on the pavement at the end of the Emilio building. Mind you, a kindly youth, from a shop around the corner, insisted that he would bring us two chairs, as he recognised me from when we bought the beautiful Guest Apartment livingroom carpet from his father Mr Magdi, 16 or so years ago. Good memories these blokes!</div><div>But, after another short while, the forces of Law and Order decided that we old codgers were still a real and present threat to the combined security apparatus of The People's Republic of Egypt. And we were moved on again, this time as far back as Chez Omar's Garden Restaurant. We were unceremoniously dragged in there by one of the identical twin owners, and had cool fresh lemon drinks forced upon us! (Isn't life hard?) The café has been revamped for the umpteenth time and looks lovely! </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwauDnXJR1lpJzBUdk7T25Yx4PaiwBlboDBcuqT64ic6rVOVqwkQOc3GONC8xHn0A6v6_0ixURdUKUZ1J7D8ZPMggxzhRq5fvTuLswGbRczZGuTctrmLds4i4n_wZayXJKy_alBeApXA8/s4032/PXL_20211102_103300922.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwauDnXJR1lpJzBUdk7T25Yx4PaiwBlboDBcuqT64ic6rVOVqwkQOc3GONC8xHn0A6v6_0ixURdUKUZ1J7D8ZPMggxzhRq5fvTuLswGbRczZGuTctrmLds4i4n_wZayXJKy_alBeApXA8/s320/PXL_20211102_103300922.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtLDcPbQAByQ3jkI_FYkJ0WQtoU9zDa0p-4q5AzRM3i8OPVFf5x6bUO6lBZGOzVV1Tzg7Yim1KByUIKutuHG17KF2GGRrUXcS8X7HYEssenzuAZtH-2HgkY4Y6wuEAJosDS4G8nXQQZVPQ/s4032/PXL_20211102_104207033.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtLDcPbQAByQ3jkI_FYkJ0WQtoU9zDa0p-4q5AzRM3i8OPVFf5x6bUO6lBZGOzVV1Tzg7Yim1KByUIKutuHG17KF2GGRrUXcS8X7HYEssenzuAZtH-2HgkY4Y6wuEAJosDS4G8nXQQZVPQ/s320/PXL_20211102_104207033.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ_XJ1irLmolTnzNelLYPJNXcIk5lp2Oa89hKt_SkGxHdFUYPaQsqVrFzTtfTDGgjEApwy8eHMvE3a6EV0MaLjCXes-xRl3z7XzP27S2iox0C62bh1vDWqPUSn3NwSBvZXQ5IrklmrSU2T/s4032/PXL_20211102_103326972.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ_XJ1irLmolTnzNelLYPJNXcIk5lp2Oa89hKt_SkGxHdFUYPaQsqVrFzTtfTDGgjEApwy8eHMvE3a6EV0MaLjCXes-xRl3z7XzP27S2iox0C62bh1vDWqPUSn3NwSBvZXQ5IrklmrSU2T/s320/PXL_20211102_103326972.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div>They seem to have taken in some sort of partner/chef (that's him, standing next to the grill) and are now doing take-aways as well as the sitting down trade. I hope it all goes well for them, they're a canny bunch whom we've known for 20 odd years.</div><div>The other couple eventually came and joined us and we talked, drank hot chocolate, and watched the live TV of the Grand Opening until we were bored to tears with all the pre-amble and the dancing and singing. Then we went home to watch the real stuff on the laptop. It was great! At the end was the firework display, which we actually watched and heard from our roof terrace. We managed to catch most of it on camera, just for you, Dear Reader. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxN7dfhHEjkZjaD8_yBU1pS_UUZ1MLzQ3QoIW2Wt9gf11HFovSNFvuJNDWNdGpsEgVLJulRcWDyXa1984eg_Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div>I think that's all for just now, I'm worn out, but I'll see you soon, insh'Allah!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div>Find <a id="flipkey_best_of_property" href="http://www.flipkey.com/vacation+rentals/egypt/nile+river+valley/luxor/">Luxor Vacation Rentals</a> on FlipKey</div><script type="text/javascript" src="http://data.flipkey.com/widgets/jsapi/24396/5qe/5m9p/"></script></div>Discover 'Our Luxor' Apartmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907869521357887832noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5088683094727047806.post-42070465170621262192021-11-25T00:13:00.002+02:002021-11-25T00:16:56.820+02:00We have a new little "Our Luxor" video!<p>You know how we like to keep freshening the look of the "Our Luxor Guest Apartment"? Both Freda and I are always on the lookout for anything which would enhance the physical fulfilment of our dreams of classic Egyptian/Arab/Turkish/Moroccan style and décor which we endeavour to bring to life for the delectation of our guests. (And, of course, YOU Dear Reader!)</p><p>The latest additions are a couple more wall hangings, one of camels, and the best one of a silken camel! How ingenious? Camels in Egypt? And how original? OK, see for yourself:</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyOsubueqJEMFDE7ksmWrtQUB4agloQOl1yOW7I1bonnZZ1lcQzqYBaRsW56ayMoS0nbf6bmgasGwXUt1FG0w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p>You may also notice the new curtains at the windows and for across the room. I'm particularly pleased with those, as the two pairs at the windows were actually bought NEW from M&S. I'll leave it to you to imagine the cost of those!!! (I had to lie down for a week, when the beloved told me.)</p><p>Anyway, please tell me if you think we're going in the right direction?</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div>Find <a id="flipkey_best_of_property" href="http://www.flipkey.com/vacation+rentals/egypt/nile+river+valley/luxor/">Luxor Vacation Rentals</a> on FlipKey</div><script type="text/javascript" src="http://data.flipkey.com/widgets/jsapi/24396/5qe/5m9p/"></script></div>Discover 'Our Luxor' Apartmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907869521357887832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5088683094727047806.post-64734147698717184752021-11-23T18:43:00.017+02:002021-11-23T18:56:53.347+02:00Luxor tightens security in readiness for the "Grand Opening of the Kebash Road" <p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></blockquote></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had my first expedition to the wilds of Awameya today, Dear Reader. Intrepid as ever, I donned my mask and boarded a crowded arabeya (local 'bus) bound for the said nether regions. Sitting in the suicide seat next to the open door, I had to keep leaning right forward to allow female passengers to board and alight without brushing their upper torsos (!) against my shoulder.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p>No worries, I gave my hand to one older lady, to help pull her up the 'high step'. (High step, is in inverted commas to bring it to the notice of some of my old coach driving mates who will immediately recall many old dears moaning, "That's a high step, driver!"</p><p>Never mind, as the 'bus neared the roundabout at the bottom of TV Street, he was very obviously in the wrong lane for turning right onto Salah El Din Street towards Awameya. When he did actually turn left, there was uproar from the back end. "Awameya, Awameya!" they were shouting. Of course they didn't realise that the Police had closed both the Corniche and Ibn Khaled Whalid Street (running from the Iberotel up past the Sonesta and Nile Palace etc) to traffic; the driver had no choice!</p><p>The Awameya bound passengers had to alight at the junction of Medina Street and New Hospital Street, amid many protests. I was bound for the Aboudi Bookshop on Passport Street to visit the widow of old Mr Aboudi (of Bookshop and photographs fame) whose picture has previously graced my blog pages along with his cousin, Uncle Mohamed, also his minder. It was he who sold us our two apartments here in Luxor. </p><p>After leaving Passport Street, I decided to cross over the road and pop my head into the Nile Palace, seeing as we haven't yet been there for our usual tea and English cake. I was delighted to come across Mr Hashem, a manager whom we've known since the hotel opened. He also seemed pleased to see me returning, and we chatted and 'caught up' a bit before I let him rejoin his party, and I made my way outside again.</p><p>Turning left, where (the much reviled by his former English wives) Mr Ala Anwar (*) used to have his shop in front of the Lotus Hotel, I was surprised to see that all those shops had gone! In their place were two new, drive-in, entrances to the hotel. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCE2JEsHj9jdHDirZOq6k6s25kNHhpgDnjafOmdcw96DwhlM6OJRQsG3GOjacAq5H504ka1RLe7YisD5Rnp1LcQ09fc8I3jk9px9KOzKXH8iTRP17QBiKEQRqz0esOGVW_pBz59DA1I1yg/s4032/PXL_20211123_093010600.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCE2JEsHj9jdHDirZOq6k6s25kNHhpgDnjafOmdcw96DwhlM6OJRQsG3GOjacAq5H504ka1RLe7YisD5Rnp1LcQ09fc8I3jk9px9KOzKXH8iTRP17QBiKEQRqz0esOGVW_pBz59DA1I1yg/s320/PXL_20211123_093010600.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">As you can see, there are two very impressive gates and it looks very secure. Of course, I'm sure that I've been told that the Lotus belongs to the Police, and that could explain why many single foreign women stay there?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmVKvFi0YBKB2yVYqtFcCGjWJTQJP8BXyXVZyO724Swti3w4tYcnoBwYCP37dJqATLURs0TD58o-iP0c1fbP0vq4MCXpPhv4wZs4fT07ABg8PxaG9gcepgDDOZ1cdGazz9igmVBBTYFStO/s960/received_1604945839852188.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmVKvFi0YBKB2yVYqtFcCGjWJTQJP8BXyXVZyO724Swti3w4tYcnoBwYCP37dJqATLURs0TD58o-iP0c1fbP0vq4MCXpPhv4wZs4fT07ABg8PxaG9gcepgDDOZ1cdGazz9igmVBBTYFStO/s320/received_1604945839852188.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="text-align: left;">*Although a man with a poor reputation amongst single foreign females, Ala was a good friend to us for many years, and always the perfect gentleman as far as Freda was concerned. We'll miss his smiles and jokes over the coming years, I'm sure.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>My next port of call was the new office of Mr Bahaa's Sunrise Tours. He is now situated on a street which runs between the afore-mentioned Ibn Khaled Whalid Street and Medina Street, it's behind and to the left of the still unfinished Morris Hotel. Here's a look:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDuLU2jhSTPMyWXB5esyBpj0NoYUlzSa8dsJGdKuF7KFDxwuQ5XEpwHG_DgyOuvCBDeT4bQxR7eCwmHzlyLybUyPInDPbKWlxBqp5dC401TZLCoLHBhuyb3VSbmVkQ1MGQB7bgN2ERQuTM/s4032/PXL_20211123_101601523.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDuLU2jhSTPMyWXB5esyBpj0NoYUlzSa8dsJGdKuF7KFDxwuQ5XEpwHG_DgyOuvCBDeT4bQxR7eCwmHzlyLybUyPInDPbKWlxBqp5dC401TZLCoLHBhuyb3VSbmVkQ1MGQB7bgN2ERQuTM/w480-h640/PXL_20211123_101601523.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p>Although he's now in a place with little passing trade, he is expanding his Internet presence, and continues to do good business with flight tickets. You can see the airlines for whom he acts as agent, on the right of the shopfront. If you come across it, he has a clean toilet and small kitchen where his staff can make tea even!</p><p>Anyway, on the way there, I passed the St Joseph Hotel (amongst others) which is getting its fresh coat of paint for the coming extravaganza! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBTcxwEmrbN2vBKIjmDDNI_W6U57OSkwLsNszeNAOyyfXrxnuyBwpCkqJh9oHBX1OWJH9NM6Shl7hseHTLQWIokEpKO1uu9mTIats20jpXpUpsO6pbEdnM2ZU5PfKTibVq6YRGUiuVXxWA/s4032/PXL_20211123_093253393.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBTcxwEmrbN2vBKIjmDDNI_W6U57OSkwLsNszeNAOyyfXrxnuyBwpCkqJh9oHBX1OWJH9NM6Shl7hseHTLQWIokEpKO1uu9mTIats20jpXpUpsO6pbEdnM2ZU5PfKTibVq6YRGUiuVXxWA/s320/PXL_20211123_093253393.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>It seems as if the whole world is beating a path to Luxor for this grand opening of the Kebash Way. It's supposed to be a sort of re-enactment of the "Beautiful Festival of Opet". (This is also what the annual Moulid of Abu Haggag is meant to represent, remember, Dear Reader? Only the Moulid is financed by locals and doesn't involve closing half the town for day after day!)</p><p>I also stumbled across a cache of caleches! (Now there's a phrase that you'll not come upon every day!) I was told that there were 45 of them stored here.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6jn0Ugqt1HqnfIQ4ZqiHKGOWFq74rreuc7fpgFVjAbT-b5i_SYn_zpK8Ce0YY2keFqVxDlqCq8yglas5cSppjM13BJX7BevVzSD7WdrI_gMt8DacsINqh2xJ8C-sHB3jKLGSDUG_gcCF/s4032/PXL_20211123_090443339.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6jn0Ugqt1HqnfIQ4ZqiHKGOWFq74rreuc7fpgFVjAbT-b5i_SYn_zpK8Ce0YY2keFqVxDlqCq8yglas5cSppjM13BJX7BevVzSD7WdrI_gMt8DacsINqh2xJ8C-sHB3jKLGSDUG_gcCF/s320/PXL_20211123_090443339.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibOEr2UtQ7PBfpImlWWVPEzLDSGywZQXK53IsssTy4Fqt2Q8BcwkuQwAPye5q_2LHMdcagISHgSEI9otPuTCY-PoaqiJs5m4mZDI7K8vK0piGuECStLCSsvEzMnRYuIn3voHb3-EKDLpr4/s4032/PXL_20211123_090651678.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibOEr2UtQ7PBfpImlWWVPEzLDSGywZQXK53IsssTy4Fqt2Q8BcwkuQwAPye5q_2LHMdcagISHgSEI9otPuTCY-PoaqiJs5m4mZDI7K8vK0piGuECStLCSsvEzMnRYuIn3voHb3-EKDLpr4/s320/PXL_20211123_090651678.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>You'll notice that they're all rigged with either lights or reflective bits and bobs. They must be going to be used in the official parade which is going on along with the other celebrations. I wonder if they've been commandeered from the owners, or hired for the duration?</p><p>It's a pity that we won't be able to see the ceremonies in real life, but if that were the case, then I suspect that every Tom, Dick and Harry would be there with their cameras and the (probably State) TV crews wouldn't be able to cash in on it in order to partially refill El Sisi's national coffers. I do hope it's the roaring success that everyone expects, and has a massive impact on tourism. They really need it!</p><p><br /></p><p>On the way home, I got off the 'bus at the Station (Mahata) and walked down to the baker on Station Street for some of his lovely aish fino (white bread rolls) and some chocolate croissants. Meandering through the back streets towards Our Luxor, I had to pass the Saint's Tomb (which I've mentioned a few times before, if you remember) and noticed that it has had another new covering. It just had to be photographed again, especially as there were no fierce looking ladies on guard this time!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl0CJMFlJXJf1LyhpNZPUBURy7LqGnvTT3S2CtJyiGGNjMyJk_WF5hiCufd9mtS24ZuDZeThpJ4AgqOksUQQx5kvRUJzSeEKQuDy3ZTWXmFRWlTsP_fhdBdnhX1IjEpx4zepwWpNPsOwnW/s2510/PXL_20211123_110322153.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2510" data-original-width="2021" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl0CJMFlJXJf1LyhpNZPUBURy7LqGnvTT3S2CtJyiGGNjMyJk_WF5hiCufd9mtS24ZuDZeThpJ4AgqOksUQQx5kvRUJzSeEKQuDy3ZTWXmFRWlTsP_fhdBdnhX1IjEpx4zepwWpNPsOwnW/w323-h400/PXL_20211123_110322153.jpg" width="323" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>After getting back home and relaxing for a while, my beloved alerted me to the fact that there was a strange man on the roof of the building over the road! On jumping up and having a look, sure enough, there he was as large as life! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhBzGB2o3dycKQI4wjzmd8tu0fjk_o61EN9z1H5Cdngx4QmGxOKu-F1locEY64e1zdoiBSfjYlla3eos71TzVDe0zpd9TN0ZXYoJNaufP742kyHWU-R4bcJQgcEMXh55TX0oXiA9mZwMB/s1377/PXL_20211123_141533975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1377" data-original-width="1022" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhBzGB2o3dycKQI4wjzmd8tu0fjk_o61EN9z1H5Cdngx4QmGxOKu-F1locEY64e1zdoiBSfjYlla3eos71TzVDe0zpd9TN0ZXYoJNaufP742kyHWU-R4bcJQgcEMXh55TX0oXiA9mZwMB/s320/PXL_20211123_141533975.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In all the years that we've been here, we have never seen anyone on that roof before. It was Freda who twigged that he was probably some sort of security bloke! From that particular roof, a sniper would have a clear view all the way down Youseff Hassan Street and with a high powered rifle could easily pick someone off on the Avenue. He was there for a while, and seemed to be speaking into a phone or something. I just hope that they don't make the poor b****r stay up there till it's all over!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Oh, got to go. Freda is almost finished preparing the chicken, spaghetti and potato wedges for our evening meal. It's truly scrumptious!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">See ya!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div>Find <a id="flipkey_best_of_property" href="http://www.flipkey.com/vacation+rentals/egypt/nile+river+valley/luxor/">Luxor Vacation Rentals</a> on FlipKey</div><script type="text/javascript" src="http://data.flipkey.com/widgets/jsapi/24396/5qe/5m9p/"></script></div>Discover 'Our Luxor' Apartmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907869521357887832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5088683094727047806.post-43379766383343096632021-11-22T13:30:00.005+02:002021-11-22T13:37:48.017+02:00Up on the Roof!<p> Well well well!</p><p>Young Mr Abdou turned up early! That's a new one in Egypt, Dear Reader, as I'm sure you're aware. He was armed with an electric drill and a black plastic bag full of nice wide headed screws with which to tightly clamp the roofing sheets to their timber frame.</p><p>When he got up there, it didn't take him long to shout down to tell me that we'd actually lost two sheets! Obviously, they would have to be replaced before the winter really takes hold, before any (granted unusual) heavy rain came along and ruined our inside decoration again.</p><p>Now then, it's over eight years since the roof was modified to its current configuration, and the roofing sheets of wriggly tin were 72EGP each, this figure was confirmed by Mr Abdou. Now, they are a staggering 250EGP each!!!! Yes, Playmates 250EGP!!!!! That's quite an increase, and I was doubley pleased that we hadn't lost any more than just the two.</p><p>Of course, in my state of panic at having to spend so much from our dwindling budget, I completely forgot about taking any pictures or videos of the job in hand, or the expedition in Sayed Hair's caleche to collect the 2.5 metre long sheets. Suffice to say that we got them, and dear young Mr Abdou managed to get them securely fastened to the roof timbers. We're now safe from the unusual Egyptian weather patterns which are possibly caused by me riding around England in an old 3.2 litre diesel powered Mercedes Benz car. (Certainly not by China increasing their production of coal, to produce electricity, by 1000,000 tons per day!)</p><p>Meanwhile (back at the ranch) due possibly to my colour blindness, Freda invented a new culinary delight!</p><p>You already know, of course, that Freda is turning Egyptian, evidenced by her reluctance to leave the house. So, Mr Muggins has to do all the shopping, like many a doting Egyptian husband. All well and good, I hear you say, Dear Reader. Except that my disability (completely unrecognised as such and ignored in England) can cause the odd problem. I've previously brought home green potatoes, but this time I brought home lentils (said so on the packet!) which were yellow insted of the customary orange; all I knew was that they weren't brown.</p><p>Freda recognised my mistake straightaway, needless to say! "Never mind", says she, "it does say 'lentils' on the packet, but they look more like split peas to me!" She duly mixed them with the remainder of the real lentils and away she went making the soup.</p><p>Deep in the recesses of what passes for my brain, I had a dim recollection of something occurring once before regarding lentil soup????? Now what was it?</p><p>Found it: https://ourluxorflat.blogspot.com/search?q=Lentil+spread ......and that was just over 10 years ago!</p><p>Maybe it was the addition of Freda's Egyptian bits and pieces (herbs, spices or somethng?) but it didn't actually taste like pease pudding at all! Here it is:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTO_sEnQdGtzHqyiuyW4Sw0Pdm3ceRODyRzG7zLKvilXI0mQJ8BQnz2-icYpKXFILi34IXQyVe1NJzSVs-k6dKNjL2LCUzVvXNeet_fcK9iDEu9yzgvN440-Z-yOuEuQc_2U4ctRCb4-0p/s4032/PXL_20211121_173328226.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTO_sEnQdGtzHqyiuyW4Sw0Pdm3ceRODyRzG7zLKvilXI0mQJ8BQnz2-icYpKXFILi34IXQyVe1NJzSVs-k6dKNjL2LCUzVvXNeet_fcK9iDEu9yzgvN440-Z-yOuEuQc_2U4ctRCb4-0p/s320/PXL_20211121_173328226.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Whilst it was obviously NOT ordinary lentil soup, it wasn't quite a pea soup either. I found it relatvely palatable but Freda wasn't struck, so I ate most of it myself.</p><p>So here I am; special soup and pudding all consumed, and now I'd better get back to work. </p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div>Find <a id="flipkey_best_of_property" href="http://www.flipkey.com/vacation+rentals/egypt/nile+river+valley/luxor/">Luxor Vacation Rentals</a> on FlipKey</div><script type="text/javascript" src="http://data.flipkey.com/widgets/jsapi/24396/5qe/5m9p/"></script></div>Discover 'Our Luxor' Apartmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907869521357887832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5088683094727047806.post-47454764863002827622021-11-19T22:34:00.002+02:002021-11-19T22:43:36.175+02:00So; what is it that you miss?<p>We all miss something, surely? My list is too long to write in one day, I think. But I'm currently missing something that I never imagined in a million years that I ever would. Here's a clue, Dear Reader:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhasLhIc1rQGkMkDLBoIo06N54KUP7xhxAt4p7gId4O3vrOs16rs6sobuZK6l1v3a51BZSR7z9rEoQO0sI16ap88m4Ko1EzFzf97pXqc8jQF0CRPT20NlI1MS5OxhzS1hWik2OnpD5mHsr9/s4032/PXL_20211117_123206078.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhasLhIc1rQGkMkDLBoIo06N54KUP7xhxAt4p7gId4O3vrOs16rs6sobuZK6l1v3a51BZSR7z9rEoQO0sI16ap88m4Ko1EzFzf97pXqc8jQF0CRPT20NlI1MS5OxhzS1hWik2OnpD5mHsr9/s320/PXL_20211117_123206078.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>No, surprisingly enough it's not a bench full of dirty dishes, it's my little slimline dish washer at home in Windy Nook! My mam will be turning in her grave (well maybe if we'd had her buried, that is!) to think that any son of hers would resort to such a bourgeois device. This is the lady who always made her squeezy (Primula) cheese sandwiches by squeezing a thick layer on one piece of bread and then folding it over. Then there was no need for a knife to spread it or cut it, and then have to be washed. She didn't even use her cooker top for the last 10 years or so of life 'cause it would need cleaning if she did! Housework and her just didn't get on, even though she did manage to keep it clean in spite of herself. That's another thing I miss, having my mother just downstairs.</p><p>But here in Egypt, some things that would be readily available at our other home are just not. </p><p>Edward of the 3 vacuums had a bit of a catsafterme again today. My trusty Kirby (now about 30 years old) gave up the ghost. But thankfully, not altogether as I was able to raise it from the dead with the help of little Mr Hany the plumber. I haven't used it yet since returning here, but today was the laying of the large carpet in the guest apartment livingroom. We love this carpet; 4 x 3 mtrs and over a year's worth of handknotted artwork! It gets rolled up with plastic bags over each end when we leave Luxor, till we come back again. This (hopefully) prevents any mice or moths getting inside the roll and ruining it, it's worked so far I'm pleased to report. So, I unrolled the first yard or so, with the back uppermost, and vacuumed off the accumulated dust with my lovely yellow K'Archer.Then it was unrolled (with bated breath, I might add, just in case the bags hadn't done their job) laid flat and in position and then out came the newly cleaned Kirby Legend. Switched it on to find dust blowing through the zip on the outer bag, horror of horrors! I opened it up, struggling with the zip as it was clogged with dust too. As I thought, the bag was new (from 2020) and hadn't burst at all. What could it be? On closer inspection, the corrugated flexible link pipe between the machine and the bag had snapped! Then I remembered, this happened before, and I had shortened the pipe in order to re-attach it with the broken end cut cleanly off. But, of course, there wasn't enough pipe left to do that again.</p><p>I knew that I'd seen piping of this type down the street at the Awad family's group of plumbing and allied businesses shops, but would theyhave the right size? Think positively, Mr Edward! Americans use inches and Egyptians use metric, but refer to bits of wood as 2 x 3 etc, which is, course 2 x 3 inches. It's all very confusing to simple pensioners like myself. Nevertheless, Mr Hany found a length of pipe with a 'similar' inside diameter. We made it fit with the addition of some Sellotape and a couple of big jubilee clips. There was a, deliberately manufactured-in, problem though. See if you can find it in the picture:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_sLq_6Qi0foJdYN07iysZKKFnqVhm63xuV9nrIOH-mgG9YwkvirYzm_rF7AILg-YoEMy1YFUMCVLlKeYoDivPTU_zEwbSEDLRO-qLEs1FFR2498KC9Z7yo6JBolHdGIhYgDOKEF3h600/s4032/PXL_20211119_090550503.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_sLq_6Qi0foJdYN07iysZKKFnqVhm63xuV9nrIOH-mgG9YwkvirYzm_rF7AILg-YoEMy1YFUMCVLlKeYoDivPTU_zEwbSEDLRO-qLEs1FFR2498KC9Z7yo6JBolHdGIhYgDOKEF3h600/s320/PXL_20211119_090550503.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Obviousy, the blue is the new pipe and the black the old. Notice the difference? The wire reinforcing is 'threaded' in the opposite direction. Deliberately so, so that a proper permanent repair can only be made by purchasing a new pipe from Kirby, no doubt at an extortionate price, insted of the, less than, £2 which the blue stuff cost me today! The original threads onto the machine like a large, left hand thread, nut, but not any more, the blue stuff is just clamped onto the spigot end with the clips, fingers crossed, eh?</p><p>I'm also missing easy access to a range of recognisable breakfast cereals which I prefer. You can get many western 'style' cereals, like Temmy's corn flakes (also expensive Kelloggs!) and usually porrige oats (mainly hailing from Germany) and the usual overly sweet kids things in varions guises. But no Shreddies or Shredded Wheat, which is what I really like.</p><p>I miss watching the world go by from our livingroom window in Windy Nook. What most folk in Tyneside flats have as their main bedroom, we chose to have as our livingroom, specifically because we're avid people watchers, as I'm sure you're aware. Here, we only have this to look out on in the evening:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik0w4BvIGp4rN_kPLO0N-CcrZYfx2f8LDcyEGq7FvtsCPWawyfgU8bhVrpkG2484XYiQYb4_JWaqEXU5owVESKFE7ubTMiPBXk1VQ9qf7eN77QW3G42XgSyJn41BkI_4swnMHiqp4vL0pW/s1699/PXL_20211119_200357541.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1180" data-original-width="1699" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik0w4BvIGp4rN_kPLO0N-CcrZYfx2f8LDcyEGq7FvtsCPWawyfgU8bhVrpkG2484XYiQYb4_JWaqEXU5owVESKFE7ubTMiPBXk1VQ9qf7eN77QW3G42XgSyJn41BkI_4swnMHiqp4vL0pW/s320/PXL_20211119_200357541.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>The laser lights are being shone all over the place in practice for the official openng of the 'Kebash Road' (The ancient ceremonial way of the gods.) between the two temples. The West Bank illumination is much brighter and clearer than it has been for years. I'm sure its just because they've bothered their bums to give them a good clean! I suppose that I shouldn't complain though, as many folk would love to have such a view, and I do find it thrilling at times.</p><p>I also miss (but not too much) pork products, particularly sausages! I'm sure that one day, I'll persuade Mr Hany (he's Christian) to take me to a butcher who sells pork, and I'll find some bacon!!!</p><p>What I don't miss (and this is for sure!) is the RAIN. I know some people, who live here permanently, yearn for rain, but I think they must have a touch of the old sunstroke, I can well do without it, thank you very much.</p><p>I'm sorry to be so negative tonight, perhaps I'm just getting tired of cleaning, and it's bringing on a certain semse of melancholy? Who knows? But one thing I do know; it's getting near to bedtime!</p><p>Goodnight and God bless, Dear Reader.</p><p><br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div>Find <a id="flipkey_best_of_property" href="http://www.flipkey.com/vacation+rentals/egypt/nile+river+valley/luxor/">Luxor Vacation Rentals</a> on FlipKey</div><script type="text/javascript" src="http://data.flipkey.com/widgets/jsapi/24396/5qe/5m9p/"></script></div>Discover 'Our Luxor' Apartmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907869521357887832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5088683094727047806.post-81935685882780219252021-11-17T13:59:00.002+02:002021-11-17T14:07:18.511+02:00Amongst the trials and tribulations of trying to live normally in Luxor.<p>After the sandstorm, even though there's still a touch of morning mist partially obscuring the mountains over on the Side of the Dead, the air seems to be fresher somehow. I'm sitting here in the livingroom of our hovel at 11 o'clock in the morning, with the double doors wide open, and looking over at the King's Valley mountains, and it's just sheer heaven! For all the wonderful and numerous delights of our home in Windy Nook, this is what <i>it</i> never has; a temperature of 25 degrees centigrade (feeling just comfortable in my boxers) with clean air and the slightest of breezes and (of course) SUNSHINE!</p><p>During the sandstorm, our wriggly-tin-sheet roof was making some frightening noises! I decided to get in touch with carpenter Abdou, who did the roof for us in the first place, to see if he could get up there and check that the sheets weren't in danger of blowing off altogether. Perhaps fixing screws rather then just nails could be added? But then, I couldn't find his phone number. New phone, new number, somewhere along the way<i> his</i> number had disappeared!</p><p>Needing shopping, I deided to use the former troublesome Badawy brother Syed and his caleche, as I knew that he would be just down our street. He's actually quite a reformed character, no more drinking alcohol or smoking happy baccy, apparently! On telling him I wanted to go to the 40 Market, he swung the caleche around and headed the wrong way up our one-way street, gesticulating wildly and shouting at those fools of drivers who were in his way! Caleche drivers seem to have a tendency to do this, as they believe themselves to be the natural 'Kings of the Road', and thus allowed to do anything they please! </p><p>Shopping accomplished and safely back home in one piece, I asked him to take me to see the carpenter after I'd eaten. "No problem!" I knew that it would be useless trying to get to see Mr Abdou before 7 o'clock anyway.</p><p>We eventually trundled off to Naga T'weel (Long Village) it's at Karnak (pronounced Karranak). I knew, of course, that he wouldn't be there but that someone who <i>was</i> there (at the workshop, that is) would 'phone him for me. It was dark when we got there, and found two unkown blokes sitting with a shisha pipe, and the outside workshop space greatly reduced from what it used to be, as it had been mostly covered with block paving. No lights on either, which filled me with trepidation that the place had changed hands or something. These two fellahs had a small fire going, with an equally small black kettle in the middle of it. "Chai?" I was offered. Not for me, thank you. But Syed accepted the invitation. He complained that it was a bit strong, so I had a sip. AAAAAARGH! It was also sweeter than you can possibly imaginge, Dear Reader! When I asked how many sugars had been shovelled in to the small tea glass, the reply came with a hand gesture, "katierr" (many) with the gesture being a literal handful! It was digusting! </p><p>After a relatively short time (remember, this<i> is</i> Egypt, Dear Reader!) an elder brother turned up, and after much huggiing and kissing and other friendly greetings and rememberances, he rang the elusive Abdou, and I spoke to him to arrange a meeting at our home to assess the situation and see what he proposed. He's due here around the 3 o'clock mark, so I'd better get dressed before he comes, as he might be scandalised by the sight of my pristine white boxers!</p><p>The current exchange rate here is about 21 EGP to 1 Pound Sterling. Shopping is really quite ineresting.</p><p>I'm a fairly recent convert to paper tissues for nose blowing, so needed to have a good supply in the house. We get boxes of Kleenex from Tesco or Asda at home, but I haven't seen them here. What I have been getting (second packet in use now) are these:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizDFHwxwp2Fpi9QX5a3_8lneXB8d68QE6h2bNZcs7lvkJAgb4kaEsx5A-zb3xBiDJ8xmNv8ICTTPUqoQsjOHjcDZOyRve402mKebUEgFS8kbHzvvp-NIWuHuKNCbc83BTs51PUGy5yXxB7/s2048/PH.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizDFHwxwp2Fpi9QX5a3_8lneXB8d68QE6h2bNZcs7lvkJAgb4kaEsx5A-zb3xBiDJ8xmNv8ICTTPUqoQsjOHjcDZOyRve402mKebUEgFS8kbHzvvp-NIWuHuKNCbc83BTs51PUGy5yXxB7/s320/PH.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Obviously, they won't be the same quality as Kleenex, but they're only to give your nose a blast, after all! And, they're 4.75 EGP wihich equates to about 22.5p for this packet. Likewise, we needed some AA batteries:<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3CwaUDZBke3TXmHsVsCVnwX4XneZiGvf2h-vXaHk0JZfm3D19o8Z-bsB5VLKwhxzjefw_46XJS9RHjLpI44XT0tAlxgwP6CSAXY03CSOYF_4721Hcf103AXksRqsyGyb9s9mxYlXeKEeA/s1333/Batt.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3CwaUDZBke3TXmHsVsCVnwX4XneZiGvf2h-vXaHk0JZfm3D19o8Z-bsB5VLKwhxzjefw_46XJS9RHjLpI44XT0tAlxgwP6CSAXY03CSOYF_4721Hcf103AXksRqsyGyb9s9mxYlXeKEeA/s320/Batt.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>I got these from the little shop on the corner (no, not the one which was the subject of the ancient, but great, Jimmy Stewart film set in Poland) for 5 EGP, which works out at under 25p for the 4! OK, OK, I know they aren't advertised by the lovely little sporty Duracel bunny, but they'll do for me, Kiddo!</div><div><br /></div><div>Then, what about petrol? At this price, I could afford to go back to my old Morris Oxford at 26 mpg!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnh8JGRfG-UgcM21IT6y_vw0e4sOdbzry8AvIsQpvqUA3oExbbicA93nR5U_O8mCZiWs1_vgo7e54oTeh5PZg6BAt836BpGkGRKhjLwyCFOUPQeOfGn6hlDWVb3wZ0IyQu_dNxfwfWXRLW/s4032/PXL_20211116_182102992.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnh8JGRfG-UgcM21IT6y_vw0e4sOdbzry8AvIsQpvqUA3oExbbicA93nR5U_O8mCZiWs1_vgo7e54oTeh5PZg6BAt836BpGkGRKhjLwyCFOUPQeOfGn6hlDWVb3wZ0IyQu_dNxfwfWXRLW/s320/PXL_20211116_182102992.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Yes, that's 7 EGP per litre, or just over 33p per litre. (Actually 33.333333333333333333p recurring in the stupid decimal currency with which we're now stuck!) In the olden days it would have been a simple 6/8! Just to remind you Dear Reader, before the state sponsored robbery and con trick of UK currency decimalisation, 6/8 would have bought more than a GALLON of petrol. (OK, I'll stop reminiscing; for now!)</p><p>Just to mention,; there's a Police Point at this petrol station, and of course, you're not allowed to photograph any Police or Armed Forces personel or property. So, when one of the coppers saw me jump down from the caleche and point my (fancy, new) camera phone in their general direction, he was straight over. (That's the backend of one of the police pick-ups in the picture.) He and Syed had a few words, something along the lines of "He's just a daft tourist, don't worry", sort of thing I expect. I showed the policeman the resulting picture and he smiled, shook my hand and trotted off quite happily.</p><p>Time's getting on, and if I want a doze before Mr Abdou arrives, I'd better make it now.</p><p>That's a big 10-4 good buddy!</p></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div>Find <a id="flipkey_best_of_property" href="http://www.flipkey.com/vacation+rentals/egypt/nile+river+valley/luxor/">Luxor Vacation Rentals</a> on FlipKey</div><script type="text/javascript" src="http://data.flipkey.com/widgets/jsapi/24396/5qe/5m9p/"></script></div>Discover 'Our Luxor' Apartmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907869521357887832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5088683094727047806.post-78800555069091822202021-11-12T16:11:00.004+02:002021-11-12T16:19:14.931+02:00Two weeks!<p>Yes, it's two weeks since we arrived in Egypt and two weeks tomorrow since we finally arrived in Luxor. Though to be quite honest, it feels like we've never been away! How strange life is, eh?</p><p>We've spent nearly all of our waking hours cleaning, and we've just finished our upstairs hovel, and are now embarking on the guest apartment. </p><p>It seems as though I'm going to have to give Joseph the Amoun man (Remember Dear Reader, the street cleaners used to be Amoun men and the name has stuck, even though the company didn't!) some extra training in cleaning the stairs etc. He landed last Sunday and I asked him to just brush down all the stair walls and then the stairs themselves, no washing that day. When he appeared back at the top of our stairs, I had the kettle on for his glass of chai. Now then, was it 2 or 3 sugars, I couldn't recall. "Arrbah, Mr Adwar!" (That's 4 to you and me!)</p><p>Here it is, before adding the boiling water:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5SCi0pSTm_u6bbJXMhlAqZpKomGsd1xQDo6zRzExl1Hl4Wla3y7W45Xtc9NCoNs-I62laIL2L4dv2820dczQg93VuWCTWaIT3cLYVWGNaqB6YVb4K86jTz2QOpqIlr36fmokqxjbUpvd/s1000/DSC01120.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5SCi0pSTm_u6bbJXMhlAqZpKomGsd1xQDo6zRzExl1Hl4Wla3y7W45Xtc9NCoNs-I62laIL2L4dv2820dczQg93VuWCTWaIT3cLYVWGNaqB6YVb4K86jTz2QOpqIlr36fmokqxjbUpvd/s320/DSC01120.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Yes, 4 teaspoons of sugar in that small glass, but only half a teaspoon of black dust tea, as he prefers it khafeef (weakish). Mind, he also gets a biscuit or three, as well as his wages. He also scores for lots of stuff that we don't need or use any more, like (this time) a pair of Egyptian pretend Crocs (which were too hard for my dainty old feet) an Iranian tablecloth which we have duplicated and some other (women's) stuff for his wife.</p><p>It wasn't till we went down the stairs on our way out, that I realised that he'd only done about half of what I asked. He excused himself by saying that the bottom half was Dr Al Malak's responsibility. Mind you, that was through our resident interpreter Mr (Coffeeshop)Adam. I laughed, of course.</p><p><br /></p><p>As well as cleaning, I've been sent out every day on a shopping expedition. You remember, of course that we use the local service buses (Arabeya), but now with our added masks. The supermarkets (using that word relatively loosely) which we usually frequent are all still there, with mostly the same or similar sorts of stock. But I tramped around them all, plus a brand new one, to no avail in my search for Temmy's porridge oats. The lovely Freda had to make do with Temmy's Corn Flakes instead. Luckily, I had brought the remains of a box of Tesco's pretend Shreddies and also the remains of my box of Lidl's pretend Shredded Wheat bite things, so I was ok for a while. (I slid the packets (stapled closed) into the case at the last minute, in case I was caught.) On the way back from New Hospital Street (the 40 Market) the bus driver decided to terminate at the railway station. Trying to remonstrate with him was pointless, and it's only a 5 minute walk from there anyway. The GoBus (whom we travelled with from Hurghada) office is just past the station on the way home. Outside was parked this magnificent coach. I had to stop to have a good look at it. No driver around, so I couldn't have a proper shufti inside though.</p><p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRhrWVu7o8r-w2rp8318SmHvnlzEMOp-4V-P1KSGUVLlOzkLghbC4TgESABMP_xkWJ5mIORWaD8hPeeZzenjbxqEFVz_tow4IP-dK0uzfeqO_jQ0kz0DbrcENRXqletKdr6-aapB0mWgZu/s1000/DSC01118.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRhrWVu7o8r-w2rp8318SmHvnlzEMOp-4V-P1KSGUVLlOzkLghbC4TgESABMP_xkWJ5mIORWaD8hPeeZzenjbxqEFVz_tow4IP-dK0uzfeqO_jQ0kz0DbrcENRXqletKdr6-aapB0mWgZu/s320/DSC01118.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><p>Looking at it again, it must be the 18 metre variety, a Mercedes engined MCV 800, Egyptian built. and very nice! Of course, Mercedes Benz is a German company, and their products are renowned for style and reliability. At home, our 19 year old Merc estate car has everything still working! It's astonishing, what can be achieved on the back of a bit of forced labour just a few generations ago! </p><p>I have another German success story to relate, as well. Since I packed in working properly in 2007, most of the tools which I've bought have been from either Aldi or Lidl. Obviously not automotive stuff, which I still have plenty of from yesteryear, but DIY stuff. I've had two battery drills from Aldi, for about £14.99 if I remember correctly. One stayed at home and the other resided in Luxor. The one at home eventually gave up the ghost a year or so ago, after much use, but it had been pretty good value, I think. The Egyptian one needed a new battery after only about 20 hours of use, but they replaced it without any fuss. </p><p>Well; when I came to put back up the roof terrace chandelier after washing it under the shower, I needed to screw something into the wood to hold the weight of the lamp whilst I reaffixed the wiring. I reached for the battery drill to put it on charge while I did something else in the meantime, and blow me if it didn't still have charge in it after at least 20 months of lying dormant! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVuGmrVIONzGVq0xaEZT-S1I_Edf6hN-WixZ3aZiVkpTW0KLilUMx_-cw9Y9WXqUvDalzk_uEJMTDEumyTM9KeholPHenYLDwzGMJ2ShvTz-41WoNkDqdXVnzr3crVWf7hZFy7E7c3ZeHB/s1000/DSC01121.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVuGmrVIONzGVq0xaEZT-S1I_Edf6hN-WixZ3aZiVkpTW0KLilUMx_-cw9Y9WXqUvDalzk_uEJMTDEumyTM9KeholPHenYLDwzGMJ2ShvTz-41WoNkDqdXVnzr3crVWf7hZFy7E7c3ZeHB/s320/DSC01121.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>I could hardly believe it! After driving a large screw into the undrilled wood, I put the battery on charge, but I was astonished, to say the least.</p><p>I was also astonished not to see my mate Ahmed the Caleche Man knocking about the town during the week we had been here. I eventually came across his wayward brother Syed, who told me that as there was no tourist work, Ahmed was staying at home until someone rang him for the caleche! Obviously, I rang him as soon as I got my new phone number. What a sorry tale he has to tell! </p><p>Elder brother Samir, whom we would normally ride with, was unavailable as he was now in Cairo!!! "In Cairo?" Yes, as there were too few tourists in Luxor to be able to make a living with the caleche, Samir had decamped to Cairo, where (apparently) the streets are paved with gold! All I can say is that I sincerely hope that he finds some worthwhile employment and gets himself straight with his debts etc. Poor b****r!</p><p>Anyway, Ahmed is the same as ever, skinny and underfed but full of love for his horses and fellow men. He seems to have been obliged to temporarily adopt a little boy! The kid was on the caleche when he came for me the other night. About 2 or maybe 3, he's a canny little thing, and not a pick of trouble. I never quite got to the bottom of just who he belongs to, but his mother telephoned to speak to him and make sure he was OK while we were trotting along the Corniche. He eventually dozed off to asleep on top of the driver's seat, with his head on Ahmed's lap, after polishing off a Mandolin chocolate biscuit.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWxvNyybpWkoolMnaEyLxHS5FFUaqEVCq4QG5FADD1HG6pNY5SYK2tAMQgkH5_hG1qimKEXDE4mVGxGTxCqvtn6WQhzLjTyUOvH_Y9RjkTyAvhgvuBH7UlQF0Xd6I5V3NrfSqyBUUXseVT/s1000/DSC01122.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWxvNyybpWkoolMnaEyLxHS5FFUaqEVCq4QG5FADD1HG6pNY5SYK2tAMQgkH5_hG1qimKEXDE4mVGxGTxCqvtn6WQhzLjTyUOvH_Y9RjkTyAvhgvuBH7UlQF0Xd6I5V3NrfSqyBUUXseVT/s320/DSC01122.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>He's called Rye-ann (that's just phonetical, obviously!) and I think I've quite taken to him. </p><p>I'm off now, as the kettle is calling. TaTa!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div>Find <a id="flipkey_best_of_property" href="http://www.flipkey.com/vacation+rentals/egypt/nile+river+valley/luxor/">Luxor Vacation Rentals</a> on FlipKey</div><script type="text/javascript" src="http://data.flipkey.com/widgets/jsapi/24396/5qe/5m9p/"></script></div>Discover 'Our Luxor' Apartmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907869521357887832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5088683094727047806.post-89012452253090325682021-11-04T21:23:00.002+02:002021-11-06T10:54:52.388+02:00And now, for something completely different!<p>Good evening and welcome, as our famous friend David Frost used to say.</p><p>I'm just sitting here on my livingroom sofa, looking out at the gloriously illuminated mountains on the West Bank, where the lights have obviously been cleaned, or something, in readiness for the expected invasion of foreign dignitaries for the soon to be inauguration of the newly renovated ancient Kebash Road from Karnak Temple all the way to Luxor Temple. This was supposed to be today 4th November, but seeing as El Sisi and many of the other foreign VIP's were travelling to Glasgow for the waste of time Climate Conference (I only say 'waste of time' because China have recently increased coal production to [or was it by?] 1 million tons per day to fire their power stations!) No smoke without fire?</p><p>It's been postponed till Heaven knows when! But they're currently using most of the power from their National Grid to practice the laser lighting extravaganza every evening. Seeing as we've only just now got our WiFi working (no, not my Mojo, for any blues fans, I hope that comes along later!) I thought I'd send you this little teaser, Dear Reader. I hope it makes you insanely jealous, and gets you booking your flights straight away! Have a look at this:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXHW9pTGbs6x-X3EOQ75FQD0T7orJXzo7B5X-_q3-rSD9FX0NFp19qmdDS9gbf7yVhOBIUAmms3xHYt2mmrET2OL26TPM0_k8zK1SpC8hHpCxTQPTvu3i8g3hyphenhyphenDJId6RpqM8uG4k8dTWL/s2592/DSC01109.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1944" data-original-width="2592" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXHW9pTGbs6x-X3EOQ75FQD0T7orJXzo7B5X-_q3-rSD9FX0NFp19qmdDS9gbf7yVhOBIUAmms3xHYt2mmrET2OL26TPM0_k8zK1SpC8hHpCxTQPTvu3i8g3hyphenhyphenDJId6RpqM8uG4k8dTWL/w640-h480/DSC01109.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I'm sorry about those poxy buildings in the way of the best shot possible, perhaps if our Premium Bonds come up we'll buy them all and have them pulled down; eh?</p><p>By for now, but I will be back, insh'Allah.</p><p><br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div>Find <a id="flipkey_best_of_property" href="http://www.flipkey.com/vacation+rentals/egypt/nile+river+valley/luxor/">Luxor Vacation Rentals</a> on FlipKey</div><script type="text/javascript" src="http://data.flipkey.com/widgets/jsapi/24396/5qe/5m9p/"></script></div>Discover 'Our Luxor' Apartmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907869521357887832noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5088683094727047806.post-47605082195759339642021-11-01T23:53:00.001+02:002021-11-06T10:55:19.332+02:00At last 'Home'..........to no phones, no water, no Internet, loads of dirt. But thankfully, no non-paying guests of the more than 2 legged type!<p>Well, the title just about says it all, I suppose.</p><p>We got here on Saturday evening, to be welcomed off the GoBus from Hurghada by our long-time mate and almost adopted son, Mr Bahaa. Did I tell you that he was busy being born on the very day we got married, he'll be 50 come January.</p><p>We travelled on Mr Thomson's Tui flight from Newcastle to Hurghada on Friday, staying there overnight at the lovely Marriott Hotel. The flight wasn't too bad, considering that it was full of tourists! We decided to try the Tui flight simply because of the reported Bedlam that London Heathrow seems to have become. We're getting too old to put up with all that aggro. We were recommended the GoBus by our (also Egyptian loving) friends Ann and Phil, and it wasn't three bad, thankfully. We'd certainly travel this route again, methinks. No rushing hither and thither, no queueing anywhere; what's not to like?</p><p>We had expected the flats to be really dirty after some 20 months of abandonment, but it still came as a shock. It's just as well that I'm known as 'Mr Edward-3-Vacuums'.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzEzSbDH56x3NIZTYqjRU9dKRtWi3r_80_wrHSRAK_1DiEBADbAg-d4Y9Ipotb2sv1LcnW8u1Zg2m9nBy8NbA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p>Mr Hani, the lovely plumber, came and replaced a capacitor in the motor for the water pump, and Bob's your Uncle; we have water. (Even though it smells really quite unpleasant as yet! I suppose that it'll be fine after a few hours of running through.)</p><p>The biggest problem we're currently having is a lack of communication! That wonderful company, Vodafone (in their wisdom) decided to give away our phone numbers, of more than 15 years standing, to someone else, even though we still had money on them! Obviously, we haven't had time to go and shout at them yet, because of our cleaning duties, but their day will come, mark my words!! (I may even set Freda onto them!) The Internet connection (or so I'm unreliably informed) isn't working because of a fault in a box somewhere, and they're trying to find another line for me! Pigs could well be flying tonight!</p><p>But, all things being equal, we are here and all the better for it. It's lovely and warm; 30 odd during the day and 20 odd at night. My new (to me, ex No. 1 Son) telephone even tells me that there's ZERO chance of precipitation. Well blow me, who'd have thought it, and in Egypt too! </p><p>I'll be back with some more ASAP, but don't hold your breath as it won't be until we get some sort of Internet or our own WiFi back again.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div>Find <a id="flipkey_best_of_property" href="http://www.flipkey.com/vacation+rentals/egypt/nile+river+valley/luxor/">Luxor Vacation Rentals</a> on FlipKey</div><script type="text/javascript" src="http://data.flipkey.com/widgets/jsapi/24396/5qe/5m9p/"></script></div>Discover 'Our Luxor' Apartmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907869521357887832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5088683094727047806.post-84387512769143983262021-10-11T02:29:00.000+02:002021-10-11T02:29:13.253+02:00Up From The Grave, He Arose!I'll bet you all thought I was dead? Well, just to prove you wrong Dear Reader,
here I am as large as life, and twice as ugly! (Even though I have slimmed down
a tiny touch since you last saw me.) <div><br /></div><div>After the longest 20 months of my life, we're on our way back to our sorely missed home in the fabulous city of Luxor.
Insh'Allah, we'll be there on October the 30th, via a Tui flight from Newcastle
to Hurghada and a trip across the scorching Eastern Desert. </div><div><br /></div><div>Obviously, we're booked into the
ageing and slowly dilapidating Winter Palace for the first few days while we get our forlorn properties
sorted out. How much sand will have accumulated? Will we have any non-paying and
unwelcome guests with more than 2 legs? Will someone have stolen our telephone
number, or our water or electric meter? Will the solar panel and pump for our lovely little fountain have given up the ghost after being left out in the sun for 20 months? We'll have all these worrying questions answered within 3 weeks, are you excited for us? The very thought of it all has me worn out before we even finish getting the cases packed, I can tell you!</div><div><br /></div><div>It's been a momentous year and a half here in Windy Nook, family illnesses and the death of my dearly loved brother have played a major part in our lives these past months, but I won't load you with all of our woes! How about one of my casual observances, instead?</div><div><br /></div><div>As you may remember, I'm a big fan of Car Boot Sales. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6bpW_TBVkXrLmeMxAKMxVvIgPUfGXE-vzsuD2gyIOQBSS8J2XjyN-XOPCw4ePl9QC2RYK6PvZRvwSYRjL-jb86bIf-XQq57TjDRwyj4LgQPD3raya2GlCOGUCl2H3B4rh2NT6mSkYcw5C/s2592/DSC01068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1944" data-original-width="2592" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6bpW_TBVkXrLmeMxAKMxVvIgPUfGXE-vzsuD2gyIOQBSS8J2XjyN-XOPCw4ePl9QC2RYK6PvZRvwSYRjL-jb86bIf-XQq57TjDRwyj4LgQPD3raya2GlCOGUCl2H3B4rh2NT6mSkYcw5C/s320/DSC01068.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>I'm also strangely interested if people's footwear, and Boot Sales tend to bring out some queer shoes,/boots etc. for some reason. I went to our local one this morning, just to have a nose around and see if there was anything I fancied. (There's usually a bloke there who sells Tesco Chocolate Digestives and/or Chocolate Oaties at 3 packs for £1! Well in date and everything.) I noticed the welly-wearers were out in force! Hunter/Barbour style seem to be well out of favour just now, and have been replaced by mainly bigger and more showy and industrial looking things. Like these:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX0i-NLhDqirUiGeZhuQGFkwp6kixUKRYfZwGzK-mvzvqcLQNDJPGUAd0LuqEHXTABfwU1v5-BKAoOwGWJWKiWOq5gx0EkVfb4l5mWwMosqWq9L8PnvoS31zAQ3ecQjo1MYXAtK3m0-D9L/s813/DSC01070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="657" data-original-width="813" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX0i-NLhDqirUiGeZhuQGFkwp6kixUKRYfZwGzK-mvzvqcLQNDJPGUAd0LuqEHXTABfwU1v5-BKAoOwGWJWKiWOq5gx0EkVfb4l5mWwMosqWq9L8PnvoS31zAQ3ecQjo1MYXAtK3m0-D9L/s320/DSC01070.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Or perhaps these:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZhPTucNbqiqwucFD2dVjZ9V6dTPQ2sg7CJiSQAAe9LHU89wKLslgn7qAgDHC6FHrFpccvTt3wWRXyjO6gVv7dQsuKE-GF9dBJmpBRKem8tmL_dVRzCXcgBGboNBHEwiZ6pMcEkdmV2BLA/s465/DSC01066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="397" data-original-width="465" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZhPTucNbqiqwucFD2dVjZ9V6dTPQ2sg7CJiSQAAe9LHU89wKLslgn7qAgDHC6FHrFpccvTt3wWRXyjO6gVv7dQsuKE-GF9dBJmpBRKem8tmL_dVRzCXcgBGboNBHEwiZ6pMcEkdmV2BLA/s320/DSC01066.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div>Tops rolled over, like the Navvies used to wear whilst working on the roads when I was young. Then there are the pseudo country gents:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdDtaaiu-PrhSHYUpiv83oXCJCXyhkDcJeiv3oNvp_k1RTzd9yk6EYyDdGV80qOhRkzF44UBY-SeckfNP9BBS-fuQCFoghyxDWBoQ8y8CRGwFUygnApqG1-g9E31cQ5gAzudLnbqSnzCxE/s229/DSC01075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="191" data-original-width="229" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdDtaaiu-PrhSHYUpiv83oXCJCXyhkDcJeiv3oNvp_k1RTzd9yk6EYyDdGV80qOhRkzF44UBY-SeckfNP9BBS-fuQCFoghyxDWBoQ8y8CRGwFUygnApqG1-g9E31cQ5gAzudLnbqSnzCxE/s0/DSC01075.jpg" width="229" /></a></div><br /><div>This pair are in a similar vein as the Barbour or Hunter with the belt adjustment at the top, but they're more substantial and have a zip fastener up the outside with a (waterproof?) flap thingy. I also came across a bloke wearing (what looked like) girl's wellies, shiny, with a nice decorative buckle on the outer side, below the ankle. Sadly, I didn't manage an all encompassing shot though! What do you think?</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfY8IUaESZdDuZIImWDUPTEEElJWo0fOksL2EW-zIVBpzYY2CBko9PFuSv4H6yOXi8aCs9uSpL0phFMrW-FTPpmhkWne4bfF-3oBJ4FXwJIp0AVgrp23L38iiI6qp59EoIZ9-m-awFggNO/s453/DSC01069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="312" data-original-width="453" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfY8IUaESZdDuZIImWDUPTEEElJWo0fOksL2EW-zIVBpzYY2CBko9PFuSv4H6yOXi8aCs9uSpL0phFMrW-FTPpmhkWne4bfF-3oBJ4FXwJIp0AVgrp23L38iiI6qp59EoIZ9-m-awFggNO/s320/DSC01069.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Now then, just before you get to thinking that I've got some sort of Wellington boot fetish, I'll just slip this in; When I was at the same boot sale the other week, I came across some which we used to call "Scammell Handyman Wellies"! They looked to be brand new, if old stock, and had the (once very common) NCB logo on the leg. (NCB being the National Coal Board, which was the publicly owned coal industry in Great Britain, before it was closed down.)</div><div>Here's a picture of a pair the same:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEineavQgnm69fJK_L6F6fbs4xyG8JsgPiAN9xewI0eZykiQzhoL4UN0TvSchuhnpjzOYEJiX8MCtxpryS9rdQcRfPaSM7trJOmQaPyvjCGW73urdk9oqCXj_JjJ5KtcM9ZqeAMDXerrH7n1/s1600/s-l1600+NCB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEineavQgnm69fJK_L6F6fbs4xyG8JsgPiAN9xewI0eZykiQzhoL4UN0TvSchuhnpjzOYEJiX8MCtxpryS9rdQcRfPaSM7trJOmQaPyvjCGW73urdk9oqCXj_JjJ5KtcM9ZqeAMDXerrH7n1/s320/s-l1600+NCB.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>And here's a Scammell Handyman, after which they were first Christened by the famous John O'Sullivan of Thailand. You'll readily see the similarity, I'm sure.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggu-UPiixaW_7kMCvldWzj1TxhAcgaj5dWj_IuKqEDWfjTz-CWN1wKlzN21eDTpnT_9uwPpJqxYb1XnLIrI7MkqYQ3AQ2RCucwirIGR8AFv06ASo7FXisli2p36gppnOl0M_72NU1Zn_oW/s760/Im20110901DSF-lc334+Scammell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="751" data-original-width="760" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggu-UPiixaW_7kMCvldWzj1TxhAcgaj5dWj_IuKqEDWfjTz-CWN1wKlzN21eDTpnT_9uwPpJqxYb1XnLIrI7MkqYQ3AQ2RCucwirIGR8AFv06ASo7FXisli2p36gppnOl0M_72NU1Zn_oW/s320/Im20110901DSF-lc334+Scammell.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Now wasn't that just fascinating? (Answers on a postcard, please, sent to "The Nearest Looney Bin")</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, it's been lovely to share my deepest thoughts with you all again, and I hope that you're now well versed, via this precis, of the main thrust of my upcoming book, "Wellington Boot Fashions In The Early 21st Century"</div><div><br /></div><div>But you never know, Dear Reader, I may even get around to writing something about Luxor in my next Blog. Keep watching this space. (No, not the one between my ears!!)</div><div><br /></div><div>Goodnight.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div>Find <a id="flipkey_best_of_property" href="http://www.flipkey.com/vacation+rentals/egypt/nile+river+valley/luxor/">Luxor Vacation Rentals</a> on FlipKey</div><script type="text/javascript" src="http://data.flipkey.com/widgets/jsapi/24396/5qe/5m9p/"></script></div>Discover 'Our Luxor' Apartmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907869521357887832noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5088683094727047806.post-91328574373950497222020-02-22T01:03:00.004+02:002020-02-22T01:03:45.376+02:00A little bit more, at random.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Firstly, I have to ask, "Don't you think that the vegan housewife should have waited in, when she knew that the Waitrose delivery was due?"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLMw7yaH3-5WVJP3aMgbtNmSPq8l3Z8HSglC01L71uqadgK8DOe_Mm4tuLTvRQA4QQLQd7io0xck0JpOmyVHQU7R5jCZgkSNdf_RQAy8lVzSp8uqNsnPLYZ1kzcwmb3mj-IdE7LkRwScw/s1600/SAM_8092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1000" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLMw7yaH3-5WVJP3aMgbtNmSPq8l3Z8HSglC01L71uqadgK8DOe_Mm4tuLTvRQA4QQLQd7io0xck0JpOmyVHQU7R5jCZgkSNdf_RQAy8lVzSp8uqNsnPLYZ1kzcwmb3mj-IdE7LkRwScw/s400/SAM_8092.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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You'll recall, of course, that we spent our first couple of nights at the Winter Palace Pavilion while we rectified the desertification of our Luxor home? Well, here's a shot of the exquisite Winter Palace gardens (taken at night obviously!) from our 3rd floor balcony. I love to see the palms, wherever I am in Egypt.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2jwbQNz3Po6HAli2d0eoez6ROPbyNuZ33wJazNqfj_geSdywN0bNwoLeZI-pw6n1Xbr_W2ILkxp3QC0qvlUHkNG9UapkD4G0iNCgkfetVMXxA88wJ_Vom3X1G364FyaZD3M8YuW2gv8S4/s1600/SAM_8042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2jwbQNz3Po6HAli2d0eoez6ROPbyNuZ33wJazNqfj_geSdywN0bNwoLeZI-pw6n1Xbr_W2ILkxp3QC0qvlUHkNG9UapkD4G0iNCgkfetVMXxA88wJ_Vom3X1G364FyaZD3M8YuW2gv8S4/s400/SAM_8042.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Being a bit pushed for time when we eventually got home, we had Mr Adam's lovely wife cook for us. We thought that a change might be in order, so asked for Chicken Tawook. here's a shot taken after we'd had our fist meal from it, the rest lasted for a further two meals!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif21vn53rr2BazKzAMsHiGSpmMw67bT4XwIWXuOQdARIgZp4xkJitNhNKQSVtMS6_pkSp4ucVJt8H7rf2JKAroKdws7UqInmeIcvXgoNoO_QHRzLC4KHCb-mRYEkAWSUwNz8sr04TKYNnu/s1600/SAM_8058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif21vn53rr2BazKzAMsHiGSpmMw67bT4XwIWXuOQdARIgZp4xkJitNhNKQSVtMS6_pkSp4ucVJt8H7rf2JKAroKdws7UqInmeIcvXgoNoO_QHRzLC4KHCb-mRYEkAWSUwNz8sr04TKYNnu/s320/SAM_8058.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Of course, it was delicious, as her food always is. Mind you, it was the first time she'd attempted this dish, which surprised me. No doubt it will be on our future menu.<br />
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I was pleased to notice that the site of the collapsed building was being cleared of rubbish; becoming a rubbish tip is always the fate of any newly created space on the ground in Luxor, wherever it might be!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNk0veirJ-qX17IAO7MMY8yEckre0fxDw0EzgeLO6y_lX-ZnSJ8Eey0e6phGQk4KW99U7k6gCywZ04iBwLg05G9CEjZkRPnGdgoV8M4UzsKvKeDCt06olnyDC2UoBln40AjJI69qBT3jGk/s1600/SAM_8057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNk0veirJ-qX17IAO7MMY8yEckre0fxDw0EzgeLO6y_lX-ZnSJ8Eey0e6phGQk4KW99U7k6gCywZ04iBwLg05G9CEjZkRPnGdgoV8M4UzsKvKeDCt06olnyDC2UoBln40AjJI69qBT3jGk/s400/SAM_8057.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Oh, perhaps I should mention here that any rubbish dump which has been cleared of rubbish then quickly becomes a carpark! That'll be the next picture of the place.<br />
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Our trip up the Nile was as enchanting as ever! How could it not be?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUA5wutx_Ky9GitPTPp1W-IyrjhT-wBkl97gchtGGLEWxzjnc1g19rW7Qt_yIh8okQjOQSkMOxJ1JkoEaUh92jbs6vor7PInom31waIYwqFWIEq061FfJF6AvrfCVyQF4P17fXveGLWeC_/s1600/SAM_8059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="704" data-original-width="1000" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUA5wutx_Ky9GitPTPp1W-IyrjhT-wBkl97gchtGGLEWxzjnc1g19rW7Qt_yIh8okQjOQSkMOxJ1JkoEaUh92jbs6vor7PInom31waIYwqFWIEq061FfJF6AvrfCVyQF4P17fXveGLWeC_/s400/SAM_8059.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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As many of you will be aware, that last pic is of part of the ancient quarries from whence the stones which make up the magnificent tombs and temples were hewn. This next little video is from the same area of the Nile's banks. </div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzJL1SkVCfNwgmo2LaAoRqObIsHll9gh0iJpk0FVq6q2K-0O_VnR2NFd314Gr0k5LpYKO4zgmL9d4dFk7UOOA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
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The scene which slides by as the ships slowly (only comparatively, mind!) navigate up and down stream is a constantly changing, but utterly charming, one of historic rural living frozen in time! Except, that is for the two industrial sites, one on either bank, of the ship repair facility, where they are taken completely out of the water, and the steel works. </div>
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Our ship owner spends his days on the Nile too. Although his mobile phone is seldom away from his ear, he obviously relishes travelling this main thoroughfare of his lovely country. I envy him this opportunity, but not his responsibilities in such a fluctuating economic climate which currently rules in Egyptian tourism! </div>
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The most picturesque temple view from a Nile cruise ship must surely be that of Kom Ombo Temple:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVCBUE1ny-xxh-APj08RMB0pAjoIEPMPY83PTiuHbV3jHEeOm2CsqDcuJ2w0BWZEb0GFQ2rik80RaogwtcB7rXDX4t3CemHRC9uomJ-_IWAEQa0ZcAW3XViDJ_N15O1TrZV8t3HC2I8Xu_/s1600/SAM_8067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVCBUE1ny-xxh-APj08RMB0pAjoIEPMPY83PTiuHbV3jHEeOm2CsqDcuJ2w0BWZEb0GFQ2rik80RaogwtcB7rXDX4t3CemHRC9uomJ-_IWAEQa0ZcAW3XViDJ_N15O1TrZV8t3HC2I8Xu_/s400/SAM_8067.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The bloke in the picture was one of the Germans, he kept trying to engage me in conversation, even though it was obvious, by my English replies, that I was English! (I'm sure he was wearing a pair of his wife's sandals in this picture.)<br />
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Our cruises seem to approach Aswan in the evening, well, after dark anyway. I'm always struck by the brilliantly lit Mosque on the east bank as we near the town. Of course, it's too difficult to get a snap of it in the dark whilst sailing, but here it is on our outbound journey:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUdLPtIDEXHiDUTRq_bpHmZg2hZCpIg1G6ZvJGR3hU9NikS0kWY4vm2N5ugVo1UYilFakEaKRygFivb63ytWb606fLt2KOtyAJziPiTmg0UdvlAULxdxeaILAg8nDBt5OxQRcPrHQZOSFP/s1600/SAM_8070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="596" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUdLPtIDEXHiDUTRq_bpHmZg2hZCpIg1G6ZvJGR3hU9NikS0kWY4vm2N5ugVo1UYilFakEaKRygFivb63ytWb606fLt2KOtyAJziPiTmg0UdvlAULxdxeaILAg8nDBt5OxQRcPrHQZOSFP/s640/SAM_8070.JPG" width="379" /></a></div>
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One of the other changes we've seen in Aswan, is the style of the children's little boats, from which they sing to tourists in the feluccas. When we first came to Egypt (in pre-historic times, or so it seems now!) they had little metal built boats, just big enough to squeeze a child into, which they paddled with their hands. Now, they're perched on top of, what look like, surfboards! And they use squares of plastic for paddles; ingenuity and innovation, eh?<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"> Mind you, they seems to be able to move a lot quicker nowadays.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: left;">Walking back from a bit of shopping the other night, I noticed that the Sheikh's tomb had been recently painted. The group of women seemed to be on guard duty, and I have to admit to being </span></div>
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reluctant to get any closer to take the pic!</div>
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Lastly (for the moment) here's a shot of the renewed soil pipe down the front of Mr Adam's building:<br />
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We're breathing easy again!<br />
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Goodnight, Dear Reader, wherever you may be.<br />
<br />
Just one more thing; seeing as we've a lot of pics in this Blog. If you click on any picture, you can view them all together, only bigger. In case you'd forgotten.</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div>Find <a id="flipkey_best_of_property" href="http://www.flipkey.com/vacation+rentals/egypt/nile+river+valley/luxor/">Luxor Vacation Rentals</a> on FlipKey</div><script type="text/javascript" src="http://data.flipkey.com/widgets/jsapi/24396/5qe/5m9p/"></script></div>Discover 'Our Luxor' Apartmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907869521357887832noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5088683094727047806.post-4590936368917600452020-02-17T17:45:00.001+02:002020-02-17T17:45:12.650+02:00The Times They Are A'Changing!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Yes Playmates, they certainly are! In our experience, both Luxor and Aswan are, as Bob Dylan's words truly foretold; a'changing, and quite a bit too.<br />
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You know, of course, that we're lucky people, don't you? Well, we've just done a little cruise up the Nile on one our friend's Nile Cruisers, again. The Royal Viking isn't the best ship (although I prefer to call them boats because of their more diminutive size) navigating the reaches of the Nile between Luxor and Aswan, but it is eminently suitable for our needs, i.e. it's relatively clean, hygienic, comfortable, reliable and with decent food which is well cooked. (But mainly because we are family friends of the owner and get a reasonable discount, to be perfectly honest!)<br />
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Never mind, we had a great few days spending our time either lazing around the sundeck, eating more than we should and "people-watching", which, as you know, is one of our main pleasures, hehe! Our fellow travellers were mainly British (50) and German (40) and then a mix of American and "others". Which made watching the differing manners and general behaviour etc of the different groups very interesting, especially at mealtimes.<br />
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Mind you, we didn't waste our time in Aswan, either. How could taking two or three hours over tea etc, two days running, at the Old Cataract ever be considered as a waste of time, I ask you? We spent an afternoon and the following morning there. The hotel is still as beautiful as ever, if not even more so! Happily, having a friend or two there was also very useful, I'll say no more on that subject, though. (Wink,wink!!!) Us invalids really need to be looked after in some style, you know.<br />
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Invalids? That reminds me of the book which I've just finished and am embarking on reading again, it was so good! It's a facsimile of a book, actually written in 1895, entitled "Wintering in Egypt, Hints for Invalids and Travellers" and was a Christmas present from my darling sister. (Written by A J McDonald Bentley and C G Griffinhoof and published by Wentworth Press.) It's a great book and I'd recommend it for anyone who knows modern-day Egypt, or for anyone who wants to come here for a holiday. It's full of (what are, with modern hindsight) amusing advices and explanatory background on why and how the modern Egyptian sometimes seems so strange to us foreign visitors.<br />
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Back, now, in the thriving hubbub which is Luxor.............you'll remember that building which so tragically collapsed last year? Well, it prompted the Governor to send out his minions to check the other, old and unloved (more to the point unmaintained!) mud-brick multi-story buildings for safety! Old Uncle Mohamed's house is such a building. You must remember him, surely? The old guide who lived his entire life at the closed end of our "haret" (alley). Part of it was two floors and part was three floors. Well, when we returned we found this:<br />
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In true Luxorian fashion, it's been knocked down and left! You can see the concrete framework of the building in the rear of the picture, which is how all domestic buildings seem to be constructed now. I've berated the family for leaving the place like a bomb site, and have been reassured that the rubble will be cleared away, but no actual date was given!!! We'll see (again!).<br />
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Just across our street, if you can give it such a grand name, the waste pipe opposite, from the toilets etc., has developed a leak; obviously it's not very pleasant. The workmen are there now putting up wooden scaffolding to replace all the old iron pipework with modern plastic stuff. Hurrah! It looks as if we'll eventually be a "twee" little alley! (A mews, even?) Even the old hardened earth footpath has been tiled over. Mind you, the only time the tiles become apparent is when our "cleaner" (that's what he's supposed to be, anyway) has swept and washed them!<br />
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Here's a couple of shots of the scaffolders at work, it's actually terrifying to watch them.<br />
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I braved walking beneath this lot to do a bit of shopping, as we were almost out of both milks, full cream and skimmed, and Mandolin biscuits (Cadbury's Egyptian equivalent to Twix). I took this snap just for those of you who haven't seen Egyptian cabbages, they're often huge! These are babies in comparison:<br />
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Anyway, I'd better let you get off and do something useful, for a change, as my editor says that I shouldn't make these posts too long, or you, Dear Reader, will get even more bored and click on something else!<br />
So it's goodbye from her, and it's goodbye from him, goodbye.</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div>Find <a id="flipkey_best_of_property" href="http://www.flipkey.com/vacation+rentals/egypt/nile+river+valley/luxor/">Luxor Vacation Rentals</a> on FlipKey</div><script type="text/javascript" src="http://data.flipkey.com/widgets/jsapi/24396/5qe/5m9p/"></script></div>Discover 'Our Luxor' Apartmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907869521357887832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5088683094727047806.post-34515681972408075592020-01-30T23:27:00.002+02:002020-01-30T23:27:50.702+02:00Let's see what I can remember about the changes that have occurred whilst we've been away.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Firstly, I was surprised to be asked for my passport when I went to change some cash at the Egyptian Exchange on Sharia Karnak. Luckily I had Freda's little red European thing in my pocket (no idea why????) and he knew we were married, so<br />
accepted that.<br />
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There's a new supermarket on Station Street, about a third of the way up from the Temple. It's a branch of Kheir Zaman (otherwise known to foreigners as Kaiserman). The stock is possibly not quite so extensive as the main local branch, but near enough to save us trailing up to TV street every other day! I've decided to shop more at KZ than the Forty Market, simply because of the difference in prices. The former standard of friendly service at Forty clinched the deal, but not any more, I'm sorry to say.<br />
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I was disappointed to see a new metal fence had been constructed around the Temple entrance and the whole of the plaza (the former park with shade trees) outside of the Abu Haggag Mosque. It's probably a good idea to stop the quad-bike boys operating their dangerous hire business, plus the one's who hire out horses to trot around the same pleasant area frequented by families with small children in tow. However, to erect the fence right on the kerb, means that pedestrians have to walk on the busy road or run the gauntlet of the shopkeepers (including little Mahmoud the mad T shirt seller) on the other side. Perhaps that's the whole reason, who knows?<br />
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The new pedestrian area paving and all-round decoration along the Nile Corniche looks very good, but until the unpleasant felucca touts and caleche men are discouraged from hassling tourists, the foreign money still won't hang out along there. We've yet to travel Ibn Khaled Walid Street up to the Nile Palace, so cannot yet give any news about the "Little England" area, but that should be remedied on Sunday, as we're meeting a good friend there for tea in the afternoon. I'll keep you posted, no doubt!<br />
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Ooh! Another change is that the Egyptian market (running on from the Tourist Market and all the way to Abu Jude) is now a main thoroughfare! All the southbound local buses come down there (it seems to be one-way) instead of along Sharia Karnak. They then turn right onto Youseff Hassan Street and pass the front of the Emilio Hotel before turn left and joining Sharia Karnak along to the Temple and towards Station Street. Obviously, this change has devastated the traders in the market, changing the character of the place altogether, irrevocably! No more can the sellers sit on the road with their wares spread for everyone to see and haggle over, those folk have all gone. All that's left are the proper shops, and even they have no ladies underwear or galabeyas brushing the hair of passers by as the garments were draped across the street on bits of string. What will become of the poor souls who've been moved away is anyone's guess. There were three ladies selling tools and general hardware, in the first 100 yards or so, as you enter from Youseff Hassan street. I used to buy from them quite regularly, but where have they gone, from where is their income now derived? Who knows, or should the question more rightly be, "Who cares?"<br />
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For all it seems as if more and more tourists are returning to Luxor, my friends in the tourism business aren't seeing any more cash in their pockets. In fact, one excellent English and Japanese speaking tour guide of my acquaintance tells me that he is finding less work than at this time last year! I was quite shocked by this revelation.<br />
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My beloved (whom I'm thinking of renaming "Hatshepsut", because she thinks I'm her slave and beast of burden) bought some lovely new curtains for the guest apartment livingroom. I wouldn't dare tell you how much they cost, except that they would have funded my melodeon habit for a couple of years, I'm sure! Anway, I've been tasked with taking down the old curtains and rails and providing and fitting new rails and mounting brackets. Not as straightforward and easy as you might imagine, as the concrete beam is extremely difficult to drill with my super-duper Chinese machine. I got one side done, only to realise that it had been too much for my operation region. I ended up having to get a caleche to bring me back fro the shop last night, as I just couldn't walk any further due to the pain.<br />
Maybe this scar picture could be more than you want to see. Don't look if you're squeamish!<br />
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As you can see, there are six of them, top to bottom is abut 13 inches, and they've healed well. I thought that 9 or 10 weeks (or whatever it is now) would have been sufficient time to be able to act normally, but it transpires that I was mistaken!!!! I'm sick of it, I can tell you!<br />
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So, now I'm just about laid up again, shoving Paracetamol down my neck and getting bad-tempered. Perhaps Hatshepsut will have to get rid of me, no shirkers wanted around here! Only problem there, is that she'd be lost without me, as I would be without her; 48 years is a long time to grow together!<br />
Goodnight all.<br />
(I'll try to include some more pleasant piccies next time, promise!)</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div>Find <a id="flipkey_best_of_property" href="http://www.flipkey.com/vacation+rentals/egypt/nile+river+valley/luxor/">Luxor Vacation Rentals</a> on FlipKey</div><script type="text/javascript" src="http://data.flipkey.com/widgets/jsapi/24396/5qe/5m9p/"></script></div>Discover 'Our Luxor' Apartmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907869521357887832noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5088683094727047806.post-39248181989966776842020-01-28T23:33:00.000+02:002020-01-28T23:33:06.468+02:00Here we are again, as happy as can be!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well now, that was a long silent spell, wasn't it? Perhaps I should give my excuses along with my apologies?<br />
<br />
We left Egypt in the March of last year (2019) with heavy hearts, as we knew, even then, that we might not get back for quite some time. My mother's physical abilities were waning with the passing of every week, and we knew that she would need more and more help to live independently. Who else could help her but her own family? The vast majority of us only ever get one mother!<br />
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Added to that were my own health problems; the four year cough being uppermost in my mind. After eventually getting to see a doctor and persuading her that it needed some proper investigation, I had another chest x-ray. Nothing untoward was seen, except that the sharp-eyed chest consultant noticed something, on the very edge of the picture, which he wasn't happy about! He referred me to someone else who, after scans of one sort and another, told me that it was "inconceivable" that the growth on my left kidney was not cancerous. That sort of announcement makes you sit up, I can tell you!<br />
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Cutting a long story short, and after at least 1000 more visits to various clinics at several hospitals, I was given a "Partial Nephrectomy" (some of my kidney chopped out) at the wonderful Freeman Hospital in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne in November. (Four days after my mother's funeral, so I wasn't at my best!)<br />
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Mam had been ready to go, and was confined to bed for eight days before she finally did. Between us, we managed to be with her all the time until she slipped into unconsciousness in her own bed, and took her final breath at 11.45 at night. Our two girls were on their way to let Freda and I get some sleep when mam drifted away, and missed her by about ten minutes. Mind you, they brushed her hair and made her look presentable after the emergency nurses had been and done what they needed to do. Of course everyone was in a state of deep sadness at her dying, but we all knew it was inevitable. God blessed her in many ways in those last few days.<br />
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Back to my own problems again; I've been under four consultants at three hospitals all through the summer! Some things have been interconnected, like the four year cough and the over production of calcium which was found and retrospectively blamed for the kidney stone which I had in Aswan the year before, and possibly (if I remember correctly) for the onset of the cancer in the other kidney, too. Anyway, we've eventually managed to escape to Luxor for a few weeks in between hospital appointments, and are here now at "Our Luxor" (cleaning, as usual!!!).<br />
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Mind you, the journey here wasn't without problems either! After late boarding at London's Heathrow Terminal 2, we had to sit on the plane on the Tarmac for two hours, whilst a "technical fault" was supposedly being seen to. Eventually, we were told that a replacement part had to be sent from Cairo and that we would spend the night in the Heathrow Holiday Inn before finally departing the next day. Oh joy! It's not so bad for us (even though we had to forfeit our first night at the Winter Palace) as we are here for quite some time, but there were other passengers who only had a week in Egypt and were losing a day of their holiday. Obviously, they weren't very happy!<br />
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But it's nearing bedtime here in the Land of the Pharaohs, so I'll get back to you in the next few days with more news about our Egyptian problems, and some of the many changes here since we left. Ten months is a long time in Paradise! TTFN.<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div>Find <a id="flipkey_best_of_property" href="http://www.flipkey.com/vacation+rentals/egypt/nile+river+valley/luxor/">Luxor Vacation Rentals</a> on FlipKey</div><script type="text/javascript" src="http://data.flipkey.com/widgets/jsapi/24396/5qe/5m9p/"></script></div>Discover 'Our Luxor' Apartmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907869521357887832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5088683094727047806.post-12328170428803078382019-03-03T14:13:00.004+02:002019-03-03T14:25:12.670+02:00After the Goldrush?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm sure that many of my loyal readers (probably all 7 of you!) can remember the iconic song from the pen of Neil Young, and if you're British you'll possibly remember the version by the NE group "Prelude" even better. (The attractive female lead lived just a few doors away from our friends the Dixons, at Low Fell!)<br />
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Well, we aren't actually having a "Goldrush" here in Luxor, but tourism in general has certainly picked up, at last! It's great to see the long, long Pasha Runs of calleches winding their traffic-stalling way through the town again. Even if some of the drivers are only about 8 years old and hardly any carriages display licence plates, it's an indication of something good happening.<br />
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We have had the best month (as far as letting out the apartment goes) that we've had for ages; four lots of guests in five weeks! Mind you, it hasn't come without associated extra expense. We've had to replace both of our 50 litre water heaters, a thermostatic shower valve and now a hand basin and mixer tap are due to arrive in the next few days as well. And that's without the new decorative additions! (You can see them on the "personally guided tour" section of the Blog, by clicking on it in the column to the right on this page.) We'll obviously never get rich while my beloved keeps spending every penny we get! (Mind, she would just point to my small collection of melodeons, and I'd be forced to shut up!) (Editor Freda's comment:- IT IS NOT SMALL!)<br />
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Meanwhile, we met up with a friend from before the revolution yesterday. We haven't seen, or heard from, her for absolutely ages, so it was a real pleasure to see her again. Funnily enough, I was trawling through the Blog's ancillary pages yesterday morning, and found that she had sent a Blog comment last summer, which I hadn't even seen. I posted it, anyway, and thought to myself, "The poor girl will have thought that I'd fallen out with her or something, for not publishing her comment." Thankfully she hadn't, and we had a wonderful couple of hours, just catching up and drinking tea at the Winter Palace.<br />
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I don't think that I told you about last week's mirage, did I? Well, it was exclusive to Our Luxor, not the sort of thing that <i>ordinary</i> tourists see much of!<br />
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Had the table been too close to the fountain (at the extreme right of the picture)? No, it was actually bone dry! It was the type of mirage that we expect the poor, parched and half starved explorer, or soldier to see when lost in the desert! "Water, please, give me water!!!"<br />
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Another image from our roof terrace:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintTFUxcsGfG-_SauJ3zvK9ADrLLqFWHUB9XziJdiChwLVtZAsf1qZ33v_dDqf771yFDYALM-yqvFYJKKE1fQX18a3LTHGkw9ssy880RrK49iAZSZDhpyst4SLaxWF0yepXUPa7S71LE6H/s1600/SAM_7777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="1000" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintTFUxcsGfG-_SauJ3zvK9ADrLLqFWHUB9XziJdiChwLVtZAsf1qZ33v_dDqf771yFDYALM-yqvFYJKKE1fQX18a3LTHGkw9ssy880RrK49iAZSZDhpyst4SLaxWF0yepXUPa7S71LE6H/s400/SAM_7777.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
I'd just vacuumed the mats and hung them over the parapet, in order to vacuum and wash the floor tiles, when I saw this cheeky little monkey gathering soft furnishing for his/her nest. "Only the best camel hair!" I can just hear the conversation between him/her and their neighbour!!<br />
Not on my watch, matey! Shoo!<br />
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If you're really unfortunate, Dear Reader, I <i>might </i>post another short Blog in the near future! But for the moment, au revoir.<br />
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