Sunday, May 23, 2010

Luxor and the Arab League





The overnight train to Luxor on Thursday was utterly sketchy. The food was less than mildly edible, mystery meat and rancid-ish tahina. The rice was good though and thankfully we brought a bit of a picnic. The ride was entertaining though. When we arrived in Luxor we went straight Karnak Temple and another one. The architecture was pretty awesome and most of it was still standing. Then we went to the hotel with a pool on the Nile and poolside bar. We wasted the day by poolside and on a nice boat ride (stopping at banana island of course). The restaurant we went to was easily the worst food and service combination yet and the people in Luxor just would not stop trying to sell you things, way worse than normal.

The next day we went to Habu Temple, Al-Deir Al-Bahari Temple, Hatshepsut's Temple, and the Valley of the Kings. The temples were great to be at but after a while they all seem to look the same. The Valley of the Kings was a new experience. The tombs were great but, as with everything we've visited, its hard to tell how much was ancient Egyptian and how much was restoration. Also, napping by the pool/Nile is awesome and we're all somewhat sun burned. The security for the flight back was a joke. We walked through with water bottles, pointy objects, pretty much whatever, right onto the plane. Absolutely inspiring talks about religion and education with Cynthia on the flight. She is adorable.

Today, we went to the Arab League and got to talk with the Chief of Cabinet. He actually answered most of our questions, which was so nice after the BS we got at the American Embassy, and was one of the best speakers we've heard here. Since then, its been a day of napping and working. It's nice to back in Cairo.

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