Denial (Day 4, Luxor)

Ahmed believes with all his heart that Egypt invented everything. The 8 hour workday, letters of resignation, giving mothers milk to newborns? All Egyptian inventions. It would be easy to roll your eyes or give him a counterpoint but he’s just such a happy man and he absolutely loves his country. 

We’ve seen some remarkably good things. But we’ve seen remarkably bad things as well. Animal welfare seems nonexistent, their tap water is not potable and you still have to pay to use some really shabby toilets in public places. Our half-full glass girl, Dana, says on leaving a particularly nasty toilet “it’s not ideal” while Lynn can be caught fleeing each time she’s finished using the “facilities”.

We were spanked by a couple of Reds for our behavior last night. And we were loud (video evidence exists). One accused of making up birthdays for the cake and attention (not entirely true). But it’s when the classically trained violinist played the chicken dance that the wheels came off. Today we’ve been purposely subdued. So subdued that dear Ahmed asked Matt why he wasn’t asking questions today.

Pics from our day in Luxor.

It’s 3:30pm and we are afloat on the Nile. The minarets are sounding for afternoon prayer and we are hearing them in Dolby sound as we cruise.  Ahmed’s right—Egypt does some things remarkably well.