I Wandered and I Wondered (Qena, Egypt, Day 9)

Egyptian children are always happy. They are saying hi to you and approaching you because they are kind.—Ahmed

Meanwhile:

Come on! One dollar one dollar.  Hey, lady!—Egyptian children

Ahmed speaks excellent English but his accent is thick. It took me a few days to understand him completely. 

I now know about the first Bob and the second Bob (Popes). I also know that the Ancient Egyptians invented Ben-IS-ullen (penicillin) and paber (paper). They also invented braces, wine, astronomy and beds.

Today is Valentine’s Day! The Others all exchanged gifts and cards while The Husband and I, as is our custom, did nothing. I love him dearly and he knows it. Thanks for all the good years, Boo. 

Apropos to the occasion, today we visited the Temple of Love (aka Dandarra Temple). Ahmed made a big deal out of this rare-never-before-has-a-tour-of-this-temple-coincided-with-Valentine’s Day event while Mohammed the First mocked him with a faux surprise gasp. It should be noted that Mohammed the First is also in trouble with his wife for forgetting Valentine’s Day.

On the bus today we were escorted side back and front by police. To distract us from this, Ahmed read our horoscopes (the Zodiac was also invented by the Ancient Egyptians). He read me my sun sign and all the garble but when I asked for my moon sign he refused to respond. That kidnapping could still be in my future. 

All the temples, and there have been many, have had a superlative. I wish I’d taken better notes—wondered instead of wandered. The Temple of Love was the “best preserved” and it was a beauty. 

As interesting as I find the temples, I find the views from the boat and the bus equally so. These photos are from today.

This was taken just before Lynn saw a crocodile in the Nile 😜

See you later, crocodile.—Man in the market