Aswan

Up early for breakfast and a bus ride to the airport. We joined another OAT group (those who would cruise the Nile on a larger ship) on a flight to Aswan. Haven’t been on a plane with a propeller in many years.

From the airport we drove to the Aswan High Dam which provides electricity and controls water for the rest of the country. Lake Nasser extends into Sudan 500 kilometers to the south and is the largest man made lake in the world.

Next we drove through the city of Aswan — quieter than Cairo which is appreciated. We had lunch in a restaurant along the Nile promenade - pasta and chicken, nothing special. Hummus, of course, at every meal plus usually an eggplant dip and pita bread.

Then a free afternoon at our hotel — the historic Old Cataract Hotel where Agatha Christie wrote Death on the Nile. Since with six previous OAT trips I am the second most senior OAT person on this trip, I have an amazing suite overlooking the Nile. It’s huge with even two sections to the balcony, a separate coffee room, a row of cabinets in the walk-in closet, couches and chairs everywhere. I wonder which famous people stayed right here in this suite.

After a relaxing afternoon we drove to the two-mile long Aswan Market. Street after street of stalls and vendors insisting they had the best wares for the cheapest price. I talked with a nice man in a spice

shop who explained how to make hibiscus tea and showed me some unique fruits/plants grown in Egypt. Talked with a few others, took a few pictures, ignored the rest.

After 30 minutes in the market we walked a few blocks to a small restaurant where we dined on beef tagine with cooked vegetables and rice. Guavas and bananas for dessert. Back in the hotel complex I went with others to the outdoor bar. Lovely setting, 8 dollars for a local beer, $20 for most other drinks. Very strict Muslim county where alcohol is concerned so very rare to find. and expensive.