Day 4: Aswan

Day 4: Aswan
So I started off my morning at 5. Emily’s alarm clock was still set for Athens time so rather than fixing it to Egyptian time she simply tries to calculate when she should set it for in her head. Well turns out she went the wrong way. I didn’t even look at my watch until I accidentally hit my button calling my porter and he pokes he head in wanting to know why we’re up because there’s still 4 more hours to Aswan. I turned to face her as she was braiding my hair and glared. However a glare is never very effective when you’re about to fall off the bed laughing. So 5 hours later we finally got off the train and set off to the Temple of Philae.
This temple is dedicated to Isis and is the most similar to the Temple of Solomon. This was the last pagan temple in use during the Christianity period of the Roman empire. So it was used for both pagan and Christians. The Gods on the left side of the temple (the side the Christians used) were defaced but the ones on the Pagan side were untouched. In 1960 when the Aswan Dam was built it made a lake and covered the temple up. So in 1972 they started making plans to move the temple. They started moving it in 1974 and the process was complete in 1980. I’m floored that they move temples over here. Because they’re HUGE! It didn’t even look like it had been moved.
We made a stop off at the High Dam and the Aswan Dam. Could have done with out these but I guess it’s all part of the complete “Egypt Experience.”
Then came my favorite part of the day…. We took a skiff boat down the Nile into Nubia! I understand why the people who go to Africa come back obsessed about it. This place is really legit. As we went down the river there were people fishing in their boats, birds everywhere, and a cool breeze blowing. As we went down the river young boys in canoes or on something that resembled a surfboard would hang onto the edge of the boat and sing for us. They could sing in several different languages. Of course one of m favorites was when the one on our side of the boat broke out singing the Macarena.
We finally got to shore and are you ready for this? I got to ride a camel! It took a couple tries to get on the silly thing because even sitting down they are massive! Sitting on a camel while it’s getting up and sitting down is an experience that I will never forget. My camel’s name was Ricky Martin. There were a bunch named Rambo. Right as we set out my camera battery died. I was really upset! So I didn’t get pictures of the Nubian Village but if I find some from someone else I’ll go ahead and put them up so you can get the full effect of Egypt. There are only 3 Nubian Villages left in the world. When we reached the Nubian Village we dismounted and went to see a Nubian house. While there we had Hibiscus Tea, shopped, and got to pet baby crocodiles. The Nubians catch them and/or raise them from birth and make them into pets. The guy was bringing it around so everyone could touch it and I reached out my head when all of the sudden he puts it up against my neck. I can’t remember the last time I was that scared. Not so much of the crocodile but out of pure shock. I went outside and simply stepped back to watch the people as they went about their daily lives. They are very poor and work hard but they are SO happy! They truly know what it means to build relationships and to KNOW people. As I watched one of my fellow students play “soccer” with some of the children using a coke can, it struck me how easy it was to see the love of God in that village. It’s surprising how clearly it shines through when it’s not being clouded by all the things the prosperity of our nation affords us. Finally when it was time to go we headed back to the skiff. On the return trip we got to ride on top! There are some things you do in life where you say… That was fun, but I don’t think I want to do that again. Floating down the Nile is definitely going on my list to do again! As I started up at the stars, listening to the motor churning the waters of the Nile, I felt more at peace than I have in a long time. I mean honestly… I just finished a camel ride, through the desert went to a Nubian village, and at that moment was cruising down the Nile on top of a skiff. Personally I don’t think that at that moment life could have gotten much better.
When I walked into my room on the boat my jaw dropped! The room is about the size of a hotel room and the bathrooms… You can actually WALK and MOVE around in them! It’s amazing what you begin to appreciate, isn’t it? The food has been out of this WORLD! I love beef Wellington and every soup I’ve had has been AMAZING! My favorite by far though was the pumpkin soup. I need to find a recipe for it.
Well I should wrap this entry up because I have to be up at 3:30 in the morning. Yes that is AM. We’re leaving for Abu Simbel. Not many groups get to go there so I’m really excited! Well minus the time I have to wake up but I can catch up on sleep later. I’m in EGYPT! Crusin’ the Nile. It’s weird to think that this is the VERY same river that Moses turned into blood. This trip has been worth every cent and so much more. So thanks Mom and Dad!

Goodnight everyone!

Love, Rebecca

Day 4 Pictures: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2004568&l=42067&id=1523040053