Greetings from Dave's hometown of Hurghada

Since it's been a while since I've written, let me give you an update of what's been going on. I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THE SLEEPER CAR TRAIN FROM CAIRO TO ASWAN! I felt like I was in the Agatha Christie novel, "Murder on the Orient Express . . ." Except without any fatalities. We had adjoining compartments so we could open the door in between. We played hearts for much of our awake time, and the trip went by very quickly. Travelling by train is my favorite form of travel.

We arrived in Aswan about 9 am on Wednesday morning. Dave took us to a hotel where he had stayed before. It overlooks the Nile. It was amazing, especially for $20 a night. The Nile in front of our hotel was filled with sailboats sailing back and forth. It looked like a postcard. We could open our window and enjoy the breeze. Later that morning we hired a driver and went to see the Aswan High Dam and the Philae temple. After that we came back, then went on a boat ride to watch the sunset, then had dinner on a floating restaurant.

The next day was Thanksgiving. Belated Thanksgiving to all. You might be wondering, "how did you spend Your Thanksgiving?" I'm so glad you asked . . .

We got up at 2:30 in the morning to catch a 3:15 tour which was taking us to the temple of Abu Simbel. Abu Simbel is located just 24 miles north of the Sudanese border, and is on the shores of Lake Nasser. I planned to send you some pictures, but we couldn't get the camera to work with Dave's computer. So, you'll have to wait for the pictures. It was an impressive temple built by Ramses II. After getting back from Abu Simbel we took a car to Luxor, and stopped by two temples on the way there.

Once we got there we had dinner at a nice English restaurant, then spent the rest of the night playing hearts. I continue to be the high scorer, much to my chagrin.

The next day we toured the west bank of the Nile and saw the valley of the kings, valley of the queens, valley of the nobles, and some more temples. After a while you get kind of templed out and hit overwhelmed mode. For dinner we enjoyed a nice meal at another English restaurant.

Today we had a guide and did the two main temples on the east bank, Luxor temple and Karnak temple. Pictures don't do it justice. It's on such a grand scale! Early afternoon we took a four and a half hour ride through the desert to Hurghada, arriving here about 5:30. We played hearts in the back of the van, so the trip went by in a flash. Jenny and I are staying in a nice hotel that Dave found. Ron is staying with Dave in his flat.

When we got to town, Dave introduced us to his friends who live right down the street. They seem to have a warm affection for him. As we walked through the town it seemed like an old home week for him as his friends would greet him with a handshake or a hug.

Plans for tomorrow are, we'll go in a glass-bottom boat in the morning. My plans to go scuba diving are in severe jeopardy as I've come down with a cold. My nose is running like a faucet and my chest is congested. Dave has informed me that they won't let you go scuba diving if you're sick, so I may have to settle for snorkeling. Ron I think is going to try to go scuba diving with Dave. Jenny's camel ride may be in jeopardy because Dave's friend who was going to take her is waiting on a letter from the government giving him permission to transport foreigners.

Today is Saturday night, so we have one more week of our adventure left. It's been great to be with Dave and have our family intact once again. Thank you again for your many prayers for us. Please pray that my cold is miraculously healed in the next day so I can go scuba diving. I apologize for the delay in writing. There was an internet cafe across from our hotel in Luxor. But because of the festival that's going on right now, it was closed.

Dave tells me that people have been slaughtering animals in every place that we've been in the last few days, but I've graciously not seen it. I look forward to being able to see Dave's flat tomorrow in the daylight. That's all the news for now. Talk to you later . . .

-Musing Mom