Lost in the Sahara

Camels, pyramids and the occasional political conflict. We made it in and out of Egypt! Imagine cruising along the Nile in the warm afternoon sun. Hair in the wind. Sailboat cutting through the water with ease. Locals in white cotton dresses at the ropes. They sail these waters with their eyes closed. Children in their own little boats race over to grab the sides of ours. They sing for money. The two boys smile. They continue to bucket out the small puddles of water seeping into their wooden boat as they sing. A few Egyptian pounds are passed their way. Then they are off to the next sail boat filled with tourists.

We land ashore to the clearest part of the Nile. Our boat hits the sand of the Sahara Desert. The locals dressed in white lead let us marvel at the sunset before sailing away. Our toes hit the warm sand. We wave goodbye to the boat as it sails back down stream. One of the locals in white wave back to us. He is only young. Fifteen or so. His hands are coarse but his arms are muscular.

Jumping into the clear Nile, the rips are strong. We stay close to the shore. Our bodies submerged. It is cool but the hot wind of the Sahara sweeps over us. Looking out to the endless desert. Is anyone out there?

 

Snapshot of Egypt

Well I made it. A few blog posts behind I know, but I think this is the perfect time to revisit the saying: a picture is a thousand words. So without further adew, a handful of pictures for your enjoyment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

P.s I did go hot air ballooning over Luxor!

 

 

 

Mixed days

Dearest fellow readers. I apologise for my lack of blogging in the past week and a bit. I am writting to tell you that I am still indeed alive and have currently survived Egypt and now in the presence of the majestically green Denmark. I've written my blogs but will upload them over the next few days when I have the internet again. Until then, San recommends to wear sunblock every day as the Egyptian weather will be no less than 45 degrees and sunny. Always sunny.

I can't find Allan!

What a weekend! Glee smiles all round in a (ever so slightly) intoxicated mess. I went to my first giant music festival. With approximately 40,000 passionate musical drunks, Hop Farm's line up included Bob Dylan, My Morning Jacket, Psychedelic Furs, The Future Heads, Athlete and Primal Scream. Not for the faint hearted, the weekend was essentially camping in the freezing cold with the choice of no blow up bed or a deflated one. To add to the thrills, all three of us managed to forget a pillow. Thank you my precious, comfortable hoodie. The good news is that it was sunny all weekend - except for the last bit on Sunday. Gobsmacked; I know. It has been raining and windy all summer here!

My company was the lovely Isabel from California and another intern from SupaJam called Rachael. These ladies put up with my whining about the disgustingly disgusting portaloos and led the way when sneaking vodka and wine into the campsite. The mastermind Izzy has a few tips to share with you.

Izzy's tips:

1. Lay in the middle of your two friends and steal all the blanket. It will keep you warm on the coldest of nights.

2. The best food to bring along camping is peanut butter.

3. Crowd surfing with a dolphin is the only way to crow surf.

4. Bring two tents. One to sleep in and one to keep all the bags, food and alcohol stashed.

5. When the water bottle filled with vodka doesn't work, try an empty sunscreen bottle.


Now you have learnt from an experienced festival goer! Take these tips and proceed on living your life with something more than catnip under your belt.

On the best night we just so happened to fall asleep at 4am. Downing only a 'small' amount of alcohol, we then meet up with some rather attractive guys and sat around our invisible campfire. Some random musicians joined us and began pumping out Johnny Cash and Mumford and Sons. In England at festivals it is also tradition to yell out 'Is that you Allan' or 'Where are you Allan?' to anyone and everyone that walks past your tent. Allan?Allan? Where are you? I am sorry all those poor people that we woke up when we were looking for Allan at 3am in the morning.