Yesterday about 9 pm I was in my room when Mohamed came and said to get dressed if I wanted to go out for an hour or so.  I quickly got dressed and met him in reception.  When I asked where we were going he just laughed and said dancing.

He drove through some really really really back streets/paths and finally stopped. We entered the gate and there were quite few people there where live music and dance were being performed.

There were several Europeans in a group and the rest were locals.

The musicians were live.  There was stick dancing and other types.  

The second performance really surprised me especially because there were so many children there.  A woman from Kuwait was dancing.  It was a cross between belly dancing, pole dancing, lap dancing, and strip tease.  OMG, I was shocked.  Interetstingly, the men were not that interested in her.  Unfortunately the children were.  The five or six little boys sitting in a line, front row, were transfixed.  The same with the little girls on the other side.  I asked Mohamed if he would let his children watch her and he immediately said no.

We had a meal and a drink, then after about three hours went back to the hotel.  I slept this morning.  It is noon now and Mohamed has yet to show up at the hotel.

Sorry for the poor photos.  No settings or flash on the iPad.

Crossed the river again today and got my passport back with the visa extension.

Went back to Sandhouk on this side to pick up a few items I had ordered for them to try to get when they went to Nagada on the weekend.  Not only did I get them, but also a fabulous top which I splashed out on.

Here are some photos of the shop, which is actually an apartment (but not used as such).

There are also a few photos of the weavers in Nagada which I took from photos on their wall. Sandhouk has very good quality items.  The price is fixed and extremely fair.  

OMG-coffee is the answer.

I returned to my room a few minutes ago and realized that I had forgotten to put on my shorts.  Yes, I spent several hours in the breakfast area in a t shirt and my undies!!!!!!

Thank God my shirt is a long one.

I should know better than to attempt going out before my morning coffee.

Hotel guests.

Currently the new guests include:

A German couple, here for one week.  He stays and reads on his balcony and goes for swims while she goes to her project.  It is a community skills development project for the needy.  Sewing, weaving, pottery etc. are some of the skill areas.  She comes every year, but usually for a month or more.  She has done the same in the Punjab, Pakistan, the Stans, and Columbia.

The German consul from the Cairo embassy.

A group of five young Brazilians just left. They are all journalists doing their internship in Cairo.

A woman from Lebanon who owns a tour company.  Hopefully checking out the hotel for future clients of hers.

Brian is still here, as are the Belgian couple.  Peter has moved into the villa he just bought. There continues to be a few one or two nighters, as well.

As you can see there are always interesting guests here.

From my breakfast table.

This morning Noby brought me my breakfast, as usual.  But today, instead of room service I had it in the breakfast area.

He brought only one flower today, but it came with a surprise gift.  A silver chain bracelet. What a sweet boy.

Several days ago I had a pimple or stye beginning on my lower lid.  I had heard about rubbing it itch a gold ring.  I did not bring one with me, so Ashraf's wife lent me hers.  In this photo we are joking that we are now married.

She, Noura, also sent some kohl to help.

I am not sure what worked, but it never got bigger and is now gone.

Ashraf and I have divorced.

Went back to the passport office today and had all the documents they required.  I tried to use an old passport type photo, about 13years old.  Didn't fool him. He insisted it was an old photo, but did accept it withe warning to get new photos next time.  Anyway, have to go back again tomorrow to collect my passport with the vis extension in it.

When you arrive in Egypt you get a one month visa on arrival with the payment of $25.00 U.S., no photo or questions asked.  The extension is a different matter, and the cost has gone up by about $10.00.

When I got back to the hotel three of the boys sat with me (English time).  Guess what they want to go to Canada!   Any takers...

Before returning to the hotel we stopped at the juice shop.  A man came by swinging a thurible/censer much like the one I remember the priest using at a high mass.  I had the man incense me.  He was a Sufi and from time to time can be seen on the street.

With all the bad news I have heard the last few days I hope that both my prayers in the Coptic chapel and my Sufi incensing will afford me some peace.

There are many shops here on the W B selling hand woven scarves and shawls, but this one and Sandouk are the two I prefer.

Habiba weave their own on site.  Sandouk bring them in from Nagada.

I bought three here.

We often pass by this massive dig site.

I had a lovely afternoon.  We drove a short distance (a few Kms) into the desert to St. Tawdros Coptic Monastery.  The entrance gate was locked, but banging on it brought a nun to let us in.  The church is wonderful.  It is perhaps the most (I am at a loss for word).  The aura is one of calm and peace.  It just felt good sitting there.  A short walk from the walled monastery is the Christian cemetary and catacombs. I did not walk there.  This is the chapel I was led to.