Thursday, May 20, 2010

Egyptian Time



Last night we had dinner at the nearby oasis. Like most things at El Gouna it's not real but it was nice nevertheless. We had meat from the braii which reminded me for home and sat Bedouin style and watched a whirling dervish and a belly dancer, each not quite authentic but nice in their own way. The photos above are of the hills behind the oasis and the camels some of the tourists with us took rides on.

I wake up early most mornings here, usually about 6:30 and am out on my walk by 7:30 but it's very strange because I rarely see anyone except for the men working on the golf course. In Botswana, people wake up at the crack of dawn and get to work so that they avoid the hottest part of the day. They finish everything before the sun becomes too hot.

In Egypt, and apparently other hot Arab countries, they attack the heat differently. Nothing gets going until late afternoon, in the night is when everyone is active. In Botswana where our bars and clubs are all closed by midnight, here no one leaves their houses to go out until that time. If you really want to go dancing you should be out in the club at 2am, or so our caretaker Emad has assured us.

Egyptian time- I think I could get used to it.

7 comments:

Val said...

how fascinating! tell us more please, and i enjoyed the pics. Are you homesick yet? :-) how is the writing going?
enjoy it all!

Lauri said...

Hi Val. A bit homesick but I'm kept pretty busy so it's not so bad. It's more than half over already so I'll be back in Bots before I know it.

Elspeth Futcher said...

I think I would do well on Egyptian time - left to my own devices, I'd be a night owl. Having children to get to school took care of that years ago. I'm enjoying the irony of your oasis being an oasis.

Stephanie Thornton said...

I absolutely adore Egypt! And I agree- I could definitely get used to Egyptian time. I'm a teacher and am so glad school just got out for the summer- I'd much prefer to stay up late than rise early.

Glad I found your blog!

Lauri said...

Hi Stephanie! I see from your profile that you are obsessed with Hatshepsut. I'm going to Luxor on Sunday and hope to get many photos of her tomb. Have you read Double Crown? It's a fictional account (based on fact) of Hatshepsut's life, very moving.

Anonymous said...

An oasis and a whirling dervish? Sounds like a dream night out to me. I am sooo jealous!

Lauri said...

Selma don't be jealous- apply next year!