River Nile, Egypt

Saturday 7th January 2006
Day 385

A Nile Cruise sounds so decadent. It is really hard work, believe me! Wake up, Breakfast, Cruise a little, go ashore to sightsee, lunch, cruise a little more, tiffin, moor up for the evening, dinner, drink... I mean, that is seriously hard work!

What it does do though, is give a different perception to life on or near the Nile. Fishing seems to be very popular, but this may really be for subsistence purposes rather than recreation. It is also fascinating watching the activities of those ashore, whether washing clothes, crockery or carpets, or working in the fields. Admittedly, it is not an easy life, but it is a fascinating one.

The river is also teeming with wildlife, or more correctly birdlife. Kingfishers, Egrets, ducks, geese, kestrels, eagles – all sorts. Little animal life though, other than domesticated goat, cattle and donkey.

Then there are the colours. Most of Egypt appears to be brown, or Green. In fact I want to suggest that Egypt changes its flag to Brown, Green and Blue, representing the Desert, the fertile Nile Valley and the sky. But I digress... The colours of some of the houses are so rich in comparison. Rich blues, reds, even purples. It certainly gets noticed.

As well as many men fishing, there was a fair proportion of boys as well. These ventured too close to wake of the boat. I think they held on!

Today was also Groundhog Day. Happy Christmas everybody! (The Coptic Orthodox church celebrates Christmas on January 7th)