Egyptian Hospitality

We can't say enough about the staff and owner of the Sheherazade Hotel. As our night train back to Cairo didn't leave until 10 pm, we were going to check our bags at the station and hike around Luxor for the day. We had intended to check out of our hotel by noon, visit Karnak in the afternoon, and then pass a few long hours rambling around town before the train departed. However, Nubi, one of the hotel owners, insisted that we keep our room all day so that after our visit to the Karnak Temple, we could come back to the hotel, shower, have a drink in the garden, and then head to the station in time to catch the train. 

Entrance to the Sheherazade Hotel

In addition, I was invited to join Nubi for a coffee "ahwa" at one of the many sidewalk cafes which is where men in villages and cities start and finish their day. I'm pleased that I can now order medium sweet coffee in Arabic without the slightest confusion on their part.

Nancy napping in the hotel garden gazebo!

We have so enjoyed our meals at the Sheherazade. For example, last night our feast included a table full of salade or mezze dishes, grilled meats, rice, yummy potatoes in a tomato sauce, followed by a large plate or fresh fruit for desert.

Outdoor garden restaurant at the Sheherazade

Due to Nubi's hospitality, we were able to spend the afternoon exploring the East Bank of Luxor, visiting the temple of Karnak, and indulging in a caleche ride, before returning to the hotel to get cleaned up and have a light late afternoon snack.

Ok, tourist stuff, but we bargained for a good price! It was fun considering how much we had walked today.

Most of our afternoon was spent at the Karnak Temple. To give you just a glimps of what we'll write about tomorrow, check this out:

Colossal pharaonic statuary at Karnak

And, after a full day of sightseeing, Nancy is still peppy enough to be fooling around.

De-Nile really is a river in Egypt!

Tomorrow: Karnak