Wednesday, January 26, 2011: Siwa Day 3

 

A morning to rest.

Before heading to bed, we agreed it was about time for a lazy morning to rest and read. Finally, I have settled down enough to want to read for pleasure. How nice.

We had breakfast overlooking the Great Salt Lake and then I retired to my chaise by the pool, kindle in hand. At some point, about the time my kindle battery was dying, I had the sudden thought to check email. Not sure if I was wondering about GML’s mom or the dog or just feeling generally out of touch, so I turned on the phone (secretly as they are banned outside of the rooms) and quickly learned from you all that the riots had begun in Cairo and other cities.

There began our attempt to try to avoid downtown Cairo, where our overnight stay tomorrow is scheduled. Gratefully the manager of our hotel communicated for us and we were able to switch to a hotel closer to the airport, which is fine since we have a 7a flight Friday morning anyway. (ugh, btw)

We had planned to hit the desert again but a small sandstorm, which had started in the early afternoon, took on some speed and was an all-out blindfest in the desert so we had to apologize to the kind desert fox, Abdellah, and remain in our relaxed mode. I can’t say any of us really minded!

We had a delicious dinner that started with a terrine of sorts of various roasted vegetables in a fantastic simple sauce, zucchini and eggplant and carrots, delish. Then they served a cinnamon couscous with roasted pumpkin, chick peas and I don’t know what else but it was fantastic. Along came a shish kabob of beef with sliced figs of all things. The meal ended with a date soufflé, crazy but original and a super sweet finish.

A few thoughts:

Contrary to the pollution, filth and lack of care of the environent in Cairo, people in Siwa farm their own food, recycle, and compost. 

The men have farms or homes of their own, but don't move in until their wedding nights.

Salt & olive oil are made in Siwa.

Most homes have running water, indoor plumbing and electricity, however the old city lacks most of this and once a year all the "septic" holes have to be dug out, yick!

The kids are happy here.

Donkey taxi's, bicycles, and motor cars share the roads. 

Olive wood makes an amazing fire and smells divine. 

White hibiscus dried from the garden is my new favorite tea.

Color pops here against the sandy landscape.

Here are a few photos I like. 

Desert meditation.

Walking to school.

Donkey taxi's.

Tea brewing in the desert at sunset.

Driving home from the day.

Walking from our room to dinner.

Sorry to be brief, but my battery is about dead and no electricity here to charge her up. I now have 15% laptop, zero kindle, zero Flip, 22% phone and ½ camera battery left of the 5 batteries that cover 3 cameras. Realizing now how much we rely on electricity and technology!