Egypt Day 5 - Temple of Edfu / Horus

Wednesday, March 19 ~ we finally got through the Locks at Esna during breakfast. The water had to raise 7 meters before being raised high enough to enter the other side.

It was very comforting as we watched the process to see three men use masking tape to repair something along the walls.



Later that morning we visited the Temple at Edfu, also known as the Temple of Horus. According to Amir it is the best preserved temple because it was buried for so long. However damage was done when the Egyptian Christians were vacated out of Cairo and they hid in the temple bringing in animals and they started fires which burned off a lot of the color damaging the walls and many of the interior tombs.




Every wall and column was covered with hieroglyphs. There were multiple chambers inside where some of the color had not faded off. In one of the chambers there was boat that represented how the gods of the time to the after life.
Then when we went outside were were shown where there is record of belly dancers during the time of the pharaohs. From there we walked down a steep set of steps into the Nile Meter. The Nile meter is used to measure the level of the Nile and determine the quality of the crop for the year. I was the first to walk down the steps and it was dark with everyone behind me providing no true light. I kept walking towards the little square of light where I could clearly see the Nile lapping against the walls only to find myself actually stepping into the Nile up to my ankle. Luckily I was able to warn everyone else of the potential hazard so they were able to keep their feet dry.

Afterwards Amir graciously gave us some free time to walk around and shop. The men heckled us once again as we tried to purchase outfits for our ethnic party. Allyson was much more patient then I and found an outfit. she also got asked how many camels for her hand in marriage. As a table we had said that none of us would dress up. So I didn't heckle or purchase anything. However, all their stories changed and they came back with outfits. So on the bus I decided on getting a gallabiya for the dinner. Amir told me no because the boat had to depart. I did it anyway and Clive helped me get a dress for 36 Egyptian Pounds. Plus the rest of the group decided to shop as well so I was the first one back and they held us up instead of me.



The Sunset as we floated down the Nile.


Clive, Michelle and Allyson sitting by the pool.

The evening was a lot of fun. Some people came totally decked out in costume, while others had just a shirt or turban. Our whole table dressed, even Marco and Mike.

During dinner, Sam our waiter entertained us with napkin folding tricks. I successfully made a chicken, while Sam made a lily for me and a princess crown for Allyson. Clive being funny made his napkin trick, also known as a flat triangle, and said "Look a pyramid". Sam wasn't all that amused.


Table 3 in all their glory.


At the after party we took a family picture where the Cowboy's and Indians united. Then a series of scandalous games were played including roll the potato with a string between your legs and pour a beer into your wifes lap. Clive won the potato King Crown.