Spelling

My iPod edits and "corrects" my spelling without paying attention to grammar. In my previous post, I meant to write "words to that effect" not "fords to that effect"

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Shopping is a sport

I imagine that it's a retail frenzy now in the USA. I'm in Aswan Egypt, which is in the south. It is hot here and it's supposed to be more laid back and relaxed. It doesn't have the Cairo's frenzy, but it does have it's own intensity.

In egypt, Shopping is a sport--the merchant befriends you, you talk, the customer gets tea, he makes an offer, you make a counter offer, then he counteroffers (accuses you of being cheap or fords to that effect) you walk away, he lowers the price and you accept or you keep walking while the storer owner shouts outrage. This goes on and on. But the next day, when they see you, it's like you are an old friend. ( i had a roommate like that). And this happens at practically every shop.

Not all shops are pushy--many of the storeowners do express a sincere curiosity and interest in tourists (especially if try see you everyday) but the noise, being constantly greeted and hearing everyone call out, "Obama! Amreeka!" happens frequently enough that I'm staying away from the souk until i leave for the train station.

Another aspect is that (at first glance) i look Egyptian (or like a native Arabic speaker). When I ask for the price in Arabic, it costs 2 LE. When I asked for clarification (in English)--I can't recognize the numbers when spoken--and I'm buying two of the items (e.g. Small cartons of juice), the second item costs 3 LE. 1 LE is a small amount to worry about (an American perspective) but this endless haggling is, well, annoying. I'm not going to Luxor (where I hear it's worse), and I not going to the Cairo markets without friends or a guide.

I swear after this experience JoAnn fabrics will look heavenly. *smile*

Elphantine island

A view of the archeological site. In the upper right, I think that is the mausoleum of the Shah Aga Khan.

A technical note

I have two camera with me on this trip--- a canon digicam about 5 years old and this iPod touch about 4 weeks old. (This iPod touch is one of my favorite purchases of the year. I just have to make certain that I have access to wifi.) The pictures I'm posting were taken with the iPod. At some point in the future (not immediately after I get back) I will be able to download the pics from my canon.

Obligatory fabric note: I wore my blue linen HotPatterns Marrakech pants and a brown long-sleeved T shirt (Burda) made from bamboo jersey. I was fairly cool. Linen and bamboo seem to be great fabrics for hot weather. The Marrakech pants garnered a comment from an observant moslem man who called out, "thank you for wearing modest clothing" then he wanted to talk about Louis Farrakhan. I told him I was Catholic, shrugged then walked away.

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Yes, it's that hot.

Aswan, Egypt. Elephantine island. 1:53 pm.

Frankfurt airport - one special purchase

I had a two hour layover in Frankfurt. I spent most of my time charging my iPod and having lunch, but I did have time to make one purchase. I didn't have time to read the English edition that I received at home, so I purchase the German language version.

I did look through the magazine called Cut, but I decided not to purchase. It was more crafts than sewing and I hardly ever craft.

I arrived safe and sound. One tip--if you travel with cans of cranberry sauce in your suitcase, expect to get your bags inspected. :)

On my way!

I'm at SFO using the free wifi while eating lunch and waiting for my flight. The TSA lines were long, but they moved quickly. The agents were friendly and professional and I did not observe anything out of the ordinary.

Right now I am at the point on my vacation where the adventure has begun. Actually, the adventure started with the crazy shuttle driver-- it's the first rain of the season and the roads are very slippery. I swear, we skidded on at traffic signals and I was worried we were going to rollover. He did slow down when I asked, but I couldn't help but feel this was in preparation for Cairo's crazy taxi drivers.

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