People, the People

How's about a nice little bus ride? Please, store your sanity with your luggage in the undercarriage and cut off the circulation to your lower extremities before we get a 6'3" Egyptian to do it for you.

So I hear so many questions concerning the locals in Egypt. Let me tell you that they are mostly sweet and smiley- sometimes a bit too friendly if you have places to be. Everyone invites you in for tea- tea in their shops, or a tea house, or their home. I have been fortunate enough to meet some wonderful local Egyptian(and Nubian-Egyptian) that have taken me into their homes and fed me and gave me tea. They are just happy to have a foreign guest- and never accept money or gifts unless the gift is chocolate.

The photograph above is my seat on the "ghetto" bus I spent 16 hours on in order to get from Luxor to Dahab. No sleep and cramps- what else can I say?! The town of Dahab is on the Sinai pennisula and actually a good place to hang out. Its a not too touristy town that's small enough to be comfortable, and its main attraction is diving in the Red Sea. Salty and incredibly beautiful, the Red Sea is considered one of the best dive sites in the world. It sure has taken me. I am considering becoming a Dive Master which would mean spending more time(and money) diving. More on that later....

For now, enjoy the people of Egypt- I sure am.


By the Colossi in Luxor(on the West Bank of the Nile). These two huge monuments are all that remain of an ancient palace. Oh, and there's some local dude who's work is posing in pictures for money.







These two cuties led me and Jordan through their village by Hatchepsut Monument. Originally, they tried to sell us some handmade dolls(I bought one) and asked for tips, but were more than happy just to have our attention.

This smiley dude posing with me is Bodeway. He runs a falafel place on the West Bank- and is a gracious host. He invited me and an Israeli girl to tea. When we accepted he insisted that he feed us a full dinner. Falafel, salad, beans, soup, tahini, and pita bread. So So good. So we spent a few hours outside his restaraunt eating, laughing- mostly at his comical facial expressions- and watching Arabic music videos. And he wouldn't even accept a tip. One of the best encounters so far.

The toughest salespeople in Dahab. Hard to say "no" to their beautiful faces and their cunning haggling skills. Only had to pay them each 1LE(egyptian pound, about 18cents US) for this picture. They may be tough, but I'm no chicken!

I'll let this one speak for itself. Also in Dahab.

Tunisia- Revisited(again)

Djerba Island: A place to get busy doing nothing

Jordan and I went for a walk down to a pier on Djerba Island. Djerba Island is mentioned in the Odyssey as the place where Odysseus was waylaid by local women and lotus flowers. Didn't see any lotus flowers and the local women are Muslim- let's just leave it at that.
At any rate, lots of clay pots lying about tied down- possibly the ones that didn't sell. And a cuddly wittle kitten. Ouzhah Boo Boo!!

Tunisia- Revisited

Hang loose, my Arab brothers.

So, maybe you heard me talk about the festival in Douz that Jordan and I had attended. And how I maybe left my camera in an internet cafe but got it back days later and that's why I didn't have any pictures from the festival or for most places I went in Tunisia? Well, thanks to our friend Nuria, whom we met with Charlotte at the Festival, I have pictures from Douz. Thanks, Nuria.


The festival is mostly attended by other Tunisians, some Libyans, and a small group of international tourists(like us). It is a jumble of events and we weren't really sure when it began or when it ended. The first event was something about some dogs chasing a rabbit but they ran out of the "arena" area and a bunch of guys ran after them.... and then some guys chased a camel that ran away. In fact, that's how most events(for lack of a better word) ended, with two guys chasing a camel over some sand dunes. Highly entertaining as long as you don't try to understand.

Part of the horse racing event. Really, it was more of a display of old style desert dress and horsemanship. Lots of standing on the saddle and whooping the arms and such.

This was by the Chotts(or saltwater lakes in the desert). When they dry in the summer the water leaves mineral deposits that look really cool. But its winter and we got water. Very beautiful, very salty(I tested). That's Nuria, me, Jordan, and Charlotte. Its like an album cover for a Christian Rock Band or something. Praise Allah, I say.

Back to Tunisia(briefly)

Man, those movie makers are so sly- there wasn't even a roof on this piece! Its all about the camera angle.

Ever heard of the movie Star Wars(1979, SciFi George Lucas film)? Well in this picture you can see Luke's home in Tatouine. That's right, the place where the film was shot for Luke's home with uncle whathisface and auntie I'mgettingkilledsoonsodon'tremembermyname. There are still the plastic fake machine workings in the walls and of course many signed pictures from George Lucas and others but it is now a modern day bar and hotel.
By the by, the bar scene where Han Solo meets Greedo and Sny Snootles and the Rebel Band play music was filmed here as well. Woweee!!!! Even without the history its a really cool hotel with cheap rooms and open courtyards like this one.

Here our new friend, Charlotte, stands over the room like the evil droids that must have killed the aunt and uncle. Cheers!

That's the Weirdest Looking Ostrich.....

You know how we roll, baby- how about you? One hump, or two?


Guess they call them "camels". That'd make me "The Camel Man"- cause I'm riding one. Jordan's there with me and the Pyramids of Giza are in the background- mostly covered up by me and Jordan on our camels. They're oddly comfortable to ride but it gives the phrase "hump sore" a whole new meaning.

The Pyramids, Dude

I present: The Pyramids of Giza. Not the only Pyramids in this country, but the most popular. Not far out of the city, its amazing to see their silouhette behind the crazy buildings and driving of Cairo. There are three and they are all over 4500 years old. Bam!
Photos can't capture their magnificence. Even as a I stood by them(and even urinated on one's base) I could not believe their existence- but that's the closest I can come to describing the marvel. Here's some more photos anyway.
Jordan and I stayed past the "usual" time and as a result were witness to a sunset all by our damn selves- by the pyramids.

Don't miss the guard(doing what guards do) by the base. A little perspective for yous.

There's your sunset- did I mention that is was by the pyramids....of Egypt?!

And we shall not forget the Sphinx, located just down the hill from, you guessed it, The Pyramids!!

What the hell is a Falucca(Fah-loo-kah)?

Pardon me, would you have any Grey Poupon- this pita is way dry.

Well, its what I went a little ways down the Nile in. Fair to say it would be referred to as a "sloop" in other parts. Was nice though, Mahoumed Ziggy(our captain) and his crew escorted us for three days and three nights on the river. They also fed us(pretty well) and gave us tea and coffee. We shared the boat with 10 people the first night, 6 the second, and just the two of us on the third.

Jordan and I were party to a party when on the first night the boat anchored off of a nice beach- had a fire with palm leaves, Nile-chilled beer, and lots of music. They're Nubian down south there- at least an Egyptian-Nubian mix- they love their drums and singing and dancing and they did this for us every night. The bamboo sax even entered the scene. Then fell asleep with blankets on the beach under the stars with the infectious Nubian rhythms in my head.

Yes, it was a good trip.

Modern Gladiators

Tough lighting for the photo, but you get the idea.

You are all Gladiator(Bad-assed Russell Crowe movie taking place in ancient Rome) fans or you are women that are aware of its existence as a film. Therefore, I think you'll all appreciate the Coliseum in El Jem(Tunisia). It is this coliseum that the little magic movie people turned into the coliseum featured in Gladiator. Considering that it has existed for around 2000 years it is in remarkably good condition but still they had to do more than a bit of computer enhancement.

Jordan and I took it upon ourselves to throw the Frisbee(Discraft, 175g, Glow in the dark) in the middle of the arena. We imagined what it must have been like to have an unruly crowd of 30,000(that's right, the 4th largest Roman coliseum ever built) cheering me and booing Jordan. Pretty much we just annoyed some of the groundskeepers and scared a few Japanese tourists- but next time you watch the movie, just picture us out there taking on the world.


Its important to sweep away the carnage after any frisbee match- usually just keg cups and roaches.

Tunisia Pictures- Long Overdue

Thank goodness for high-speed internet in southern Egypt. The town is Aswan, bottom of the Nile River and right above the large Lake Nasser(for those following along on a map. Hint Hint, MOM). We're not very far from Sudan and will be only 24 miles from the border tomorrow. I feel like I'm walking through the pages of National Geographic- and it feels good. Smells real, anyway.

But these photos are some of Tunisia that I haven't been able to publish til now. So there ya go.
Enjoy.

This is some of the ruins of Carthage overlooking Tunis.
This is just me being "artsy" in a really cool Cathedral near Carthage. Its the sun through stained glass windows on a column.
No, its not Moses being talked to by the Heavens. No, its not some drunk homeless person looking for money for cigarettes. Its Jordan, my newest travelling companion. Here he is pointing toward Italy across the Mediterannean- for no good reason.

Happy New Year(Revised Dedication)

2006: Wowweeeeee!!!! Can you believe it!? Another year older and all I have to show for it is more shoulder hair. Coming in quite nicely, thanks for asking. I'm officially out of Tunisia and back in Egypt- this time to stay and play. Well, I figured I'd take this time to wish all y'all a Happy New Year. So, "Happy Freakin' New Year." I hope you all find what you need this year.

I'm also going to totally embarass Erika, too. She went back Stateside to see her family for the holidays and its been almost two weeks since I've seen her. Needless to say, I am a complete mess. Besides missing her company(badly) I find it hard to do little things by myself. I don't change my clothes(ever). I make a mess when I eat and go to the bathroom(especially when I do these things simultaneously), and I lose all sense of direction once I take ten steps. But mostly I miss her.
So, its time for a little tribute and a toast to the Beautiful and Headstrong woman. Enjoy your ten seconds of internet fame, you little spark plug, you. Love, CHad.
(Note: She was also the main photographer for this blog. All of the pictures from Cambodia and almost all from Thailand she took with her camera. Hot AND talented.)

I'll be publishing pictures as soon as I find a computer that will do it. Argggggggghhhhhhh!!!!
And here they are....