Ismail left at the doors to the Winter Palace in order to return to the family home on the West Bank. Doubtless he was eager to have a meal of upper Egyptian food, and so he politely declined to eat with the 'boys'. He had, however, exchanged cell-phone numbers with Jim previously, and had promised to ring in order to invite Jim and Ethan over to the West Bank for the following evening. Meanwhile, the group took their evening meal, and eventually retired to their elegant accommodation, exhausted after a long day. Later they would spend the first day looking round the hotel, which had beautiful gardens and a magnificent swimming pool, and then explore the city (town) of Luxor.
The hotel staff, as one might imagine, were confused by the 'gang' (the 'Penthouse Gang') of scruffy teenage 'boys' entering the exclusive '1886 Restaurant'.
However, none of the staff, on being informed by the hotel manager that the 'boys' were booked into the most expensive suites and rooms in the hotel, and had arrived in three Mercedes Maybach Pullman limousines, with huge quantities of ridiculously expensive luggage, were intending to impose any 'dress-code'.
These guests, according to the manager, were to be treated with 'kid gloves'.
So the 'gang' were politely greeted, and shown to their previously reserved tables by the head waiter.
 |
| 1886 Restaurant - Winter Palace - Luxor Egypt |
"Well....", Teddy began: "The first practical dishwasher was invented in 1866 - which would probably be very useful in a place like this - also in that year, Pepsi Cola was invented, which was a good thing for Ethan - Ludwig II, the King of Bavaria, died in mysterious circumstances - he would have probably liked the decor here - but nothing special happened in Egypt - so I don't know why it's called the 1866 Restaurant.", Teddy concluded, sounding very puzzled.
In fact Josh had got the date wrong - but Teddy's information was, as always, correct - at least about 1866.
1886 was, in fact, the date that the Hotel was built !
The food, of course, was excellent, and Jim was very pleased - but in reality everyone was simply too tired to truly enjoy the meal.
So they all decided to have an early night - have a good sleep - and hopefully be well rested for the next days 'adventures' - or at least some sight-seeing.
Ethan, Teddy and Jim eventually ended up in their palatial suite.
The suite consisted of a small lobby, bathroom, a very elegant drawing-room, complete with beautiful tables, ceramic lamps, gilded furniture, ornamental plates (which Ethan had to promised not to touch...), a crystal chandelier, and of all things, a white marble fire place ! - which fortunately did not have a fire burning in the grate.
As if the people at the hotel knew that Teddy was staying, the chairs and sofas were piled high with beautiful, well stuffed cushions, with lots of tassels and fringes.
The bedroom, although it was simpler than the drawing-room, had fine mahogany furniture with ormolu mounts, - all antique - with well upholstered armchairs, beautiful gold damask drapes, and an truly antique telephone, (that actually worked), and a portrait of the Egyptian King Fuad, (father of King Farouk) glowering down from the wall.
Not surprisingly, however, there were insufficient pillows and cushions to satisfy Teddy, but regardless Ethan promised to transfer some of the cushions from the drawing room before they went to bed.
"So what do you think of the hotel, Ethan ?", Jim asked, as they made themselves comfortable on the large sofas for a chat, prior to retiring - as Teddy meticulously re-arranged the cushions to his particular taste.
"I like it.
It's old fashioned, but very elegant.
It's like something from a few hundred years ago, but very well looked after.", Ethan replied.
"And the food ?", Jim continued.
"Oh, the food's excellent...", Ethan replied.
"And Teddy... what have you got to tell me and Ethan about Luxor ?", Jim asked, interrupting the busy little bear as he checked out the cushions.
In fact Josh had got the date wrong - but Teddy's information was, as always, correct - at least about 1866.
1886 was, in fact, the date that the Hotel was built !
The food, of course, was excellent, and Jim was very pleased - but in reality everyone was simply too tired to truly enjoy the meal.
So they all decided to have an early night - have a good sleep - and hopefully be well rested for the next days 'adventures' - or at least some sight-seeing.
Ethan, Teddy and Jim eventually ended up in their palatial suite.
The suite consisted of a small lobby, bathroom, a very elegant drawing-room, complete with beautiful tables, ceramic lamps, gilded furniture, ornamental plates (which Ethan had to promised not to touch...), a crystal chandelier, and of all things, a white marble fire place ! - which fortunately did not have a fire burning in the grate.
The bedroom, although it was simpler than the drawing-room, had fine mahogany furniture with ormolu mounts, - all antique - with well upholstered armchairs, beautiful gold damask drapes, and an truly antique telephone, (that actually worked), and a portrait of the Egyptian King Fuad, (father of King Farouk) glowering down from the wall.
Not surprisingly, however, there were insufficient pillows and cushions to satisfy Teddy, but regardless Ethan promised to transfer some of the cushions from the drawing room before they went to bed.
"So what do you think of the hotel, Ethan ?", Jim asked, as they made themselves comfortable on the large sofas for a chat, prior to retiring - as Teddy meticulously re-arranged the cushions to his particular taste.
"I like it.
It's old fashioned, but very elegant.
It's like something from a few hundred years ago, but very well looked after.", Ethan replied.
"And the food ?", Jim continued.
"Oh, the food's excellent...", Ethan replied.
 |
| Luxor - Egypt
As the image shows, while the Egyptian Government proudly states
that Luxor is a 'city', it is, in fact, a small agricultural town.
It is, of course, because of foreign tourists - and particularly the
exceptionally wealthy, that it can boast an airport, and a few
five star hotels - the most eminent being the 'Old Winter Palace'.
In contrast, the surrounding towns and villages are mired in the most
unbelievable poverty that afflicts most of southern and rural Egypt.
|
"Well, I have a little information...", Teddy said, sounding as if he had been taken by surprise.
"الأقصر 'l-aqṣur' - Luxor, is a city in Upper (southern) Egypt, and the capital of the Luxor Governorate.
As the site of the Ancient Egyptian city of 'Waset', known to the Greeks as 'Thebes', Luxor has frequently been described as the 'world's greatest open-air museum' (mainly in tourism brochures), as the ruins of the temple complexes at 'Karnak' and Luxor Temple stand within the 'city limits' of the modern town.
"الأقصر 'l-aqṣur' - Luxor, is a city in Upper (southern) Egypt, and the capital of the Luxor Governorate.
As the site of the Ancient Egyptian city of 'Waset', known to the Greeks as 'Thebes', Luxor has frequently been described as the 'world's greatest open-air museum' (mainly in tourism brochures), as the ruins of the temple complexes at 'Karnak' and Luxor Temple stand within the 'city limits' of the modern town.
Immediately opposite, across the River Nile, lie the monuments, temples and tombs of the 'West Bank Necropolis', which includes the 'Valley of the Kings', with the tomb of Tutankhamen, and the 'Valley of the Queens'.
The name Luxor comes from the Arabic - al-ʾuqṣur (الأقصر), meaning 'the palaces', from the collective plural of قصر 'qaṣr' - which is probably a loanword from the Latin 'castrum' meaning a 'fortified camp'.
"OK...I think that's enough....but very interesting....
You can tell us all tomorrow when we go exploring.
As for now, I really need to have a bath and go to bed." Jim said, giving an exaggerated yawn so as not to offend Teddy.
"Yes, and me also...Ethan said.
Because Teddy was a well brought-up, well mannered bear, he had spent the night on one of the large sofas in the drawing room, carefully rehearsing the information he would need for the following day's foray into the streets and byways of Luxor.
Teddy noticed that the sun was rising.
Teddy then bounced across the cushions, and pulled back the drapes to reveal a glorious Egyptian sunrise.
It was not the weak, pallid kind of sunrise that he had seen from the windows of the Gizereh Palace, but rather a clear, brilliant, burning sky, full of promise for the coming day.
(One of the odd things about Upper Egypt was that, because it was quite close to the equator, sunset and sunrise were at similar times - regardless of the time of year - so the sun was rising about six, and would equally set about six. Also at night, there would be practically no 'twilight', as the sun would seem to set very suddenly - so that one moment it would be quite light, and the next it would be dark...all very strange for those coming from more northerly latitudes.)
At the same time that the sun rose, Jim's cell phone rang - and Teddy scampered into the bedroom, and started jumping up and down on Jim's back.
The name Luxor comes from the Arabic - al-ʾuqṣur (الأقصر), meaning 'the palaces', from the collective plural of قصر 'qaṣr' - which is probably a loanword from the Latin 'castrum' meaning a 'fortified camp'.
"OK...I think that's enough....but very interesting....
You can tell us all tomorrow when we go exploring.
As for now, I really need to have a bath and go to bed." Jim said, giving an exaggerated yawn so as not to offend Teddy.
"Yes, and me also...Ethan said.
Because Teddy was a well brought-up, well mannered bear, he had spent the night on one of the large sofas in the drawing room, carefully rehearsing the information he would need for the following day's foray into the streets and byways of Luxor.Teddy noticed that the sun was rising.
Teddy then bounced across the cushions, and pulled back the drapes to reveal a glorious Egyptian sunrise.It was not the weak, pallid kind of sunrise that he had seen from the windows of the Gizereh Palace, but rather a clear, brilliant, burning sky, full of promise for the coming day.
(One of the odd things about Upper Egypt was that, because it was quite close to the equator, sunset and sunrise were at similar times - regardless of the time of year - so the sun was rising about six, and would equally set about six. Also at night, there would be practically no 'twilight', as the sun would seem to set very suddenly - so that one moment it would be quite light, and the next it would be dark...all very strange for those coming from more northerly latitudes.)
 |
| Egyptian Felucca |
It was one of Teddy's less endearing habits.
"Time to get up, Jim !...'phone call !....", Teddy squeaked loudly.
"OK, Teddy, but just get off me so that I can get to the 'phone.", Jim said, sleepily.
And of course, it was Ismail......
And Ismail, 'phoning from Qurnah, ( القرنة), at his home on the West Bank, was anxious to know if everything was OK at the hotel, and eager to confirm the meeting for that evening.
Jim had wanted to use one of the Mercedes Maybach Pullman limousines, but Ismail explained that the only way to get to the West Bank was by a bridge that involved a long drive, and it would be easier to take a felucca, and then hire a taxi.
Of course, like all Egyptian young men, Ismail had a 'cousin', who had a taxi (or whatever), and could provide an excellent service for 'Egyptian price'.
Then it was down to breakfast.
Teddy, however, despite his obsession with elevator buttons refused to use the elevator.
"There's something wrong - I don't trust it !", Teddy said.
Jim thought it was wise not to argue with Teddy, but advised the others that it might be better if they all used the stairs.
As a result of Teddy's mysterious warning it meant a trip along the corridor and then down the stairs, but as Jim said, 'it was all good exercise'.
The hotel manager, who by then had seemed to have worked out that Jim was the leader of the 'group', was waiting in the main reception area.
Polite to a fault, he wanted to know if Jim and his associates were happy with their accommodation, and also if they had enjoyed their meal the previous evening.
Jim, on the other hand wanted to know if his chauffeurs have been properly accommodated, and where exactly they were.
Apparently they had rooms in the 'Winter Palace Pavilion', situated in the grounds of the Winter Palace.
The manager explained that the Winter Palace, in which they were staying, was correctly called the 'Old Winter Palace', and became an hotel in 1907.
Very much later the 'Winter Palace Pavilion' was constructed, which is a less luxurious, modern annex, with 116 rooms.
The chauffeurs, Jim was told, could be contacted directly through the hotel switchboard, and the limousines were parked close by the Pavilion annex, and when needed, would be brought round to the main entrance of the 'Old Winter Palace'
The manager then asked if Jim and his 'party' would like to take breakfast at the 'Corniche Restaurant', which could serve them either by the pool, or in the gardens.
Jim chose to take breakfast in the gardens.
By the time Jim had finished speaking to the Manager, the rest of the group had gathered in the reception area.
A member of the hotel staff then took them out into the gardens, where hidden away were some tables and chairs.
The tables were covered with spotless tablecloths, and the the crockery and cutlery required for a full, continental breakfast.
And the waiters were all dressed like characters from some early twentieth century novel, reminiscent of 'Death on the Nile'.
It was a very pleasant fantasy, but if one was on holiday, then why not ?
Glen had not been very happy in Cairo, with all the tramping through the sand in Saqqara and Gizeh, and the noise and the pollution, but then....seeing the lawns, palm-trees, flowers and pools and the fountains, he had at last begun to relax.
"Yes, I thought you'd like it Glen.", Jim said, pleased to see that Glen was looking happier.
And who could not like it....?
So then they sat down to a delicious breakfast in the cool of the morning, in the shade of the palms.
"So, is our cute teddy-bear going to tell us about Luxor ?", Josh asked, rather unwisely.
"I'm not 'your cute teddy-bear'...I'm Teddy, if you don't mind, and I've already told Jim and Ethan, so why not ask them ?", Teddy replied, obviously annoyed.
"Josh..leave the table and come with me - I have something to say...", Jim said coldly.
And so they stood som distance away so they would not be overheard, (except by Teddy that is, who had 'super-hearing').
Jim basically explained to Josh that Teddy had a fright in the morning about the elevator, and was therefore nervous, but as Teddy provided so much useful information, and was the only member of the group, apart from Faunus, who could understand Arabic, it was important to be respectful to him, as he was a valued member of the group.
Josh was suitably contrite.
"But where is Faunus ?", Josh asked, as they made their way back to the table.
The others, realizing that Josh had been 'told off', even if gently and politely, said nothing.
They all realized that Jim was 'Boss'.
"Faunus is exploring on the West Bank, and said he would be back later this afternoon...", Teddy replied to the question that Josh had asked - seemingly as if nothing had happened.
"As for Luxor, it is a town of some 150,000 people, and interestingly, is governed by special statutes that allow it more autonomy than other political areas of Egypt.
There are only three main streets in Luxor, consisting of شارع المحطة - 'Sharia al-Mahatta' (Station Street), 'Sharia al-Karnak' and the 'Corniche', next to the Nile.
The street in front of the 'ancient Egyptian' train station is 'Sharia al-Mahatta' and runs away from the Nile where it meets the gardens of Luxor Temple.
Sharia al-Karnak or Maabad al-Karnak, which means 'Karnak Temple Street' runs along the Nile from the 'Luxor Temple' to the 'Karnak Temple'.
However, just to confuse you, 'Sharia al-Karnak' is known as 'Sharia al-Markaz' where it meets 'Sharia al-Mahatta', and to the south around the 'Luxor Temple', it is known as 'Sharia al-Lokanda'.
Along this street one will find the colorful signs of restaurants and cafes, as well as bazaars where the usual variety of Egyptian souvenirs can be found.", Teddy explained.
"So...where do we start ?", Jim asked Teddy.
"Well the 'Luxor Temple' is very nearby - so we don't need to take the limos - we can just walk and take in some of the atmosphere.", Teddy suggested.
"So.... lets go..", Jim said, signing the check, and leaving the breakfast table.
The 'boys' all followed and they headed to the main building - and passed into the reception area.
The hotel manager watched them go, still puzzled as to who they actually were - but as he had been paid in advance, he wasn't particularly worried - just curious.
What the 'gang' hadn't noticed, when the had arrived the previous evening, was the fact that the hotel entrance faced the River Nile.
Regardless, the processed down the red carpeted stairs, feeling very grand.
Teddy then directed them to the left, where he said they would eventually come to the 'Temple of Luxor'.
What surprised them, however, was the number of Egyptian police on the street.
"Do you think they're going to arrest us...?" Ethan said to Jim.
"No....They're here to protect you...", Teddy said, answering on Jim's behalf.
Earlier that morning - just as the sun was rising, and before Ismail had 'phoned Jim, Faunus had left his room, and quietly left the hotel.
At that time in the morning the Corniche was practically deserted.
Faunus was looking for a felucca - a felucca with a reasonable looking 'captain' on board, and preferably one who was not asleep.
"OK, Teddy, but just get off me so that I can get to the 'phone.", Jim said, sleepily.
And of course, it was Ismail......
And Ismail, 'phoning from Qurnah, ( القرنة), at his home on the West Bank, was anxious to know if everything was OK at the hotel, and eager to confirm the meeting for that evening.
Jim had wanted to use one of the Mercedes Maybach Pullman limousines, but Ismail explained that the only way to get to the West Bank was by a bridge that involved a long drive, and it would be easier to take a felucca, and then hire a taxi.
Of course, like all Egyptian young men, Ismail had a 'cousin', who had a taxi (or whatever), and could provide an excellent service for 'Egyptian price'.
(It should be noted here that almost all items and services in Egypt not provided by non-Egyptians come with two price ranges - the low price for Egyptians, and then there is the high price for tourists - and this even applies to museums, temples and suchlike. Regardless of which tariff is being considered, there is still the opportunity for 'haggling' - which makes the whole matter of paying for items and services very fraught - unless you have someone like Ismail as a 'go-between', but then even if a foreigner gets the best price possible - the 'agent' - like Ismail - needs to be 'paid off', either in cash or gifts.
فلوكة - a felucca (possibly originally from Greek 'ἐφόλκιον' (Epholkion)) is a traditional wooden sailing boat used in protected waters of the Red Sea and eastern Mediterranean, and in Egypt and Sudan particularly along the Nile. Its rig consists of one a lateen sail. They are usually able to board ten passengers and the crew consists of two or three people.
 |
| Winter Palace - Corridor |
 |
| Winter Palace - Stairs |
Teddy, however, despite his obsession with elevator buttons refused to use the elevator.
"There's something wrong - I don't trust it !", Teddy said.
Jim thought it was wise not to argue with Teddy, but advised the others that it might be better if they all used the stairs.
As a result of Teddy's mysterious warning it meant a trip along the corridor and then down the stairs, but as Jim said, 'it was all good exercise'.
The hotel manager, who by then had seemed to have worked out that Jim was the leader of the 'group', was waiting in the main reception area.
Polite to a fault, he wanted to know if Jim and his associates were happy with their accommodation, and also if they had enjoyed their meal the previous evening.
Jim, on the other hand wanted to know if his chauffeurs have been properly accommodated, and where exactly they were.
 |
| Old Winter Palace - Reception - Luxor |
The manager explained that the Winter Palace, in which they were staying, was correctly called the 'Old Winter Palace', and became an hotel in 1907.
Very much later the 'Winter Palace Pavilion' was constructed, which is a less luxurious, modern annex, with 116 rooms.
 |
| 'Winter Palace Pavilion' |
The manager then asked if Jim and his 'party' would like to take breakfast at the 'Corniche Restaurant', which could serve them either by the pool, or in the gardens.
Jim chose to take breakfast in the gardens.
 |
| Al fresco Breakfast - Winter Palace Gardens |
A member of the hotel staff then took them out into the gardens, where hidden away were some tables and chairs.
The tables were covered with spotless tablecloths, and the the crockery and cutlery required for a full, continental breakfast.
And the waiters were all dressed like characters from some early twentieth century novel, reminiscent of 'Death on the Nile'.
It was a very pleasant fantasy, but if one was on holiday, then why not ?
'Death on the Nile' is a book of detective fiction by British writer Agatha Christie, first published in the UK by 'Collins Crime Club' in 1937, and in the US by Dodd, Mead and Company the following year. The book features the fictional Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. The action takes place in Egypt, mostly on the Nile River, and rides on the back of the still newsworthy discoveries of Carter and Lord Carnarvon in 1922 - fifteen years previously."Oh...I really like the garden !", Glen said.
Glen had not been very happy in Cairo, with all the tramping through the sand in Saqqara and Gizeh, and the noise and the pollution, but then....seeing the lawns, palm-trees, flowers and pools and the fountains, he had at last begun to relax.
"Yes, I thought you'd like it Glen.", Jim said, pleased to see that Glen was looking happier.
And who could not like it....?
So then they sat down to a delicious breakfast in the cool of the morning, in the shade of the palms.
"So, is our cute teddy-bear going to tell us about Luxor ?", Josh asked, rather unwisely.
"I'm not 'your cute teddy-bear'...I'm Teddy, if you don't mind, and I've already told Jim and Ethan, so why not ask them ?", Teddy replied, obviously annoyed.
"Josh..leave the table and come with me - I have something to say...", Jim said coldly.
And so they stood som distance away so they would not be overheard, (except by Teddy that is, who had 'super-hearing').
Jim basically explained to Josh that Teddy had a fright in the morning about the elevator, and was therefore nervous, but as Teddy provided so much useful information, and was the only member of the group, apart from Faunus, who could understand Arabic, it was important to be respectful to him, as he was a valued member of the group.
Josh was suitably contrite.
 |
| شارع المحطة - 'Sharia al-Mahatta' - Luxor Egypt |
The others, realizing that Josh had been 'told off', even if gently and politely, said nothing.
They all realized that Jim was 'Boss'.
"Faunus is exploring on the West Bank, and said he would be back later this afternoon...", Teddy replied to the question that Josh had asked - seemingly as if nothing had happened.
"As for Luxor, it is a town of some 150,000 people, and interestingly, is governed by special statutes that allow it more autonomy than other political areas of Egypt.
There are only three main streets in Luxor, consisting of شارع المحطة - 'Sharia al-Mahatta' (Station Street), 'Sharia al-Karnak' and the 'Corniche', next to the Nile.
 |
| Luxor Station Pretending to be an Egyptian Temple 'a bit like Memphis Zoo' - Ethan remarked |
Sharia al-Karnak or Maabad al-Karnak, which means 'Karnak Temple Street' runs along the Nile from the 'Luxor Temple' to the 'Karnak Temple'.
However, just to confuse you, 'Sharia al-Karnak' is known as 'Sharia al-Markaz' where it meets 'Sharia al-Mahatta', and to the south around the 'Luxor Temple', it is known as 'Sharia al-Lokanda'.
Along this street one will find the colorful signs of restaurants and cafes, as well as bazaars where the usual variety of Egyptian souvenirs can be found.", Teddy explained.
"So...where do we start ?", Jim asked Teddy.
 |
| Winter Palace - Luxor Egypt |
"So.... lets go..", Jim said, signing the check, and leaving the breakfast table.
The 'boys' all followed and they headed to the main building - and passed into the reception area.
The hotel manager watched them go, still puzzled as to who they actually were - but as he had been paid in advance, he wasn't particularly worried - just curious.
What the 'gang' hadn't noticed, when the had arrived the previous evening, was the fact that the hotel entrance faced the River Nile.
Regardless, the processed down the red carpeted stairs, feeling very grand.
Teddy then directed them to the left, where he said they would eventually come to the 'Temple of Luxor'.
What surprised them, however, was the number of Egyptian police on the street.
"Do you think they're going to arrest us...?" Ethan said to Jim.
"No....They're here to protect you...", Teddy said, answering on Jim's behalf.
At that time in the morning the Corniche was practically deserted.
Faunus was looking for a felucca - a felucca with a reasonable looking 'captain' on board, and preferably one who was not asleep.
Normally, of course, any tourist going anywhere near the Corniche would be constantly approached by 'felucca boys', pestering them, and offering to cross the Nile, take them on a cruise, or in the case of male tourists, making discreet offers of sex.
But Faunus looked like an Egyptian, and spoke perfect Arabic with a local accent - so he had to wake some poor unsuspecting boy.
The boy, it turned out was called Mahmoud.
Terrified, Mahmoud thought Faunus was police - in civilian clothes - and instantly started making excuses as to why he didn't have his 'papers' with him.
All the 'felucca boys' needed 'papers' that they would obtain from the Nile Police - but of course to get papers you needed 'faloos' - money.
And there was the problem - without 'faloos' you couldn't get 'papers', and without 'papers' you couldn't get any 'business' - legally - and so no 'faloos'.
But Faunus had what Mahmoud wanted.....'faloos'...but Mahmoud was puzzled.
Felucca boys may not have had the benefits of a good education, but they were not stupid - in fact in most cases they were very 'street-wise'.
Mahmoud knew that Faunus didn't 'seem right'....but he needed the money so badly that he had little choice but to take Faunus - even if Faunus might be Police - and arrest Mahmoud as soon as they got to the West bank.
"Can you take me to the West Bank, boy ?". Faunus asked (remember that all the conversation between Faunus and Mahmoud is in 'Ṣa‘īdi street Arabic').
"Yes, Sir....", Mahmoud replied, sleepily.
"Here !", Faunus said, shoving some crinkled, dirty notes into Mahmoud's hand.
It was the 'Egyptian going rate' - not the tourist rate, plus baksheesh, but Mahmoud didn't think for a moment that Faunus was a tourist, and accepted the payment without comment.
Mahmoud scrambled round the boat, expertly casting off, and arranging the rigging.
At that time in the morning it was remarkably quiet - for Egypt.
There was little traffic along the Corniche, and most of the noise came from the steady drone of the air-conditioning on the numerous cruise boats moored nearby.
The Nile smelled musty, but also there was a whiff of marine diesel in the air.
"You on holiday, Pash ?", ('Pash' - short for Turkish 'Pasha' - Egyptian slang for 'Sir'), Mahmoud asked, desperate to discover who, or what, was this strange young man.
Mahmoud then caught sight of the handgun Faunus was carrying.
"Oh....Police ?", Mahmoud said, nervously.
"No...", Faunus replied.
"You got family on the West Bank, Pash ?" Mahmoud persisted.
Faunus knew that Egyptians were very different to Americans and Europeans, and would seek answers in ways that Europeans and Americans would consider rude and intrusive.
"No....I'm looking for a boy...", Faunus replied, interested to see what response his reply would engender.
"Well...I'm here - so we could go to the West Bank and 'have some fun' - or just do it here...", Mahmoud suggested.
Faunus knew that 'having fun' was an Egyptian euphemism for having sex - but that was definitely not his game.
He also knew that 'having fun' was a method or increasing their income that many 'felucca boys' used - some to the extent of getting besotted tourists to even buy a boy a new boat in payment for favors received.
And Faunus also knew that, with no other opportunities for social and economic betterment available, such a method was often the only one available to many boys.
"Thank's for the offer, Mahmoud, but I have business with this boy I'm looking for - and not the sort of business that you're suggesting.", Faunus replied.
Mahmoud looked annoyed.
"OK...", he replied sullenly.
Faunus decided to quickly change the subject.
"Do you have a cell-phone - a mobile ?", Faunus asked.
Mahmoud brightened up.
"Yes...but it's not working too well, Pash...I dropped it in the Nile a couple of weeks ago.
I dried it out at home, but now it doesn't work too good.", Mahmoud replied.
Faunus knew that the story about the Nile was intended to try to get some money, but he didn't mind.
"Here...take it."
Faunus took a brand new cell-phone from his pocket.
It's connected to Etisalat Misr - in Arabic - 'pay as you go', and fully topped up.
"Really ?", Mahmoud replied, grinning and unable to believe his luck.
"Now I already have your new number in my cell-phone, and my number is already on your phone - under 'Ali Pasha'.", Faunus explained.
Faunus, of course, could read Mahmoud's thoughts, and realized that Mahmoud, after noticing Faunus' hand-gun, and after being given a cell-phone, was thinking that Faunus was a member of the Egyptian جهاز المخابرات العامة - (Gihaz El Mukhabarat El ‘Amma) - the 'Mukhabarat'.
When foreigners (and often tourists) come under suspicion, the 'Mukhabarat' will often order one of their agents (spies) to attach themselves to the subject concerned in order to become a 'tourist guide', 'friend', 'provider of sexual services' etc. in order to obtain information for the security services.
Mahmoud, who had himself - along with various friends - been approached on numerous occasions by the 'Mukhabarat', was well aware of this, and presumed that Faunus' generosity with the expensive cell-phone was the beginning of such an operation.
Of course, for Egyptians, and particularly young Egyptian men, the 'generosity' of the intelligence services was difficult - if not dangerous - to refuse.
So Mahmoud accepted the situation, and deftly tacked, as he endeavored to cross from the East to the West Bank of the Nile, while Faunus puzzled as to how to make his newly acquired 'felucca boy' less nervous.
"The young man's called Ismail....Ismail Am'r.....from Qurnah.", Faunus replied.
"Qurnah you say ?....", Mahmoud said, sounding abstracted, as he idly played with his new cell-phone.
"I say Qurnah, but more precisely el Taref.", Faunus added.
"I don't know many people from Qurnah.....we keep to ourselves here.", Mahmoud continued.
"So where do you come from, Mahmoud ?", Faunus asked - (Faunus, of course, already knew where Mahmoud came from, along with most of the details of the boy's life - but the couldn't let on, otherwise Mahmoud would almost certainly jump into the Nile, in a desperate attempt to get away from his strange passenger, who he would almost certainly take to be a جن (jinn)
'Indeed We created man from dried clay of black smooth mud. And We created the Jinn before that from the smokeless flame of fire.' (Quran 15:26-27)
Because of this, and a number of other verses in the Holy Quran, all Muslims are required to believe in the literal existence of the Jinn (singular: jinni), who are multi-dimensional beings, with the ability to live and operate in both 'manifest' and 'invisible' domains.
Now Faunus knew that Mahmoud came from Medinet Habu - just a ten minute drive from Qurnah - but the people on the West Bank were divided into families, clans and tribes - and theses various groups (who in many cases were divided by feuds going back very many years) had very little to do with one another - and this was encouraged by the custom of marrying into the same family, or at least the same clan - so marrying first cousins was very common - so Mahmoud wouldn't know, socially, Mahmoud, even if they saw one another everyday.
"I come from Medinet Habu - it's a little village, in a part of the West Bbank called el Birat, but the village is famous because there's a big temple there, right across from our father's house...", Mahmoud said proudly.
Mahmoud could have easily found out about Ismail, and given Faunus the information, or alternatively, he could have given Faunus the wrong information, and sent him on a trail that would lead nowhere.
What Faunus had discovered, however, was that Mahmoud apparently knew nothing about Ismail's recent trip to Cairo, or his contact with Jim.
That was good.....
Faunus knew that in village communities, information traveled fast, and in a community where very few had any money, and almost all the young men were looking for any opportunity to 'strike it rich' - particularly with a wealthy tourist, great care had to be taken in evaluating one's associates.
So, as they left Mahmoud's felucca, Faunus asked if Mahmoud could arrange for transport to Qurnah.
Mahmoud was quite happy to oblige, and said he knew a taxi-driver, a cousin called Hassan, (as he had mentioned before,) who would take Faunus to Qurnah.
So Mahmoud used his new cell-phone for the first time, proudly giving Hassan his new number.
Hassan arrived after about ten minutes, and Faunus left Mahmoud, who was then planning to pick up some tourists who wanted to be taken back to the Eat Bank.
"Thanks a lot for the mobile...and I hope you find Ismail ...", Mahmoud said rather awkwardly.
"That's OK .....Now remember, I will probably need you tomorrow as I am taking a group of Americans over to the West Bank - so be ready...
I will 'phone you quite early, إن شاء الله - so don't make any other plans....", Faunus said quite firmly.
"OK , Ali...I'll be waiting for your call....سَلام. (goodbye)", Mahmoud said, waving
Although the tables were individual, the seating was communal - usually on long wooden benches covered with upholstered mattresses, (although men and women rarely sat together).
"So what brings you to Luxor ?", Abu Ismail asked, as the glasses of hot dark tea were brought to them on a silver(?) tray.
"I'm escorting a group of young American gentlemen - they come from Los Angeles.
It's like a holiday for them, and they want to see the sights." Faunus explained.
This was no surprise to Abu Ali.
(In a community where, by European and American standards, most people were extremely poor, such a question was not deemed out of place - only rich people are hesitant to speak openly about money).
"Yes effendi....I think they are quite rich.", Faunus replied, interested to see what Abu Ismail's response would be.
"Also, father, they stayed at the Gezireh Palace in Cairo, and are staying at the Old Winter Palace in Luxor.", Ismail added.
"And you and Ismail will both be helping to guide these visitors ?", Abu Ismail asked - wanting to be sure that Ismail's connection with this young man from Alexandria would be to his son's advantage.
"Of course, Effendi - Ismail knows much more about the West Bank that I do..", Faunus admitted - although that was not really true.
"And you split fifty-fifty....?", Abu Ismail asked.
"Of course, father....he's my partner on this trip.", Ismail replied.
"That's good...!", Abu Ismail said, smiling, as he offered Faunus a cigarette (Cleopatra), and lit another one for himself.
Ismail was not offered a cigarette, as sons - even after marriage and, becoming fathers themselves - were not expected to smoke in front of their parents.
 |
| Setting Sail at Dawn |
And there was the problem - without 'faloos' you couldn't get 'papers', and without 'papers' you couldn't get any 'business' - legally - and so no 'faloos'.
But Faunus had what Mahmoud wanted.....'faloos'...but Mahmoud was puzzled.
Felucca boys may not have had the benefits of a good education, but they were not stupid - in fact in most cases they were very 'street-wise'.
Mahmoud knew that Faunus didn't 'seem right'....but he needed the money so badly that he had little choice but to take Faunus - even if Faunus might be Police - and arrest Mahmoud as soon as they got to the West bank.
"Can you take me to the West Bank, boy ?". Faunus asked (remember that all the conversation between Faunus and Mahmoud is in 'Ṣa‘īdi street Arabic').
"Yes, Sir....", Mahmoud replied, sleepily.
"Here !", Faunus said, shoving some crinkled, dirty notes into Mahmoud's hand.
 |
| Egyptian Money - slang - 'faloos' |
Mahmoud scrambled round the boat, expertly casting off, and arranging the rigging.
At that time in the morning it was remarkably quiet - for Egypt.
There was little traffic along the Corniche, and most of the noise came from the steady drone of the air-conditioning on the numerous cruise boats moored nearby.
The Nile smelled musty, but also there was a whiff of marine diesel in the air.
"You on holiday, Pash ?", ('Pash' - short for Turkish 'Pasha' - Egyptian slang for 'Sir'), Mahmoud asked, desperate to discover who, or what, was this strange young man.
Mahmoud then caught sight of the handgun Faunus was carrying.
"Oh....Police ?", Mahmoud said, nervously.
"No...", Faunus replied.
"You got family on the West Bank, Pash ?" Mahmoud persisted.
Faunus knew that Egyptians were very different to Americans and Europeans, and would seek answers in ways that Europeans and Americans would consider rude and intrusive.
"No....I'm looking for a boy...", Faunus replied, interested to see what response his reply would engender.
"Well...I'm here - so we could go to the West Bank and 'have some fun' - or just do it here...", Mahmoud suggested.
Faunus knew that 'having fun' was an Egyptian euphemism for having sex - but that was definitely not his game.
He also knew that 'having fun' was a method or increasing their income that many 'felucca boys' used - some to the extent of getting besotted tourists to even buy a boy a new boat in payment for favors received.
And Faunus also knew that, with no other opportunities for social and economic betterment available, such a method was often the only one available to many boys.
 |
| Etisalat Misr |
Mahmoud looked annoyed.
"OK...", he replied sullenly.
Faunus decided to quickly change the subject.
"Do you have a cell-phone - a mobile ?", Faunus asked.
Mahmoud brightened up.
"Yes...but it's not working too well, Pash...I dropped it in the Nile a couple of weeks ago.
I dried it out at home, but now it doesn't work too good.", Mahmoud replied.
Faunus knew that the story about the Nile was intended to try to get some money, but he didn't mind.
"Here...take it."
Faunus took a brand new cell-phone from his pocket.
It's connected to Etisalat Misr - in Arabic - 'pay as you go', and fully topped up.
"Really ?", Mahmoud replied, grinning and unable to believe his luck.
"Now I already have your new number in my cell-phone, and my number is already on your phone - under 'Ali Pasha'.", Faunus explained.
Faunus, of course, could read Mahmoud's thoughts, and realized that Mahmoud, after noticing Faunus' hand-gun, and after being given a cell-phone, was thinking that Faunus was a member of the Egyptian جهاز المخابرات العامة - (Gihaz El Mukhabarat El ‘Amma) - the 'Mukhabarat'.
To explain - the Egyptian 'Mukhabarat' co-opts many civilians - unemployed, part-time-employed and fully employed (rare) Egyptians - mainly male - to act as spies in the general population.The 'Mukhabarat' is an Egyptian intelligence agency responsible for providing national security intelligence, both domestically and trans-nationally, with a counter-terrorism focus. The decision to set up an Egyptian intelligence service was taken by President Gamal Abdel Nasser in 1954, and placed under the command of Zakaria Mohieddin. The agency's importance rose when Nasser assigned its command to Salah Nasr, who held the post of director of the 'GID' from 1957 to 1967 and thoroughly reorganized the agency. Under Nasr's supervision, the 'GID' relocated to its own building, and established separate divisions for radio, computer, forgery and 'black operations'. To cover the agency's expenses, Nasr set up 'Al Nasr' Company, ostensibly an import-export firm, as a front organization.
Security Police Emblem
When foreigners (and often tourists) come under suspicion, the 'Mukhabarat' will often order one of their agents (spies) to attach themselves to the subject concerned in order to become a 'tourist guide', 'friend', 'provider of sexual services' etc. in order to obtain information for the security services.
Mahmoud, who had himself - along with various friends - been approached on numerous occasions by the 'Mukhabarat', was well aware of this, and presumed that Faunus' generosity with the expensive cell-phone was the beginning of such an operation.Of course, for Egyptians, and particularly young Egyptian men, the 'generosity' of the intelligence services was difficult - if not dangerous - to refuse.
So Mahmoud accepted the situation, and deftly tacked, as he endeavored to cross from the East to the West Bank of the Nile, while Faunus puzzled as to how to make his newly acquired 'felucca boy' less nervous.
Tacking, or 'coming about', is a sailing maneuver by which a sailing vessel, whose desired course is into the wind, turns its bow toward the wind so that the direction from which the wind blows changes from one side to the other, allowing progress in the desired direction. A series of tacking moves, in a zig-zag fashion, is called beating, and allows sailing in the desired direction."So..this boy you're looking for...is it any particular boy ?", Mahmoud asked, as the felucca gently came along side the other boats moored at the West Bank.
"The young man's called Ismail....Ismail Am'r.....from Qurnah.", Faunus replied.
"Qurnah you say ?....", Mahmoud said, sounding abstracted, as he idly played with his new cell-phone.
"I say Qurnah, but more precisely el Taref.", Faunus added.
 |
| 'Are All Jinn Blue ?' - click on LINK for the answer |
"So where do you come from, Mahmoud ?", Faunus asked - (Faunus, of course, already knew where Mahmoud came from, along with most of the details of the boy's life - but the couldn't let on, otherwise Mahmoud would almost certainly jump into the Nile, in a desperate attempt to get away from his strange passenger, who he would almost certainly take to be a جن (jinn)
'Indeed We created man from dried clay of black smooth mud. And We created the Jinn before that from the smokeless flame of fire.' (Quran 15:26-27)
Because of this, and a number of other verses in the Holy Quran, all Muslims are required to believe in the literal existence of the Jinn (singular: jinni), who are multi-dimensional beings, with the ability to live and operate in both 'manifest' and 'invisible' domains.
Now Faunus knew that Mahmoud came from Medinet Habu - just a ten minute drive from Qurnah - but the people on the West Bank were divided into families, clans and tribes - and theses various groups (who in many cases were divided by feuds going back very many years) had very little to do with one another - and this was encouraged by the custom of marrying into the same family, or at least the same clan - so marrying first cousins was very common - so Mahmoud wouldn't know, socially, Mahmoud, even if they saw one another everyday.
"I come from Medinet Habu - it's a little village, in a part of the West Bbank called el Birat, but the village is famous because there's a big temple there, right across from our father's house...", Mahmoud said proudly.
Medinet Habu Village - el Birat - West Bank - Luxor
 |
| Mortuary Temple of the Pharaoh Ramesses III - Medinet Habu |
The Mortuary Temple of the Pharaoh Ramesses III is situated at Medinet Habu West Bank of Luxor in Egypt. Aside from its size and architectural and artistic importance, the temple is probably best known as the source of inscribed reliefs depicting the advent and defeat of the Sea Peoples during the reign of Ramesses III. The temple, some 150 m (490 ft) long, is of orthodox design, and closely resembles the nearby mortuary temple of Ramesses II (the Ramesseum). The temple precinct measures approximately 210 m (690 ft). by 300 m (1,000 ft) and contains more than 7,000 m2 (75,347 sq ft) of decorated wall reliefs. Its walls are relatively well preserved and it is surrounded by a massive mud-brick enclosure, which may have been fortified. The original entrance is through a fortified gate-house, known as a 'migdol' (a common architectural feature of Asiatic fortresses of the time). But that's enough for now as Jim and the boys (with Teddy) will visit the temple later (while they are searching for a very special cave)....Now of course Faunus knew where Ismail lived, and all about his family, but he was interested to know if Mahmoud could be really trusted - and for that reason he had asked Mahmoud about Ismail.
Mahmoud could have easily found out about Ismail, and given Faunus the information, or alternatively, he could have given Faunus the wrong information, and sent him on a trail that would lead nowhere.
What Faunus had discovered, however, was that Mahmoud apparently knew nothing about Ismail's recent trip to Cairo, or his contact with Jim.
That was good.....
 |
| Hassan's Taxi - West Bank - Luxor |
So, as they left Mahmoud's felucca, Faunus asked if Mahmoud could arrange for transport to Qurnah.
Mahmoud was quite happy to oblige, and said he knew a taxi-driver, a cousin called Hassan, (as he had mentioned before,) who would take Faunus to Qurnah.
So Mahmoud used his new cell-phone for the first time, proudly giving Hassan his new number.
"Thanks a lot for the mobile...and I hope you find Ismail ...", Mahmoud said rather awkwardly.
"That's OK .....Now remember, I will probably need you tomorrow as I am taking a group of Americans over to the West Bank - so be ready...
I will 'phone you quite early, إن شاء الله - so don't make any other plans....", Faunus said quite firmly.
"OK , Ali...I'll be waiting for your call....سَلام. (goodbye)", Mahmoud said, waving
إن شاء الله, - ʾIn shāʾ Allāh is Arabic for 'God willing'. The phrase comes from a Quranic command which commands Muslims to use it when speaking of future events.(the Holy Quran 18:24). The phrase is commonly used by Muslims, to refer to events that one hopes will happen in the future, and it expresses the belief that nothing happens unless God wills it and that his will supersedes all human will.
While Faunus had been on his 'secret' mission on the West Bank, Teddy had taken charge, and was showing Jim and the 'boys' round Luxor.
"Can anybody tell me why all these Police are here ?", Max asked rather nervously.
"Yes...it was odd.....we stepped out of the main entrance, walked a little way down the street, and in a matter of moments they were all over the place, putting up barriers and watching everyone.", Glen said - obviously puzzled.
"I think it's probably because of us...", Jim said.
"They know we're rich and American, and not very many rich Americans come here.." Jim continued.
"Well I think it's creepy...Ethan said, holding tightly onto Teddy.
"But don't worry, guys....they just want to make sure we don't get kidnapped or anything, and want us to tell everyone at home how well the Egyptian Government looks after tourists.", Teddy suggested.
"OK....well, just take us to this 'Luxor-Temple-thingy'...", Ethan said.
"Well it's not far - just round this corner.", Teddy said, apparently knowing the way.
So they proceeded down a dingy little street - lined with a few shops, with cheap apartments situated above.
Some of the police then continued to follow, at a discreet distance.
"Well this has certainly wrecked all my romantic dreams of the 'mysterious, romantic East' - it's worse than Cairo.", Josh said.
"Yes, and who are those pale looking guys standing by that shop ?", Ethan asked.....
"Those, dummy, are 'dummies'...Teddy said, thinking himself very clever.
"Just a way of advertising, I suppose...", Glen added.
"But don't worry...just around this next corner is one of the most famous Temples in Egypt...", Teddy announced.
"So...there you are..!.
How do you like it ?", Teddy asked.
"It's a bit 'crumbly'....", Ethan said.
"Well yes...but not as crumbly as Chaco Canyon...", Glen said.
"True...", Ethan agreed.
"So, Teddy....are you going to tell us about it ?", Jim asked.
"Yes...if you want me to...but don't then accuse me of being 'boring'.
After all, we've come all this way, so I think it's a good thing to know about what you're looking at.", Teddy said - being unusually deferential.
"So come on, Teddy...we know you really love doing this - so tell us !", Josh said, encouragingly.
"Well it goes a long way back, so it does get more interesting if we take our time to explore it...",Teddy said.
"Right !.... Then just get on with it !", Jim said firmly.
"OK....'معبد الاقصر' - the 'Luxor Temple' was constructed approximately 1400 BCE.
In the Egyptian language it is known as 'ipet resyt', "- 'The Southern Sanctuary'.
Now unlike the other temples in Thebes, Luxor temple is not dedicated to a cult god or a deified dead pharaoh, but instead Luxor temple is dedicated to the rejuvenation of kingship; it may have been where many of the pharaohs of Egypt were crowned (possibly including Alexander the Great who claimed he was crowned at Luxor.)
To the rear of the temple are chapels built by Amenhotep III of the 18th Dynasty, and Alexander the Great.
Other parts of the temple were built by the Pharaoh Tutankhamun and the great Pharaoh Ramesses II.
Luxor temple was built with sandstone from South-Western Egypt, which is referred to as 'Nubian Sandstone'.
The 'Luxor Temple' was dedicated to the 'Theban Triad' of the 'Cult of the Royal Ka', - Amun, Mut, and Khonsu, and was built during the New Kingdom.
The Temple was the focus of the annual 'Opet Festival', in which a cult statue of Amun was paraded down the Nile from nearby Karnak Temple ('ipet-isut') to stay in the Luxor Temple for a while, with his consort Mut, in a celebration of fertility - hence its name.
Six barque shrines, serving as 'way stations' for the barques of the gods during festival processions, were set up on the avenue between the Karnak and Luxor Temple.
The avenue, which went in a straight line between the Luxor Temple and the Karnak area, was lined with ram-headed sphinxes by Pharaoh Nekhtanebo I.
"Still interested ?", Teddy asked - obviously still concerned that he might be 'boring' his listeners.
"Yes, Teddy.....carry on.", Jim replied.
"Well the most important scholar to investigate the 'Temple of Luxor' was René Adolphe Schwaller de Lubicz, who was born in 1887, and died in 1961.
He was French: - a student of sacred geometry and an Egyptologist, known for his twelve year study of the art and architecture of the Temple of Luxor in Egypt, and his subsequent book 'The Temple In Man'.
"What ....you mean he tramped around here for twelve years... just so he could write a book about the place ?", Max said - obviously amazed.
"Well, he didn't do it just to write a book.
Actually - he believed that there were deep meanings displayed in the design and plan of the temple.
So.... it just happens that I have a few laminated copies of the temple plan with me....", Teddy said.
"Please, Ethan...in the Walmart bag...", Teddy said in an excellent imitation of a college lecturer asking for another slide to be shown.
Ethan reluctantly rummaged around in Teddy's tatty old Walmart bag, and produced the carefully printed and laminated plans.
"Here you are, guys...", Ethan said - not exactly enthusiastically, as he handed everyone a copy of the plan.
"Gee...can we get to keep these ?", Glen asked.
"Of course...", Teddy replied expansively.
"Think of them as a souvenir of Luxor from your friend Teddy.", Teddy said.
Jim smiled.
On of the problems that Teddy had was that he took everything literally - and didn't realize that Glen was being gently sarcastic.
"Now if you look at the plan you will how how the axis bends...", Teddy explained.
"So perhaps they just weren't much good at building stuff...", Max suggested.
"Now you should know from our visit to the Pyramids at Giza that the ancient Egyptians could build very accurately - in fact more so than even builders in this time so......there had to be a reason, and that's what fascinated Schwaller de Lubicz....Jim said, interrupting.
As the title says - meanwhile on the West Bank Faunus had managed to shake off Hassan, the taxi driver - supposedly Mahmoud's cousin.
Village Egyptians are, by their nature, curious about strangers - and the fact that Faunus asked to be drooped off by the roadside, with no houses in sight, puzzled Hassan.
'Where should he come to to pick up Faunus when he had finished his business...?' Hassan wanted to know.
Faunus, however, was not to be 'led', and simply took Hassan's cell-phone number, and promised to call the next time he needed him.
So with Hassan paid off, Faunus made his way across the graveyard (yes...) of 'al Taref' - and found himself in a small group of houses situated in 'al Taref', on the periphery of Qurnah - and quite close to the house that had been used by Howard Carter when he had been excavating the tomb of Tutankhamen - a long time before.
Faunus had not physically visited the village, but he knew each and every alleyway intimately.
Ismael's family were, for the area in question, quite affluent, and their home was surrounded by a modern brick wall.
It was impossible to see over the wall, and so it afforded complete privacy - but not, of course, to Faunus.
Faunus knew exactly who was in the house, and what they were doing.
But then the people of the West bank - as we have already explained - if they had known - would have considered Faunus to be a 'jinni' - even if he wasn't blue, and trailing smoke - and all the streets would have emptied, particularly of the children - but that didn't happen, because Faunus simply looked like a handsome, Egyptian teenage 'boy' - even if an unusually wealthy one, at least by his clothing and manner.
As a matter of interest, in rural Egypt the houses do not have numbers, which would anyway be a bit pointless as most small roads, lanes and alleyways do not have a name, and the gates in the walls surrounding houses do not have bells, or even knockers.
Even if the gate is open, which it often is during the day, there is no bell or knocker by the front door to announce your arrival - and of course, no letter box.
Such is the timeless minutiae of life in Rural Egypt - even to the extent of keeping small animals in the house, and building the house from palm-logs and mud-brick, much as was done by the ancient Egyptians.
It was late morning, and the gate in the wall was open.
"Hello...! Anyone home...?", Faunus called out in Arabic.
The main door opened, and Ismail, looking very Ṣa‘īdi in a beautiful dark green جلابية - galabeya appeared, smiling.....
"But sorry...pleased to see you....
Please - come in, and meet my parents.", Ismail continued.
"Remember.... I'm Ali... from الإسكندرية - al'iiskandaria...", Faunus whispered - but in a way that would make Ismail forget that he had ever heard the name Faunus.
Now in this story you will never learn the names of Ismail's parents, simply because it is not the custom among Egyptian village people - even those who have spent much time in Cairo to be called by their 'given names'.
And so Ismail's father is always referred to as 'Abu Ismail', and Ismail's mother is always referred to as 'Om Ismail' - the parents having the prefix 'father' or 'mother' appended to the name of their eldest son.
Abu Ismail very formally greeted Faunus.
And then - down to business.....
"So you met in Cairo ?", Abu Ismail began.
"Yes, I'm Ali from al'iiskandaria (Alexandria) - I'm very pleased to meet you, effendi.", Faunus replied, laying it on very thickly.
Faunus smiled, and shook hands very gently, eyes averted.
In such a situation it was essential not to show any interest in female members of the family, but simply respect.
"You will take shai, Ali ?", Abu Ismail asked, as his wife bustled into the kitchen - presuming that the reply would be yes.
Of course, not to accept hospitality, in the form of shai, would be taken as somewhat insulting.
As was the custom in such homes, each member of the group was provided with a small table for such items as a glass of shai and an ashtray : almost all male Egyptians smoked - even the young boys, as long as their father, or older brothers, were not looking. |
| Egyptian Police. |
"Yes...it was odd.....we stepped out of the main entrance, walked a little way down the street, and in a matter of moments they were all over the place, putting up barriers and watching everyone.", Glen said - obviously puzzled.
"I think it's probably because of us...", Jim said.
"They know we're rich and American, and not very many rich Americans come here.." Jim continued.
"Well I think it's creepy...Ethan said, holding tightly onto Teddy.
 |
| On the Way to the Luxor Temple |
"OK....well, just take us to this 'Luxor-Temple-thingy'...", Ethan said.
"Well it's not far - just round this corner.", Teddy said, apparently knowing the way.
So they proceeded down a dingy little street - lined with a few shops, with cheap apartments situated above.
Some of the police then continued to follow, at a discreet distance.
"Well this has certainly wrecked all my romantic dreams of the 'mysterious, romantic East' - it's worse than Cairo.", Josh said.
"Yes, and who are those pale looking guys standing by that shop ?", Ethan asked.....
"Those, dummy, are 'dummies'...Teddy said, thinking himself very clever.
"Just a way of advertising, I suppose...", Glen added.
 |
| Temple of Luxor - Nile East Bank - Egypt |
"So...there you are..!.
How do you like it ?", Teddy asked.
"It's a bit 'crumbly'....", Ethan said.
"Well yes...but not as crumbly as Chaco Canyon...", Glen said.
"True...", Ethan agreed.
"So, Teddy....are you going to tell us about it ?", Jim asked.
"Yes...if you want me to...but don't then accuse me of being 'boring'.
After all, we've come all this way, so I think it's a good thing to know about what you're looking at.", Teddy said - being unusually deferential.
 |
| Temple of Luxor - Reconstruction |
"Well it goes a long way back, so it does get more interesting if we take our time to explore it...",Teddy said.
"Right !.... Then just get on with it !", Jim said firmly.
"OK....'معبد الاقصر' - the 'Luxor Temple' was constructed approximately 1400 BCE.
In the Egyptian language it is known as 'ipet resyt', "- 'The Southern Sanctuary'.
Now unlike the other temples in Thebes, Luxor temple is not dedicated to a cult god or a deified dead pharaoh, but instead Luxor temple is dedicated to the rejuvenation of kingship; it may have been where many of the pharaohs of Egypt were crowned (possibly including Alexander the Great who claimed he was crowned at Luxor.)
 |
| Statue of Ramesses II - Luxor Temple - Egypt |
Other parts of the temple were built by the Pharaoh Tutankhamun and the great Pharaoh Ramesses II.
Luxor temple was built with sandstone from South-Western Egypt, which is referred to as 'Nubian Sandstone'.
The 'Luxor Temple' was dedicated to the 'Theban Triad' of the 'Cult of the Royal Ka', - Amun, Mut, and Khonsu, and was built during the New Kingdom.
 |
| The Opet Festival at Luxor |
Six barque shrines, serving as 'way stations' for the barques of the gods during festival processions, were set up on the avenue between the Karnak and Luxor Temple.
The avenue, which went in a straight line between the Luxor Temple and the Karnak area, was lined with ram-headed sphinxes by Pharaoh Nekhtanebo I.
"Still interested ?", Teddy asked - obviously still concerned that he might be 'boring' his listeners.
 |
| Schwaller de Lubicz |
 |
| Plan of Luxor Temple Reproduced with permission from 'Schwaller de Lubicz' |
He was French: - a student of sacred geometry and an Egyptologist, known for his twelve year study of the art and architecture of the Temple of Luxor in Egypt, and his subsequent book 'The Temple In Man'.
"What ....you mean he tramped around here for twelve years... just so he could write a book about the place ?", Max said - obviously amazed.
"Well, he didn't do it just to write a book.
Actually - he believed that there were deep meanings displayed in the design and plan of the temple.
Schwaller de Lubicz moved to Egypt in 1935 with his wife Isha and her daughter Lucy Lamy. Together, they measured and mapped the Temple at Luxor, including floors, ceilings, walls, columns, and everything else that might yield information as regards Sacred Geometry and proportion. For the next fifteen years they would study the ancient Temples of Egypt, mostly The Luxor Temple, and document their findings for the world to study. The French speaking family would produce their first works in Paris, then little by little their works were translated into English and other world languages. The famed Temple of Man would not be released in English until the winter of 1998, nearly fifty years after it was completed in French.Now something that none of you have commented about while we were walking around here is the fact that the plan of the temple is all 'skew-whiff' - crooked.....
'The monument is constructed, (contrary to our current principles of architecture), on several axes; that each axis has a meaning, and that this meaning dictates the meaning of the parts subordinate to it.' - Schwaller de Lubicz 'The Temple of Man'
 |
| Teddy's Plan of the Temple of Luxor |
"Please, Ethan...in the Walmart bag...", Teddy said in an excellent imitation of a college lecturer asking for another slide to be shown.
Ethan reluctantly rummaged around in Teddy's tatty old Walmart bag, and produced the carefully printed and laminated plans.
"Here you are, guys...", Ethan said - not exactly enthusiastically, as he handed everyone a copy of the plan.
"Gee...can we get to keep these ?", Glen asked.
"Of course...", Teddy replied expansively.
"Think of them as a souvenir of Luxor from your friend Teddy.", Teddy said.
Jim smiled.
On of the problems that Teddy had was that he took everything literally - and didn't realize that Glen was being gently sarcastic.
"Now if you look at the plan you will how how the axis bends...", Teddy explained.
"So perhaps they just weren't much good at building stuff...", Max suggested.
"Now you should know from our visit to the Pyramids at Giza that the ancient Egyptians could build very accurately - in fact more so than even builders in this time so......there had to be a reason, and that's what fascinated Schwaller de Lubicz....Jim said, interrupting.
Village Egyptians are, by their nature, curious about strangers - and the fact that Faunus asked to be drooped off by the roadside, with no houses in sight, puzzled Hassan.
'Where should he come to to pick up Faunus when he had finished his business...?' Hassan wanted to know.
Faunus, however, was not to be 'led', and simply took Hassan's cell-phone number, and promised to call the next time he needed him.
 |
| Howard Carter House - Qurnah - West Bank - Luxor |
Howard Carter was born on 9 May 1874, and died in London on 2 March 1939. He was a British archaeologist and Egyptologist who became world-famous after discovering the intact tomb (designated KV62) of the 18th Dynasty Pharaoh, Tutankhamun (colloquially known as 'the boy king'), in the valley of the Kings, on the West Bank in Luxor during the month November, 1922.It was among these modest houses - most of them built of mud-brick, that Ismail's parents lived.
Faunus had not physically visited the village, but he knew each and every alleyway intimately.
Ismael's family were, for the area in question, quite affluent, and their home was surrounded by a modern brick wall.
It was impossible to see over the wall, and so it afforded complete privacy - but not, of course, to Faunus.
Faunus knew exactly who was in the house, and what they were doing.
But then the people of the West bank - as we have already explained - if they had known - would have considered Faunus to be a 'jinni' - even if he wasn't blue, and trailing smoke - and all the streets would have emptied, particularly of the children - but that didn't happen, because Faunus simply looked like a handsome, Egyptian teenage 'boy' - even if an unusually wealthy one, at least by his clothing and manner.
As a matter of interest, in rural Egypt the houses do not have numbers, which would anyway be a bit pointless as most small roads, lanes and alleyways do not have a name, and the gates in the walls surrounding houses do not have bells, or even knockers.
 |
| Fellaheen Style House Qurnah - West Bank - Luxor - |
Such is the timeless minutiae of life in Rural Egypt - even to the extent of keeping small animals in the house, and building the house from palm-logs and mud-brick, much as was done by the ancient Egyptians.
"Hello...! Anyone home...?", Faunus called out in Arabic.
The main door opened, and Ismail, looking very Ṣa‘īdi in a beautiful dark green جلابية - galabeya appeared, smiling.....
جلابية -the galabeya is a traditional Egyptian garment native to the Nile Valley."I thought you were going to 'phone me ?"...Ismail began, rather forgetting his manners because of Faunus' sudden appearance.
"But sorry...pleased to see you....
Please - come in, and meet my parents.", Ismail continued.
 |
| Alexandria Sea Front - Egypt |
Now in this story you will never learn the names of Ismail's parents, simply because it is not the custom among Egyptian village people - even those who have spent much time in Cairo to be called by their 'given names'.
And so Ismail's father is always referred to as 'Abu Ismail', and Ismail's mother is always referred to as 'Om Ismail' - the parents having the prefix 'father' or 'mother' appended to the name of their eldest son.
Abu Ismail very formally greeted Faunus.
And then - down to business.....
"So you met in Cairo ?", Abu Ismail began.
"Yes, I'm Ali from al'iiskandaria (Alexandria) - I'm very pleased to meet you, effendi.", Faunus replied, laying it on very thickly.
Alexandria is the second-largest city in Egypt, extending about 32 km (20 mi) along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the north central part of the country. Alexandria was founded around a small, ancient Egyptian town c. 332 BC by Alexander the Great."No, no my boy....not 'effedni' - just Abu Ismail.", Abu Ismail replied, feigning embarrassment, but actually very flattered by this very respectful and polite young man.Alexandria became an important center of Hellenistic civilization and remained the capital of Ptolemaic Egypt until the Muslim conquest of Egypt in AD 641, when a new capital was founded at Cairo). Hellenistic Alexandria was best known for the Lighthouse of Alexandria (Pharos), one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World; its Great Library (the largest in the ancient world). Later, Alexandria became a major center of the international shipping industry and one of the most important trading centers in the world, both because it profited from the easy overland connection between the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, and the lucrative trade in Egyptian cotton.
Ancient Alexandria - Pharos Lighthouse & Harbour
'Effendi' أفندي, - originally an Ottoman title, is a title meaning 'Master'. It is a title of respect or courtesy, equivalent to the English 'Sir'. It was used in the Ottoman Empire and Byzantine Empire. It follows the personal name, when it is used, and is generally given to members of the learned professions and to government officials"And Ali, this is my mother.", Ismail said shyly.
Faunus smiled, and shook hands very gently, eyes averted.
In such a situation it was essential not to show any interest in female members of the family, but simply respect.
 |
| Saiidi Shai |
Of course, not to accept hospitality, in the form of shai, would be taken as somewhat insulting.
Tea is the national drink in Egypt, and in Egypt, tea is called 'shai' - usually drunk from a glass. 'Saiidi' tea is drunk in Upper Egypt. It is prepared by boiling black tea with water for as long as 5 minutes over a strong flame. Saiidi tea is extremely heavy, with two teaspoonfuls per cup being the norm. It is sweetened with copious amounts of cane sugar (a necessity since the formula and method yield a very bitter tea).
Although the tables were individual, the seating was communal - usually on long wooden benches covered with upholstered mattresses, (although men and women rarely sat together).
"So what brings you to Luxor ?", Abu Ismail asked, as the glasses of hot dark tea were brought to them on a silver(?) tray.
"I'm escorting a group of young American gentlemen - they come from Los Angeles.
It's like a holiday for them, and they want to see the sights." Faunus explained.
This was no surprise to Abu Ali.
 |
| Sidi Arif Mosque - Sohag - Egypt |
Many of brighter Egyptian boys would study foreign languages and Egyptology, often at سوهاج - Sohag or, less usually as in Ismail's case, Cairo - get their Government Accreditation, and become Tourist Guides."And they're rich... ?", Abu Ismail asked.
(In a community where, by European and American standards, most people were extremely poor, such a question was not deemed out of place - only rich people are hesitant to speak openly about money).
"Yes effendi....I think they are quite rich.", Faunus replied, interested to see what Abu Ismail's response would be.
"Also, father, they stayed at the Gezireh Palace in Cairo, and are staying at the Old Winter Palace in Luxor.", Ismail added.
"And you and Ismail will both be helping to guide these visitors ?", Abu Ismail asked - wanting to be sure that Ismail's connection with this young man from Alexandria would be to his son's advantage.
"Of course, Effendi - Ismail knows much more about the West Bank that I do..", Faunus admitted - although that was not really true.
"And you split fifty-fifty....?", Abu Ismail asked.
"Of course, father....he's my partner on this trip.", Ismail replied.
"That's good...!", Abu Ismail said, smiling, as he offered Faunus a cigarette (Cleopatra), and lit another one for himself.
Ismail was not offered a cigarette, as sons - even after marriage and, becoming fathers themselves - were not expected to smoke in front of their parents.
Faunus (Ali) was offered a cigarette out of politeness, but was not really expected to accept, and Faunus knew this (and didn't smoke anyway), and didn't - another good point in Abu Ismail's eyes.)
And so I was wondering if they could visit the mosque here, maybe of the local sheikh."
Abu Ismail looked perplexed.
"And this is your idea, or the idea of the group ?", he asked.
"It is the idea of the group, Abu Ismail...", Faunus replied.
"And how did you know of our sheikh ", Abu Ismail asked, still puzzled.
"Well, I have never met him 'in the flesh', but we have 'communicated' quite often.", Faunus replied, being somewhat deceptive.
Faunus, of course, gave his reply in his 'inimitable manner' that caused Abu Ismail to accept the odd reply at 'face value'.
"I am, in fact, a great admirer of Sheikh Muhammad el-Tayeb and the Sufi Path.", Faunus continued.
But may I ask you....these khawaja, if they visit the mosque, and our sheikh....will they be sufficiently respectful ?", Abu Ismail asked.
"That's good...so when were you intending to make this visit ?", Abu Ismail asked.
"Well, I was hoping ..tomorrow evening...", Faunus said, quietly but firmly.
Ismail looked surprised.
"Now that's rather short notice, and the sheikh is often away in Cairo, and I don't know if he'll be on the West Bank tomorrow - but I can make inquiries for you...", Abu Ismail explained.
"Don't worry - he'll be here to see us...", Faunus said, confidently.
Abu Ismail raised an eyebrow - wondering.......
"Well, Faunus was telling me yesterday, that there is a very special little place near here.
It's not for tourists - but the food is 'real Egyptian' - and safe for your funny little tummys...", Teddy said.
"Well that's alright for you to say, Teddy, but then you won't be eating the food.", Max said sounding concerned.
"True...", Teddy replied, "but then do you want me to tell Faunus that you don't trust him ?", Teddy said, brandishing his 'trump card'.
And there was no answer to that.
"OK...so let's go eat Egyptian...", Zac said.
"So exactly where is this place, Teddy ?", Glen asked, as they left the Luxor Temple.
"I hope it's not far...", Ethan moaned...." I'm very very hot, sweaty and dusty."
"Not far.....", Teddy replied, brightly.
"We go nearly to the bottom of 'Sharia al-Mahatta' ('Station Street' - remember ?), and then dodge into a small alley on our right.", Teddy explained.
"And the alley's called ?", Jim asked.
"Oh, it's got no name.....small alleys in Egypt don't have names - just like small streets", Teddy said blithely.
"So without Faunus here, how do we know we've got the right alley" Glen sensibly asked.
"We just follow the smell - roast water-buffalo.", Teddy replied.
"WHAT !...", all the other asked in unison.
"You'll love it !..", Teddy said, as they set off down the crowded 'Sharia al-Mahatta'.
The house was mainly constructed from mud brick, and was much cooler than houses built of fired brick or concrete.
The windows were small - without glass - but fitted with attractive wooden, louvered blinds that let in sufficient light, but also offered considerable ventilation - although the main rooms of the house were also air-conditioned.
Despite their origins in Cairo, Ismail's family, like most families in Egypt espoused traditional values, and Abu Ismail, Ismail and Faunus ate before the women of the house.
Ismail had a younger sister, but she hadn't even been introduced to Faunus, and remained hidden, throughout Faunus' visit, in the kitchen, under the watchful eye of her mother.
Chicken was a staple among most Egyptian families, although there were many families that could only afford chicken, or any meat rarely.
The meat would be accompanied by tomatoes, and various kind of salads, and thickly sliced fried potatoes - which the Egyptians, strangely enough, called 'potatoes'.
Ismail's mother was a superb cook, and Faunus, as he expected, found the meal delicious.
Meanwhile - back on the East Bank things were beginning to develop in some strange ways.
Teddy found the alley off the 'Sharia al-Mahatta', as he could smell the inviting odor of the cooking - but where was the restaurant ?
But like many local establishments, this restaurant had no large signs announcing its presence - and anyway the 'gang' couldn't read Arabic - apart from Teddy.
In addition, the entrance to the restaurant, which was on the first floor, was up a narrow set of stairs which were reached by squeezing past the serving counter of the restaurant's 'fast food' counter.
So, with Ethan leading the way, they arrived on the first floor.
It was bright, clean and roomy, with simple wooded tables and chairs.
Above all it was cool.
The person they presumed was the owner bustled out from the kitchen.
سلام - assalamu 'alaikum - Come in my fine gentlemen......
Ali told me to expect you...", the rather portly man wearing a galabeya - who they had taken to be the owner said in heavily accented English, offering them a table.
Ethan and Jim looked at Teddy.
"Teddy, whose Ali ?", Ethan asked, nervously.
"Why Faunus, of course.", Teddy replied.
"I should have known !", Ethan said, despairing.
Now people in the West - Europe and America - by and large, no longer believe in 'other worlds', or supernatural beings, unless they live in a 'secure hospital', or pay regular visits to a psychiatrist, but in most of the Middle East - including Egypt - those who would be considered crazy elsewhere, are usually considered closer to Allah - and that fact is important to note.
The boss and staff of this little restaurant had provided Ali (Faunus) with a meal previously (when?), and after he had left, they had seriously wondered if he might be one of the 'Jinn' - but a nice one.
Remember, all Muslims are required, even in 'present times', to believe in the existence of the Jinn.
Ali had told the people working in the restaurant that the following day a golden-haired boy with blue eyes and an amazing smile (Ethan), would bring some friends to the restaurant.
The boy would be carrying a small furry 'being', that nobody else would notice, and that 'being' would help his friends to order the best meal the owner of the restaurant had ever made - and then the restaurant staff would completely forget what had happened.
"This is all getting too weird...", Max said.
"No Max, you're mistaken..", Zac said.
The others found Zac's statement a bit strange...but made no comment.
"So what !....let's just sit down, and let Teddy get on with it.", Jim said.
The waiters then put two tables together, to make one long table and rearranged the chairs, and started laying cutlery, and bringing bread and water.
And Teddy, sitting on the table, began discussing the possible dishes, in colloquial Arabic with the owner - there were no menus - the locals just asked for what they wanted.
Eventually Teddy was satisfied with the order, and first the soup arrived...and then the main course - beautifully cooked water buffalo in delicious sauce - along with potatoes, and a fine selection of vegetables.
"Well, it will be interesting to see if the Winter Palace can do any better...", Jim said.
And this is what was odd (maybe)......
Jim, Ethan, Josh and Zac couldn't remember eating such a fine meal for a very, very long time - in fact not since that 'other time' and that 'other place'.
And perhaps that was what Zac was hinting at when he implied that things were not getting too 'weird'.
In fact, in some ways things were getting back to what they had considered to be 'normal' long ago.
'Cleopatra' is a brand of cigarettes currently owned and manufactured by the 'Eastern Tobacco Company' in Egypt. The brand is one of the most popular cigarette brands in Egypt. It was intended to be a copy of the American brand 'Kent'. Cleopatra are usually considered to be the 'poor man's' cigarette, and aspirational males - usually young - smoke Marlboro, when they can afford them."So....my American party would like to visit the West Bank soon - not just to see the monuments and tombs, but also the way of life of the ordinary people.
And so I was wondering if they could visit the mosque here, maybe of the local sheikh."
Abu Ismail looked perplexed.
"And this is your idea, or the idea of the group ?", he asked.
"It is the idea of the group, Abu Ismail...", Faunus replied.
"And how did you know of our sheikh ", Abu Ismail asked, still puzzled.
"Well, I have never met him 'in the flesh', but we have 'communicated' quite often.", Faunus replied, being somewhat deceptive.
Faunus, of course, gave his reply in his 'inimitable manner' that caused Abu Ismail to accept the odd reply at 'face value'.
 |
| Sufi Worship - West Bank - Luxor |
Sufism, الْتَّصَوُّف, is usually defined as 'Islamic mysticism', characterized by particular values, ritual practices, doctrines and institutions which began very early in Islamic history and represents the main manifestation, and the most important crystallization of mystical practice in Islam. Practitioners of Sufism have been referred to as 'Sufis'. Historically, Sufis belong to different 'ṭuruq' or 'orders' - formed around a 'grand master' referred to as a 'wali' or sheikh, who traces a direct chain of successive teachers back to the prophet Muhammad."Well I'm no Sufi - although I have the greatest respect for them, and our Sheikh, but I'm very pleased to hear about your interest, Ali......
But may I ask you....these khawaja, if they visit the mosque, and our sheikh....will they be sufficiently respectful ?", Abu Ismail asked.
Khawaja (Persian: خواجه) (the 'k' is guttural and not emphasized), was originally an honorific title used across the Middle East, particularly towards Sufi teachers. The word comes from the Iranian word 'khwāja', and translates as 'master'. However, the name now is also used in Egypt and Sudan to indicate a person with a foreign nationality or foreign heritage - often a 'tourist'."Of course, effendi ...these young men are very well educated, widely traveled and well brought up, and I will prepare them thoroughly before the visit.", Faunus said.
"That's good...so when were you intending to make this visit ?", Abu Ismail asked.
"Well, I was hoping ..tomorrow evening...", Faunus said, quietly but firmly.
Ismail looked surprised.
"Now that's rather short notice, and the sheikh is often away in Cairo, and I don't know if he'll be on the West Bank tomorrow - but I can make inquiries for you...", Abu Ismail explained.
"Don't worry - he'll be here to see us...", Faunus said, confidently.
Abu Ismail raised an eyebrow - wondering.......
At the Temp at Luxor, on the East Bank, it was getting hot - very hot....
Now while Teddy's upgraded cooling system was working fine, he had an auxiliary 'over-heating-humans-thingy' - as Ethan called it, that would warn Teddy if his human companions were becoming uncomfortably warm.
It had signaled an alert !....
"Well I think it would be a good idea if we finished off here, and had some lunch...", Teddy said to Jim.
"We could always come back - if anyone was still interested - some other day...", Teddy added.
"So good....but where do we go to eat - or do we have to go back to the Winter Palace ?", Jim asked.
"So good....but where do we go to eat - or do we have to go back to the Winter Palace ?", Jim asked.
It's not for tourists - but the food is 'real Egyptian' - and safe for your funny little tummys...", Teddy said.
"Well that's alright for you to say, Teddy, but then you won't be eating the food.", Max said sounding concerned.
"True...", Teddy replied, "but then do you want me to tell Faunus that you don't trust him ?", Teddy said, brandishing his 'trump card'.
And there was no answer to that.
"OK...so let's go eat Egyptian...", Zac said.
"So exactly where is this place, Teddy ?", Glen asked, as they left the Luxor Temple.
"I hope it's not far...", Ethan moaned...." I'm very very hot, sweaty and dusty."
"Not far.....", Teddy replied, brightly.
"We go nearly to the bottom of 'Sharia al-Mahatta' ('Station Street' - remember ?), and then dodge into a small alley on our right.", Teddy explained.
"And the alley's called ?", Jim asked.
 |
| Egyptian River Buffalo |
"So without Faunus here, how do we know we've got the right alley" Glen sensibly asked.
"We just follow the smell - roast water-buffalo.", Teddy replied.
"WHAT !...", all the other asked in unison.
"You'll love it !..", Teddy said, as they set off down the crowded 'Sharia al-Mahatta'.
Water or River Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) - buffalo meat is less preferred due to its toughness; however, recipes have evolved where the slow cooking process and spices not only make the meat very palatable, but also preserve it, an important factor in hot climates where refrigeration is not always available.Back on the West Bank - having dealt with the business - Faunus was able to relax.
The house was mainly constructed from mud brick, and was much cooler than houses built of fired brick or concrete.
 |
| Mud Bricks - ready for Use - Egypt |
A mudbrick is an air-dried brick, made of a mixture of loam, mud, sand and water mixed with a binding material such as straw. In warm regions, with very little timber available to fuel a kiln, bricks were generally sun-dried. In some cases, brick makers extended the life of mud bricks by covering them with stucco.It was the middle of the day, and Egyptian hospitality required that Faunus shared in a meal.
Despite their origins in Cairo, Ismail's family, like most families in Egypt espoused traditional values, and Abu Ismail, Ismail and Faunus ate before the women of the house.
Ismail had a younger sister, but she hadn't even been introduced to Faunus, and remained hidden, throughout Faunus' visit, in the kitchen, under the watchful eye of her mother.
Chicken was a staple among most Egyptian families, although there were many families that could only afford chicken, or any meat rarely.
The meat would be accompanied by tomatoes, and various kind of salads, and thickly sliced fried potatoes - which the Egyptians, strangely enough, called 'potatoes'.
Ismail's mother was a superb cook, and Faunus, as he expected, found the meal delicious.
Meanwhile - back on the East Bank things were beginning to develop in some strange ways.
Teddy found the alley off the 'Sharia al-Mahatta', as he could smell the inviting odor of the cooking - but where was the restaurant ?
 |
| Entrance to the Restaurant - 'Sharia al-Mahatta' - Luxor |
In addition, the entrance to the restaurant, which was on the first floor, was up a narrow set of stairs which were reached by squeezing past the serving counter of the restaurant's 'fast food' counter.
So, with Ethan leading the way, they arrived on the first floor.
It was bright, clean and roomy, with simple wooded tables and chairs.
Above all it was cool.
The person they presumed was the owner bustled out from the kitchen.
سلام - assalamu 'alaikum - Come in my fine gentlemen......
Ali told me to expect you...", the rather portly man wearing a galabeya - who they had taken to be the owner said in heavily accented English, offering them a table.
Ethan and Jim looked at Teddy.
"Teddy, whose Ali ?", Ethan asked, nervously.
"Why Faunus, of course.", Teddy replied.
"I should have known !", Ethan said, despairing.
Now people in the West - Europe and America - by and large, no longer believe in 'other worlds', or supernatural beings, unless they live in a 'secure hospital', or pay regular visits to a psychiatrist, but in most of the Middle East - including Egypt - those who would be considered crazy elsewhere, are usually considered closer to Allah - and that fact is important to note.
The boss and staff of this little restaurant had provided Ali (Faunus) with a meal previously (when?), and after he had left, they had seriously wondered if he might be one of the 'Jinn' - but a nice one.
Remember, all Muslims are required, even in 'present times', to believe in the existence of the Jinn.
Ali had told the people working in the restaurant that the following day a golden-haired boy with blue eyes and an amazing smile (Ethan), would bring some friends to the restaurant.
The boy would be carrying a small furry 'being', that nobody else would notice, and that 'being' would help his friends to order the best meal the owner of the restaurant had ever made - and then the restaurant staff would completely forget what had happened.
"This is all getting too weird...", Max said.
"No Max, you're mistaken..", Zac said.
The others found Zac's statement a bit strange...but made no comment.
"So what !....let's just sit down, and let Teddy get on with it.", Jim said.
The waiters then put two tables together, to make one long table and rearranged the chairs, and started laying cutlery, and bringing bread and water.
And Teddy, sitting on the table, began discussing the possible dishes, in colloquial Arabic with the owner - there were no menus - the locals just asked for what they wanted.
Eventually Teddy was satisfied with the order, and first the soup arrived...and then the main course - beautifully cooked water buffalo in delicious sauce - along with potatoes, and a fine selection of vegetables.
"Well, it will be interesting to see if the Winter Palace can do any better...", Jim said.
And this is what was odd (maybe)......
Jim, Ethan, Josh and Zac couldn't remember eating such a fine meal for a very, very long time - in fact not since that 'other time' and that 'other place'.
And perhaps that was what Zac was hinting at when he implied that things were not getting too 'weird'.
In fact, in some ways things were getting back to what they had considered to be 'normal' long ago.
And, back on the West Bank, Faunus was having very similar thoughts.
After their excellent lunch, Jim calls for the limousines to take them to Karnak. As the sun begins to drop towards the horizon, Glen collapses in the hypostyle hall of the Temple. At first it seems to be the result of the heat of the day, but subsequently it turns out to be a further 'contact' from 'whoever' or 'whatever' has brought them to Egypt. Next day, leaving Glen with Max at the Winter Palace to recover, the rest of the 'Gang' return to Karnak, and then visit Mahmoud at Medinet Habu before their evening meeting with the Sheikh....
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All text - © Copyright Peter Crawford 2021
All Images - © Copyright Vittorio Carvelli 2021
Graphic Design - © Copyright Zac Sawyer 202