Feluccas on the NileThree feluccas on the Nile River. White sails against blue water. Aswan, Egypt. At about noon we were ready to take a ferry to Elephantine Island to see the ruins of the Temple of Khnum and the Aswan Museum. When our tour finished, we sat in the shade of the museum’s porch. I took a short nap--I guess the heat made me tired. The caretaker of the garden invited me over for mint tea and a chat. Although it wasn’t a free cup of tea, it was a pleasant visit.

We walked through the Nubian village to the other side of the island. A young boy showed us where to get the boat to Kitchner’s Island. We wandered around there, shooting some pix. It was quiet everywhere except for the mobs at the souvenir concessions. We took the same boat back to Elephantine Island, and then another ferry to the Aswan side.

We went to see a performance of Nubian folk dancing, which was really great. The drum beats, call and refrain, and the ululations made me want to get up and dance with them. The smiling black faces and bodies ready to respond to music make me eager to return to Black Africa, and sorry that I won’t be visiting Sudan this time around.