Luxor, Egypt

Monday 9th January 2006
Day 387

There comes a time in most holidays I go on, maybe it is me, rather than the holidays, when I certainly don't feel my best. Today is it. The dreaded Mummy's revenge, Cleopatra's Curse, or whatever, struck home last night, so I've been spending the day trying to rest and recuperate. However, I do feel that when I am down, for whatever reason, I get a little, well, cranky. I'm not happy in crowds at the best of times, and I admit I sometimes want to just go out into the middle of a field and stare at the sky.
Unfortunately, Egyptian cities aren't the best place to feel that way. Dusty, noisy and crowded. All the triggers that set me off. I have to remember all the time though that I know this. Everyone else does not. Hence the need to crawl under a stone sometimes.

The anticipation – or dread – of the night train to Cairo (something that has had me singing the Madness song “Night Boat to Cairo” for the last three days!) hasn't helped. Not that there is anything wrong with the train – I'm typing this missive from it after all. It is just that I don't sleep well at the best of times, and poorly on any form of transport – bus, train, or plane. Let's face it – I'm a wreck! I need a holiday...

Apparently tomorrow is Eid – the start of the Hadj. Should be a fun day in Cairo.

Resting today has enabled me to capture both sunrise and sunset. Despite the faults above, Luxor does have picturesque areas. And today, especially as last weeks smog has cleared, the views have and colours have been impressive. Sunrise was captured with an impressive flotilla of balloons aloft. There were 9 at one stage, jostling for the same views. Behind these hills is the Valley of the Kings.