The Old Cataract Hotel, Aswan. Abdullah welcomes us to the Elephantine Café. We are seated at the top of a rocky outcrop overlooking a narrowing of the Nile at the Elephantine Island. Across from us, on the far bank of the Nile, lies the Nubian Desert – rolling hills of burnt sand bely the expansive desert that awaits us.
High tea arrives on a three-tiered silver platter with oriental glasses and a royal blue teapot. Without our noticing, the shadows lengthened and a soft lull of conversations develops from the tables alongside us. The sunset has an audience. It is another day of beautiful photos and many hours spent in the company of a true friend. A miniature dandelion fairy catches the lip of my cup and as I blow it into the wind I experience another moment of exhilarating happiness – what a memorable way to end my journey in Egypt.
Looking back over the past two weeks I recall overly enthusiastic children running out of houses to scream to us as we cycle by, moments of near hysteria listening to Irish banter, walking down a street feeling liberated and independent, taking photographs of shoddy bathrooms in budget hotels, music played through speakers with a crackled delay, and sheesh kebabs.
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