Today is meant for one thing and one thing only: relaxing and maybe a smidge of drinking. I woke up surprisingly refreshed and early, without one trace of a hangover. Even without hangovers, sailing started to take its toll on the stomachs, imodium was passed around like candy and we all realised how thankful we were for bathrooms. The girls and I managed to avoid the water, keeping our stomachs safe, that is until our Egytian crew cooked, washed utensils, and did god knows what else with water from the Nile....we docked further down the river, for lunch, bathroom breaks, and an afternoon swim. I am a fan of peeing outside but anything else not so much...it's even weirder when donkeys, horses, and sheep wander and bahhh in your section of the bushes. But traveling is all about the stories and I got my fair share so far...
Cooled by the water, we set sail again for a few hours before docking for the night. Our daily booze order was delivered by motor boat along the way. With Ramadon in full swing, it's hard not to feel an equal sense of pity and respect for our crew. 3 times a day they cook for us and pack the fridge with beer and water, unable to drink or eat any of it, I don't think I have ever displayed that kind of committment to anything, especially anything that did not benefit me in the end. I wish I had half of their dedication...
We docked as the sun began to set, the sky filled with bright orange and red over the tan sand. In the middle of the Nile, Egypt seems overwhelmingly beautiful and untainted. Sitting on the feluccas, we watched our crews gather in a family like celebration. A blanket was lain out, one man poured water, another filled the sheet with dishes, and everyone gathered around to signal the end of fasting for the day. I couldn't help but to watch as they all ate and drank a days worth of food following the sunset. With that we cracked open beers and bottles of vodka to start the night
Our tour guide Ramseys and Mario planned a surprise for our final night on the water. We drank, chatted, and layed about waiting for our surprise. With only stars lighting the sky, our crew started building a fire. The fire cracked along with the beating of drums and Nubian chants. Our guides gathered us around the fire to sit and listen to before encouraging us to dance around the fire. Our crew member Nubian Mohommad, led us clockwise and counterclockwise to the beats of the drum. We danced for what seemed like hours, drunk on beer and music. Before the fire died out, we were seperated into Nationalities and given a challenge. Each country was to get together and perform a song...after much debate over Yankee Doodle vs. God Bless America, we settled somewhere in left field with a well known favorite: The Fresh Prince theme song, I won't say we made Jazzy Jeff proud but I will say our song beat the British, Australian, South Africa, and New Zealanders....but we could not beat the Nubians, especially when a part of the drumming chants included a line or two from In the Jungle!
We drank for a little while after the fire before dying down ourselves. We all slept straight through the night drifting and docking. The boat has been the most peacful deep sleep I have had in months. With one final breakfast on the boat done, we climbed back on to our bus to finish our journey to Aswan.
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