SIGHTS OF THE SOUK
We set off in horse-drawn single file; there appears to be no age limits in the under-class world of carriage driving. One driver appears to be on leave from primary education, whereas ours is partly mummified by tobacco and has long been in need of dental restructural work. Like the convoy of popular song we are soon joined first by ice-cream vendors then children. All this to the tune of the myriad horns of congested traffic, braying donkeys, groaning lorries and tooting motorbikes...
Chaos levels reach a new high once we turn off into the narrow street market.
Shoppers of all ages are squeezed between piles of tomatoes, horses hooves and carriage wheels. Soon there is horse-drawn gridlock. Added to this the street is undergoing some sort of telecommunication laying program. I look down as the narrow solid rubber tyres roll perilously close to the open manholes and the sandaled feet, fish from the Nile, stall holders legs and aubergines...
Another hold up? And a man with possibly the worst job in Egypt is mixing a batch of concrete by hand in the middle of the food vendors. Above, his workmates balance on wooden scaffolding lashed together with coarse fibred rope...
We turn back onto a wider avenue of "speciality shops"; fan belts, raw lamb hanging by a hook, hairdressing and beauty, welding and fabrication shop, juice bar, and a nothing but rope shop...
NILE BOAT NAME SPOTTING
Nile Adventurer
Suitable for young unmarrieds, mainly men (Flak Jacket not included).
Nile Romance
Aimed at young couples or 2nd honeymooners.
Nile Explorer
Similar to above but slightly less adventurous (Includes hire of Night-scope).
Nile Cruiser
Fully licensed for the overweight and indulgent.
Se-Nile
Perfect for retired people from England.
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