Philae

Today was an awesome day. I began with an optional Toning at 6:30 a.m. on the sun deck. Breakfast began at 7:00 and we departed for the Temple of Philae at 8:30.

The Temple of Philae was moved to higher ground by UNESCO in order to save it from the inundation created by the Nasar Dam. I'm really glad that this temple was saved, it's beautiful. The only way you can reach it is by boat.

Here's a roughly edited video of our boat ride over to the site.



We returned to ship in time for lunch and began cruising north back to Luxor.

After lunch we all went to the sun deck to enjoy our cruise down the Nile, but to also put henna on the palms of our hands. Samuel explained that red hands can be found in the art of almost all ancient civilizations. We've seen it on previous trips--in the Yucatán and Australia, for example. They can represent an affirmation of "self", the "I am", and mark a celebration--a highlight of a human experience. They also represent unity when done as a group with a conscious intent. So, under the masterful tutelage of Lakshmi, several people served by putting henna on our hands. It was a sacred work that was fun, loving, sensual and chaotic! Most people's hand were done by one person, but I was lucky and Lea did my left hand and Mary Claire my right. So, I can now officially say I had a "three-way" in Egypt! :-)

Here's a photo of Lea putting the henna on someone's palm.



There's still more to share with you about yesterday . . . our afternoon meeting with Samuel, our galabeya (sp?) night (Egyptian dress-up dinner) and party! It was so much fun! I hope to post more about this later today, but now, I must get ready for our excursion to the temple of Karnak--everyday is another major temple and highlight!

Thanks for reading my blog and please come back again sometime soon.

Salam Aliekom (goodbye),
Stuart