After fully exploring the pyramids and taking in the Sphinx, I went local and boarded an overnight train for Aswan. Taking the local train in Egypt was truly an authentic experience. I shared my “room” with Jackie from New York. The room was just big enough to hold chairs that folded into a bunk-bed and that was pretty much it. The size wasn’t a huge issue; we were basically just going straight to sleep anyway. The issue was the noise and the bumpiness of the ride: screeching metal, rickety beyond belief, cupboard doors opening and slamming shut, etc. The ladder even fell over and crashed down on poor Jackie’s knee. We snacked on the animal crackers she brought in bulk for the trip instead.
In the morning, we pulled into Egypt’s ancient frontier town of the south, Aswan. I took in its laid-back African atmosphere and explored the colourful markets along the Nile. I rummaged through the Aswan souk that was full of fragrant spices, fabrics and souvenirs. I tried some delicious and refreshing hibiscus tea and snacked on tahini (sesame dip) and daoud basha (meatballs in tomato sauce).
Later on in the afternoon, I hopped on-board a white-sailed felucca and drifted along the Nile River. I felt relaxed while floating down the palm-lined Nile, sailing past timeless monuments, green fields and Arabian desert. I observed locals swimming, fishing, and going about their day as we sailed past. It was a truly memorable way to see this unique part of the world and the perfect way to relax.
A fond farewell
In the evening, my Egypt travel buddies and I unwound with a drink at the boat’s bar. It was a belly dancing theme, so we all found some belly dancing attire out in the markets that Sherif called “jinglies.” I found a nice set of pink jinglies that I tied into a dress. On the dance floor, there was a mixture between authentic music and contemporary music. It was a ton of fun, and again because there was hardly anyone else present besides us. I think there was just one older couple who shimmied their way around us a few times.
I’m glad I was able to enjoy most of the dance, because at the end of the night I came down with the most dreadful food poisoning from the boat’s buffet either from that day or the day before. I slipped into the wretched routine that every traveler can relate to: bed, bathroom, shower, bed, and so forth. No one saw me in action for the next day.
What was I thinking, trying some of that chickpea lentil soup! Ohh, because it was delicious, that’s why.
Seems like we had some similar experiences :-) The train to Aswan (we didn’t have a sleeper one) was a great experience with friendly locals looking to share their food! And yes, I had the same bathroom discovery as you did, haha! Our felucca was more basic I’m afraid, no bar-party. In the evening we stopped near a beach where some locals came to play music by the camp fire.
Glad to hear you also had an adventurous time out on the Nile!
Train toilets are the worst! There is something about people on trains and not being able to pee straight, it really isn’t that hard. A girl I was recently in India with suffered a very unfortunate incident where food poisoning hit her while on the train, she ended up sacrificing her towel and I gave her mine to clean up the toilets as she needed to run to them every 10 mins.
That sounds especially unfortunate! The things we do for travel :)
Sometimes the delicious local food is worth the sickness…although I find that I mostly get sick from Western food made in unsanitary conditions.
This must have been such an exciting portion of exploring Egypt for you and your friends. While urban travel can be fun, heading out of town on a couple forms of local transport seems like it really enhanced your travel experience.
It was certainly exciting! I loved the relaxing felucca ride much more than that local train ;)
I really loved this post! I have never visited Egypt despite being quite close, and that’s because I harbour the ambition of a Cairo-Cape Town overland adventure. I am so sorry you got a tummy bug. It’s the most dreadful thing, and I’ve heard Egyptian tummy bugs are particularly nasty!
A Cairo to Capetown adventure you say . . . *swoon!* This tummy bug was pretty nasty but luckily with my travel meds I bounced back at a decent rate!
Sounds like, minus the toilets, you had a blast though! Would love to get to the Nile and would especially love to learn how to bellydance – looks like a great adventure! I would probably even bear the toilet situation for the experience lol
I definitely did have a blast despite the very questionable toilet situation on the train!
OMG that bathroom sounds totally horrible… I can imagine you wanting to avoid it! I’ve never made it to Egypt but it sounds like a great place to make it over to one day. Thanks for sharing your story!
Egypt is certainly an experience, that is for sure, and so worth adventuring to. Lots of good stories come from it!
Looks like an amazing time – I really want to sail the Nile River! Sucks about the food poisoning though!
It really is an experience that’s sure to be full of never-ending stories.
What a unique experience. I enjoyed your pictures and that you even bought belly dancing clothing to go out and dance. I am not sure I am brave or outgoing enough to do that, but the outfits look fun and festive!
Thanks! I am always up for dancing no matter what style.
Love the belly dancing attire. Great that you went the extra mile to wear the appropriate dress to the evening shin-dig. As for the nastiness you described in the beginning of your article, I am glad you opened with the gross and ended on a happy note. It is important for readers to get the true picture-travel is a balance of pain and pleasure. Thanks for sharing.
April
Thanks, April! The belly dancing attire was so much fun to jingle in ;)
The train ride sounds like it was quite an experience – but the rest seems to have well made up for it! Happy Travels
Absolutely! Thanks, Jennifer!
These photos are just fantastic! Must be so soothing for the soul to live in a place like that!
So relaxing, that’s for sure.
I was there 5 years back. You made me miss Egypt!
It’s been 4 years for me! Can’t believe it’s been so long ;)
Oh wow this looks like such an incredible experience!
It really was, Sophie!
The toilets in trains are the worst! Seems like an experience though, despite everything not being perfect!
Absolutely was an experience, that’s for sure.
Love the slow life. As travel bloggers we really need it every now and then, just to recharge our batteries and regain perspective! And now I want soup too!
The slow life while traveling isn’t always possible but when it becomes available it is so nice ;)
Egypt has some really cool natural wonders! Did you take a camel selfie? :D
I did!!
Sounds like an experience for you although it was a mix of both good and bad! Definitely would love to visit Egypt and meet a camel :)
The majority is all good! ;)