20th January 2026

An excursion we were booked for on Monday somehow got cancelled But Judith phoned up the organiser and explained the misunderstanding and rebooked for Tuesday after we checked into the hotel. It is a simple plan to make acquaintances by people inviting tourists in to the home for meals. They cook a dinner and you meet over food and friendship.

So Saladin came to pick us up at 3.00 at the Iberotel to drive us yo his village on the West bank of the Nile. He was a young man who is studying at college and hopes to go to Spain to work in hotels & tourism. When we got to his home he lives with his extended family. But we met his older sister who works as dentist at the local hospital and clinic; his two younger cousins Hana (about 7 yrs) and Halinda (about 13 yr). The 23 year old had excellent English as did the older sister. Saladin we could understand. And his mother had cooked the food for us. It had stuffed vegetables and a chicken dish, soup and fresh tomato, and vegs.

After dinner and much time chatting in their front room Saladin took us out to show us his village. Many neighbours and especially children were outside and everyone was friendly. The village hade been restored under a project by the Egyptian government and the UN.