My favourite! 35 square meter, we could play hide-and-seek all day long. In the first room there were 122 columns and there are still a lot standing upright. Mervat had forgotten her sunshade so that we can see her from distance so JP, who is tall and has a voice which carries, is used as pointer and shouts “Akhenaton” as soon as the group scatters. And we as kids answered the same thing while shouting (not presentable these French!) At the end of the visit, there is a beetle in stone which brings good luck. Mervat said to us to turn around it clockwise and make a wish. Then all the group started to turn queuing . People looked at us oddly and even more that we were counting aloud. We didn't look stupid at all!
And me who hadn't heard the story of the wish, I didn't make any. When Mervat asked to me whether I made a wish to avoid to look even stupider (because frankly to turn around a statue 7 times it is already silly, but without making any wish it is even sillier!) I answered her that I don't need to as my life is perfect. I have a husband who is perfect, a baby who is adorable, a roof on my head and a job which pays well. I am satisfied. And I added immediately after that: “if Marc heard me he wouldn't believe it: Marie, Satisfied, Impossible!!”
In the bus to come back, Mervat thanked us to have been so cordial and such a pleasant group. I had tears in my eyes. We all will be leaving (and yet I miss Arthur and Marc !)
We had a nap until 3.30pm, then Christelle and me went by bus to Luxhor. We had to withdrawn some money (because I spent a lot already!!), then we went to the souk to make our last purchases. Christelle found the tunic for her mother and me I bought a chicha for Marc and a tunic for Arthur (photo with it to come). The tradesmen, here, are harder to negotiate with, but we nevertheless manage to have good deals. Then we had a walk on the seaside (as the Egyptians say while speaking about the Nile). I took some pictures of Luxhor temple from the outside and the twin obelisk of Place de la Concorde (in Paris)! Christelle was waiting for me further away and when I found her, she was surrounded by children who wanted to shake her hand. Looking from far she looked like a starlet during a live concert. A guy took a picture with all the children, and me like an idiot, with the camera in my hands I didn't have the reflex to do it. Then we meet a young Egyptian who wanted us to sail in his felouque (which we refused!) While discussing he asked me whether Christelle were my daughter. I was shocked. He gave me 35 years and Christelle 20 years (Christelle is almost 24 years old)! I couldn't believe it! Anyway.
Finally the sun set and for the first time since our stay the fog or a sandstorm didn't prevent me from taking a picture. During that time there were a group of young guys who requested to take a picture with us. For a joke, I asked for 1 euro (they always ask that if we want to take a guy with his camel!). A guy started to pose with Christelle. I asked to him whether he wanted to be also with me on the picture and he said to me nicely no. His buddy too. To take my revenge, I asked them for 50 euros!! They laughed, not me!
We came back to our boat at 7pm. After the meal, a belly dancing show was organised. The spectacle started with one of our waiters who performed the dance with the skirt. It wasn't as good as the Nubian! Then the belly dancer wasn't great either. The spectacle lasted 30 minutes and we didn't appreciate it. To finish a good evening we played UNO at 11 player again. We laughed so much that a guy who tried to sleep yelled at us!! He was right to do so.