Day 12 Tuesday January 23 Rest Day in Aswan

by Tim

Today Jeff, Linda, Henry, and I took a 1 ½ mile walk to the Unfinished Obelisk.  We ventured first through the market at 9AM which was just waking up with bakers and butchers the main active shops.  We followed back streets avoiding pressure from ride offers and viewing more typical life in the city. 

Another side street view

This man was warming himself with a small burn barrel and was happy to be photographed. He appeared to have a sort of curio shop.  Notice the sculptured heads behind him.  

We toured the unfinished obelisk where a local guard was very helpful and encouraged us to venture outside boundaries.  He then gently asked for a small tip. Not sure this is in the employee manual.

As we headed back to the hotel we passed through a Fatimid Cemetery which was brown and dry.  A few old men carried water to specific plants they appeared to be tending for families of the deceased. 

We next came to a new public library that while we entered the front door, was not yet officially open.  They appeared to be working on publicity interviewing library officials with a video camera and we soon became the focus of their interviews.  Check us out on CNN tonight.