Life seemed a bit bleak here but the children
were as happy as any anywhere.
This is my "Planet of the Apes" photo, the ancient Egyptian statue protruding
from the sand much like the Statue of Liberty did in the movie, seemingly
just a piece of the
landscape to the people around it.
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I was at times assailed for baksheesh by the children. At other times, I was
invited into homes to see preparation of food for the festival that marked the
end of Ramadan. Some of these villages are the center of the alabaster trade,
where craftsman carve alabaster for sale at the shops. At one home, I enjoyed
tea while watching a man carve a cobra from alabaster. After having me
served with tea and sweet
cakes, he would accept nothing in return for the warm hospitality.
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At the southern end of Elephantine Island are the Yebu ruins, which date back
to Roman times.
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Previous Page: Elephantine Island
Next Page: The west bank
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