This day I had to get off the microbus near the train station because the buses had been diverted away from the temple area this day they are taking more buildings down for the new Avenue of the sphinx. I was on my way to pick up the smoked ham I had ordered 4 weeks ago.
100 meters from the Temple I saw Sheep waiting for the chop. They had made a makeshift pen
on the side of the road later they will be slaughtered most of the Egyptian went to see the slaughter to make sure the meat they buy is halal. Blessed and its throat slit. personaly I think its barbaric. but at least here in Luxor they will not use the head as a football and kick it around the streets . I witnessed this act in Am-Man Jordan,
The spice shop not sure what a drugest store is but anything goes in Egypt
Another first for me I have never seen a donkey with blinkers on.
It seems the charity shop syndrome is on, the girls all look like they have put all the clothes that they bought on at one time. not allowed to take facial photos of the unmarried in fact none of the girls. in case, I was told someone might make fun of them IE putting a head on a donkey.
someone did with the first lady Mrs Suzane Mubarek." ooh dear" If you followers have noticed I have had to take all the female photos off my blogs . strange customs here, oh mr Tony please take my photo. I need money. If I pay for a photo I should be able to do what I like with it even if I put it on the back end of a water Buffalo cow with its tail fly swatting. Now if they ask For A photo I ask for money. nothing for free anymore. must join the way of the Arabs, be hard you want something you pay for it first,
On arrival at my destination these two lady tourists came in with me to the garden restaurant, the Tout knows me or rather has seen me around before. on seeing me sit on my own he Immediately went and and introduced himself to the women . .
Good afternoon ladies I see you are sisters. ( Mother and daughter) so I do not know which one he was insulting? not that he saw it that way because he was addressing the older of the two ,
his aim is to be asked to sit with them. and become their tour Guide, how long you here for. the mother put her hand up and spoke in German to the tout, he said in German he was not good in German. I laughed aloud and thought hes not a good Egyptian Either, then HE turned his attention on the daughter. I only speak English, I speak English also, she said. then she shooed him away like you would a dog. rightly so too .
He then went to sit with his water ( Nile water its free) made out he called someone on his phone, and said sorry I have to Go. now whoever was on the other end of the phone must have been psychic all he did was put press the phone and immediately started to speak . aiwa ashufuk badain, yes I will see you in a minute, no the scam with the touts in the restaurants is this. he sat with whoever in this case 2 ladies, before the waiter arrives . if he gets a little bit of encouragement like, oh yes we need to go and see so and so. he will give the impression He is a fully qualified guide. and converse with the people when the waiter comes he will order beer Saqqara its dearer than Stella beer. he will also order a meal the most expensive, if the people ate eating, half way through the meal he will order another beer. making sure he finishes his meal and beer first then say excuse me I need to go to the toilet. thats the last the tourist will see of him and they are left with the bill. the waiter in most cases are in on this scam . the tout will then come back later or when its safe to do so and claim his 30% commission , so not only does he get a meal and refreshment. he also gets a cut on the total bill of the unsuspecting Guests.
