Aswan City
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Aswan is Egypt's most southern city, close to the Nubian border. The word Aswan actually means 'trade' or 'market' in ancient Egyptian. It was the conduit for camel caravan trade in African products such as gold, ivory, and spices during that time. The town has a high percentage of Nubian people, still practicing their traditional ways of life. The High Dam of the Nile is just south of Aswan. The Dam was finished in 1972, and the creation of this dam submerged many of the original Nubian villages which were forced to be relocated to outside of the dam area. The creation of the dam has meant less flooding of the Nile and a guaranteed water source for Egypt.
1st Class cabin on the overnight train from Cairo to Aswan
View out train window - Famland with tradional Nubian houses
View out train window - Farmland
View out train window - Farmland
The Corner store
Sarah in the quarry of the unfinished Obelisk. Construction was abandoned in 1500bc due to fracture cracks in the stone.
The Actual Obelisk
The quarry
Us in front of Lake Nasa, created by the High Dam
Monument dedicated to the unknown warrier
The Nile - view from the hotel pool area
Felucca (traditional sailing boat)
Sunset - view form the hotel pool area
Looking back towards the hotel rooms
Boat ride out to one of the many islands where we had a traditional Nubian Dinner and show
Sarah's Nubian cocktail - best drink ever!!
Crazy guy doing traditional Nubian dance
Just one of the many market stalls
Labels: Egypt
posted by Maarty @ 11:00 pm,
