Disaster has really stricken and this time no April fools joke. After a sleepless night of vomiting and diarrhea (16 times), there was no alternative but to take Julia to the hospital. While Eowyn was having a blast with her new Dutch friends Dunya, Bloem and Hiya. Niels and Carlo go to start the clearing process for the vehicles.
Julia and Stanley go in search of the German hospital which reception assured us was close by and a good hospital. As we started down the street the usual offers began "taxi?", "Felucca? (boat)", "trip to Seheyl Island" coming at us from every direction. The hospital is close to the hotel but there was a turn onto a side street and Stanley asked one of the hecklers for directions. He said "I can take you there in my taxi" but we knew we were close so Stanley said "no, my wife is sick and can you just tell me where the hospital is". He said maybe…. but could we consider a felucca ride later? As we walked away his conscience took hold of him and he said "All right! It is just beyond that building on the left". Once there we could see the sign but the entrance wasn't clear. Again we were approached for a felucca ride (why anyone would want Julia in their felucca looking they way she did is unclear) and again Stanley explained he was looking for the hospital. This guy took us in, waited for us to get through the registration process and then said "After you're finished, maybe you want to go for a ride?" No, not today, my friend…… The hospital was old, open air, very busy but friendly and efficient. We were shown to the doctor and first impressions were good, older guy, great English and the history and physical began. After the usual questions there was a pause and he said " I don't know what your life has been like in Africa"…. Ahh Julia thought, now he'll ask about HIV risk and maybe suggest a test - no problem. Instead he started with "God is everywhere. You may consider taking the opportunity to pass on the word of Christ. As a Christian it is important to share the word of God and if you are not a Christian it is not too late". The sermon continued for an unknown length of time – as the state of shock does not allow for the accurate calculation of time…. Julia was catching flies with her mouth hanging open until she regained her senses. He said "maybe you think it is strange to hear this from someone in a Muslim country", Julia said " I think it is strange to hear it from my doctor in the middle of a consultation regardless of the country. Nor do I think I'm the best person to be passing on the word of God". Good. Everyone's opinions out in the open we continue with the consultation. Very weird though. The end result is amoebas. Prescriptions given and we are back out the door to the hotel.
Niels' day
Together with Carlo and Anna, I went to the office of Salah Mohammed near by. After talking to a person we at first thought was Salah (I explained that Julia was going to the hospital and he called a friend at the hospital to help them, after talking to him he appeared to be a surgen…), we met the real Salah (or at least he said he was Salah). He told us we didn't need his help and it would only cost us money, "Just go to the port!" And so we did.
At the port we met our new friend the Sheik, who we were told arranged the insurance guy to work today so the clearing would be finished today, and a cousin of the brothers Mahid from Sudan called Mahmoud and he was going to help us. After entering customs we had to wait and why not take a cup of Shay, tea. The Sheik could only use a few words English, so my Arabic Mafemtish, don't understand, came in hand! After using a translator we found out that the Sheik was actually just only a car-salesman... So much for the influence. A friendly man from customs, who really needed a pair of glasses (reading the papers at a distance of a few inches from his eyes), went through all the Carnet paperwork stamping and writing. Price 3 Egyptian pounds each. Then to the cars for a quick check. So far so good! Then we needed to pay at the customs an amount of 522 EP.
After customs we got into a taxi (same kind of Peugeot with the two back seats) together with Mousar, the driver, Sheik, Anna, Carlo and I.
Apparently we went to the Traffic Police in town. The back of the building was closed so we entered in the front and after a lot of yelling (everybody seems to stress a lot and screaming to each other, but you get the feeling that in the end nothing happens…) we paid 11 EP and could leave again. This time we had a guest in the car, someone from the police office, and we made another stop at what appeared to be a driving school. Some guys were doing their finals by driving 1 km/h past 4 markers. After some yelling and smoking, another police-looking person joined our tour back to the port. They two policepersons checked the cars and the forms were filled in within the hour!
The only administrative task that was left for today was bringing the police back to where we found them and the insurance was for the next morning.
After a good afternoon nap and a nice stroll through the town, we took a cab to the island of Philae. Build from around 380 BC, this temple dedicated to Isis, the goddess of magic and protector of the dead, was an incredible sight in the evening. By Roman times, Isis had become the greatest of all the Egyptian Gods and was worshipped as far as Britain, and continued till long after Christianity had been embraced in the region. With the sightseeing of the complex, the relaxing time was over as Eowyn started her vomiting display as soon as she was put to bed.
