Eventually, after nearly an hour, it was my turn. I explained that I wanted an extension to my Tourist Visa. He explained that he needed a paper from my hotel stating that I was resident there, and with an official stamp on it. This is a new requirement this season. I enquired what else I needed, so that I did not waste my time or his. He gave me the new form, 4-sided and rather larger than A4. He asked me to bring in photocopies of my main passport page and of my current visa page, as well as 2 photographs. Normally he makes the photocopies but this takes time and of course he charges.
I will get the necessary documents and return later in the week for part 2.
So afterwards I went next door to Aboudi's old store. This has mainly second-hand books but also a lot of postcards etc. I didn't buy anything, but there were books about old Cairo palaces and hotels in the 19th century at about Le100 each.
I went to the "Bank of Luxor Temple" and changed some British money at 21.50. The published bank rate was about 21.73 in the morning rising to 21.97 in the afternoon. With the new floating Egyptian Pound it is no longer possible to get an improved rate but I am satisfied that I got a good deal and the "agent" was not losing.
I went into the main Aboudi's bookstore. His prices seem unchanged, so I bought a copy of Dodson's Complete Royal Families. This was the book I did not buy earlier at Deir el Medina where the price had been Le350. I paid Le200, which is about what I would pay on Amazon.
Soliman's "Old and Middle Kingdom Theban Tombs" was not available anywhere, but I will buy up stock if ever I find it as Amazon only has it at £990ish.
I checked out Gaddis's shop by the Winter Palace. Prices are the same as at Aboudi's Stock is quite low. I also topped up my Vodafone and "data" package for the next month.
I took a late lunch at Kam Thai - a salad (#12) and Pad Thai (#20). Very good again, and their water is still only Le3. I then spent the rest of the day up at the RRH.