A visit to the East Bank to change money, pick up a new ISIC, a trip to the Duty Free Shop, followed in quick succession.
ISIC - the International Student Card - costs LE100 and gives 50% discount on entry to most sites in Egypt, as well as 40% discount on the railways. Terms and Condions apply, but I find that it is easier to renew my card in Luxor than try to get one in the UK.
Duty Free - everyone can purchase up to 3 litres of spirit here within 48 hours of arriving in Egypt. Of course I do not drink myself, but it does act as a very good bargaining tool in a corrupt society.
But then, it still being before noon, Tayeb and I visited the Hapy Habou restaurant and cafeteria (at Medinet Habu). I've visited several times before because the location is excellent, but they now have a license to sell Stella. I must now add them to my Luxor West Bank web-site q.v.
It was here that I learnt that Zahi Hawass is to attend a function at Medinet Habu temple tomorrow at 8pm. If it is safe to do so I will attend, but the FCO's advice remains to avoid all rallies and meetings where a conflict may arise. I trust Tayeb to not lead me into a dangerous situation. I will report back again if this happens.
Then a phone call - Tayeb's wife reported that a young man in Gezira village had died and that the main road would be blocked for an hour or so while they carry him to the cemetery, which is in the desert some 8km away. So we had to waste a couple of hours at the Ramesseum Rest House. We obviously hadn't waited long enough as the courtage was still assembling at the mosque at 5pm. The cause of death, the young man had been bitten on the top of the head by a camel about 6 years ago. He had not consulted the right doctors, or the prognosi