I took a morning stroll southwards down the Corniche, checking out the restaurant menus on the way. I then crossed the road and returned to the hotel via Aswan's excellent Souk. The hassle from taxi drivers, boat owners, caleche drivers and stall-holders did not seem as bad as ten years ago, but maybe I am becoming immune to it or have learnt to handle it better. It still irritates me. If I would like a service I prefer to find it myself, rather than having every Mohammed, Hussein and Ali thrusting it at me all the time. In particular, the traders in the Souk who stand in the way while trying to coerce one into their hassle-free shop get an earful, and will be barged out of the way if they do not jump quickly enough. I am not particularly mobile on my feet, and once I am moving I like to maintain my momentum. I'll stop when I want to. I won't stop for someone who gets in my way, even if I might be interested in what they have in store.
So all I purchased was some water and cola.
In the afternoon I sat in the shade by the pool, and talked with another tourist who was after some tips. He was staying in a (dry) hotel on the other side of the Corniche, and I ws able to recommend some restaurants where he could enjoy a Stella with his meal.
He obviously took my advice as that evening I met him at Emy's, just south of Aswan Moon. Aswan Moon has been 'dry' for some time now, but Emy is a very similar restaurant selling beer and wine as well as a good selection of local dishes. I enjoyed a beef stew (Kabab Hala) and a bottle of wine while watching the Felluca boys climbing their masts and securing their sails alongside. Emy is a collecting point for the sailors after a day's work, where they enjoy a beer, a meal and a chat.
Another restaurant with beer is Salah ed-Den, north of the Aswan Moon and very close to my hotel.