Loxur experience

Arrived Loxur yesterday early morning, 11 hour train journey, hardly slept at all, I think I am still quite geared up and not relaxed into this journey just yet.

rested couple of hours following couple of tours to valley of the kings and valley of queens looking at tombs, one was very powerful for me Ramesis III.

Last night visited the temple of Loxur, I am feeling something very special here my hand is holding over my heart. standing in front of these massive colonades, obelisk and pillars, Northern star overhead. the effect is electric. I dont want to take photos, it is nonsense trying to capture the essence of the place.

In the evening restaurant visit disappointing as part of the tour.

get couple of beers and set the world to rights sitting outside my room overlooing the garden in the 5* hotel with Matt, 38 years old and Motor Neuron disease, 3 young children. Life is unpredicatable and short.

Lie in in the morning.

couple of the guys going into Loxur (hotel couple of miles out which is always restrictive), we get a cab and visit the temple again, good idea. later we visit the other part of the temple even more extensive.

I am thinking I have to return here, how likely is this going to be?


I am becoming uncertain about continuing to next destination, 4 days on a beach and go through some rapid last minute change of plans, backed by Matt. I got to stay NOW, this is what this plan is all about, doing whatever I want. I lose my payments for the beach and sign myself out of the tour. Will be making my own arrangements for return to Cairo next week for my flight, transfer to airport and accommodation.

Later I catch the hotel shuttle into Loxur, backpack feels heavy, this is rediculous, first time carrying it, must review the content.

find a hotel name from Touris Information, had forgotten it was opposit the Railway station, I was too tired yesterday to remember anything.

Walk into a 2* Hotel, Horus, the room is very very basic. 50 Egyptian Pound LE (5 Sterling) including breakfast!

Quick shower and i am out. earlier the streets are being cleaned and traffic lane lines being repainted (even though they are going to be ignored) because there is a dignitory visiting tommorrow.

Walking around, tried wrapping my scarf round my head, more attention than before, I realise this is because I am not wearing a Kaftan or just not done it properly, take it off.

dinner, mixed meat/ofal sandwich, 3.5 LE (40 pence), fed the local cat, we are both happy.

sat in a teashop want to wash it down, a young lad sits down and I try to have a game of Backgammon (being played all round us in all the teashops) he cant, but tries to interest me to visit his business where he sells clothing, I dont play that game either. he leaves.

smoke shishe and 2 teas. The waiter eventually manages to take my photo. The Bill? he asks for 20 LE, silly price, considering shishe is 1LE, we agree on 15 (1.5 sterling), I know I am ripped off. should have been more like 5 LE, but no price lists, or arabic ability to deal with it, he was charging for his photo skills, I guess.

the place is very basic (Loxur), dusty and busy. couple of young boys playing, distant yet sharp images of my own boyhood flood in. Place is almost home!

I havent been hasseled quite as much as last few days, because I look kind of local (but not enough) and also not in tourist hotspots. was getting really fed up being asked for money for nothing, being told "welcome", being asked where I came from, or some pictures being pointed at on the wall while I wanted to just be left alone, it was relentless, specailly when you havent had much sleep.