Papers, Perfumes, Pavement and Passenger

Continues from The House of wonders, Culture and Generations-Egyptian Museum

Well, we’ve reached the end of the first day in our Egypt tour. Now only three things have left behind-Papyrus, perfumes and the passenger train to Aswan.

At first, our guide took us to Papyrus shop, where they methodically show the papyrus formation.  I remember repeating the method of Papyrus making for my history exams in school days. Here, in this shop, I decide to enjoy the show, leaving behind its intricacies. (For those who wish to know more about Papyrus making, here is a useful link ).

The Papyrus stems looked similar to a wild bush grown in the coasts of Kerala. The Papyrus plants were artistically potted in many places of the shop. Beautiful paintings designed in fine Papyrus sheets adorned the walls. There were many paintings in different hues and shapes. Most of the paintings were taken their inspiration from ancient mythologies. (I learnt later that you can see only the side face of the portraits in Egyptian paintings.)

The Egyptian jewellery section in the first floor was famous for delivering pendants with own names in hieroglyphics. However we had a constraint for the money and got a silver pendant with Shreya’s name in it.

My head was bustling as we headed to the perfume shop. All I wanted to do was to sleep than continuing the trip.  Yes, at times we have no choice but to continue the rhythm. 

As expected the perfume shop was filled with fragrances but, thankfully not to the painful state. We were seated on cushions with a perfume consultant to attend us. I never knew that perfumes are there for other purposes than body care. For example, fume a drop of lotus fragrance in water for peace; a drop of rose extract for harmony; apply the rose extract for confident beauty; vanilla can serve as a welcome; papyrus and some other extract for physical pleasure etc. It was like sitting in Tilo’s¹ shop in California.

Even 100 ml of these specially brewed perfumes were highly expensive. We bought the smallest bottle of lotus extract and still fume the drops at home on special occasions. Trust me; the fragrance is as rejuvenating as said.

Though we bought the smallest bottle, our consultant was very friendly and jovial. After having the hibiscus tea offered by him, we came out. There was still 2 hours prior to our departure to Aswan. It was time for our guide to leave and he showed us into the Four Seasons mall where we can take refreshments. As we bid good bye to him we really felt like parting with a friend.

Enjoying the Evening Nile

The refreshments at the Four Seasons really did me good. It was then; we wanted to explore the evening life at the Cairo pavement. We stood at the banks of Nile and sat on the benches, just to see the foreign lifestyle flowing in front of us. We felt so relaxed and in high spirits of the day that passed.

Soon our driver came along with Ameer to take us to the Cairo Railway Station. Curiously the station looked similar to the ones we see at Bangalore. Sreejith smiled at my comparison and said, “Let’s see.” 

Metro trains in high speed passed us as Ameer told about his family, the party they are having at home etc. Our train came on time and Ameer left us with a wish that he would meet us again after 5 days. 

We entered the train and I was just felt myself in a movie. The door opened to a corridor with red carpet. We were ushered into a private room with a small cupboard, fixed bunk beds, wash basin and a lavatory. Wow, I have never traveled in this much luxury before.

However, I never had much time to marvel these. My feet was tired so as Sreejith’s! After a quick Egyptian dinner, we were ready to drop down. Shreya wanted to play but, we first put her to bed. I don’t even remember touching my pillow that I drifted into a dreamless sleep.

1.    1.   Tilo is the protagonist in Chitra Divakaruni Bannrjee’s novel The Mistress of Spices.  Tilo helps the customers to find love, harmony, peace and joy in life with the different qualities of spices.

Continues in Into the Lap of Nile