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We had another harrowing adventure in bureaucracy today. It turns out the Sudan
visa issued to us by the embassy in Addis was not the one for which we had applied. We discovered this morning from
the ferry booking agent that our Sudan visas had already expired. (d'oh!) What should have been a quick trip to the
Sudanese consulate (45 minutes for a couple of Kiwis yesterday) turned into a 3-hour mad dash up-river to a site
near the Aswan Dam, then back to three different offices in Aswan. And this after the secretary at the consulate
told us flat-out that we'd have to wait ten days for a new visa to be issued (it was her boss who sent us on the
wild ride across the city, ostensibly to get a signed medical certificate stating that we don't have swine flu). In
the end, we made it. Now we have extended visas, ferry tickets, and an appointment at the port in the morning to
drop off our motorcycles. Phew!
One of the things that stands out in a Muslim country is the regular praying that
is done during the day. We've seen men in suits rolling out the small, ornately woven carpets in bus stations,
courtyards, city parks and shopping malls. It got us thinking about the benefits of it from a non-religious point of
view. A short break or two during the day to collect yourself, think about something different, and simply be alone
can be very beneficial.
When I talk about graduating from MIT, I often credit track & field as part of how
I survived the intensity of studying there. Having two and a half hours every afternoon where you are focused on
something physical helps keep you balanced. But that was only once per day. What equivalents are there in Western
society to Muslim prayer? In religious form, I don't know of one. But cigarette breaks could be seen has having some
of the same benefits... a chance to get outside, chat informally with colleagues or friends, and to think about
something else. So what about us non-Muslim non-smokers? I can imagine some work environments which would encourage
some form of mini-break during the day, but also many which wouldn't allow it. What to do?
On to the photos.
Having finally gotten out of Cairo on Thursday, Friday was our day to get as far
down the road as possible. Aswan was our goal, and it was a loooong way away...
The long day of riding finished, Saturday was for more official
paperwork.
Parting shots...
For more updates go here.
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