Leaving Egypt

It seems like i won t stay very much longer in Egypt now. I just had the answer (that i ve been waiting for a long week) an hour ago from the cargo going back and forth from Toulon (France) to Madagascar. I was trying to get on it on the Suez Canal but the answer, no, just arrived to the agent, Mr Ali.

Oh well, i have a back up plan. I am flying to New Delhi on the 3rd.

I have spent 20 days between Cairo and Port Said, the country town on the Suez Canal facing the Meditterrannean sea. I made a lot of friends down here trying to get someone to put me on a god damn containeur boat or a yacht. If i haven't seen much of Egypt apart from Sinai on the red sea and the pyramids of Cairo, i know about everything regarding tax clearance for a cargo ship on the Suez Canal, and not everybody can claim that !

I was staying here in Port Said with Cecile, a trainee at the Alliance Francaise (the french cultural center) and i got to be part of the small but funny community of french speaker of Port Said. I ve seen a couple time the local Buena Vista Social Club, "Tamburra", an amazing group of 20 80yo very dynamic people playing Tambura and the Semsemilla (you don t smoke that one). They have been travelling all around the world, playing in local festivals, and winning many of them. They play for free here on the other side of the canal, Port Fouad, every wednesday night. They are real heros and i must say the emotion is real and true.

Anyhow, finished is my time reading my guide book of India and my bible from the terrace of Cecile's apartment overlooking at the ships crossing the canal under a very enjoyable climate. I ll get down to business by setting in India for quiet some time (eventough it will envolved a round trip to Madagascar, to visit my parents).

But i am ready, i got a few kilogrammes back, rested and everything. Suji, how was Thailand?

Till next time. Antoine