A Big Fish Tale

Fishing on Lake Nasser  (guest blogger: Sam Hampton)

Located in upper (southern) Egypt, created by the Aswan dam on the Nile River, Lake Nasser has a barren shoreline and rocky islands. I was expecting to see green plants because of the water. Our fishing trip was organized by African Anglers, consisting of 4 fishing boats and one ‘mother’ ship.They provided all the tackle, meals, and equipment. We fished three men to a boat--three of the boats were father/son teams and another adult. Meals and relaxation took place on the ‘mother’ ship while the smaller boats were for fishing and sleeping (al fresco). We pulled up to different islands each night to unroll our sleeping bags on a mattress aboard ship, under the stars. We were on the water for four days and three nights.

                                                       The moon was new so there was light only from the millions of stars overhead. We saw shooting stars, and all the constellations. Surprisingly the stars provided a lot of light so we could walk from boat to boat when pulled up to shore. Temperatures were in excess of 100 degrees during the day and on the third day we had a very refresing and much needed swim/bath in the lake after lunch.

Mostly, we trolled with 8 inch long “Repalla” lures in many colors on 40# test line-designed to handle a 200 pound Nile Perch! The Nile Perch look a lot like a large mouth bass and fight like a large mouth bass-jumping out of the water with a ‘tail dance’ and diving deep. We also caught tiger fish which are a cousin to the pirana. They have long sharp teeth that interlock. From time to time, we pulled up on one of the rocky islands and cast from shore. 

The fish were not biting as much as we had hoped-fishing had been poor all week. About 11am on the last day, on our way back to dock, I felt a jerk on the line.   Fifteen minutes, two tail dances and two long runs later, I caught the catch of the week. A 65 pound Nile Perch! I was not allowed to keep the meat because this area is catch and release only, so all I have to show are photos...oh, yeah...and the prize money! 

Abu Simble is the temple of Ramsses II and Nefertari. It was once located where the waters collect behind the Aswan Dam. The ancient temple was moved thanks to the efforts of UNESCO World Heritage, piece by piece. It had to be exactly aligned with the sun because twice a year, the sun angles into the temple,  lighting the faces of the giant statues within.  All of the statues were moved and the  heiroglypics were cut from the stone of the original mountain. Once relocated, a simulated mountain was built and one can not tell the difference!  All in all, a fantastic trip!

   

Black Friday Walking

Our Thanksgiving Celebration coincides this year with the Muslim celebration of Eid al-Adha, or "Festival of Sacrifice". This is celebrated to commemorate the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. During this time Muslims commemorate and remember Abraham's trials by slaughtering an animal such as a sheep, camel, goat or cow. The animal is killed on the doorstep of the home. One third of the meat is eaten by the immediate family, one third is given to friends, and the last third is distributed to the poor. It is an act to strengthen friendships and help those in need. It has nothing to do with atonement for sin. The symbolism is in the attitude of giving and being obedient.

We awoke this morning to an unusual cry in the streets. It sounded like the man was shouting, "Gazelle".  Actually, he was announcing that he was available to slaughter one's animal. Carrying a canvas bag of knives over one shoulder, he wore a long, white, blood-stained apron.  He had a helper dressed much the same way. Sam and I got out of the house shortly after that to walk about and see what we could see. We had heard that there would be much blood in the streets this day and we wondered if that would be true in our foreigner-occupied area of the city. 

We saw evidence of early-morning sacrifice in the blood stained water in the street. People were in a festive mood, greeting everyone (even us) with a smile and the equivalent of "Happy Eid".  We could hear the butchers calling out their presence as we walked. The air was crisp and clear; it felt good to be out walking.  Further down the road we saw a group of people waiting outside a gate to a villa-fresh blood ran under the gate to the street. These people were waiting for their portion of the meat.  

We walked over the Metro tracks to the "Egyptian side" of the tracks. Here we saw throngs of people, sheep and the occasional cow, tied to gates and posts. Here the streets were wet with red water. There was no odor other than the natural odor of the streets as well as that from lots of people who don't wear deodorant. We saw animals being skinned, their blood already shed. The butcher receives the skin or pelt as payment. We saw crates of lambskins being loaded onto the back of a motorcycle, with two people riding it!  Everywhere, the poor waited for their portion of the meat. It did not seem right to take photos, so I only have a few. If I had had command of the language to ask, or money to pay them, I would have done. I'll do better with photos next year. 

We walked through the streets, coming to the Nile River. We walked along the "Corniche" (riverwalk). Kids played in the grassy areas. A group of young boys took interest in us. They were probably 11-13 or so, though they professed to be 15. They spoke very good English. They traipsed after us for a long distance, taking our photos on the one cell phone the leader of the pack had. Feeling like the Pied Piper, and not really knowing their intentions, we ducked into a hotel for a cup of coffee to reflect on our morning. I called my mom and sister. It was 5:30 am their time. They were at Kohl's, doing their (our) Black Friday Shopping.  It was their third stop of the morning. It was good to hear their voices-even better that it was not 5:30am here! (It was 1:30pm)!  I missed them, missed being with them, but am very glad to have this experience!

At Last! The Adventure Begins!

The last few weeks we have been doing things for the 'last time' before our move. We had our last "Americano Family" Starbucks date. We have had 'last dinners' and last doctors visits. We have made our last rent payment. Sam made his last trip down to the river... and we have seen some people, perhaps for the last time. So...setting out on the adventure in these last days in Tulsa has been bitter-sweet. We are thankful for the friendships that last despite days or miles. We are thankful for memories made that will last until we lose that function. We look forward to making a lasting difference in the lives of people we are yet to meet. Sam left Friday for his new job--AT LAST~!