Vicious creatures looming in the desert!

Another day in the village. Wow, was it a day. We are warned about the dogs that occupy the rolling dunes surrounding us. They are vicious, for good reason I suppose. Dogs are not treated well here in Egypt so most if not all are really angry at people.
On my calm strole through the gentle slopes, I was face to face with a pack of these creatures. I knew not to run and to act calm, bigger and better, but with my hands full all I could do was radio my partner (who was far) that I needed an alternate route. Well in route they moved in for the "Kill". I was being chased by a pack of dogs. All I could tell my partner was "I am being chased by a pack". I, as calm as possible walked away and my partner came running. All I could see was him up and down the dune slopes. Wow was I frightened. It caused a stir at the Shunet (where I work). From that point on we had escorts. Shown here is one of the vicious beasts. Yes, I know he looks harmless but he's not!!



Once I got passed the vicious creatures I was able to see the edge of the village and meet Mohamed and our police escort. They never left our side even though it was 100 degrees out. The only time they left us was to sit in the shade on the northern side of the hema. Busy day, hot day, and very eventful!

Hazy Sunrise

This is what I get to look at on my way to work everyday!!! Sunrise at Abydos ...

Death in the cemetery

I work and now live in an ancient cemetery still used today. In my travels across ancient Abydos I have been able to take pictures of all aspects of death as we know it. From modern Islamic and Christian cemeteries, to gently rolling sand dunes shadowing shallow ancient graves as far as the eye can see, to the modern decay of recently abandoned dogs, donkeys and other unidentifiable animals. This landscape has been used as a cemetery since the 2nd dynasty and even before that and its use continues today.

Life in the cemetery

Everyday mishmish (Arabic for apricot) the donkey brings us our breakfast in the field. Her owner, Singab owned her mother before her. She is a gentle creature who is trained by the sound of a wistle to get up from her siesta while waiting for us to finish our breakfast. The wistle also means a delicious handful of sugar by our mudir. Here mishmish gets her sugar sweetness! She is one of the many donkeys out here as well as other creatures in this desert cemetery. We sometimes get the loveley camel patrol encounter. Here the camels rest in front of our house.

Part (2) In the afternoon we go to Al- Balyana (http://www.lonelyplanet.com/egypt/nile-valley/al-balyana)to look and buy cloth and the cloth store. There we can find 100% egyptian cotton, wool, and fancy heavily adorned silk.It is an undertaking, we must have police patrol and escort when we leave our compound. So this entails a couple of police and or military vehicles in front of our cars and another two behind us. Every great once in awhile a random motorcycle cop weaves in and out of traffic with the sirens on to make sure everyone knows we are on our way. On this trip I bought white cotton and wool cloth. I am asking the tailor to make me a shirt out of the white cotton and a sweater out of the wool. Insha'Allah I end up with authentic cloth woven into beautiful pieces...
These photos represent the lovely town full of onlookers. Hey can you blame them? I would look too if a group of people were being escorted through town with police sirens!

Part (1) The way we start our days off, sleeping in, lounging around and having great times together in the hot sun.....

Pay Day!!! Thursday friday is the day! It is the last day of the work week when after the day is done all the workers and boys slowly make a procession to our home where they get paid for their hard labor. Before they can get paid there is sorting to be done. Names of each worker must verified in order to make sure everyone is paid for their duties. This happens behind closed doors and is decided and agreed upon prior to the time of pay. It is a very serious matter on both sides. I was lucky to capture these photos. Some inside the house sorting out the list of names and some from the rooftop!