Sunday, 6/2. Left early to ride in the back of a pickup truck during the morning commute through a small town. Kids kept leaping on board, only to be yelled off by our guide. Destination: Camel Auction. Not that many camels being actively auctioned off, but a lot of buyers/sellers. Learned a great deal about camels. (Example: They don’t kick.) Watched a heated exchange that none of us understood (including our translator). The place was a lot cleaner than we expected. I bought a camel harness for 60 cents. Seemed a suitably unusual souvenir. Afterwards we walked through the town-center and its market. Bought some camel meat for dinner (excellent, though a little tough).

After some cruising we visited a unique temple that honors two gods. The inscriptions were much better preserved than usual, even with some color remaining. It’s only(!) 2,100 years old. Built along Roman archectural lines, but writings were all Egyptian. Had a very interesting Roman well. The area was famous for its crocodiles, so naturally they mummified a lot of crocodiles. Yawn. Seen one crocodile mummy, etc.

Before dinner we went via three wheeled motorcycle taxis to a basket maker. Uses palm fronds for parts. I helped assemble one, leaving the cutting to him. Very simple process. Used his feet for some work. Eight children, two wives. One son willing to continue the business.

The heat continues. So far six travelers have admitted to getting ill, one bad enough to get a visit from a doctor. I’ve been fine.