Sophie’s World

Oslo is beautiful today! Spring is finally here - no teasing this time, and I’ve worn sunglasses for the first time this year. For the next few months, this is the best place to be. Best in the world. Honest! Totally objectively speaking, of course! Clothes come off, smiles and laughter on. Everyone will be outdoors as much as humanly possible.

Also, the new Oslo Opera House opened last weekend - with fireworks and royalty all around. The architects of this fabulous building are Snøhetta (of Alexandra Library fame). Appropriately, up here near the Arctic, it looks like a huge ice floe sliding out into the Oslo Fjord.

This is an opera house for the people, which include open access for everyone, including the roof. I’ll be climbing it at first possible opportunity - and slide back down. Just have to be sure I don’t slide right into the fjord. Gorgeous spring weather notwithstanding - the water is icy cold.

Thursday 10 January 2008

We see Death on the Nile in the bus from Luxor to Hurghada. Those who aren’t sleeping, that is. We’ve had yet another early morning; up at 0545. Of course!

Haven’t seen this film in years. It seems an appropriate ending to our fantastic trip. We recognize tons of places we have visited: Karnak, the Nile ship, the Old Cataract - and of course, the mighty Nile herself! Then I fall asleep as well. But that’s OK. I know Mia Farrow is the culprit.

At a convoy stop, I snap a photo of a Bedouin boy and his baby camel. I hand the boy a 5-pound-note which he promptly stuffs in his pocket with not so much as another look in my direction. At first, I’m a bit miffed. What? No “thank you”? No smile or any token of gratitude?

Then, after thinking about it, I realise I’m the lucky one and the one who should be saying thanks. After all, I don’t have to hang around convoy stops with my camel, living off the arbitrary charity of strangers. And who am I to demand western rules of manner from Egyptian Bedouins in their own country, anyway? I decide I like his lack of phoney politeness.

And so we’re back at the hustle and bustle of Hurghada airport.

Take me back to my boat. Please!