Overnight Train Part Due

The overnight train from Cairo to Luxor was such hit with the Nut Gallery we decided to take it on the return trip. Taking the overnight train back to Cairo from Aswan we felt like veterans. It was a much more relaxed experience. One reason is because the northbound train starts in Aswan, so we were able to board the train 20 minutes before it departed. When we boarded the train in Cairo, it was coming from Alexandria and we only had about 5 minutes to load our 11 bags (I know, we weren't exactly travelling light) and 3 kids onto the train.

We were prepared because we knew that we'd get dinner, but this time dinner was at 6 pm instead of 10 pm. The food was actually better on this leg too. For some reason they provide 2 or 3 entrees for each meal. Each sleeper car has an attendant that brings the meals and then later on sets up the beds. I had planned on taking a little video of the transformer magic, but he was too quick! Basically there are 3 or 4 seats on a bench. With the use of the magic key the back of bench flips down to a bed. Behind the bench headrest hides a ladder that is take out and attached to what I thought was a luggage rack. The magic key also opens up the panel above the headrest and a top bunk flips down. This little set up also has a little corner sink! I thought that might be the case when we first saw the couchette, but then I never really checked it out. Much nicer to wash your hands in the privacy (and cleanliness) of your own car versus the community bathroom. Yes, the toilet is pretty much an open hole that leaves your souvenirs on the track.

Gavin befriended our neighbor and enjoyed a few hours of making up stories with Tim who is backpacking across Africa and making his way to the world cup in South Africa! This time we all (including Greg) slept well and through the night.