Answers to some questions

• The picture is of Frodo ... Sarah's latest investment ... did Gandalph not enjoy his toys anymore??
• The density of the towns along the coast: Very sparsely populated - absolutely nothing besides military and truck stops between towns spaced out a good hundred or so kilometers.
• There are LOTS of cars in Cairo, not too many along the Red Sea (possibly one every three minutes or so). Up towards Qena even less, but more so closer to Qena. Around Luxor surprisingly little I'd say (compared to Cairo). Lots of donkey carts, little tractors and trucks. Cars are very old all over ... lots of Peugeot (especially taxis) and lots of old cars obviously bought off the Germans ... D stickers and old German registration plates still under the Egyptian plates. Cairo had a few ... but noticeable ... real luxury vehicles and a fair amount of newish Hyundai.
• Poverty seems to be very evident. Everyone seems to dress very similar and not fancy at all - it is nice not to have noticeable image conscious branding, etc. Tourism is obviously one of the main - if not the main - industry. Everything seems to revolve around tourists. Around the coast and Cairo there was no sense of farming or cultivation - but up here along the Nile it is evident in every direction. Lots of sugar cane and lots of vegetables. Some land is owner-cultivated, but most is owned by others and local workers tend to the land. There is a sugar refinery about 20km south of Luxor. Around Luxor poverty seems much more evident and people openly ask for money as opposed to trying to sell or offer services to you.
• Communication is difficult ... but it is interesting how much one can do if one really wants to, or needs to. English is not used widely at all ... even the hotels, restaurants and tourist facilities are not very well versed in English. Everyone seems to know the same few words to try and get into a conversation. Admittedly ... even if their use of English is poor, there is absolutely no shortage in their trying to communicate with tourists!!
• Luxor and surroundings are much cleaner, brighter ... especially due to green vegetation ... than Cairo and the Red Sea. Still shocked that the locals (even the apparently better educated Tour Operators) just dump their rubbish anywhere and everywhere ...??