Papyrus & Pita

After we got back from the pyramids, Mido drove us to a legitimate papyrus factory, where we learned the process of making the first form of paper. It begins with the Papyrus plant that grows in shallow parts along the Nile.


The reeds are cut into the lengths desired and then the green covering must be stripped away:
Then in order to strengthen the strip it must be beaten down and rolled over:

The reeds are then soaked in water for 6 days or longer depending on how dark you want the paper to turn out. Then it is laid horizontally and vertically on linen and put in a press (or between some heavy rocks as in the case 5000 years ago) for another few days. The final product is dried in the sun and then ready for your favorite afterlife scene, god, goddess, or legal document to be printed on it by a scribe.


This guy who worked at the shop told Lindsey she looked like a famous Egyptian star named Laila Elwi and really wanted a picture with her and a kiss. She agreed to the former and passed on the latter.
Then Mido drove us to a little outdoor restaurant and we had the most delicious pita, hummus, kebabs, and rice. There were some vegetables that tasted like death so I avoided those, but the rest was amazing.

We got back to the hotel and our roommate Reese took us to see the sunset on the Nile which was gorgeous but went so quickly that if you blinked you would have missed it. At this point the pit of dread and terror that had lodged itself in my stomach upon our arrival faded and I began to relax, because once you get to know how to react to Egypt and it's very friendly residents, it becomes one of the most beautiful and fun places to be. Just look at this: