As we made the short drive from Aswan to the village, I noticed the same basic style of buildings but they were painted in wonderfully bright colors.

The Nubian basket weaving group gathered for our meeting at what appeared to be a school—rooms surrounding a large open courtyard.We were met by a man who worked as director of the association located there.The women started arriving one by one.They were all dressed in black (I have to remind you that it is hot, over 100 degrees, most every day in Aswan) and in varying degrees of covering.Most wore a head covering; a few I could see only eyes with hands and feet covered as well.The women were all ages; two were "supervisors"; most participated in the conversation with enthusiasm; they even took a vote while we were meeting.Whatever demeanor I might have expected from such an austere appearing group was soon proved wrong.They were quick to laugh and smile and tease, and eager to show us their craft.They demonstrated braiding, dying, basket weaving—if we asked a question they scurried to gather materials and show us rather than tell us.The baskets were colorful and I wished I had room to pack some to take home!As we left, one of the ladies reminded us that Egypt and the US were playing in the big soccer tournament in South Africa tonight and we told her we were already betting among ourselves.She shared her cell phone number with Amr so we could be in touch when Egypt beat the US!

Back in Aswan we caught the afternoon train to Luxor and checked into our hotel with time to shower and relax a bit before the soccer match.Amr found a "fancy" hotel where we could watch.Egypt took the first shot at a goal, but from then on the US dominated the game.It was a bit of a puzzle why so many people in front of the television were cheering for the US--I think the three of us were the only American's in the room!Amr’s phone rang several times as friends called to commiserate—one of the calls was from the woman in the village of West Aswan who offered us her good natured congratulations.