Note on Egyptian Humor

Luxor—This is Aladin, writing the date in hieratic figures on a granite slab in Hatshepsut's temple. I had sneaked into his small tour to the Valley of the Kings and learned not just how much a well-educated Egyptologist can pull out of his brain, but how funny the famously funny Egyptians can be.

We are an American, two Finns, two Belgians (I think), and a Canadian. As we bump along on the way to the sites, we chat about how few other tourists we see. Aladin takes the opportunity to rank tourists in terms of relative numbers and identifying characteristics, as follows...

1. Russians: A bottle of vodka in one hand and naked except for a bikini.
2. Germans: Sunburned and carrying big bags of souvenirs.
3. French: Face-down in a French guidebook whose name I can't remember.
4. Canadians: Great big backpacks.
5. Americans: Great big backpacks with Canadian flags on the back.
6. English: A drink in each hand. (I can vouch for this.)
7. Dutch: A beer in one hand and a plastic bag of drugs in the other.
8. Koreans: Two kilos of makeup.
9. Japanese: A camera, a mask, and an umbrella. (I can vouch for this too.)
10. Chinese: Plastic bags FULL of food.
11. Egyptians: Four women, two in each hand.

That's the only story I remember. Next time you're in Luxor, check out Aladin Tours, Nefertiti Hotel, and ask him for more stories. Laughing 'till you choke is a good way to approach the riches of the ancient world. You won't be disappointed.
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Location:Valley of the Kings, Luxor