Travel: The al-Faiyum Oasis

Al-Faiyum. If you want to see the working water wheels in Medinet al-Faiyum, the best point of view is from the cafeteria al-Medina, but I suggest you try to not consume anything. We ordered two cokes. We got two bottles of 'mineral' tap water, our cokes and two plates with slices of frozen (!) cake. Total bill E£7.50 ! My friend didn't feel like complaining and decided to pay. He gave a tenner and got E£.50 change. In other words, this is a place to avoid ! Just walk in, take your photos, say that you'll order in a minute, but instead leave in a minute.

We stayed in the nearby (well-situated) Palace Hotel. A clean double room was E£40, including breakfast. You have private toilets/showers, but they're not in the room itself. The restaurant here has a good selection of meals. They're tasty, but not too cheap. Everybody of the staff is seemingly very friendly and helpful but it's all about money. Do not agree with the receptionist to show you around the Faiyum sights. We surely didn't. He will send the porter with you, and this man is a real parasite. He initially wants E£2 for carrying your bags to your room. Remember the story about the guy that wanted parking money in the first chapter ? That was him !

Hawara Pyramid On the way to the Hawara Pyramid, we first visited the el-Hadika Prep. School. We picked up the school manager, Mr. Alfy, along the way. He was so grateful that he invited us over for tea. We met all the teachers and many pupils. It was a great and interesting experience. We spent most of the day there.

The principal then accompanied us to the nearby Deir el-Azab, a monastery for nuns. It's almost never visited by tourists. Nevertheless, it's a beautiful place. You can get there by taking the main road from Medinet el-Faiyum in the direction of Hawara. Past el-Hadika, a sign shows the way over the small stream on the right. The main church - we were told - dates back to the Romans. From these times there are relics of female saints. A nearby chapel is dedicated to St. Abraham. The body of this saint lies here, in a new coffin now, the old one is still on display. There are also some other antiquities.