Pete particularly enjoyed the performance by the belly dancer, especially since he was used to seeing “senior” belly dancers in the Villages. While the art of belly dancing is practiced throughout the Middle East today, it originated in the 18th century with the Egyptian ghawazee, or traveling dancers. The flowy costumes, clinking castanets, and deliberate movements quickly gained popularity and attracted fans from around the world.

Entertainment also included a 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗵. I looked up the exact meaning,……a Muslim (specifically Sufi) religious order member who has taken vows of poverty and austerity.  I am not sure this was the religious type of dervish….seemed more entertaining than a spiritual dance!  He surely could whirl, though!

This was an awesome sight…..the 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 at night.  Our ship was parked across the Nile from the tombs.