Fifth Journey Day 106: Pebbles Against the River’s Throat

Date: August 22, 2025
Location: Luxor, Egypt

The first breath in Luxor felt different. Alexandria had left its heaviness on me — the sea's moisture and the crowded air — but here the dryness makes everything sharper and more defined. I spent most of the morning making adjustments. My body moved more slowly, as if the heat was a hand pressing gently against me.

I found a quiet place by the Nile, not far from where small boats waited. The water was calm, and it reflected the sky. The reeds were bent slightly, and their tips moved gently in the air. I sat for a long time with my sketchbook open, but I didn't use a lot of paint on the paper. It was enough to let the surface of the river sink into my eyes — not just the sight of it, but the rhythm, the silence that shifted as boats passed.

Children played nearby, throwing pebbles into the water that barely touched the bottom before sinking. Their laughter sounded lighter than the heat around us. I kept looking at the line where green plants met the sand. That was the narrow border where life continued.

The afternoon was hot, so I went back inside to rest. The guesthouse courtyard was shaded and quiet. I watched the shadows move along the tiles as the sun moved across the sky. The light makes time feel slower, almost like it's stopped.

Tonight, I feel calm, but not completely relaxed. Luxor seems to ask for patience. It doesn't reveal itself right away. I think the days here will be full of different experiences, like the river, the desert, stone, and silence. Each one will require its own kind of attention. For now, I am happy to start with the water, the simplest form of arrival.