October 19th Alexandria

After breakfast I meet Mr.Ehad, and we walk to the government offices to get the notary

to sign the authority for Link....It is only a few minutes away..But there is a crowd..

This place is organised - we get a numbers..145 and 146.. Mr. Ehad realises we have a wait

so suggests we go to another government office to get me registered as a resident for 30 days so I can export the vehicle. A short walk, we hit the jackpot, a lady who speaks English, understands what I need, tells me very sternly that I have 30 days from date of entry.. any extension will be costly. But she is lovely.. A stamp in my passport and we are set.

Oh! we need the translator.. but Link has arranged that.. Was it Mr. Ehad or Radwa.. who knows .. I'm doing as I'm told.. Mr. Ehad, was smart enough to ask the guy 5 numbers in front of us for his phone number so he could check to see the progress of the queue from time to time.. At about 10.30 am we estimated our number would come up at about 2.00pm

We advised the translator accordingly. I went back to the hotel and Mr. Ehad back to work.

At about 1.30 I get a phone call ..meet you in 15 minutes and we head back to the office,

They had called 103 so it wouldn't be long.. At 110 the translator turned up.. Alexandria Translation Office. The translators have a licence. He knew the ropes..and they knew him, half an hour later he was chatting to the government official..showing him how to to do the business on the screen.. 25 minutes later it was all done.. Paid the translator 700 E pounds.. a bargain.

Mr.Ehad and I have a mint tea to celebrate and tomorrow is another day.

Walking back to the hotel I pass a restaurant Delices ..put my head in wow.. Pastries like I haven't seen before ..I have a look at the menu.. and decide to come back for dinner..

This restaurant is said to have baked King Farouks Coronation and wedding cake.. I can believe it.

It is good ..I have a very nice pasta and a beer. My waiter tells me he is 64 and has worked for this restaurant for 50 years. A nice find.