Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - A Luxury Cruise on the Nile

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Starting point is 00:01:02 Please sit and stretch. Steep. Flip. Or that. And enjoy. Via Rail, love the way. Welcome to get sleepy. Where we listen, we relax, and we get sleepy.

Starting point is 00:01:24 As always, I'm your host, Thomas. Thanks so much for joining me. I'll be reading to you tonight, and I'd like to thank Joe for writing yet another lovely story for the show. In just a few minutes, we'll head to Egypt and board a ship on the River Nile. We'll cruise along the water like an Egyptian pharaoh,

Starting point is 00:01:56 relaxing in luxury as we learn all about the river. Before that though, if you find that you're sleeping better thanks to get sleepy, we'd truly appreciate it if you'd consider becoming a Get Sleepy Premium member. On the premium feed, everything is completely ad-free, and you'll have access to our entire catalogue of over a thousand episodes. Plus, on Thursdays, we release a brand new bonus episode exclusive to premium members, like tomorrow when Marcellus will be reading to us as we search for a special hidden bookshop in a historic town.

Starting point is 00:02:44 It really would mean the world to have your support on Get Sleepy Premium. For more information, head to get sleepy.com slash support. that's get sleepy.com slash support and I'll pop the link in the show notes too. Thanks so much everyone. Now it's nearly time for our story. First though, let's prepare in the usual manner. Find a position that feels comfortable. Then close your eyes and take a couple of deep breaths. Inhale through the nose and slowly exhale through the mouth. Now, we're going to do a brief exercise to help us relax. Take a moment to scan through your memories,

Starting point is 00:04:05 recalling a time when you are very relaxed, an evening with friends perhaps, or some time spent in the case, garden. Anything works as long as it's relaxing. Next, we're going to bring this memory to life and relive the moment. So imagine that you're stepping into the memory. It's as if it's happening right now. See the textures, details and colors in your surroundings. Take in the sense, and sounds, exploring all your senses. As you watch this scene unfold around you, notice how you feel, pay attention to any positive sensations. And let those feelings really soak in.

Starting point is 00:05:47 Hopefully you're feeling a little more relaxed. We're ready to move on with tonight's story. It takes place in Egypt beneath a cloudless blue sky. This is where our story begins. You walk slowly along a sandy pathway amidst a desert-like landscape that glows gold around you. You can feel the warmth of the sun throughout your body. It soaks through the fabric of your lightweight summer clothing. It's mid-afternoon and still very warm, so warm in fact that it alters the landscape.

Starting point is 00:07:19 You see high-rise hotels and a mosque in the distance, warped behind the filter of swirling heat waves, patches of lawn, Woods and farmland stand out beautifully against the arid landscape. You can smell freshly cut grass, along with the scent of the sun cream on your skin, a mix of coconut and vanilla. From here, it's just a short walk to where your cruise ship is moored. The coach has dropped you off here with a group of other passengers. You've been sightseeing in Luxor in Upper Egypt. Exploring Karnak Temple on your first excursion away from the boat. You've bonded as a group through your shared

Starting point is 00:08:37 appreciation of the site, admiring ancient statues and columns etched with hieroglyphics. When you set out this morning, it was as a group of strangers. But only hours later, you return as friends. As experiences go, it's been nothing short of magical. You've seen and learnt things that you won't soon forget. And now, you're delighted to see the cruise ship ahead. Your home on the Nile for six more nights. The ship has been in Luxor since you boarded yesterday. This is where you'll start and finish your cruise. It's a circular trip, turning around at Aswan and stopping each day at different points along the Nile.

Starting point is 00:10:03 You can smell the water long before you see it. There's a change in the air as you approach the river. The temperature grows cooler and the breeze more refreshing. It's a blissful antidote to the afternoon heat. The ship is moored just ahead. It's painted surface, white and dazzling. It stands out behind rows of bright green bushes. and flowers in wooden planters dotted along the jetty.

Starting point is 00:10:58 You made this same walk when you arrived here yesterday to a fanfare of drums and tambourines. Today, your arrival is significantly quieter, but your welcome from the staff is just as warm and heartfelt. The crew members stand on the jetty, smiling broadly. They are immaculately dressed in tailored uniforms, with beige trousers and matching waistcoats. The state-of-the-art cruise ship bobs gently behind them, something between a ferry and a luxury yacht. The ship weighs nearly 4,000 tons.

Starting point is 00:12:00 and has a length of over 230 feet. Its sides are lined with four rows of windows, where thin gold curtains are draped behind the glass. Rows of sliding doors open out onto balconies, where tables and chairs are visible. On the uppermost deck, A couple of passengers lean against the railings, soaking up the sunshine while enjoying the view. You shield your eyes and smile up at them briefly before strolling across the carpeted gangway and onto the ship.

Starting point is 00:13:04 Though you've only spent one night aboard the vessel, it already feels like home. That is, if your home was a five-star hotel, floating on one of the world's most famous rivers, the ship's interior is as elegant as the exterior. The bright white walls have wooden panelling, while the glossy pine floors shine in the light, chairs and tables are placed throughout the lobby. On carpeted sections beside the windows, bookshelves and TV screens are scattered between them, while drinks machines and coffee cups are all within walking distance. When you stand by the sturdy glass railings in the centre of the lobby,

Starting point is 00:14:17 you catch a glimpse of other floors, upstairs, you see a man admiring photographs on the wall. Black and white pictures that showcase the best of Egypt. Silhouettes of palm trees, camels and statues, stand out against a backdrop of magnificent grey pyramids. On the floor below, you see an elderly couple serving themselves coffee from a high machine. The scent of ground coffee is subtle but aromatic as it flows upwards. The scents are circulated in the air-conditioned lobby, on cool air that washes over you in waves. After the heat of the city,

Starting point is 00:15:32 The lobby feels like a refuge. The ship is your oasis. In the middle of a desert, you savour the air as you walk through the lobby. Passing by a lift on your way to the stairwell, your stateroom is located just one level up, and right across from the deck three stairwell. You couldn't imagine a lovely arrangement. room, than the one that lies behind the solid pine door. It is stylish and modern, cozy and

Starting point is 00:16:25 comfortable, and air-conditioned, of course, just like the lobby. The decor is reminiscent of Scandinavian design, lots of natural materials and neutral colors. It is beautifully simplicity. Neat and uncuttered. The kind of decor that calms the mind. Spotlights shine down from the ceiling, illuminating the floorboards and furniture, while framed photographs stand out against a light wall of varnished wood. The pictures reveal the beauty of Africa.

Starting point is 00:17:27 From the bright colors of exotic fruit, at a market and the gorgeous patterns of a kafftan to a group of camels riding across the desert, with the pyramids in the background. To the right of these pictures is an elegant bookshelf, with a table and chairs positioned nearby. The shelves are sparsely decorated, displaying a few books on each. They stand out like ornaments beneath the glow of strip lights. Yesterday, you selected a book from the shelf,

Starting point is 00:18:22 a whimsical mystery set on a ship just like this one. You've made a game of matching the author's descriptions to the real-life places that you've seen in Egypt. You've also been pouring over a book about the Nile, one that's full of facts and photographs, and you've learnt much already, about the geography of the river, which flows northwards across 11 different countries, while some believe that the Amazon is longer. The Nile is often considered the world's longest river, with a total length of over 6,500 kilometers.

Starting point is 00:19:24 It's the primary source of water for tens of millions of people. The river begins in two different places. The White Nile begins in Lake Victoria, Tanzania. Before flowing through Uganda and South Sudan, the Blue Nile begins further north and eastwards in Lake Tana, Ethiopia. From there, the Blue Nile curves around in a loop before travelling north-west into Sudan. It meets the White Nile in the capital, Khartoum, and the two tributaries join together to form the River Nile. After that, it moves northwards from Sudan into Egypt, bringing life and color to the Nubian desert. Eventually, the river

Starting point is 00:20:48 spills out into the Mediterranean Sea through the Nile Delta. You've left the large book open on the coffee table to a centerfold displaying the mouth of the river. Satellite images reveal the Nile Delta from above. A fan-shaped expanse of gold-speckled turquoise spreading out across the desert lands, though your favourite photograph isn't in the book. It's on the wall above the sofa. A single blue lotus floats on the Nile, vivid and glistening beneath rays of sunlight. The purplish blue petals emerge from a scattering of lilypats on the water. Behind the lotus is a bird. It's barely visible through the reeds. Its nest positioned like a hammock between the stems. The colourful photograph catches the eye above a plush beige sofa with creamy cushions. On the wall opposite is a flat-screen

Starting point is 00:22:35 television beside an open door to the en suite bedroom at the back of the room. Large sliding doors lead out to the balcony. You have a view of the Nile and the riverbank opposite. as beautiful as ever in the glow of the afternoon sunlight. The balcony stretches out past the bedroom. Just this morning, you sat in bed and sipped coffee while gazing through the window, admiring the view across the water. Soon enough, the boat will set sail on the river, destined for its next stop. The town of Dendera.

Starting point is 00:23:45 This is located on the west bank of the Nile, around 60 kilometres north of where you are now. You've planned to eat dinner in the restaurant on the terrace. Before retiring to the pool deck to read your book on a lounger, you'll be back in your room in time to see the sunset. By which time the ship will be anchored at Dendera, you'd only planned to stop briefly in the cabin. But now that you're here, there seems no sense in rushing after the heat of dusty Luxor, a shower seems appealing. Even more so, considering your luxury bathroom, you pass. pass through the living room into the bedroom, where large built-in closets sit beside

Starting point is 00:24:59 a king-sized bed. The cleaners have made the bed and left a gesture of hospitality. A single white towel folded into the shape of a swan, made to look as if it's swimming across the covers, more fresh towels are on a shelf in the bathroom. You take one down and drape it over the heated towel rail. There are few things more relaxing than stepping out of a shower and wrapping yourself up in a warm, soft towel. Ten minutes later and you're doing just that. washed yourself clean with hot, soapy water. You feel as if you've woken from an afternoon nap.

Starting point is 00:26:11 Your mind clear and your spirits revived. The scent of shower gel is left on your skin. Even once you've dried and changed into fresh clothes, the fragrance of the lotus is light and floral, both heady and delicate. You dress in a comfortable, casual outfit, including lightweight sandals that fit snugly around your feet. You are on your way out when you hear the ship's engine quietly come to life. This marks the beginning of your four-hour journey from Luxor to Denny's. Dendera, you'll stay there overnight, as you'll be arriving shortly before evening.

Starting point is 00:27:25 You've planned to watch the sunset from the balcony in your cabin, not that you're in a hurry, as you head out of your room and up the stairs, to the fourth-floor terrace. You've arranged to meet a friend, one you met just today, for two. dinner in the onboard restaurant, approaching the terrace. You see that Ebba has been seated. She's sipping a drink and staring out at the view. When she turns her head, she catches sight of you and waves. Ebba is someone you've instantly clicked with. From the moment you met on the coach this morning, a laid-back swede in her early forties. She seems kind and genuine, with a great sense of humour. Until recently, she told you, she was a lawyer in Stockholm.

Starting point is 00:28:54 But she left to pursue her passion for history. Currently, she's living in Cairo and studying Egyptology at the local university, Egypt couldn't have been more different from her Scandinavian homeland, where winters are long, and temperatures sub-zero. The absurdity wasn't lost on either herself or her family, but as she said to them, the heart wants what it wants. You feel instantly at ease as you sit beside her, as if meeting a dear friend that you've known for many years, though it's hard to imagine being anything but comfortable here in the tranquil surroundings of this lovely terrace. From your table beneath the canopy, you can watch the changing scenery along the banks of the Nile, if it weren't for the view, you might not know that you were moving. The ship's movements

Starting point is 00:30:33 are so slow and smooth. The gentle hum of the engine sounds distant. Muffled beneath the lapping of the water, you're listening to the sounds when the waiter arrives. His name is Yusuf, and you chatted this morning. He asks you about your trip to Karnak Temple, and you tell him how impressed you were by the obelisk and sphinxes. According to Yousef, it's even better at night time when it's quieter and cooler and lit up in many colours. Perhaps you'll go back when the ship returns to Luxor and see the temple glowing in the darkness. For now, you're very happy aboard the ship, which hosts just 80 passengers, despite its large size. Guests are served by a crew of 60, though they're so unobtrusive that it feels like far less.

Starting point is 00:32:07 but that's not to say that they're without personality. Yusuf, for instance, is full of character and charm. This is on show, as he tells you about dinner and the exciting prospect of an Egyptian mezzay. This is an assortment of delicious local dishes with freshly made flatbread, accompanied by dips. There's hummus and tahini and whipped feta cheese.

Starting point is 00:32:56 Plus, Baba Ganesh, a dip made of obejine. Alongside this, there are other dishes, like chicken kebabs and fresh falafel. Everything is packed full of flavour and complemented by Tabuli or by Tabuli or bulgar wheat salad. The meze is a meal best suited to sharing. Perfect for dinner with a friend. Eber assures you that it will be delicious. She's eaten many mezes during her time in Egypt, while Eber's tone is unhurried and soothing. Her enthusiasm for Egypt is rather infectious. She speaks with the passion of a student in Egyptology, sharing facts about the history, geography, and the people. It's hard to imagine a better companion for dinner on the terrace.

Starting point is 00:34:28 Overlooking the Nile, Eber is as knowledgeable as any tour guide. She begins to tell you about the history of the river, as Yusuf arrived. with an order of drinks, you take a sip from your glass, listening to Eba while looking out at the water. She tells you that the Nile has been the lifeblood of Egypt for at least the past four millennia. Ancient life revolved around the river, and nearly all major settlements were built along its banks. And Egyptians relied on the annual flood, also known as Aket, the Nile would overflow between June and September, leaving deposits of silt across the land.

Starting point is 00:35:47 The rich black silt made the land much more fertile, which meant it could be cultivated for all kinds of farming. The flood was hailed as a blessing from harpy. The god of the Nile's yearly inundation. Today, we know the reason behind the flooding. Heavy summer rains in the highlands of Ethiopia. The Blue Nile and Atbarra River swelled with rain, carrying floodwaters northward. When they reached Egypt, they caused the inundation. This wasn't known to the ancient Egyptians, who believed that their fates were determined by the gods. All year round, people prayed to the deities, such as Osiris, God of life, death, and agriculture.

Starting point is 00:37:07 They laid offerings beneath statues in magnificent temples, and held days-long festivals with music and entertainment, they poured out libations, danced, and burnt incense, all in the hopes of a good inundation. The fortunes of the kingdom were dependent on the Nile. A low flood might result in drought and famine. When the inundation was at an ideal level, the land could be cultivated. crops could be grown, and Egypt would prosper. Eber says that after the inundation, wheat was usually one of the first crops to be planted. It was harvested in bulk and stored in huge granaries to be carefully portioned throughout the year. Mostly, it was used to make bread and porridge, providing much needed sustenance to the Egyptian people. Barley was also farmed and used to make beer.

Starting point is 00:38:50 Beer was served at social gatherings in homes and taverns, often while playing a board game known as Senet, and it was consumed by the masses at multi-day religious festivals. Lettice and cabbage were grown too, as well as leeks, onions and farther beans. There were also farms dedicated to growing fresh fruits like pomegranates and figs, just as you're picturing pomegranates with seeds like rubies. Yusif arrives with a tray of delights. He sets down a platter between you and Eba, along with plates for each of you. Then he smiles and says something in Arabic, the equivalent to Bon Appetit.

Starting point is 00:40:10 Once Yusif has left, you turn towards the table and cast your eyes over an array of dishes. The Egyptian meze is even better than you'd expect it. A mouth-watering display of textures and colors. There's the Baba Ganoush, a bowl of deep purple, and a tahini dip that looks like poured sunlight. It's made from a blend of golden sesame seeds, sprinkled with paprika and Everything smells delicious. From the freshly baked bread to the herbs in the falafel, you bask in the aromas, breathing in the scents of Egypt. Then you collect samples from across the mezzay. Filling your plate with different dishes, you enjoy small bites, appreciating the flavors and eating for the most part with your hands. This kind of dining is so wonderfully informal.

Starting point is 00:41:53 It feels like a meal for friends and family and small bites of food are perfect for mindful eating. It's the kind of slow banquet that might be enjoyed over numerous hours. It occurs to you that many of the ingredients have been grown with the help of the Nile. The river remains vital for irrigation, whereby controlled amounts of water are fed through the land. Eber explains that in ancient times, farmers operated a device known as a Shadoof. A bucket of water was lifted using a counterweight. The water was them poured into irrigation ditches, which were dug out across the farmland. Today, farmers have the benefit of machines, and the Aswan Dam, built in 1970. This means that water can be better controlled, and there's no longer a reliance on the annual flooding. Though perhaps you wouldn't know it, she adds with a

Starting point is 00:43:39 smile. If you visited in August, when it's Wafa and Neal, this two-week-long festival celebrates the Nile, taking inspiration from ancient traditions. Processions of boats sail up and down the river. As musicians play traditional songs and dancers perform in elaborate costumes, Eber took part in last year's celebration. She went down the river and prayed silently beside the water, giving thanks to the Nile itself, how wonderful it is to listen to Eber, in between morsels of delicious food,

Starting point is 00:44:44 and all the while to gaze at the ever-changing scenery on the banks of the river. Parts of the landscape resemble a desert. You see great golden hillocks, which remind you of the pyramids. One hill is topped with a sandstone fortress, so similar to its surroundings that you almost don't see it. Instead, your eyes are drawn to the countless hot air-belts. balloons, which very happy tourists across a clear blue sky. It's like a scene from a postcard with balloons in every colour of the rainbow. Elsewhere there are fields and grasslands and gatherings of palm trees that sway by the water. They're dwarfed by a background of massive, rugged mountains in the distance.

Starting point is 00:46:12 which soar up towards the heavens. The scenery close up is particularly pretty, especially where lily pads float on the water, in shades of white and purple. Eber draws your attention to a tree branch, where a small brown bird looks out over the water. It's a species of reed water. that nests along the river, forming a swing-shaped bed between the stems.

Starting point is 00:47:02 You recognize the bird from the photograph in your room, the one of the blue lotus, with a bird peeking out from behind the flower. Warbler seems like an apt name for a bird who chirrups and trills. He sings from a tree as you go by on the river, past an endless green border of reeds. Reeds, says Eber, were once used for many things. To make sandals, baskets, and sometimes even boats, most notably they were woven to make papyrus to write on. providing the scrolls that filled schools and libraries.

Starting point is 00:48:09 On some, the history of ancient Egypt was recorded and left to be discovered. Thousands of years later, papyrus was sold to trade partners in Egypt, and sometimes far beyond, as were linens, made with flax grown by the river. The Nile really was the cornerstone of Egyptian civilization, from food to education, and public health, to commerce. It was the main route for transporting goods throughout the country, and the ancient equivalent of a modern highway, alongside the merchants and fishermen on the water. There were ships like this one, geared solely towards enjoyment. It said that Cleopatra cruised to the Nile with Caesar in a giant pleasure barge, resembling a floating villa.

Starting point is 00:49:43 It's nice to know that you're in such esteemed company, that you're following in the footsteps of Egypt's most famous queen. You smile each time the thought returns to your mind in the hours spent relaxing after dinner. By then, you've parted from your new friend Eba, with plans to meet for breakfast on the terrace tomorrow morning. After dinner, you spent some time reading on the deck, relaxing on a lounger, and now, You're back in your luxurious cabin, having changed into pajamas, slippers and a bathrope. You're sitting on your balcony, sipping a warm drink. The boat stopped moving on your way back to the room, and soon after, it dropped anchor at the port of Dendera.

Starting point is 00:51:09 The atmosphere on board has become quiet and sleepy, as if the ship itself was settling down to rest. It was wonderful to see the sights as the boat was moving. To observe the changing scenery along the river, you've watched life happen without any interference. A mere witness to the beauty of this land. And now the water is still, and it feels as if you're watching the wild go to sleep. The wildlife around the river grows quieter by the minute. As birds like the reed warbler return to their nests for the night. You hadn't thought it possible for the Nile to grow more spectacular.

Starting point is 00:52:36 But indeed, it does in the onset of evening. Its calm surface becomes still, like a huge mirror that reflects the sunset. Trees along the edge form a hazy silhouette, with canopies so rugged that they almost look like mountains. They are so dark that you can't tell what's real or reflection with shadows that stretch out across the water. Pretiest of all are the colors of the sky as the sun dips down beneath the horizon. Its descent is marked by a haze of chalky orange which follows the orb beneath the tree line. The sky becomes paler before it darkens, glowing white and luminous, where it's mirrored

Starting point is 00:54:03 on the Nile. A single hot air balloon voyages across the sunset. Its bluish-purple canopy, also reflected in the river. It's this that you think of once you're tucked up in bed, as cozy as can be. Beneath Egyptian cotton bedsheets, the freshly washed linen smells light and floral, just like a lotus flower. The sense of the river fade away as you breathe in the fragrance of the clean, crisp. bed sheets and your view of the Nile is now hidden behind the curtains. But you can feel its presence.

Starting point is 00:55:17 Even as you begin to doze off, you're reminded of Eber, giving thanks to the Nile. And as you close your eyes, you decide to do the same. You offer a prayer to the river, giving thanks for your day on the water. There's nothing left to do now, but surrender to rest and the feelings of comfort which wash over your body. And as you fall asleep, your last thoughts are of the hot air balloon, cruising peacefully,

Starting point is 00:56:22 across the sunset.

Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - A Luxury Cruise on the Nile

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