In the summer of 1954, we broke up with tradition. Instead of going to Alexandria, we rented a cottage at Ras El Bar.

Ras El Bar means Head of the Land (it is also known as the Golden Triangle); it is part of the governorate of Damietta.

It lies on a peninsula on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, and at its west is the Damietta Nile branch. The Northern part of this peninsula is the point where the Damietta Nile arm flows into the Mediterranean Sea; this area is known as Lessan which means tongue, and that is how it approximately looks like.

The uniqueness of Ras El Bar is that it is one of the rare points on the planet where a river meets the sea. Not surprisingly, therefore, vacationers in droves go there during the summer (July and August) to enjoy a resort which borders on both the Nile and the Sea.

The permanent residents of Ras El Bar are anywhere between 15,000 and 25,000 (depending on what area is referred to). However, during the summer, anywhere between 200,000 and 250,000 visitors descend on this first-rate vacation spot.

Maurice (dad’s partner) and his family have been going there for years. I imagine he finally talked Nisso into trying it. And it was a choice that nobody regretted, for indeed it proved to be not only a relaxed (compared to Alexandria) vacation, but also an unusual one.

Many a time we went by boat at the spot where the Nile meets the Sea, and of course, we swam there. We could and did, go to the beach, and there, we swam in the Sea.

At the time, the people of Damietta and Ras El Bar had a reputation for being stingy, and not particularly hospitable. It was said that if you visited a friend there he would say: “Would you like to sleep here or will a hotel be more comfortable for you?” He would also inform you that a nearby restaurant had a very talented chef!

This according to my limited experience was an undeserved reputation. The individuals we dealt with were hospitable, and went out of their way to make our stay an unforgettable one. (Domiattis will tell you that this is all said in jest, for they are not like that at all. I concur).

My vacations at Ras El Bar followed my first year of university (Faculty of Pharmacy). Since I had failed my exams, I brought my books to prepare for the September supplement (a second chance). I did study, but apparently not seriously enough for I failed the supplement as well!

In 1955 and 1956, we went to Alexandria. In ’56, I was expected to work for a month in a pharmacy under the supervision of a pharmacist. (The objective, of course, was to acquire practical experience). Oncle Daniel secured for me (an unpaid) position in a nearby pharmacy. I worked there for July, and by August I was again free to go to the beach and enjoy myself.

In ’56, there were already black clouds gathering overhead. There were speculations that the end of an era was at hand. The joyous conversations now included whispered comments that the Egypt of old was no more. The time when we would have to leave our cozy lives was no longer far away.

Indeed, before the year was over, we were on a ship taking us to Italy. Maurice and his family would follow soon after. Linda and her family had preceded us.

I would later go on vacations to various places in Israel, Canada, and the U.S.; I would also travel to many countries; but nothing ever replaced the halcyon days I spent in my beloved Alexandria.

Sources

1. Corniche of Alexandria http://archnet.org/library/sites/one-site.jsp?site_id=9173
2. LookLex / Egypt / Alexandria / The undulating corniche http://i-cias.com/egypt/alexandria02.htm
3. Corniche Description www.planetware.com/alexandria/corniche-egy-alex-corn.htm
4. 12/41 – Alexandria, Al Corniche, the beach – VIRTOURIST.COM ALEXANDRIA www.virtourist.com/africa/alexandria/12.htm
5. 7/41 – Alexandria, Tramway – VIRTOURIST.COM ALEXANDRIA www.virtourist.com/africa/alexandria/07.htm
6. 34/41 – Alexandria, Tramway – VIRTOURIST.COM ALEXANDRIA www.virtourist.com/africa/alexandria/34.htm
7. Helwan Tourism: Helwan, Egypt Travel Guide/ PlanetWare www.planetware.com/egypt/helwan-helouan-les-bains-egy-cai- helw.htm
8. Ras El Bar http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ras_El_Bar

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