The secluded village of Baris (known locally as Paris-on-the-Pond) is 90km south of Kharga, Merchants make a 40-day camel trek from here to the border of Chad to purchase an ingredient used in local soap. It is estimated that each expedition brings the merchant LE20,000 in profit. Think twice before going into business for your- ~° self, however, since only one family in town is privy to the location of vital water ^ vells en route. There is a government rest house north of town, but no sign to mark _ it; look for the yellow, grey, and red buildings in a row perpendicular to die high- . Wav, about 0.5km north of the “Bienvenue a Paris/Au Revolr” sign. You can - arrange your stay through the manager whose office is in the town on the road to ^ push, across from the police station (beds LE3.50). Half a dozen small kiosks sell ^* soda, mineral water, and canned goods. The blue structure resembling a doghouse sells kabab,fuul, and falafel every day except Friday.

Designed by modern Egyptian architect Hassan Fathy, who utilizes the cooling ^ properties of traditional oasis architecture in his work, a public housing complex stands 300m northwest of the rest house. Sponsored by the government, construe- ^o tion was halted during the 1967 war with Israel and was never resumed; the govern- 2 ment decided that villagers would not want to live in buildings that resemble tombs.