AE-Arish

Along the road from Al-Arish to Ismailiya, camels frolic among fried palms, blitzed villages, and gutted tanks. A few signs w;im wistfully of the dangers of overtaking on a wet road. AI-Arish itself, “The Paris of the Al-Arish municipal area,” offers even less distraction than the monotonous journey there. Not a sight in sight.

A number of luxury hotels are under construction near the beach, and every year more and more Egyptians come here to gambol about amidst the sand, palm trees, and charred anti-aircraft guns. It will be several seasons, however, before these facilities are open for business and the foreign tourist troop begins the invasion.