European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 02, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                4\ a a a continued from in Ign. 9 a a along the anal to talk to one another As they do their Wash. It s where they go to find wives for their sons she  a a a. Some people have washing machines but everyone a even those in Remote villages seems to have television. They love it. Know americans knots Landing one. Shopkeeper proudly announced. In some shops in the souks a television sits off to the Side surrounded by stacks of dust covered merchandise. Groups of men often. Gather around and a Var a sometimes even ignoring 1 potential customers. A a a television has Elm ged egyptians. Quot people  a simple Rural  5,000 years now they see Merit. An shows and they Are. Discontent. They say a a Why can t i list like that Quot Quot said Donald Thaler the. University of Maryland professor who was our Leader on the trip. A a. A. \ a Thaler iras Heen loading groups to Egypt for 12 years. Tie continues to find the country fascinating to enjoy its people. Elo s riot alone. We met a dutch couple in Luxor who were on their 28th visit to Egypt. Quot we love the a  ,&Quot-said the dutchman. It a Butcher at work in Cairo. A pc a a Egypt through the eyes of an expert wherever we went people knew him. The a Felucca and Camel owners tour guides hotel personnel bartenders shop owners in the souks a they would run up and warmly embrace him kiss him. It was his 24th trip to Egypt a country where he had lived for 1v2 years when he was younger. The welcomes Are Quot one of the nicest parts of Goingback Quot said Donald Thaler. Quot the porters see me and their faces Light up. They smile. There s always a Welcome a genuine Welcome. It s not just that they want Baks Heesh tip. Quot Thaler professor of history at the University of Maryland s Campus in Munich Germany leads study Tours to Egypt normally twice a year. The trip is open to students and non students students Are required to attend his lectures. Usually held in his hotel room for several hours each evening throughout the trip non students Are Welcome to the lectures too. On our trip All 14 participants a students and non students a would find a spot on the floor or on a bed in die cramped quarters and listen As he related details of people and events dating Back thousands and thousands of years. The facts spilled from memory. He rarely looked at notes. He is a marvelous storyteller spicing up history with titbits of scandal and intrigue from the lives Quot of Queens and pharaohs. He expounds on the wonders of the ancient civilizations with passionate admiration. With gestures and intonations he puts drama into his talks he puts life into history. Especially when lecturing Thaler Speaks a Richard Burton Type of English. The accent can be explained by Nis Irish roots. He was born in the Conneman Region of Ireland and although his family moved to the United states when he was still a baby he spoke Only gaelic until he was 4 years old. V now that is just one of seven or More languages he Speaks including arabic and ancient egyptian. He taught himself the latter he said. The professor is not All books and Academia. He likes to laugh and to make others laugh a in any language. He wants people to learn but have fun while learning. He makes sure they do arranging Camel rides excursions on donkeys boat rides even a trip to a souk and lessons on Donald Thaler University of Munich professor. How to smoke a water pipe. It s fun to be with him because he has fun. Through his years of experience with students arid tourists in Egypt Thaler said he has found that visitors Are Quot generally fascinated with both the modern and ancient the bazaars the souks the atmosphere that s out of the arabian nightstand Quot everyone is always impressed by the friendliness of the people their.  their smiling  each visit to Egypt he notices changes Quot i see physical improvements. Things Are better tended. Trees Are planted As dirty As it May seem to you every time it s cleaner although it s still hopelessly dirty Quot he said. _ Thaler has a . In medieval history from Princeton University but he has also studied in Cairo Beirut Lebanon Paris and Poitiers France. He said he is enthusiastic about All history although he admits that Quot egyptology has been a passion of m Ine for 3 0 years it s that Quot passion Quot for Egypt that Thaler seems to instill in those who follow him from Pyramid to Temple from Tomb to souk. They May forget which pharaoh reigned in which dynasty. They May not remember who built which Temple. But they come away enthralled with Egypt a Leah Larkin a. A Felucca sails the Nile in Cairo Egypt s capital of contrasts where new modern buildings stand not far from crumbling hovels. 10 stripes Maga Ine May 2, 1991