European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 02, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Continued from Page 9 along the canals to talk to one another As they do their Wash. It s where they go to find wives for their sons she some people have washing machines but everyone. Even those in Remote villages seems to have television. They love it. Quot i know americans. Knots Landing a a one shopkeeper proudly announced. In some shops in the souks a television sits off to the Side surrounded by stacks of dust covered merchandise. 6roups of men often gather around and watch sometimes even ignoring potential customers. A television has changed egyptians people were Content with a simple Rural life for 5,000 years. Now they see american shows  Are discontent. They say Why can t i live like that said Donald Thaler the University of Maryland professor who was our Leader on the trip. Thaler has been leading groups to Egypt for 12 years. He continues to find the county fascinating to enjoy its people. He s not alone. We met a dutch couple in Luxor who were on their 28th visit to Egypt. Quot we love the. People. They re so Friendly Quot said the dutchman. A Butcher at work in Cairo. It Quot ,t? so it v itmof9l� he auntie v Pohe amp tour Gurfes hotel / personnel bait Oride shop owners in the souks a a i. They would run tip aria warmly embrace. A a \ it ashis 24th trip to Egypt 4 country where a a be had lived for tvs years when he a amp younger a / the welcomes am Quot one of the nicest parts of a v a Tang Back said Donald Thaler. Quot the porters see me and their face slight up they  s always a welcomed genuine Welcome t it s n6tju5tdwtth#>antbafeheesh tip Quot v Thaler a fes of a Stdio at toe University of v Mai and scary posh Munich Germany leads it a study Fotos id Egypt normally twice a year. The v top Copen non dents would find a spot on the floor or a with / with gestures and a  seput drama into his talks he puts pc info history g \. A is Pedalty when lecturing Thaier Speaks a a Richard Burton it a e of Enish. The accent can be explained by Bis Irish roots. He was bom in j the Connemara Region of Ireland and although a >1$ family moved to the United states when he f v was still a baby he spoke Only gaelic until he a a a. A a now thatis i Stone of seven or More languages / Ahe Speaks including arabic and ancient egyptian. / he taught himself the latter he  professor la not All Boob and Academia. He Fikes to Atigh Andromake others laugh a in any language he wants people to learn but. Have fun White learning. He makes sure they do. Arranging Camel rides excursions on donkeys about Rufes even a trip to a souk and lessons on a. It x. N Donald Thaler  professor. How to smoke a water pipe it s ton to be with a a him because he has fun 1 / through Bis years of experience with students and tourists in Egypt Thaler said he has found that visitors Are Quot generally fascinated with both the Modem and ancient toe bazaars the woks the atmosphere that s out of the arabian a. Nights and Quot everyone is  by toe friendliness of the people their Quot Quot  toe if smiling faces a a. On each visit to Egypt he notices changes. 1 Quot see physical improvements. Things Are a Ter tended. Trees Are planted As dirty As it May \ i a seem to you every time it Deahr a Hough its still hopelessly dirty he said a / / 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 mine for 30 years. It s that Quot passion for Egypt that Thaler seems. To instill in those who follow him from Pyramid to a Temple from Tomb to souk. They May forget which pharaoh reigned in which dynasty. They. Quot May not remember who built which Temple. But they come away enthralled with Egypt a Leah Larkin a Felucca sails the Nile in Cairo Egypt s capital of contrasts where new modern buildings stand not far from crumbling hovels.10 stripes Magazine May 2, 1991