A Quick Word on Pigeons

I have to share a bit of a running gag that's developed. In one of our conversations, Ray explained that on the wedding night in Egyptian marriages, cooked pigeons are served to the Bride and Groom. They are considered to be quite a delicacy. Ray went on to suggest that they were also considered to be "like viagra". This caused much laughter at the time.

Then, when I was talking to Safina at some stage, she mentioned that she liked pigeon; her favorite dish. I asked if she had heard that explanation of them. She recounted that they were served on the wedding night, but hadn't heard that explanation. She thought it was quite funny.

Then, of course, I had to add a gag. Just as we were leaving the Serapeum and I was buying souvenirs, I was pointing out to Safina some statuettes of Anubis (the jackal shaped god of embalming) and I noticed a small figurine with a huge phallas--clearly some fertility symbol/god. I pointed to it and said to Safina, "Clearly, he's been eating too many pigeons." She laughed and may have blushed a little too. It might have been a bit culturally insensitive but I couldn't resist.

I think the pigeons motif might have some legs. It's the sort of thing that sticks around for me!