Papyrus Factory

We went to a papyrus factory - a place where papyrus is made. We were shown the basics: the papyrus water lily stem is stripped of its outer skin, then cut into thin strips. The strips are pressed with a rolling pin to squeeze out all the water. They are laid alongside one another slightly overlapping, then a second layer is laid atop the first one at a 90 degree angle. The two layers are pressed together with a vise (or in ancient times between two heavy stones) until the pressure makes them bind into being an incredibly strong paper. Even after the papyrus gets wet, it does not fall apart. After that the pages can be written on, painted on, decorated in a variety of ways.

After the demonstration of the making of papyrus, we were offered an opportunity to purchase paintings on them. I must confess, I bought a gorgeous painting on papyrus that I look forward to having hang over my living room couch - a long-lasting memory of an already wonderful trip!