Susan Boyle has made the bigtime and not only in America.

Boyle’s debut album “I Dreamed a Dream” (Syco Music/Columbia) is a record-smashing success around the world. In America it sold 701,000 copies, the biggest-first week sales of any album this year and the biggest opening sales week for any debut album since Snoop Dogg’s “Doggystyle” in 1993.

Susan Boyle’s album “I Dreamed a Dream” is the biggest female album launch since record-keeping began 20 years ago. “I Dreamed a Dream” is the best debut week by a female artist since SoundScan began tracking record sales in 1991, says NYTimes ArtsBeat Blog. Susan is outselling Lady Gaga and Rihanna.

Simon Cowell not only produced Susan’s debut album but is making a documentary about her dream-come-true story. In this YouTube clip, Cowell reflects on Susan’s rise to superstardom, calling hers the “great underdog story … like a Hollywood movie … and exactly the kind of story that America loves.”

London Times writer Howard Marks, a self-described Mr Nice author, hedonist and ex-drug smuggler takes us to Egypt this morning, in search of the blue lily. Just between us, we’re going to smoke it.

Seriously now, do you think women are allowed in this place?

Blue Lily Water Trio via Señorashutterbug at FlickrI’m in high gear, drinking French Roast and eager to get on the road. Not so fast says Marks. Slow down and enjoy the scenery.

He’s right, of course. I’ve never been to Egypt and there’s no reason to rush through such grandeur in the cradle of ancient learning and a great civilization.

We arrive in Luxor, meeting George Feltham-Parish, who hands us a Stella beer once we clear customs. Thanks George.

Legend says that the god Osiris brought this beer to Egypt’s people as a medical treatment. A curative document dating from 1,600 BC lists over 100 prescriptions using beer as medicament.