The last day

Last day of my Egyptian vacation. The day was full, full, full.

First, we went to bed late last night, about 2ish. Then, Dad called at 6:00am. Which translates into a very sleepy Sylvia who can't get back to sleep after waking up.

Quiet time, then a quick shopping trip resulted in three hair bands, two watches, and a belt. How can I say no to Egyptian prices ... divided by 5 ?

Did you know they had Pet Stores in Egypt ? I didn't. I love discovering this new to me stuff. And, I miss my cat.

Then, off to see my sister's mother and sister in law. They are such good people. We really did not get the chance to spend any time with them at all. There are always too many people and not enough time in these trips.

Then, we visited with my mother's uncle's wife and their family. It was so nice to catch up with M. By the end though, I was falling asleep. We finally got home, or near home (where the internet cafe is....). I'm trying to stay awake with Turkish coffee - unfortunately a bad turkish coffee.

I honestly think there is no sleep on the horizon for me tonight. Plane leaves at 6:30am, so, we are at the airport at 4:30am. So, we leave home at 3:30am, so I should be up at 3. There are not that many hours between then and now (8:45pm), considering we have some birthdays to celebrate, and last goodbyes....

Vacation from my vacation lasts as long as the plane ride, and I'm back to work on Monday.

For once, I am ready to leave Egypt. It has been a wonderful full trip - I'm tired, I want to go home to my regular hours :D.

Next Stop - Canada 7:30pm.

Egyptian Museum

I spent the morning at the Egyptian museum with Aym. It's been so long since I was last there that everything seemed brand new. They absolutely refused to let me in on at the Egyptian rate of 2LE, but instead at the Tourist rate of 50LE. Yikes !! That's a difference !

I like to imagine the lives of those people long ago. Some of the stories Aym told me they've discovered ... people have really not changed a lot in 5000 years. Our environment has, our houses, our modes of transportation, our modes of communication, but not us. We still love, we still hate, we're still petty, we're still jealous and even since back then there was a search for something bigger.

Did some tourist shopping, and bought the coolest prints and calendar.

Then a night out with my cousin Am and his wife V and their son L. He is one cute little guy, hi energy and incredibly cheerful and with such a joy for life. He is a pretty special little guy. He finds joy in shaking smarties boxes near his ear (and everyone else's - 'cause he likes to share his joy) just to hear the noise it makes. He is affectionate, loving, endlessly curious and social. He is an exact replica of his dad physically. And, my mom tells me Am was just like him as a kid. It's too bad I won't get to spend more time with him at this age :(.

Also, had a great chat with V. I like her. She's got opinions, she's got taste and she's got heart. Those two are such a great couple. She told me a little about her troubles with her in-laws, and though I love my family dearly - she's right on a lot of counts. The thing is they are all good people - my aunt, my uncle, my cousins and their wives. They've all got great hearts, but people's hurts and wounds and quirks collide so they don't get along, and they miss out on each other.

Anyways, we spent the night at a new section of Cairo. I'm not sure it is even Cairo. It's a gated area and it had a little fairground/theme park. We ate, we talked and I finally got to have a sheesha. I've been wanting to do for days now.

It ended with me feeling ill 'cause I probably shouldn't have eaten what I did, and a sheesha is pretty powerful tobacco so it left me a little dizzy. But, all ended well, they had relatively (in Egyptian terms) clean bathrooms and we found gum that helped settle my stomach 'til I got home.

Ugh.....

Sick today.....My Egyptian immune system isn't really up to date :p. I think all our plans are paused for the day. Rest, recover, and not need to go to the bathroom every 10 mins - and we'll be back to normal tomorrow.....or at least that is the plan :).

The Wedding

It was my cousin's wedding. Uncle G's son M. Before the last wedding I attended, I was so intimidated to dress up. This time it was way easier. God is definitely working on my self-image. He is so good. I still have a long way to go.

We came back from the Red Sea and rushed out to N's hairdresser. Oohh....he was good. He put my hair up, and it was lovely. His wife did an awesome job with my makeup. It felt really good. Which is an amazing thing for me to say - if you know me.

So, all dressed up - I went to the wedding. Some of my family members, my own cousin who I had just spent three days on the beach with didn't recognize me. Woohooo !!! I consider that a compliment :D.

The Red Sea

Hmmm... a good few days at the beach. We got here yesterday after a 3 hour micro bus ride. I chatted a little with Tante C about family stuff. We arrived in a little place called the Paradise resort and headed to the beach. Uncle S has trouble traveling and walking.

Ay and N with M and M joined us today. It has been fun getting to know them all.

The beach is beautiful. The water is nice and warm. And, the kids are great. I enjoyed chatting with my cousins' wives - N and H. I had a great chat with Tante C coming in on the microbus. A good chat N and a good chat with H. It is interesting how people have the same struggles, sometimes in different ways and sometimes in the same way.

There are buffet breakfasts and buffet suppers. I've had a great time with the suppers and breakfasts. A good time teasing M. He is such a funny, quiet guy. We've got tomorrow, and then we are off home and the weddinig Thursday night.

Hmmm....I haven't given any thought to the wedding.

A Different Egypt

Wow ! Has Cairo ever changed. About 18 years ago, I visited with St. Mary's church from Mississauga. The cars were old. The buildings were old. There were a couple of burger places, but nothing familiar.

Then, 6 years later I visited after graduating from University. Wow !! There was a McD's. How cool is that ? BTW - McD's in Egypt had real meat in their burgers and boy did they taste good :D.

Four years ago was my last visit. By then Cairo had changed even more. There were newer cars. And, wonder of wonders there was internet access, malls with movie theaters and an Arby's in Cairo (there still isn't one in Ottawa, Canada).

And, this time .... yikes ! There is a Starbucks. I immediately thought of those friends of mine who love Starbucks. An oasis in the middle of Cairo.

On the other hand - the traffic is the same. It takes a special sort of driver to drive in Egypt. Mostly, Egyptians are warm welcoming social people but the driving is cut throat. I want to take a video of it. If it is physically possible to do something, then they do it.

Egypt - Day 2

Another day in Egypt. This morning started with Teta L and Teta N arriving at about 9am. Oh, was I ever tired. I didn't get a good night's sleep last night. Too many noises. But, it was good. I had a little chance to spend some time with them.

Ay came at 10:30am.We went down to figure out if we could unlock our cell phones. Then Am came. We headed back upstairs to sit for a bit. And, I got some more time with Teta L; Teta N had left already. They are both nuns.

I think my entire family or culture is complicated. But, more on that later.

I went out to visit at Am's work. He's gone into business himself importing, exporting water pumps. And, his co-renter of the office imports/exports other stuff, computers, furniture, all sorts of things. He has these things he needs to have checked out in Canada.

Then Mom and Ay and M, Ay's son joined us. It was a nice time. Sitting and chatting

Tomorrow we are heading out to beach, off the Red Sea. Tante C, Uncle S, Mom, and I with Ash, his wife H and his two girls - J and F. It'll be fun getting to know them a little bit.

Aaaaahhhh ..... Egypt

There is a smell to Egypt. It's wonderful, and I've missed. I'm sure it's something unromantic like dust, and gas fumes, but it's lovely to me.

We are staying at my grandmother's apt. The last time I was here I shared a bedroom with her. She's gone now. But, it is nice to be here in her apartment. There is a big picture of her and my grandfather's wedding picture. Wow !! Does she ever look young. It's pretty cool.

We visited with Mom's cousin in Paris, France during our stop over. It was kind of neat. We're thinking of stopping over for a couple of days on the way home. It's hard to do that though ... we never want to leave here at the end. I've been praying about it....I'm not sure what God wants to do with that.

I've drank almost two liters of water since landing. It's only been 5 hours. But, you just sweat it out .... who needs a bathroom ? :p.

It is the season for dates here. Mmmmmm.....the closest I've had to fresh dates are the frozen ones Mom picked up at church. These are even better.

Oh....I'm quite tired now. So, I'll type more tomorrow.