Haggling in Egypt

June 30 - AM
It is insane the amount of haggling people do in Luxor. The starting price of something is sometimes up to 10x the final price. Oh, and they are totally willing to lie, and cheat to weasel some extra cash out of you. I really don't get it - I guess it must be a way of life. This is how money is earned. It really isn't because there are poor people here, I'm talking about fully settled stores.

The stores in Cairo aren't like that. Prices are set and labeled. You don't like it - you go elsewhere. Whereas here, you don't like a price and start heading out the door, they offer you a better price, and then a little better, and a little better yet. It's frustrating. I like to shop for prices - get an idea of cost and then decide what to buy out of the EVERYTHING I want.

And, I hate feeling cheated. And, I hate not being sure if I've been cheated. But, if I want to shop, I must deal - so deal I will...or maybe not shop?! Aaaaahhhhhh !!

Cruising

Onto a new adventure ! Ok - mini adventure. I've begun a cruise on the Nile. Mom has stayed back in Cairo. This morning I woke up at 4:00 am to catch a 6:10 plane to Luxor. I was so tired, I forgot my sunglasses, hat and picked up the wrong cell phone. One of my cousins drove me. Boy are the streets quiet at 4:30 ?!

I slept through the entire plane ride and landed in Luxor at 7:30am. A kind tour guide picked me, took pity on my hat situation and bought one for me. It was sooo sweet. And, he totally wouldn't take money for it. He helped me check in and directed me to be ready for my cruise guide.

I quickly put on sunscreen and headed they call the West Bank visit. The West Bank visit included three tombs in the Valley of the Kings, and Queen Hatchetsup's temple. They've changed to rules in the Valley of the Kings - tour guides are no longer allowed to enter the tombs and lecture. So, my tour guide gave me a brief history outside, and then sent me on my own to explore. The third tomb I visited - Ramses IV had Coptic graffiti in it from the 7th century, and people signing their names in the 1880's. Weird how people are ok doing that.

More quiet days

The fourth and last day at the beach. Both my older cousins and family have joined us. It's nice to catch up with everyone. The kids are a year older. Some a lot taller and some just a little bit.

We've spent the last couple of days on the beach. Mom and I get up early (early for Egyptians), have breakfast and head out to the beach. The rest usually follow a few hours later - by noon or so.

It is so pleasant on the beach - quiet. I've spent time sitting, reading, praying. It's nice. From around noon to 4pm is super hot, so I hide under the umbrella with sunscreen on .... and I still tan. From about 5pm on to 7 or 8pm is the perfect time to hit the pool and the sea. The sun isn't so hot, and the water has finally warmed up.

Voices

I find I'm doing a lot of the quiet alone time this trip. Just
sitting, thinking, praying about nothing specific. I'd like to always
be open to hearing what God has to say, and discern between His voice
and other voices. It's not like they are audible voices and God's
comes with the sound of angels. Most of the time its like my own thoughts, either telling me good or bad things about myself or others. Sometimes, there is a sense of a direction I need to take.

I realized that thus far, I've determined what comes from God based on whether :
a) It said good things or mean things about myself or others
b) If it goes with or against things I know of God and things from the Bible.
c) If someone else confirmed it for me.

I'd like to be able to differentiate God's voice from others. The best way I can think to describe it is, it's like being in a room with a lot of people. But, there is one person you love, you've spent a lot of time with and you know intimately well, so your ears are tuned to hear that person's voice. You could pick it out and follow it to find that person. Or like some mothers can tell if their child is crying in a room of crying children. That's the level I want to hear God's voice at. I want to know it. I think I need to know it. It'll take a lot of time and effort. But, if I want to follow God's leading in my life then it's probably wise to know when it is Him leading.

Quiet Days

Aaaahhhhh....today was the first full day spent at Ras Sudr Paradise Hotel. I had a quiet breakfast outside. They have a decent breakfast buffet here. I had an omelet, and the best feta I've had in a long while and some fresh pita. We were here last year, and I had forgotten how much I had loved the pita.

I am really enjoying my time at this hotel. Last year, I was battling. I was battling Mom, I was battling myself and my own thoughts. I was working so hard to prove to my extended family that I made good choices with my church. And, I was working so hard to enjoy myself. I find this year, I'm just going with the flow. There is still some battling, because as a culture - we tend to sit still until pushed. And, if I want to do some fun things - I have to prod myself and my family into action. But, otherwise....I am just going with the flow. Nothing to show, nothing to prove. It is sometimes a conscious effort to step out of the "proving" myself mode, just stand and let people believe what they wish.



On a lighter note - the beach is beautiful. The water is bright blue, cold in the morning and warmed by the sun as the day progresses.







There's five of us here today. My aunt, my uncle, my mom, my cousin's daughter and myself. Tomorrow two of my cousins, their wives, and their children should be joining us. That'll be 7 more people, so a total of 12. It'll be good to spend time with them. I may have to step away more often though 'cause that's a lot of people for me. And, I just get lost in all the simultaneous conversations.

Ooh....and we saw camel's on the beach today. And, further down the beach there's some people kite surfing. It's looks kinda cool. I looked up the courses and how much rental is, but it is way out of budget this year.

Alone in Egypt

I haven't been able to connect to the internet here. It is painful. I miss my friends and email.

We are at my aunt's place. And, things are slow. I want to get out, but there is nowhere that I can go. And, I'm scared - all those stories Mom tells me. They've made me afraid. I want to email friends for prayer or suggestions and I can't. I feel isolated.

I'm really frustrated with this staying with people who are not on vacation. They've got jobs and lives and things they need to do. And, I get that - I just find that I end up stuck at home too often. That's really not what I am here to do.

Landing in Egypt

After two full days in Paris, I'm now on an airplane landing in Egypt. I can't wait to see my family. I've been anticipating this trip for a long while now. Paris was cool, but rushed. There is so much to do there, and I was so busy trying to get everything done - there was just no time to relax.

But, in Egypt - that's different. I'm spending almost a full two weeks there - visits, site seeing, time on the beach can all be fit in.

Let's see, I want to get my hair done at least a couple of times. Egyptian's are experts at getting their own type of hair fixed up. I want to spend time on the Red Sea, maybe visit the pyramids and the museum again.

I have noticed though, that Egyptians are notorious for not doing things. Its almost too relaxed. The attitude is like, "Sure, we'll get to that - we've got many days ahead of us", that is until there is only 3 days left for things that'll take a week. And, even then - yeah, yeah - we'll get it all done. Don't worry.

Spiritual Journey

During my quiet time this morning, I had a sense that this vacation will be a Spiritual Journey for me. I believe that it will be a time for me to learn lots, and have some direction. I tend to want to know absolutely everything, so I doubt I'll get all my answers. Because, you never get all the answers, just the ones you need to make the decisions of the moment.

That's it for this morning. More to come as the day and journey progresses.

Day One - Paris

Wooooohoooooo !! Paris ! Ok, I'm half asleep, but I'm in Paris. Mom's distantly related cousin in at least two ways picked us up at the airport. We arrived mid-day, and he took us on a quick car tour of several sites - I can't name all of them. And then headed home for supper.
I'm so blessed having so many good people, generous people in my life.

Mom's cousin and his lovely wife have two great boys. We had a quiet supper at home. And, went on a relaxing walk by the lake. Took lots of pictures - I figure the more I take, he more likely I will get a decent few :D.

And, I've been very good thus far. No food after 7pm, and especially not sweets. I'll save the belly space for some really decadent stuff, but earlier in the day. It's all about compromised indulgences.

So, its been a quiet day thus far - half of it in a plane, and an early night to finish it and kick my body into the right time zone.

G'night all.

Perspectives

A few days ago, I was reading my Bible and I came across a piece of scripture that just did not sit well with me. Actually, it just disturbed me and kinda made me angry. I thought/prayed about it and emailed my homegroup leaders.

On a bit of a tangent, I grew up in a church where I just accepted things and really didn't challenge what the teachers said or what the Bible said. I'm so past that...or better yet, I'm getting past that. So, I believe that I absolutely have every right to challenge everything that I read in the Bible and especially what people say. One of my favorite scriptures (I may even have included it here long ago) is from 2Timothy 2:15 and speaks of being unashamed and correctly handling God's word. I always felt that scripture as special for me. And, how on earth can I handle the Bible unless I challenge it, get past the difficult parts ?

Anyways, its one of those parts in the Bible that just does not seem fair to women - Numbers 5:12-31. It was about how a woman can be proven not to have cheated on her husband. And, I thought - why should we be treated harsher ? Why wasn't there the same thing about men ? So, I asked God - "You're supposed to be fair, and I'm supposed to trust You, why would you say this ?" It really didn't make much sense to me.

It slowly dawned on me - that while the issue I was having was one of perspective. First, I was coming from a completely different way of thinking. Unlike many other parts of the world, in Canada women are free and not property. God was talking to a culture where women were often property. Second, I was coming from a place of distrust of God. Unfortunately, I was looking at it and saying - ok this means that God isn't fair. I knew it !! Deep down inside, there is a mistrust and that colors my entire view. In this case, instead of seeing that God is caring for these women, I was seeing God as mean (probably because I grew up with a the harsh judge God instead of the love first God).

Furthermore, whereas I looked at what it was saying "How mean God is treating these women ?!" The women at the time were probably thinking, "Wow! God is acting on our part and protecting us." Because really, at the time if a man was jealous and thought his wife was cheating on him or if he just wanted to get rid of her because he was the one having the affair. He could just accuse her and the community would be so aghast it would kill her. Seriously - that's how things were. In this scripture God is acting out His declaration that He will protect the innocent. And, even if she was guilty - it is God that is punishing her, and that would've been more merciful than what jealous hubby would've done.

As to what happens to cheating hubby? I don't know. There isn't actually a note on that one. Why ? First, I think it is because God doesn't have to protect him - people didn't care as much about cheating husbands, so he wasn't likely to be judged and killed for a suspected indiscretion. Second, he still gets punished. I firmly believe that. Affairs complicate and ruin lives. It's just stupid even without God involved.

Since first reading this scripture, I've come to realize that to understand what the Bible means and "correctly handle" it, I must come from the right perspective. God is love. He desires the best for each individual. And, I know that the best doesn't always feel good. I need to trust the Person behind the words.

4 days and counting....

I want to always change. I don't know - maybe it is a sign of not being happy with where I'm at. But, that doesn't sound like a bad thing. I can't imagine a time when I'll be able to sit back and say - yup, I'm perfect now, there's nothing that needs to change. It's kind of a thin line to walk. I'm ok not being perfect, but I'm not satisfied with it. Actually, being ok with not being perfect is something that still needs work. I'm told that I'm pretty demanding of myself.
One of the most freeing statements I ever heard was - "God's expectations of you are not you're expectations of you." We always seem to demand so much of ourselves, expecting perfection. Whereas God has more realistic expectations. He knows where we are weak, where we will fall. And, that's ok with Him. It's funny how that is not ok with us. And, when I think about it - who am I to say I know better than an all-powerful, and all-knowing being ?

Hee hee .... I guess this blog has said nothing about my trip yet.

It's the last weekend before I go. I'm mostly packed. Which is a good thing, because after work I'm going to take a train to Cobourg and visit a dear, dear friend who is visiting from the other side of the world. We'll have a lovely time, and then I am racing back - working Monday and Tuesday and on a plane Tuesday night. Oh I can't wait !!

5 days and counting

My google home page has the weather for Cairo and Paris.

Cairo is a lovely 30 with a low of 21 and high of 33 today. If I could describe perfect weather - this would be it.

Paris on the other hand is a low of 10 and high 18. Ok, a bit on the chilly side. And, I definitely have to add jacket to my packing list. But, I'll totally survive. I'm dreaming of divine chocolates, absolutely decadent properly made cheeses, and the occasional small baguette. Oh is my body ever going into shock next week!! I haven't had chocolate or bread in over a month !!

And, I can't wait for Cairo - old buildings, desert, dry heat, family I miss terribly and yummy food.

6 days and counting

It's nearing the end of packing time !! Yes, I know I have a full six days. But still ....

This weekend I'm heading up to Grafton to visit a good friend who is visiting from Australia! I can't wait ! It'll be so nice to catch up with her. We barely have time for a quick hug - she arrives Saturday night and I leave her place Sunday afternoon. Maybe I should start popping the caffeine pills now ?

Speaking of which ... I am now working on being caffeine free. I am refined sugar free. And, natural suger much reduced. So, decaf coffee this morning and water. Lots of water.

18lbs lost and counting ! I was hoping for 25 by the time I left for Egypt. But, no go....last week was a blip. I do pray that I stay close to being on track through my time off.

Last night I realized I wasn't quite sure where my bathing suits were. I have a list somewhere of the stuff I packed already. And, I've pulled out some more stuff to pack. I still need to pack my most awesome hair straightener, several more pairs of shorts. And, my carry-on bag which should have at least a week's worth of underwear, and at least 4 shirts, 2 shorts and 2 pairs of pants (rather safe than sorry).

Hmm...what else. Some good books for the flight. My laptop, mp3 player, bible, journal, sunglasses, prescription sunglasses, contacts.

Oh yes, maybe pick up those bands from Walmart so that I can have a semblance of a workout while there.

7 days and counting

It's time for my vacation - I'm counting down .... 7 days left. This time next week, I'll be madly scrambling to set my voice mail and email alerts. I'll be all packed and ready to head to Montreal. Ooooohhhhh I'm so excited. I need a vacation !!

First, my Mother and I will spend 3 days in Paris, then continue on to Egypt to spend another two weeks. I get funny looks when I tell people I'm going to Egypt. Most people say, "Again?" Seriously - some people drive across the country every year to visit family. Others head south every year. Egypt is no different for me. It costs about the same as an all-inclusive trip to Mexico or Cuba. And, I get to visit with family and be in a place that is pretty cool and learn to relax.

The concept of time in Egypt is ... different. I might've spoken about it last year. To the point that there is no point in arranging to meet someone at say 5pm. No....the best thing to do is to carry a cell phone, and tell them to give you a call after work. They'll call you some time between 3pm and 8pm.

I used to get frustrated, 'til I realized there is no point. And, figured that I'll go with the flow. It's relaxing. And, not having to wake up super early in the morning.....lazing about will be nice.

I'm going to miss working out though....I don't think people work out in Egypt. I'm going to have to find a place where I can get at least a few workouts in while I'm there. I don't want to lose any of the work that I've done over the last months.

And, my diet - Herbal One has been awesome. But, how do I keep on track while I'm gone ? Seriously - I can't imagine trying to eat properly while on vacation in a foreign country that has so many interesting foods. Can one go to Egypt and hold back from eating Falafel ? Or Shawarma ? Or whatever those deep fried batter drenched in sugar things are ?

I want to make the absolute most of every moment that I spend in Egypt. It is so easy to get complacent, and just hang out with family. No ! I do want to hang out with family, but I also want to bring them along - we can hang out on the beach. Ooohhh....I should make a list of the things that I want to do. Hmmm.....