9:10 a.m. (Frankfurt) We’re sitting in the Frankfurt airport, waiting for our airbus to Cairo. This one is a lot smaller and more relaxed than O’Hare. The guys are playing cards, and the rest of us are just hanging out.
Shannon and I walked to some of the shops and marveled (in typical American fashion) at the novelty of German books and cds. Shannon bought a Coke for $3.00 after asking the man if they took "regular money." We’re giving her a hard time about it, because it really was so funny!
Our flight to Cairo is supposed to last about 4 hours. I’m seated by Hanan and another Carey person, so the flight should pass quickly.
Tonight we’re going to see the light show at the pyramids, and I can’t wait! After that, a longed-for shower and an even more highly anticipated bed.
Our whole group is together now. In Chicago we were joined by Andrea and Susan Cassil (mother and daughter), and here in Frankfurt we met up with Joel Judah – isn’t that a wonderful name?
I hope we board the plane soon – I’m getting restless. I have to set my watch up another hour for Israel time. So . . . I began writing this 20 minutes ago, from 9:10 to 10:30!
11:00 p.m. I SAW THE PYRAMIDS!!! . . . but more about that later . . .
I enjoyed the flight from Frankfurt to Cairo, even though it was very bumpy. There was less noise than the Chicago --> Frankfurt flight. Hanan fell asleep and I read Poisonwood Bible. I love that book more and more every time I read it.
The supper they gave us was so nasty! "Chicken or beef?" the stewardess asked. Well, they tasted the same, but for the record, I chose chicken.
3 1/2 hours later, we were having our passports stamped at customs, then heading off to claim our baggage.
Everyone was fixed up except for Shannon, whose carry-on wasn’t on the conveyer belt. Back at Chicago, she was forced to send it away with her suitcase because it didn’t fit the specified dimensions. Already prone to anxiety, Shannon has been crying off and on all day. All her personal stuff, her medicine, her journal, her camera, etc. were in that bag. The chances are very high that she’ll get it all back, but she’s still very depressed, saying that she shouldn’t have come, etc. I hope everything turns out well tomorrow.
We got on a comfortable bus with our touring agent and drove across Cairo to our first lodging, the Santana Hotel. It’s no George V, but it’s "cool." The view from the open balcony in our room is beautiful. We’re several stories up above a street lined with red flowers.
I finally was able to shower and change before supper – I looked and felt sooo grungy! We ate a delicious supper at the hotel, then hopped on the bus to go see the one place in the world I’ve consistently wanted to visit ever since I can remember.
The only word to describe the streets in Cairo is CHAOTIC. People just do whatever the heck they want. I’ve heard stories about the differences in Western and Eastern behavior, but nothing could prepare me for the “pan-der-minium,” to use Jeff Foxworthy’s phrase. It’s each person/animal/vehicle for himself! Our bus came literally within centimeters of plowing down people and cars. The streets are lined to indicate lanes, but the savvy Cairo driver must understand that these are merely suggestions. A two-lane (one-way) road might have several cars weaving in and out of the tiny space, honking constantly. Now throw in masses of pedestrians, donkeys, and camels, and you have the general idea. There are the occasional stoplights, but these, like almost everything in this part of the world, are negotiable.
The very tip of the Great Pyramid came into view as we passed more Arabic signs for McDonalds, KFC, Dominoes Pizza, etc., as well as billboards advertising Egyptian soap operas.
Friday night at 8:30 is the Sound and Light Show at the pyramids, and that’s where we were headed.
How corny, but I teared up when the window of the bus first afforded a complete view of the pyramids. I thought of the Egypt game, but mostly I thought of Dad, and how I wished so much that he could stand there with me to enjoy what he had long ago taught me to love as much as he did. I got chills and almost burst with excitement mixed with nostalgia.
Dr. Browning came up to me while we were standing at the entrance gate, and asked how I liked "all this," indicating the Sphinx and the pyramids.
"This is the best day of my life," I replied truthfully.
The Sound and Light show was awesome. I hope my pictures turn out well. To see the illuminated pyramids against the night sky, with all the stars – gosh, it’s getting cheesy!
My main lesson from Cairo is the well-known truth – which everyone must learn for himself and some never do – that the world is bigger than our closed-in American lives lead us to believe. Around me at the pyramids, I heard Arabic, Hebrew, French, Spanish, German, Italian – at once!
And the Egyptians love America. I was with Hanan and Will in the hotel lobby, and two young men started talking to us. They could barely speak English, but it was quite evident that they thought of us as celebrities. Upon hearing Will’s name, one said, "Yes, I know Will Smith!" The other sang, "Welcome to Miami . . ." One told me, "You are pretty girl." When we left, they said, "We love America!" It was kind of surreal.
Tomorrow, we’re checking out of the Santana, and we’ll spend tomorrow night on the overnight train to Luxor. Much to do, and a little sleep to get (must wake up, groaning, at 6:30). Jet lag is kicking in, and it’s after midnight now.