My poor technology luck is continuing and I can't get onto my own account, so I'll use Laila's. We're at a gigantic mall quite close to our borrowed flat and the wireless is fluctuating wildly. We'll see how far I get with this.
I am having an amazing time, and constantly have to pinch myself when I look out the window of the flat, a bus, train, taxi or boat and see an everyday scene that is beautiful and exotic because of where it is. A dusty, unbelievably chaotic Cairo traffic scene, the desert stretching out from the road as far as the eye can see, the blue-green of the Red Sea, the ancient stones of the pyramids still perfectly in place after 4,000 years. The sights and feelings of awe were similar in Thailand, but the addition of the family connection here in Egypt makes the experience that much richer.
It surprises me, though I guess it shouldn't, about the amount of energy and work it takes to be a good traveler. There is so much involved in keeping one's self and one's family healthy, happy, fed, clothed, oriented, informed and prepared to access the riches to be had. We're getting pretty good at it, I must say, but the few times that we've let ourselves run out of energy, food, good humor.... those times are not pleasant. One aspect that has sometimes been challenging is keeping up with the girls' studies. Both are so conscientious, but especially in Egypt it's been difficult to find the time between trips and outings. We tell them not to worry, that the trip itself is an education. And let's face it, Holden Caufield does not seem to relevant when one is gazing at the pyramids from the back of a camel!
We are off to Luxor and Aswan Monday morning early by train. We hope to find good internet on this leg. We miss posting when we can't!
Lots of love to all!
Rinda
2 comments:
Hurrah, we're so happy to view the pictures and read the commentary, Rinda. Exactly what neighborhood are you in...near Maadi at all? We'll think about the train trip to Luxor. Now that is one exciting journey. Yikes! Love from Oakland.
Rinda - we are definitely going to Willard next year and thought of you. There is an asst principal position open there - due to a long story on the previous one. Melanie was going to write you so this might be duplicative. Anyway...we have loved reading your blog and living vicariously (not the lice part!). Love to all you travelers. kathy burns, Tony, Molly and Alice Rossmann
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