First Real rain storm I've seen in a year and 4 months

While my BFF Shannon was here from the states we drove to Saint Katherine's Monastery and on our way back the clouds started building. Now we have seen this before in Ma'adi where the clouds will build then nothing. This time the heaven's opened and it rained. We were almost to the Suez Canal tunnel. We sure enjoyed watching those windshield wipers work fast!!

EL CHICO @ City Stars now open!!

I received my new Egypt Today Magazine and there was an ad saying the new EL Chico restaurant in the City Stars Mall was now open so several of us on our Team went over Thurs to try in out. OMG it was so good! So if you like EL Chico in the states go try it. It's only been open for 10 days!! Brand spanking new.
Sorry no pictures to go along with this post wished I had though cause it was great!

Visitors from home (Texas)

My best friend Shannon came to Egypt again this year for her vacation and we have had the best time. We did things that we didn't get to do last year and did things at a more leisurely pace. It was a great two weeks although it flew by of course.
So this year we went on the Coptic Church Tour, went to Saint Katherine's to see the monastery and drove ourselves so that we could stop at the Moses' wells, we went to an Ecological museum, went to the Step pyramids, went to the Khan and walking on Road 9 of course, we ate at the Hard Rock Hotel down town Cairo, drove by the Giza pyramids, shopped for papyrus paper, went to Fueago's to eat dinner and best of all had lots of girl talk time!!!

Can't wait to get copies of Shannon's pictures!!

Girls trip to Taba

A few of us went to Taba this past week and stayed at the Marriott Beach Resort. It was beautiful and we had a really good time. Can't wait to go back with James and go to Jordon.

The Monastery of Saint Catherine (Katherine) & Moses's Mountain

This past weekend instead of going to Taba we went to St. Catherine's. On the way we stopped to see wells in the desert where we were told Mose stopped for a while. There were 2 wells that I seen. There are desert people selling jewelry and such. We stayed at Morganland Resort. It is a very nice (clean) place with a beautiful pool. We did not get in the pool because we did not bring our suits. So if your going and staying there take your swim suites. Our room was good, 3 single beds, tv, refrigirator, table and chairs. We told the front reception that we wanted to hike Mose's Mountain so they would wake us up at 1:00 am (yuk). So they did and we drove our own car to the Monastery and there you hire a local to excort you up the mountain. You have a choice to walk or go by camel. We decided to ride camels (they don't take you to the top). When we did have to walk it was tough. 750 steps, plus a little ways walking and the air is thin and it was cold. Now keep in mind that 70 is cold to me I had a jacket, and was still cold. I am guessing we made it to the last resting place before the top about 5am or so and we laid down to rest until right before the sun came up. At that time we made our way to the top and watched the sun rise. I have to say the sunrise is beautiful. I also have to say it's a good thing we did the climb at night cause if I could have seen I probably would not have done it. Remember we rode camels up but going down we decided that we would walk. It is easier going down, but still a workout. The rocks a slippery so wear shoes that won't slip. There were a lot of people up there, and still going up when we started down. Our guide was in sandels and leaving us behind. Although when we got to the last resting place before the top we all laid down to rest and he went to sleep and did not wake up until we started down the mountain. Going down the mountain we only seen him a couple of times! He was ready to go home and go to sleep. There were other guides helping people make it up the mountain. There were a small group having church as the sun came up on the mountain.
After the climb down we were asking about going into the Monastery and our guide told us it was closed, it was not but it is open from 11-12 only. Not sure I would do it again, but very glad we did it.

Lakes in the desert

While we are taking pictures and looking at the falls our escorts were having tea. Trying to find where the falls begin we found the source coming up out of the ground. Not sure if its piped in from somewhere or just comes from under ground either way it was kinda neat to see. The people were friendly not pushy at all, excited to see Americans and we enjoyed watching them at the falls. I know my story does not do the day justice. It was a lot of fun. We did not see the Whale bones from the map it looks like they are 34km from where we were. Another day maybe.......The escorts led us back to the check point and wave to us and we were off to eat at the Hard Rock in Cairo. By this time its late afternoon. While eating there we see that there is a Hard Rock in Hourgada




After the camel sale we decided to go to the lake that our team members had found the week before. There were suppose to be waterfalls out there somewhere and we thought we would go have a look see. So our adventure begins. We had been out to the lake before, James and the boys had when they went to ride 4 wheelers at Arabian nights.
A little ways past Arabian nights is a check point and we were stopped and asked where we were from. When we told them America we were told to pull up and wait. Another man comes up and says we will need to follow the military police they will escort us to the lake. We get to the first Lake with turns out to be Lake Qarun. The lake we had all seen before. We did not stop but keep driving. We are following our escort not really sure where it was going to take us but what the heck we did not have a thing to do today.
We drive forever it seems then we see another lake Upper Lake and not too much further we see the third lake Lower Lake. This is in the Wadi El-Rayan Protected area. By this time we had figured they were leading us to the water falls. Okay really hoping!
We were even given a map of the area that contained a guide. Fayoum, Gateway to the western desert, Egypt Home of the Valley of the Whales World Heritage Site.
The first Lake we came to was bigger than Benbrook Lake in Benbrook Texas (for those who are from DFW area) The next two lakes are smaller but still pretty impressive in the middle of the desert.
We arrive a the lower lake and begin looking for the waterfalls, we did not wonder around too long before we had locals enjoying the falls wanting us to take their pictures and showing us where the falls are.

Camel sale

You know it's going to be a great day when you don't know where your going exactly! I have been wanting to go to a camel sale since I got to Egypt. Having gone to cattle sale's as a child with my grandfather and just being naturally curious to see how things are done here. Friday one of our team members took us to a camel sale that he had gone to the Friday before. I was not going to buy a camel just wanted to go and see it. I had no expectations so I was not disappointed. After driving what seemed like forever (about an hour) in the middle of I have no idea where I was we started passing vehicles with camels in the bed. No not cattle trailers, I have not seem a trailer one in Egypt. They put any animals in the back of pick ups. No need to go to the expense of a trailer. You have to be on the look out for running camel cause they are hundreds of camel being sold. We asked how much a camel was going for, not sure if this is right but we think 100 LE about 20.00 us. We took lots of pictures, probably won't go back, glad I got to see one. Most unusual thing that happened is that an older Egyptian women came up behind me a started touching my hair and talking to me in Arabic. This used to happen when we first got here so I did not think it was someone being mean, just kinda odd. Then a man asked me to take a picture with his child who clearly not so sure about all that. Not sure who thought it was more weird me or the child, but after the picture he looked up an smiled. What a sweet little boy.

La Hacienda Ras Sudr Egypt

The water and beach are absolutely beautiful. The water was at low tide when we first got on the beach around lunch time Thursday but within a couple of hours the water was back "up" again. The water was warm, no jelly fish, and there were plenty of sea shells even sand dollars. The sand dollars don't look like the ones we have found in Florida these are thicker. There were only a few people when we first arrived but by evening there were a lot more people but not crowded by any means.

The resort itself was nice. Our room was small, had a queen size bed, t.v., mini frig. It did not have soap, or shampoo, or a hair dryer. We took our own soap.

When you go to a resort in Egypt it either has more than you'd ever need on a weekend with anything a phone call away, or it does not even have the basics you expect at a resort. Take what you will use that way your covered. We even take toilet paper cause you just never know here. lol
On the way there I was thinking okay we will probably be the only foreigners there and they will stare. At first we were the only ones there, and they stared, then later some younger people showed up and there looked to be some other foreigners, but they still stared.

Most every hotel or resort we have stayed at in Egypt the food is always presented as a buffet. Everyone that knows me knows that I just don't like buffet style dinning. I still do not like buffet dining. When we had dinner while in line at the buffet a man cut in front of me and James, the chef quickly told him (I only understood by his gesturing) to go to the end of the line. I was really impressed, and thanked him. Egyptians do not eat what Americans eat for breakfast. To me it looks like everything that was left over from the nights be fore's buffet. I do not know this to be the case it just appears to be the same food.

The cost for this resort was 395LE. Then they wanted us to pay an extra 100 LE because they said we needed another bed. We politely refused to pay anything extra and refused another bed. In Egypt it is my understanding if you are not married you can not get a hotel to reserve a room for you and anyone of the opposite sex. It is also my experience that the standard room for a married couple is two full or twin beds, which they offer to push together when we complain about wanting a queen size bed.

This was a very nice place with a beautiful beach that was not too crowded and not too far away. It is 208 km from Cairo. It was quiet but not "frilly". We did ask for a bucket of ice and they brought a glass, so we then asked for a bucket. They brought a bucket with just the glass of ice in it and said they were out of ice. Did I mention how beautiful the beach was! lol

One year in Egypt

Yesterday we took a felucca ride on the Nile with some of our team members. One of them is returning home for good and it just so happen to fall on our year anniversary in Egypt. It was a beautiful, relaxing evening. We should do that more often. I had been wanting to take a felucca ride for a couple of weeks and so had a few others. In the next few months others of our team will be returning home.

Movies in Cairo

On Kiefer's last day in Cairo we went to the movies, ate at Chili's and bowled one game. The movie we watched is the new Transformer movie. I had no idea about the Egypt scences in the movie, and how close Petra is to the pyramids (it's not that close). The movie theater that we went to in a 3 story (no elevator) building where Chili's in on the ground floor as is the bowling alley. The theater is on the 3rd floor. We had heard stories of halfway through the movie they turn it off for intermission. They did. Also movie goers clap when the movie begins and when it ends. We also had to tell them which seats we would be sitting in when we purchased the tickets. We were escorted to our seat. The seats that were behind us they said were sold but no one sat in them the whole movie, not sure what thats about. Chili's is just like at home except no bacon. Bowling was fun have not done that in a while (okay a long long while) it was fun, hot if the air conditioner was on it didn't work very well. Its 100 everyday here just like at home.
Kief made it home safe and sound. The new part opened up at the airport and our expeditors are not allowed in that part so I was a little concerned about Kief navigating through but aparently he made it just fine. I have not talked with him in depth just that he made home.
Today James I went to City Stars Mall to eat at Macaroni Grill. The food there is just like at home, except no bacon and no wine, beer etc. City Stars is a beautiful mall but very expensive. They have lots of stores that we have in America but the prices are just unbelieveable. I don't know how they stay in business. We always go around lunch time so maybe they do all their business at night.
James was off today for the 4th. Our week is Sat-Wed are weekend Thurs & Fri. We wanted to go to La Hacienda but Eastwinds was full. Eastwind is the kennel we use for Jac Pott our dog. We are still trying to get a list of the days off so that we can plan trips when we have a 3 day weekend.

Weekend Trips

James and I have decided that with the children at home in the states we would go out of "town" at least once every month. Just to see this new world of ours. The trouble is every time I go somewhere turns out to be a great place that I want to return to. I think I have figured out away to see new places and visit the ones we like. My solution is go somewhere 2 times a month, one new place and one we want to visit again. I mean most places we visit are very affordable so why not. There are a few places that we want to go that will be a little more expensive and will only get to do one trip that month. I think I am getting used to this new life. I have been reading other blogs from people here to get ideas on places we have not heard about.
This is where we went this past weekend. I know that anyone here knows the journey to the place is sometimes as exciting getting to the place itself. I take a lot of pictures of people going on holiday because just when you think they can't pack a van any higher--they do! Have a look..........

Laredo Tex Mex

This restaurant is in the La Meridian hotel right across from the pyramids. The guacamole and salsa with chips was okay, the salsa is sweet and the chips were a little stale. Maybe not stale as they cooled they got a little tough. Please remember I am not a food critic just thought I would share our experience. The nachos were good, The chicken chimichanga's were good. The cheese quesa's were ok. We won't be eating there again because not close enough to Tex Mex that we are use to.


chips

While out driving today.........

Sharm el Sheikh

This was our first trip to Sharm and the first trip that we drove ourselves to Sharm and home. The only time we could not find our way was in Sharm looking for the Hard Rock Cafe' we got so many different directions that it is a wonder we ever found it but we did and had a good time.

We stayed at the Ritz Carlton Resort and we snorkeled for the first time. The hotel was nice but no sandy beach to play on.

Jac Pott stayed at Eastwinds kennel and appears to have had a good time.

Gone to Sharm be back soon..............

This is our first trip to Sharm El Sheik and I am so excited. I have heard wonderful things about it and I can not wait to share my pictures when we get back.

Still missing those kids of mine

I know this has nothing to do with anything about Egypt. I am still missing those kids of mine and I can't wait for them to come visit! Counting down the days that's for sure.

We are planning a trip so there will be pictures soon of something we have not visited before so that will be a lot of fun but until then it's just me missing my kids!

I have adjusted to life with out them, but I have to be perfectly honest and say I enjoyed being with and seeing my sons every day.

Have I said I MISS MY KIDS! lol

My youngest is back in the states getting ready for college and catching up with friends. My oldest is finishing up his freshman year at college and looking forward to the summer (what little summer there is). My kids are great we are very blessed can't ask for anything more!

Trying to figure out my new role.....

So here it is my baby (all 6' of him) is going home (Texas) this week and I have to say I am a little lost. Don't get me wrong I am very excited for him as he begins this next phase of his life, but I just had not planned on what I would be doing at this point. As strange as that sounds I just did not plan on what I would want to be doing and even if I had I am sure in would not have been here in Egypt. Maybe I did and that explains why I am so lost. I miss the family I worked for and the work that I did for them but I am happy not to be working at this point its nice to not to have to work right now.

I have not made a secret about being post menopausal, and while I looking back can see that the changes started well over a year ago I feel I have just in the last few months gotten it some what under control.

Which brings me back to that my children are grown and I am at 42 trying to find what my path will be. I am in Egypt and for the first time since my babies were toddlers I am not working. Wow no wonder I am so taken aback by this.

I guess it's just a time for reflection and find where my path will lead me. Have I said how very blessed I have been.

Time Change

We are now 8 hours ahead of Texas time.

My dog

The other day we took our dog to the Wadi Degla Protected area and I learned a few things I did not know about him.
First of all he is afraid of heights! Just like his owner and no it's not James. The second thing I learned was that when he is finished playing he will get back in the car and he will not get back out. We stopped while driving back to the entrance because I spotted sea shells (yes in the desert) and James and I got out of the car and went out of eye sight of our car we left the doors opened and continued to call him trying to coax him out with not luck.
I have also learned that if we go for a long walk around town Jac Pott would prefer to take the elevator instead of walking the steps up four flights of stairs (come on really if I can take the stairs he can) Maybe he has jet lag too.
I don't know what to say about all the cats that we come across during our walk. The funniest thing that has happened while walking is that we came across a puppy sleeping and Jac Pott didn't pay it any mind and the puppy once it hears us jumps up yelping like we hit it (of course we didn't) and runs then once we are a good way down the road starts barking like it finally found its nerve. Jac Pott still is not paying any attention to all of this. For the most part our walks are very uneventful thank goodness. We get asked alot if Jac Pott is a wolf he is not he is a pure bred border collie. While he has never hearded he has the instinct to do so since both parents were working championship sheep and cow hearders.
He has learned the sound of the elevators and knows when someone is in them. We had him groomed the other day and instead od using clippers like they do at home they did it by scissors and it looks really very good.

Wadi Degla Protected Area

We went back to the "desert" again and here are a few pictures from our day out:

Jac Pott in the desert

Amsterdam

These are the pictures of Amsterdam when James came back from his home leave.

Great to be home

I am back in Egypt Finally!

Weather in Texas

The great thing about weather in Texas if you don't like it wait a minute and it will change. The only weather I like is middle of the summer when its very hot around 100 and dry. That's why I wanted to move to Egypt I thought desert hot dry no humidity perfect for me. Turns out in 2008 it was hotter in Texas than in Egypt go figure.
I love thunderstorms and I have missed the rumble of thunder in Egypt. I don't mind the rain if it's in the summer but I hate it when it's 80 one day and by the afternoon it's 30. You laugh everyone from Texas knows it can sleet in the am and be 80 by sunset.
The other day a front came through and brought some weird clouds with the cooler temps. They did say on the news what kind of clouds they were but I can't remember (sorry).

About my trip home so far. The first week I was here it rained, not a little rain alot of rain. Turns out there has been a drought here so of course we have to catch up on rainfall the first week I was home. It's was okay though my car has been giving me trouble since I got here and its keep me pretty close to home. I am getting it fixed as we speak. Thank you Donald!

We (James flew in the second week I was here) have gotten our border collie certified and cleared to fly and he has his ticket and will be flying home with James earlier than me. James forgot to ask for a ticket that can be changed so I will be here a couple of weeks longer than James and Jac Pott. We have movers coming next week and have been trying to spend time with friends and family close to home because of car issues. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks I can get to seeing everyone a little farther away. My sister lives in East Texas and I did not get to visit with her before we left last July so I will for sure be in East Texas some of the time.

So I am pretty sure that I have covered the same things in the last couple of blogs. Not really anything new to talk about. I am really looking forward to being back in Egypt and getting back to day to day life there.

Team Work

James is flying in to help me get things taken care of because I have not been able to get one thing accomplished since I have been in Texas.

This has been such a frustrating trip and I hate not being able to get things done on my own. You know I am an independent women after all! James says he has never known me to ask for help and need help doing anything in 20 plus years of marriage!

Sometimes we have to ask for help and although I am not comfortable asking for help I am a firm believer that we all at one time or another needs help.

Still don't have my dog certified to fly over to Egypt, don't have the final word from LM of how they want to fly him or if they will even pay for-although they did agree to it in July when we came over.

My truck still is not working right, still have have not visited with my sister and her grand daughters, still have to pack up rest of the house and have movers pick up stuff and store it.

Finally seeing the sun here in Texas

Okay so just in time the sun has come out. I am happy to report that there will be no body. If you know me you know what that means! lol

I have enjoyed being home although I feel like I am running in circles not gotten too much accomplished yet because I am waiting for the powers that be to give us the information on shipping our dog and storing the rest of our belongings while we are in Egypt.

I still have family and friends I've not seen as of yet, but we or I will before we leave the country. James has been working hard to take care of as much as he can so that I have time for visiting.

I have talked more on my cell phone this past week than I have the last 6 months. It's kinda nice just going whenever I want but I do love my life in Egypt is so nice and stress free (thank you James for taking me to a 3rd world country) who would have guessed I would love it. So I can't wait to get back.

I have not taken one single picture while I have been home because I forgot to grab the camera. So I will post pictures when James brings the camera.

In Texas :(

I really miss Egypt! It's cold and rainy here in Texas. The good weather was last week. I am working on getting Jac Pot (my border collie) ready to travel to Egypt. We got the second year (hooray) contract so that's what is making this trip great. I have seem my son, seen my bff that came to Egypt and my niece and my bff Angela took me to get a rental car. Each visit has been short too short but hopefully one more day of non stop phone calls and I can get to some serious visiting. I have not eaten at one resturant or fast food places-trying to loose a few pounds. Praying for great news on Thursday. Need to go out of town to spend sometime with my sister and go see the ocean. I need to get my hair done, my nails done, my expedition fixed, my house packed, my dog certified to travel, whew I am tired.

Jet lagg is not back coming back home! I did very well for traveling by myself for the first time. I miss my husband we never do well when we are apart. We can't sleep, I can't eat and we are on the phone alot. I miss my husband.

Going Home

I hope to be back in Egypt soon.

We are all fine

We were not at the Khan this weekend.

We are all fine

We were not at the Khan this weekend.

Random Stuff

Here are some pictures that I have been meaning to add just have not taken the time to do it.
Kief's birthday cake. Every year for as long as I can remember he has wanted a marble cake. At home I could find a bakery that makes them but here I figured I would do it all from scratch. I love making desserts. I did alright for not cooking for years!!!! Yes the icing was homemade a well.
The belly dancers are from the Nile river boat cruise we went on while Chris was here. The toddler was just precious and stole the show. If you remember the same thing happen on the last dinner boat cruise we went on. I think it makes it better myself.

Shopping in Egypt

James went running around with one of our guards (on his day off) and another guy from our team and this is what they found.
Now I am sure that it looks quite different from what we would see at home-depending on where you go. It was nice to go and see something not previously seen by us except from driving down the highway.
We are very fond of our guards and are grateful that they offer to take us and show us around town. look at the furniture and the rugs they are beautiful. I love seeing all the people.

My baby is 18! Where in the world did the time go.......

In a few days (when I am typing this) my baby will be 18. On one of my networking sites I have a friend who's daughter just celebrated her 5th birthday and every post she ways talking about how she was crying. I understand where she is coming from.

I remember thinking when my boys who are 17 months apart (and no I did not plan that) were little that they would never get big. It seemed like they were going to be toddlers forever! Having never been around infants or toddlers growing up I was always nervous always second guessing my parenting skills or lack there of. Honest to God if it had not been for Angela (my BFF sister) and Oprah and of course God I would not have made it. That is not an exaggeration. James was a wonderful father and had a niece and a whole bunch of nephews and cousins that he adored and who adored him and so he was quite skilled in the changing diapers, dressing, and playing with little ones. I on the other hand was raised by my granny who was old school lots of work and little play so believe it or not sitting in the floor playing was harder than housework and running the house. I remember thinking that they know I am not sure of myself and they can sense it. I could not wait for them to get bigger and I looked forward to the teenage years!

God blessed me with to very handsome, well behaved young men. Nothing that we have ever faced was very serious. I had it very easy and I am so thankful. I have great, caring, respectful, considerate, kids as I say in spite of our parenting. I am not bashing my self or my husband. I just saying we did'nt screw them up too bad! They turned out pretty good.

What I didn't count on is how very fast it seems to have gone. One moment I was in slow motion and the next it flew by. I know there was life living in those years that flew by man did it go fast. I tell everyone I know who asked (and some that don't) enjoy ever little moment even the bad days because in a heart beat it's gone-just memories. One minute your in a hurry and your little ones are hanging on to your leg and your trying to get loose so you can get on with your chore and in the next split second I would give anything to have that baby hanging on to my leg slowing me down because this time I would sqaut down and give a big hug as long as he need. Have I said I can not wait until I have grand Kids!!! Just a heads up they are going to be rotten!

Every birthday of my children I in a quite moment get their baby photo albums out and look through them and this year and for my oldest last birthday I won't do that because not thinking I had all the albums stored instead of bringing them and I really really miss that.

In case your wondering I am not sad. I am so excited for my baby being 18. I am excited to see the next 18 years to see all that he does and sees in his life. I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the past, thank God for the present, and dream of the future. To thank Angela as I do every time a birthday comes around for helping me through with all those phone calls! I love you:) and to tell anyone with small children grandchildren enjoy every single minute it goes by so very fast.

Don't forget to take that moment to get to their level and hug them til they let you go. One day you will miss that!!

Happy Birthday Kief
I love you