Happy day after Thanksgiving!

Okay I have to say I am really glad Thanksgiving is over with! it was harder than I thought it would be but I did survive. Seems wed night was the night for meltdowns!

We had a wonderful thanksgiving dinner on the roof. The wives all got together and cook for all the men on the team. They all did a great job. Lots of food to eat and great conversation with Friends. To show their appreciation the guys got flowers for us! It was very nice. One of the other wives picked out the arrangements for each table and then let each of us take one.

Now remember there are flower shops everywhere and now they have Christmas trees!

Happy Thanksgiving

We have so much to be thankful for this year. I hope that everyone has the best day visiting with family and friends and of course cooking and eating.

Happy Thanksgiving from the Noles family!

Porto Marina

Okay now I'm just rubbing it in! It is beautiful here and I can't wait to go back next spring. It's a perfect place for a weekend get away or a family vacation. No alcohol is sold here, but you can bring your own wine or whatever. There is shopping and boating and Rory there is a golf course! There are 3 outdoor pools 2 water slides and an indoor heated pool/spa.
The hotel says the busy season is June-October

This resort is beautiful. If you notice in these pictures there are no people because this is the "off" season. It was a bit chilly (not swimming in the outdoor pool or the sea but I enjoyed sitting on the beach and soaking up some sun.

More pictures to come, tired from the long bus ride, next time we will take our own car!

A bunch of ramdom stuff

So much to talk about!! Went to the Giza Zoo and that will be a blog all on it's own because there are so many mixed emotions about that. We had a really great time there but it's a lot different than going to the zoo in the states. I will get into this in detail but not in this blog today. I have a lot of pictures that are on James' my space page (I tried to put them on mine-crappy up loader) so go to James' if you want to see them now. They will eventually be on my space and here (some of them).

Okay we met new people from Texas wouldn't you know it and we are really enjoying their company. We went to the zoo with them and then to a restaurant that was really good. I just really have enjoyed spending time with them. God just put these people in our lives and they are just wonderful.

I have joined a bible study class here and I have to say that I am so excited about it. I have never heard of this series before Living beyond Yourself --Beth Moore, but I am really enjoying it. if you get the opportunity to do this bible study do it!
I bought myself a new study bible and I got it today. I was so emotional and I almost cried. This is the first bible I have purchased for myself. the bible I have used my whole life my granny gave to me in 1978 for Christmas. It was really special and I love that bible for so many reasons. I did not bring it because I didn't want anything to happen to it so I needed a bible to use here. Its must sound silly but I just wanted to share this experience.

I have started Christmas shopping already, not nearly as easy as it sounds being half a world away. I think I am up for the challenge though! Went to City Stars Mall walked all over that place and still did not find the store I was looking for! Good grief that place is huge. i am very disappointed in my shopping skills not being able to find my way around a mall!

Sill have not heard about the second year yet so kind of in limbo (not really) just want to get my mind around another year or going home you know how I am that way!
I have been going to CSA and taking classes my very favorite is the tower/reformer Pilate's classes-what a work out!
I have never done these classes before but they are great.

We are going out of town for a quick trip just two days and I am hoping to lay on the beach and read and relax. Storing up energy for Italy. I can not wait to see my son. I don't think I could stand it a day longer than the 13 of December. Its been a few years since we had a great family vacation and this is going to be the best one yet, although it will hard to top Disney World. I don't care how old you are that's the best place. I can't wait to go back to Disney World when we get back to the states!

So I will get those pictures and that blog done about the zoo in the next week and have pictures of us at the Sea again (all new place though).

Giza Zoo

The picture of the caged cats was too funny. It is really a bird cage but there were more cats than birds.

I wanted to just say about our experience at the Giza Zoo was pretty cool getting to hold these animals. The down side of that is that this zoo is nothing like any that you would find in the states. If your an animal lover it will break your heart because of the way these animals have to live.

Italy

In less than a month we will be going to Italy. I am so excited there is so much I want to see and do while we are there. My family will be all together again and there are no words to describe how much I am looking forward to seeing my son. Its going to be the best vacation ever.

I do however need advice. I have heard that pick pocketing is a problem so I was wondering can anyone give advice about riding the train as far as keeping our luggage safe from Rome to Venice?

Any other tips or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Better today

Much better today than yesterday. I went to the CSA and tried out some really good classes. I need a really good work out and got one! May not be able to move tomorrow but it was worth it. It's beauty day manicure, pedicure & massage. I can't wait

On my way to the CSA I pass several florist and the have poinsettia's. It's almost Christmas and I can't wait!!! They also have azeala that are just beautiful.

My prayers are with Angela and her family.

The hard part about being so far away.

In the early hours (US time) I get a call from my best friend Angela. Her brother has passed away. Several weeks ago he was involved in a motorcycle accident.

This is the hard part of being a half a world away. I can't put my arms around her and tell how very sorry I am and that I love her and that every things going to be okay. It has to be enough to talk for as long as she needs to until she thinks she can sleep. She knows I love her and she knows every things going to be okay. We all know how crazy things can get and how many times has she been my safety net that gives me somewhere to rant and rave, hug and love and totally understands my emotional roller coaster. So Angela just know half way around the world I love you and yes every things going to be okay. Call anytime. Please hug your mom and dad and tell the brothers and sister our thoughts and prayers are as they have been for the last few weeks with each and every one of them.

I love you

How time fly's when your having fun

Just talked to Shannon glad she made it home safe and sound. Fastest 10 days ever!



I know that everyone can relate to this subject. It seems that time is just flying by since we got here. The things we have seen and the places we have gone, it has all just been amazing. That's part of the reason we have agreed to stay another year if there is a second year to stay for. We won't know for sure for another month so we are just going to enjoy this experience and if it's Gods plan for us to be here (God willing) the contract will get worked out. If not then he will lead where we are suppose to be.

Aside for a couple of "issue's" that are not related to Egypt we have had the time of our lives. It's no secret that we would not have seen any of this had it not been for James' company sending us here. So we of course hope to either stay here of go to another country. We really are praying we don't have to go home yet.



There are some very positive things that I noticed and discussed with my friend Shannon who was visiting from the states.

The first thing we both noticed is how much walking we do here in Egypt. At home while I was busy my life did not involve walking for any length of time. If things were really crazy the first thing I gave up was going to the gym. There were days I was running all day, but most of it was driving. So that's been a big plus is that we are able to walk and walk a lot. I guess it's a bonus that I can't drive the company car for insurance purposes. I at first was pretty mad because I love to drive, but it sure has been fun exploring this town by foot.

Unless you live in downtown (Dallas/Fort Worth) walking to the store or anywhere is not an option. So if your coming to visit someone in Egypt walk, walk, walk to get use to it before you get here!!!



The stress that I had in the states is not an issue here. It's true that I am not working over here. Shannon was here from 10 days and while it was a busy 10 days it was for the most part stress free. So needless to say Shannon did not want to go home. I knew that she would love this way of life here. I guess there are plenty of things here that could stress you out. Like not getting your shipment when your told you will get it (we have all been there). My advice is keep an open mind. There are things here that I had never seen in the states, keep an open mind.



Although we are eating healthy I have not lost the 10 pounds I gained before we got here, or the additional 3.9 I gained eating the cheesecake and bread here. In my defense they said we were going to a third world country and somehow in my brain I decided I wanted to eat all the foods I love and throw caution to the wind because I thought I would lose it very quickly once we got here (haha). So needless to say I will need to give up the cheesecake and cut back on the bread and be more constant working out and join an exercise group. So just so you know they have GREAT food here in Egypt. Just ask Shannon about the authentic Egyptian, or the Nubian food. That was good stuff!



I keep telling James I need at least two years to see everything I want to see. James' boss says three because I will think of more stuff the second year. Next week we have a quick trip planned and the next month we have our trip to Italy. There are two companies that set up trips for us here, plus a group that sets up trips every month that you can go on. Some are just day trips some are overnight or multi-day trips.



If you think Cairo (Ma'adi) is a laid back lifestyle (until they get behind the wheel of a car) Lu xor is even more so. Its beautiful, friendly and cleaner than Cairo. I can't wait to go to Aswan.



We are also wanting to go to Romania and do the Dracula Tour. Google that, it looks so interesting! So maybe in the spring (depending on if we are staying another year or not) we want to go on a 5 day safari.



I know that before I know it, it will be time to either go home or go to another assignment so I just want to enjoy this day by day. It's a wonderful experience.

Going to the Khan

It's not secret that the Khan is my favorite place. I wanted to make sure Shannon got to see it and experience the atmosphere. I knew she would love it. It does get crowded but it is so worth getting to go there whenever we want.

Maids that come at 7:00 pm on a friday night

I am not sure if this is something that is not spoken about where everyone looks the other way, but I am not happy about this. I will say that there are good maids and cooks that are exactly that, this does not apply to them.

Tonight last night with my friend from home we went for a walk down our street and upon returning to our building there were 3 Philippine ladies signing in with security. The first 2 were "regulars" but the 3rd one was new and the guard was trying to get her information from the sign in sheet. Mind you this is the same sign in sheet that my friend from the states had to sign in to upon arriving. While asking this 3rd lady questions she walks away saying her passport is good for 10 years. Now excuse me but if it is and you've written the number down and anyone questions it what is the issue with showing it?????

Come on ladies we are not stupid. I do not live in an area in the states where I have to explain to my children why married men have "maids" coming (in high heels) at night. Are we really that stupid.

Not too many things set me off but you have seen one of them. I know these ladies would not be visiting our building uninvited and while we have several single men, we have a few married men that seem to be enjoying the "maid" service available here.

I get it takes two to utilize the "maid" service. I am not saying it is the "maids" fault. They clearly are providing a service. Maybe I have found out Cairo's dirty little secrets. I do not care for it at all.

Feel much better now that I have gotten to vent. Oh and guess I will be using that new suggestion box we got in our building.

Can't wait for the wives to come visit at Christmas, won't that be fun.

Our last day with company from home

I have had a childhood friend visiting from the states and today is our last day here in Egypt. Of course 10 days are not nearly enough time to see every thing but we have seen and done alot.

So more to come in a couple of days.

More Luxor & Pyramid pictures