People have been requesting stories about my trip.  I know I have a lot to say, but when I think about putting it in writing I hardly know where to begin.  So let’s see what happens here 🙂

The journey was filled with magic from beginning to end (I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating),  aside from my luggage arriving 3 days after I did, but I chalked it up as part of the experience.  I arrived Sunday night, and the rest of the group was not arriving until Monday afternoon/evening.  Rather than  spend the day alone in the hotel, I dared myself to go for a walk.  I stepped outside the hotel, turned left, and began a very long walk towards the pyramids.  Although I was well covered, I was keenly aware of all eyes on me.  I knew that culturally women were not supposed to look men directly in the eye and I felt this very strongly.  Strange as an avid people watcher to be the one being watched.  I continued walking and noticing.  I eventually came to a large intersection that needed crossing and I wasn’t quite sure which direction to choose.  By the way, there are practically NO traffic lights in Egypt, but some how it works as long as you’re not in a hurry.  Clearly my inept ability to cross the street (and the obvious fact that I’m a foreigner) drew some attention as a bedouin man slipped up along side me and beckoned me to the left.  “That way is closed, here this way, you have to go the Egyptian way”.  I was a bit hesitant at first, but as we walked and talked I trusted that his intentions were relatively honorable… he was doing his best to convince me to take a 2 hour camel ride in the desert.  Though tempted, I declined.  Didn’t seem like the best Idea on my first day all by myself 😉  He did take me to his sister’s perfumery where I was warmly welcomed and offered tea while my hands and arms were covered by all sorts of enticing scents.  Yes, I bought some.  During our conversations I mentioned I do healing work and I was taken to another perfumer who did energy work and meditation and used the oils with the chakra system.  He shared his collection of beautiful crystals that had been gifted to him by visitors from all over the world.  After this visit I parted with my Bedouin friend (and with some baksheesh for his guidance).  Somehow, after zig zagging down various streets,  I had been led back around to the to the intersection I had been found at and made my way back to the hotel.

This was my first day in Egypt.  It was not a day full of huge revelations or new insights.  It was simply a day marked by courage.