back from Egypt - Habibi Nation

So it's 11:30 at night right now, I'll probably take an hour to finish this up, get my now-clean-once-rank-smelling laundry before bed, am working with repercussive "presents" from Egypt (if you've ever been you'd understand - and no, I didn't drink the water or eat the fruit), and feeling an overwhelming sense of duty to my classes which seem to be hitting all of us all at once (4 class periods and we're already having the final this week!), but I had a desire to get updated once more. It's been over a week since I've gotten on to update or anything but here it goes.

Friday May 9th
the memorable part of this day was going to the Western Wall or as we say in the States, the Wailing Wall. Phenomenal - it was a temple experience as Alyssa and I found out due to the mood we got in. I've been asking people for their life stories lately. Alyssa and I had gotten into a good discussion one night and so the walk to the western wall was a follow-up and a way for her to get to know me better. I told her about Tannon and that experience I have in my life continually. This made us focus on our pasts and what beauty lays behind us. The future was present when we got to the wall and found so much life and hope for the new. The present lay with us as we touched the original west wall to the Old City where so many prayers were rolled up and placed in corners. The reverence and faith that was there as prayers were being offered up to our Lord. There was a division between the men and women's side which aided in the feeling of family because there were cultural barriers between us women. A group from a jewish university began singing songs and dancing, slow reverencing once as well as lively ones that welcomed in Shabat. We were there to observe them welcoming in Shabat and in turn were able to join in the celebration. Shabat should not be a mundane day where sleep is the primary concern. Although I am at fault for this it was very... rejuvinating? eye-opening? invigorating?... to wElCoMe iN the sabbath. I got a recording from it and am so thankful for that - a field recording to remember the beauty of the night.

Saturday May 10th
I was able to see Sister Cochran this morning before church and nearly flew out of my seat to give her a big hug. It was beautiful to be able to see her, a wonderful woman that I look up to in so many ways and respect so greatly. Emily Ward, Jenn and Deb Weiss, and Camille Finlinson sang a beautiful arrangement of a peaceful hymn today (be still my soul? nearer my god to thee?). Nursery was wonderful and is always keeping me alert for new ways in which to communicate and interact with dear children (not just my own beautiful niece, Halbert). We also today went to Orson Hyde Park as well as the Garden of Gethsemane. It was neat to be able to walk peacefully down the walk at Orson Hyde (I'm still looking for the prayer to review and read. I hear it's amazing and quite profound) and while in the Garden enjoy the simple, rather small area. I wasn't feeling the hottest so the rest was very enjoyable. It's been great to see how we each are taking care of each other and the reciprocation of action, making sure all are at least alright. A man let us into another portion of en fenced olive trees which was nice because it was our close group, able to study as we pleased, contemplate as we felt, and enjoy the beauty in a more silent manner. This is a really special group that I'm here with.

Sunday May 11th
Today was devoted to making our way to the Egypt border. The bus ride for me was primarily with Will Armstrong. We talked about much and enjoyed the window scenery as well (sleeping). We discussed Will's girl for quite some time which was very enjoyable to hear (I love hearing people talk about people they care for or have strong connection to). On the way we stopped at Avdat where some exploring was done, a Kibbutz where we toured and learned of a way of life we will one day live but I don't think really comprehend today - law of consecration, communism in the ideal stage, where we ate dinner and then another kibbutz later down the road right near the Jordan/Saudi Arabia border where we learned a little more about Abraham from Bro. Draper and Ostler, after which Nauvoo legpull, arm wrestling, and hand pull games were played (as well as some yoga by Sarah Rowley, tumbling, and even a small group of swing dancers)

Monday May 12th
Another day devoted to travel, with Will and Adri (my roomie for the next week). From here we crossed the Egyptian border in very good time, discovered what squatter potties were and what the next week would really be like - interesting bathrooms to say the least, no clean water, constant hand sanitizer, no fresh fruit or veggies and only cooked items, beautiful heat (it actually did get rather hot but I figure I avoided sunstroke with lots and lots of water and we were all sweaty/smelly together that nobody noticed), and the need to definitely avert eyes as a blonde, blue eyed, American woman. The stigma American women have is quite sad. The idea that we like to be taken advantage of was the worst - making you feel dirty every time leaving the bazaars (nothing more than a kiss on the cheek happened... to me at least... but that's also why we traveled in groups and I traveled I think always with a guy at least, my "husband or boyfriend" I decided by the end of the week). Crossing the Suez Canal was neat because we never once saw it - we went underneath and only once did we see a ship - to us it was on land. Africa by Vocalpoint became the theme song for the way to Cairo - suiting I figured.

Tuesday May 13th
By this point I feel rather fat because we seem to always be bussing around and eating for meals - well, I guess now is as good as ever to gain the freshman 15 I avoided so easily the last 2 years. We went to the Cartoche factory last night where I bought a beautiful gold and diamond ring... scary for my track record but it was my own money so who knows. The Egyptians definitely barter differently than elsewhere that is for sure... similar to Mexico - they'll nearly chase you down to try and get you to agree to a price (best phrase "hello, want to give me your money?" that made us laugh the most while in the bazaar). We toured a little more, visited the papyrus place where I learned later on what commission really is and how the best price is not offered when they trying to offer you "student price". We visited a few places of which I don't remember the names right now... at least I do remember we visited the the Three Great Pyramids of Giza (Khufu, Khafre, Menakaure) and the sphinx. Cairo is very dirty and the driving... really, when people say it's a 3-laned road but 5 lanes were made - that's veritable (and to think we were in ginormous buses too!). Tonight was when we took a flight to Luxor... for being so tight on security everywhere else it was interesting at this airport - I don't remember who I was but I definitely had a random ticket from somebody in our group. This flight was very enjoyable indeed because I was able to get to know Lexi a little better (she's not only drop dead beautiful, she's also a very drop dead beautiful girl on the inside as well!). Our hotels in Luxor were not as nice as the ones in Cairo but the Mercur Hotel was clean, had a pool which felt heavenly, was right on the Nile (the clean part of it versus the filthy part in Cairo), and near the bazaar.

Wednesday May 14th
Luxor is much cleaner and more beautiful. We shopped in the small bazaar the first day... well I went a number of times to the bazaar for water, shopping, the large bazaar - you name it. I definitely found my homework good in prices - scarves should be bought for no more than 25 Egyptian Pounds (I should have been able to get the price down more), the linen scarves I found for 5-6, check real silver for the official stamp after which they shouldn't charge you more than 4 pounds for 1 gram (although everyone does), don't go down the people's market - kind of creepy as a girl even when you have a guy with you, tourist market is much better. We went to the Temple of Karnak which was beautiful and enormous beyond belief... really, I don't think I yet believe it, after which we went to the Luxor Temple... not as large but I guess that's all relative since to Ramses II and all those pharaohs building edifices, obelisks, statues 15-20 meters high was of no real importance hahaha. The camel and faluka ride were exceptional by the way (I really want to see what it's like to have a camel take off in a controlled run - comparable to a horse?)

Thursday May 15th
This was our earliest wakeup call which at first they said was going to be 3:15am... it was ironic the rejoicing that went on when the finally changed it to 4am. We went to the valley of the kings were we were able to go inside Ramses the II's tomb, 2 more and the ultimate favorite - King Tut's (he was small! about 5'-2" max height!). Out of here we stopped by an Alabaster Factory which was nice, informational, but I learned the best prices are definitely found on the market as long as you know what to look for. By this point in the trip we'd had a number of people not feeling too hot off and on but nothing serious to the point of hospitalization. We had quite the time for freetime and so mass shopping occurred before we had to meet and get on the train back to Cairo. The train ride wAs bumpy but I really enjoyed it (up until waking up - getting the "sea legs" back was difficult). Erin Ladle had the accident of the trip - getting her fingers smashed in the door of somebody's room because there was just such a large group at the dance party. Turns out two of the three fingers were broken - interesting Egyptian souvenir! It was nice tonight because not only were the train compartments reminding us of Hogwarts Express and Anastasia but Adri (I love her!) and Laurens Call and Thompson's room opened into ours. We played a rousing few rounds of Phase 10 with Will Armstrong after which we got ready for bed and Kevin Lang came by to talk and give us a "bed-time" story. I love getting to know people slightly better and understand what makes them tick. He told us of 3 of his 9 siblings after which the real story (at which point Adri fell dead asleep) came from a spiritual thought about a man giving a blessing to a black man before the blacks could hold the priesthood saying he would one day help ordain somebody to high authority - first presidency was contacted and replied to simply keep quiet until the day came, day came and later down the road that man did help in the ordination showing God has a time and way for everything to be fulfilled. It really isn't our time but the Lord's we've been given to use at this time!

Friday May 16th
We arrived in Cairo about 5 in the morning, ate breakfast in the hotel and had church in a meeting room there. It was different because it was in a setting more similar to a forum. I've enjoyed how church isn't according to the day or the setting in which we are in. I remember a time when we held church in someplace we vacationed at with Tannon on what looked to be a ranch, relaxation place. As long as proper authority has been given and the proper ways are carried out, church is anywhere we make it! Becky, Channing, and Mike Hansen spoke with a large musical group arranged by Jenn Weiss in which I participated in. It was a wonderful experience. However, like the rest of the trip - we weren't about to start resting now. From here we were given a few minutes to spruce up and hit the buses to go tour the Egyptian Museum in Cairo which was nice but now I was joining my fellow compatriots in feeling a little less than beautiful with Egypt Presents and such. The Museum was definitely memorable with the amazing artifacts. After this we went to the main bazaar... which for our group turned out to be less scary (although more protection was taken here because it's a high problem here) than Luxor. Bartering was much easier here for cheap jewelry and I found that traveling with Bruce Steed and Randy is always very nice because they are two of the largest guys in our group making the local men simply say hello to them and comment on their three wives or girlfriends (really, and I thought I needed to be Mormon in order to receive polygamist comments!). Sleep was welcome but not until after we had an amazing dance party with a native girl coming in and showing us what real dancing was (I've never seen anyone shake like that before - it was amazing, even more precise than Tahitian).

Saturday May 17th
A testimony is really found in the serving of others. We left early in order to get back by 10 in the evening and snorkel in the Red Sea. Kevin sat next to me and wasn't feeling so hot... as in really feeling sick I think. I found that by trying to make him feel better any way possible (similar to what I'd already done to Ashley Cooper and others) caused me to love him more (again, similar to the others I had already tried to help). Yes, I had unpleasant presents from Egypt but I was actually feeling quite alright which is a blessing for my body to have reacted so well as to not give me pain or extreme discomfort. Checkpoint took longer than we expected because we are supposed to be "tourists" (that's our visa anyways) but we had all similar bags and some had books in them giving the impression we were students... tricky tricky. We swam and snorkeled in the Red Sea just on the other side of the border which was nice for the experience, was beautiful (Cancun was better) but the physical activity was part of the best I think because we'd gotten so little and the swimming felt good on our bodies. Afterwards Kevin and I sat together again and I learned quite a deal about his family as well as he about Tannon. It was very nice because we were able to talk for a good 2 hours about our lives, spiritual matters, I was able to ask some questions, we talked a lot about blessings and the power of the priesthood (I asked him questions Dad would that are deep and definitely take internal thinking "what are you feelings on being able to be a barer of such a power?" and such - it shocked him but was very nice indeed). At this point I realized that I really appreciated being able to talk to him and have reciprocal communication (what happens every time someone opens up a small part of their life to you) from someone I respected. I really am with quite the amazing group. I've learned about so many of the girls and now I am learning about the guys - wow. This bus trip was exceptionally good not only from the amazing conversation we were able to have but also because we slept nearly the entire time else (if not then I was working on Old Testament reading which was nice too). Theme songs on the way back while Kevin was asleep were Africa by Vocalpoint and my piano mix from Jessi Cheney. It was interesting for the remaining 2 hours of the drive when we were winding down from talking and getting rather tired because as seatmates we fell asleep to reggae - I like a lot. ps - I'm glad I'm not too tall and have to deal with seats that don't have enough leg room because these seats weren't conducive to tall people very much as a number of people vocalized.

Sunday May 18th
We got home the night before (my bus at least) just before 10pm to go in for dinner at the Oasis and sleep. Sleep was very blessed. I found in the morning that there was an odd repugnant smell to our clothes I hadn't smelt before... more presents from Egypt. Classes were difficult this morning because we are simply so exhausted from the constant go go go but I made it through Old Testament with a breeze and learned about David's fall, NES was alright (hadn't done the reading but he gave today as a grace and so I have to do it before class on Tuesday), Muslim was slightly too long with out enough clear direction but from what I got out of it the French and British reorganized and realigned boundaries after WWI. Food is amazing but I'm still not hungry at all. I slept... for 3 hours today. I caught up on some Old Testament, still have a lot more though, and finished off my night loading all my pictures from Egypt (ps - check out picasa - there's some pretty good ones even though I didn't edit all in detail) while watching The Great Escape with Bryan, Jenna, Jonathon, Randy, Mike Hansen, and a number of others.

Alright, I believe I've finally caught up. With just one more though to go I am going to bed because my stomach is disagreeing having stayed up so late

from Channing's talk in church Friday "ask the Lord for those mountains that you may climb and conquer with his help... while we are kings and queens [in this life]. Those mountains are the paramountal changes in our lives sometimes"