Camels and Pyramids

A city of 22 million people and we are at the pyramids alone... A dream I tell you!
The day started out uncertain as it often does when traveling, yet ended amazing!
Madonna and MacGuiver were our trusted camels taking us through the desert.
The most hilarious was the camel ride through the market on the way to the pyramids. Picture a blonde girl in pig-tails being let through a market on a camel with her Serbian friend. All the women are in black burkas and staring. It was crazy, chaotic... like a funny move seen! I couldn't stop cussing, which only made matters worse! An embarrassing moment I will never forget.
There are 72 pyramids total in all of Egypt. The time was priceless; our own private day.
We were being led into the dessert by two Egyptian guides. One of which had 2 wives. They allowed us to climb the pyramids. The pyramids are made of 2 different rocks (granite and alabaster). The stones are huge. Our guides gave us some granite and alabaster rocks from both pyramids. Felt so lucky. Here we are at one of the 7 wonders of the world all by ourselves. Allowed to treat the pyramids as our own playground. Never in my wildest dreams did I think they'd let me do yoga poses and climb on the pyramids. A dream come true I tell you!

Egyptians

Smoke. Drink tea. Are very friendly. Drive like crazy. Walk in front of fast cars not thinking about their lives being put in danger (no joke!) 70% of the population is Muslim. Most women wear full traditional burkas. Masques are everywhere. Prayer five times a day is the common chanting sound in the country. Graffiti is seen in most areas . Tradition flat bread sold on the street is typical in town. For transportation there are cars, mopeds, 2 men riding a motorcycle with no helmets is the norm, men on horses or using horse and carriage. Fresh produce, especially bananas are sold on the street. You see men out and about more than women. Even in the masques, it's mainly men. Women are recommended to stay and pray at home but if they do enter the holy place, there is a separate place for them to pray and they must be fully covered. I went to visit a temple with my male friend who was allowed to enter in jeans and t-shirt, I was required to wear a full covering. It was bright green. While I respect culture, needless to say I was not happy at the restrictions placed on women. It felt very demeaning. I looked like fucking Kermit the Frog just because I was a bloody woman. Culturally I respect it, but as a free woman it was very hard to be judged against just because I'm female. While I love love love Egypt, I could not follow the Muslim tradition and it's great that not all women do. Freedom of religion is practiced in this country. Cairo is very liberal, yet many still follow the Muslim faith.
I had the opportunity to see a typical Egyptian wedding and funeral... The beginning of a season and the end of another. Both eye-opening. The wedding was a full party. The bride wore a hot pink wedding dress. She was beautiful! Egyptian women are very pretty. Her female friends were dressed so lovely. It was refreshing to see young women dressed in fashion with their dark hair flowing as they danced. A fun, festive event with a lot of music.
The thing I noticed the most is that there is always things being built. Lots of projects and construction. It shouldn't surprise me really, known as a country for building the great pyramids to this day they are still building all over the city.
Most Egyptians greet you with a smile and overall so nice and helpful. I think they are beyond kind and loved my time in the country. Note...while prices are high, they expect you to negotiate. It's common every day to be working for a cheaper price. It's expected. I found that to be the most exhausting. As a blonde female I stood out, but I was always treated with kindness and respect. It was so much better than I expected. After traveling much, I can say I'm very found of Egyptians, even if culturally it's okay to have up to 4 wives!

Somewhere on the Red Sea

It's raining today. Sailing somewhere over the Red Sea. It's early. I'm one of the few up. Drinking Italian coffee and staring at the sea of dark blue. I have not felt this sick in a long time. Caught a terrible cold and have no other words to say other than I feel pretty rotten. Listening to background music in French and Italian, it's pretty nice to be one of the only Americans on the boat. Most are Italian followed by Germans then Eastern Europeans. 5 languages spoken in all. I find it very fascinating.
Today is pretty much a wash. Too cold and rainy to do anything. I'm too sick to care.
Going to try and soak in the Turkish baths and heat room to try and cure this bloody cold.
As I sit early this morning I keep thinking of all the history around me...from Egypt to Jordan to Israel where I will land tomorrow. My mind can't really take it all in. I think of all the biblical passages I grew up on. Tomorrow I'm going to walk the path of Jesus visiting the Last Supper, the tomb, the Mount of Olives. It's incredible that I get to see all of this at such a young age. Crazy cold that I have and all the aches I'm feeling, I still feel blessed. Lucky am I to be here in this moment - runny nose and all...

Cairo, Egypt

4:30am, that's when my Alitalia flight landed! Mechanical problems in Rome - just glad to be in Africa. Greeted at the airport by our hotel. Had to purchase a $15USD visa for the country. Easy process so far. Met some nice people on the plane (2 Egyptian engineers who gave us their cards and said to call them if we needed anything... We were invited to go with them to their families if we felt in danger... In danger?!) Found out that we were flying in on the 2nd year anniversary of the Revolution... Advised not to leave our hotel as protest would be happening! What?!
In bed that morning/night I hear sunrise chanting from the prayers being offered for the day. The whole city sings of this Arabic melody. I lay there and ponder what's happening. Will we be safe? Will we get to see they pyramids? My life is more important than riding a camel, yet I felt a deep disappointment that we had flown all this way to be told not to leave our hotel...
4.5 hours later we awake and ask the hotel if they can at least hire a driver and show us the pyramids (in Giza outside of Cairo), they say it's not recommended today. We smile and stupidly ask again... They agree. We're off to see they pyramids, a little nervous but more excited than anything. Sometimes in traveling adventure requires risk. There's a balance. I'd never do anything too crazy but will walk the line from time to time.
Happy to say the day was amazing! Better than could have been expected. Had our own private tour of the pyramids! Was able to climb on them... The site was empty, it was like a dream...

The WC, This is why I love Europe

When traveling people think I love Europe because of the culture, the history, the amazing wines, gourmet food, and dinners with friend that last hours... But really that all comes second to ORANGE toilet seats! The toilet experience in Europe, especially Paris is too cool. I love fashion. Europe takes fashion even into the WC and that's what I think is so amazing! After a 10 hour flight I arrive today and found myself taking a bloody photo and smiling. I also love how the doors close ALL the way in the bathroom. American, can we step up to European standards in the Water Closet department? In general the quality and standard of living is much nicer, very classy. Walking through the airport there are even nice orange leather chairs to nap on. Fashion is everywhere in Europe, and coming from a girl who spends most of her days wearing spandex...I love being surrounded by high fashion, even in the WC :)

Lunch in France

Katie, Stephanie, Shopping, Macaroons, Champagne = FUN.
I was able to make a quick stop in France on this trip and see a dear friend. When I arrived in Paris this morning snow was on the ground and it was 1-degree C outside.
Met my gal pal for a great champagne lunch where we caught up on our lives and talked about future plans. I miss her!!!!
Shopping, French bakery, and lots of hugs and kisses before I headed back to the airport.

Friendships take effort. All relationships require quality time. I'm so happy to have spent the day with a dear friend. Love her. Now I'm back at the airport awaiting my flight to Rome.

Leonardo Da Vinci

Some people say having a puppy is like having a small child. When my family got me a dog for Christmas maybe they were trying to give me a hint that I needed to start thinking about having children... This dog is wonderful! It's also a huge commitment as a single woman who loves to travel. Good for me I guess. Leonardo Da Vinci, known as Leo, has real spirit. He is such a good dog. Very social and great with people. I take him with me to all of my classes...down dog now has a new meaning. I believe in community and the support of those in one's life, so Leo is a community dog. More people known him in Laguna than they know me. I'm just that gal that owns Leo...fine by me. People love to love on this little guy. Leo was the runt of is litter. At now almost 4 months he weighs 4lbs. Here's to having a fun little new guy in my life with a big happy heart. Love Leo - Now, let's just hope my cat Mother Teresa falls in love with her new puppy brother soon...

PARIS then Pyramids

I have 7 hours in Paris. Thank God! It's one of my favorite cities in the world.
Today it is snowing in the City of Lights. I land and make my way to Stephanie, my French sister. Love her! Spent the summer with her and her family and look forward to seeing her any chance I can. We are meeting for lunch and an afternoon of shopping. Going to my favorite French store Mossimo Dutti.
Sadly I have to leave Stephie and make my way to Rome. However, girl time is precious... Shopping in Paris is priceless... Or is it!:))))
I'm so happy I feel like this bright work of art... Exploding colors on the inside.

EGYPT, Jordan and Israel

So when my best guy friend had his visa denied last summer and was not able to return to the US for a year I was sad. However, when life gives you lemons - make fucking lemonade! I often find that life can throw curve balls, but it's what we do with the unexpected that makes life interesting. I choose to find the silver lining.
My friend and I decided to meet up somewhere in the world. Over Skype we each listed the top 3 places we wanted to see Internationally. Many fun places where mentioned but EGYPT was the common thread. We researched the Middle East and found ourselves booking a cruise to Egypt, Jordan and Israel. Here's to two days of traveling. I'm flying to Paris, then Rome where I meet Rajko, and together we fly into Cairo. Here's to a fun adventure. Here's to riding camels, seeing the Pyramids, walking through Petra, and exploring Jerusalem. Stay tuned for fun travel writing and photos...