Last Day (Boo Hoo!)

Sadly, my final day in Egypt has come and almost gone. We spent the morning shopping at a local craft-type fair where I got a couple of souvenirs and this cute dress for Rachel. It was made by the women who live in an oasis in western Egypt. A charity organization has helped them market their products here in Cairo to help them be self-sustaining. Then we came home for more Rachel time. She enjoys coloring, playing with her toys, and having books read to her. I have tried to get in as much Rachel time as possible in the last eight days, and I'm afraid she might be just a little spoiled now.

While Rachel was napping, I decided to get very brave and walk to Road 9 by myself. We've been there several times together, so I figured it couldn't be too hard. Nancy did give me a map, but I ended up not needing it at all. It really hasn't taken very long to get acclimated to my surroundings, and I've felt very safe here. I needed to buy some more Bandaids for my toes, so I set off to find a pharmacy. That's the only place you can find things like Bandaids. When I found the right store, I went in and asked for Bandaids. The clerk rummaged around in a drawer and proudly handed me four Bandaids. When I asked for more, she said no. Nancy says they do that sometimes to foreigners--pretend they are out of something just so it inconveniences you. It's hard to believe they wouldn't have a box of Bandaids. Oh, well, we did find a different pharmacy later in the evening and were able to buy two boxes. So while I was on my walk I finished getting a few souvenirs and bought some snacks for the plane ride and to take home to the kids. Andrew & Nancy were quite proud of this old grandma and her bravery!

I'm so glad when daddy comes home!

For our last meal together, we decided to eat on the banks of the Nile. It was a beautiful evening, the food was good (TGI Friday's), and it was absolutely wonderful to spend more time with Andrew, Nancy, and Rachel.

Andrew asked if my trip had met my expectations, and I have to give a resounding YES. I didn't come expecting to be entertained or taken everywhere to see everything. I'm glad I did some of the touristy things and also glad we didn't try to do everything. My favorite activity was just sitting and playing with Rachel. I think she enjoyed it, too. I hope Nancy doesn't have too much trouble with Rachel in the morning when she can't find Grandma in the house.

Oh, on a side note: What would a visit from Grandma be without some household fix-up chore? Andrew had purchased a tube of caulk and a caulking gun in the hopes I could help with fixing a marble piece by the kitchen sink. We finally got it done tonight. Try teaching Andrew how to use a caulking gun--at least he was better than his dad!

I'm leaving here at midnight to catch a 3:30 a.m. flight to Mumbai, India (with a stop in Abu Dhabi), so it's going to be a long night. I should have taken a nap this evening, but just couldn't miss out on Rachel time. Goodbye, Andrew & Nancy; thank you for your hospitality and for letting me do the dishes and buy you things. Goodbye, Rachel; thank you for your hugs and kisses and for letting me feed you cookies and cheese. I'll miss you all, and I hope to be back soon.

An Apostolic Blessing

As an added bonus to my Egypt trip, this just happened to be the day the Cairo branch of the church was visited by Elders Steven E. Snow and Jeffrey R. Holland and their wives. The entire branch was invited to a fireside tonight where all four visitors spoke. They expressed their love and testimonies, and Elder Holland pronounced his apostolic blessing on all the Priesthood holders, the women of the branch, and all the young women. He said the blessing came to them as if his hands were placed on each of their heads, and it was given in such a loving, sweet manner. He said to the branch, "We need you, and we hope you need us." I feel very much that we need apostles and prophets in our lives, and I'm grateful to have been here today.

After the fireside, Elder Holland was kind enough to stay and socialize and greet each branch member--and even have cookies!

Injury Update

Need I say more?

Falafel's NOT Awful

We had dinner delivered tonight--a real Egyptian dinner with falafel, foul, koshari, and pita bread. I have to admit I approached it with a lot of trepidation. Once upon a time Andrew made some falafel for us at home, and I nearly gagged. But I am in Egypt, so I braved a bite of everything. Not bad! Incredible as this sounds, the falafel sandwich was my favorite. I will eat them, Sam I Am! I will eat falafel with green eggs and ham!

Injury update: My knee just has a bruise on one side, so it's not bad. My toes, however, are a different story. I showered after we got back from the pyramids to try and get all the dust and dirt off. Just having water wash over my toes was excruciating. There was a large flap of mangled skin hanging on the top of my second toe, and I counted four separate wounds. I couldn't even move my toes and started to think that the second toe might be broken. Wouldn't that be just great? But I cleaned up the wounds as best as I could and bandaged them up again. Nancy kindly gave me an ice pack, and I just sat here reading while the ice cooled my toes. I can wiggle them a bit now, and the pain is not as bad, so I think I'l be okay. I will not be able to wear my shoes for a while, so sandals will have to do. We even ventured out to Road 9 again tonight, and I survived (albeit walking much slower now).

The Great Pyramids

My trip to Cairo wouldn't be complete without a visit to the Great Pyramids. I thought it was pretty cool that they are just sticking up out of the desert right in the middle of the city.

Andrew & Nancy have a favorite taxi driver who took us out there, waited for us, and then brought us home. He asked if we wanted to see the pyramids by camel, horse, or carriage, so we opted for one carriage for the girls and a camel for Andrew. Little did we know that it's pretty much a tourist trap to do that. Our carriage went a completely different way than Andrew's camel, so we had no idea what we were doing.

The carriage took us through tiny streets and then a very large one filled with traffic before we reached the actual entrance to the pyramids. We had no idea where Andrew was. When it was time to get out of the carriage, I climbed out first and then reached up to get Rachel. She jumped into my arms and threw me way off balance. There was a curb right behind me, and it sloped down a hill. You can imagine where this story is heading--down! Yup, down I went, hanging tight to Rachel all the way to make sure she didn't get hurt. I ended up on my back somehow, with Rachel safe and sound on top of me. My pride was hurt, and upon further examination, so was my knee and the two biggest toes on my left foot. It's a good thing I had lots of Bandaids with me. Note to self: next time you visit the pyramids, wear shoes!

Nifty horse-drawn carriage.

Like Joseph & Mary fleeing to Egypt!

Even though Andrew took a different route to the pyramids, he and his camel met up with us there. (Funny side note: the saddle on Andrew's camel slipped off, so Andrew had his own experience of falling at the pyramids! Go to heissatopia.com for details.) Rachel did not like camels up close, but she finally gave in and actually rode on one for a little while. And, get this, so did I! It's way scarier than riding a horse, but I did it. Andrew sure got a good laugh out of that!

By the time we got to the Sphinx, our carriage driver seemed tired. He stopped long enough for me to get a picture, but then he never stopped to let us out so we could walk around and see it up close. Next time I come to Cairo, we're going to do this again, but not like a tourist!

It's Friday, so it must be time for Church

Andrew was right; it does get a little confusing going to church on Friday. Yesterday felt like Saturday, but it was really Thursday. We went to church today, and now I feel like I have to leave tomorrow because I know I'm leaving on Monday night. But it's really only Friday!

It was really great to go to church and meet all these people Andrew & Nancy have been talking about for months. What a nice group of people! And so international--during Relief Society I sat with Maria, from Puerto Rico, and sang in Spanish with her. There are members of the branch from all over the world here. I'll get to see them all again on Sunday night when we attend a fireside with Elder Jeffrey R. Holland.

After church we stopped by the apartment of the family whose daughter Andrew tutors. They have access to the commissary and promised to get Andrew some great American food. We came home with real sausage, mint chocolate chip ice cream, peanut butter, and some other stuff. Andrew was in heaven!

Rachel was so tired after church--now she is down for a long nap. I'm not sure any of us has the energy to go out again, but if we do we're going to Coptic Cairo. And tomorrow we're off to see the Sphinx!

Sunset on the Nile

If you ever get to Cairo, one thing you must do is take a felucca ride on the Nile. After a long, hot day of trekking through mosques and markets, this was so relaxing! The weather was perfect, the sailing was enjoyable, and the Pizza Hut pizza was the perfect picnic.