How the Other Half Lives.

I am going to keep this kind of short because I'm paying for the internet right now and I can post again tomorrow at the AUC for free. But anyways, we just returned from Alexandria today. Last week we were in Luxor and Aswan and saw numerous (and by numerous I mean way too many) temples, tombs, catacombs, underground passageways, sand, desert, and sun. The first 93 hieroglyphic paintings were really pretty cool, the next 813 (true number) started to blend together. The heat was unbearable (about 120) but made Cairo feel very comfortable when we returned home. Yes, home. Cairo is finally starting to feel like home and carry that sense of familiarity. Too bad we are leaving in two days for India...

But seriously, it all was very amazing to see. The train ride there and back was to say the least quite unpleasant. I learned that train food makes me sick (no more detail necessary) and I do not sleep comfortable on a bed that is 5 1/2 feet long. It did suck that I had to be sick for the entire week, but at least the hotel had a pool. While in Aswan I bought prayer beads which I am very excited. I paid way to much for them but am telling myself they "really are made out of Alabaster" and thus worth the arm and leg (and maybe other leg) I paid for them.

Alamein and Alexandria was very nice as well. We stayed at a 5 star resort in Alamein, and a hotel right on the beach in Alexandria - I mean, right on the beach. Gorgeous views of the Mediterranean. In the States these rooms would EASILY have cost a $1,000 (US) per night. I have no idea how we afforded them except to say, it's Egypt, and (even though it's 90 degrees) not summer and not the peak season. It was interesting seeing how the other half lived compared to three weeks in Cairo. At breakfast we heard a cell phone ringing and thought nothing of it until we turned around and realized it belonged to a 10-year-old boy - I think we know what demographic our hotel was serving.

Our first test/final is in two days and I have a presentation tomorrow so that's what I should be working out - but let's be serious. Class isn't until 10:30 tomorrow morning so I'll probably go watch a movie and then get up at seven tomorrow - you know that's how I do.

Hope everyone is doing well, I promise I will post more pictures ASAP and try to get an album up on Facebook. Keep the complaints coming for lack of pictures and perhaps I'll feel an increased sense of motivation, but most likely not. Take care; as always much love and good thoughts in your directions.

CM