Hello from the Hotel Novatel Cairo Airport well we are relaxing in our magnificent room showered, coffees, ice cream ( mmmm Movenpick ice cream is Delicious!!! ) and room service burgers what else could a man ask for, we are resting today as tomorrow is a full day of flights with the first a 3 hour trip back to Frankfurt and then 8 hours to JFK in New York City ( Business Class YAAAAAAAY ) we have no choice but to mail home a big parcel as our bags are just about ready to explode!!
We leave Egypt with contrasting thoughts the exasperation of the constant Bakshis ( Tipping ) the magnificence of its temples and monuments to the poverty and crowdedness of Cairo, we will never forget our experiences and are all the wiser for what we have seen and experienced ( Sam even told a little boy to bugger off yesterday when he held her hand to help her off a boat and then promptly asked for a handout she had had enough of everything coming at a cost with very few real attemts at communication being made unless they wanted something?
Thanks for your continuing comments Gerv you are a champ mate and im looking in New York for a brace for that bad back!!!! Ok enough from me heres Sam to say Hi!
Well guys Ralf pretty much summed up our feelings of this contrasting country. It is very hard for Australians who are a friendly bunch to be wished a Happy New Year and then asked for money for it- wow. Saddened by the image yesterday at the end of our balloon flight when we landed in the rubbish dump on the West Bank to have many children run at you all wanting money, then trying to grab at stuff in the mini-bus. Enough of the negatives... the amazing things I have seen and touched over the past 8 days is incrediable. Places that really affected me were Saaqura the step pyramid, Philae Island, Abu Simbel and the Valley of the Kings, sitting in the shade of the mountains at the V of K was again goose bump material it was like a presence was around very special. Loving the hotel we walked in this afternoon and it was like Heaven just the foyer... let alone the room! Great to have all your messages, Gerv we will think about you sweating while we freeze in New York (-1) tomorrow!!!
Keep following along a new adventure is about to begin. Germany and Salzburg seem so long ago. Love to you all Sam hey me too Ralf xxxxx
Hey guys - just in at Bathurst hospital and there is a free computer. Very quiet here this morning and just checking on some very sick patients. I absolutely empathise with you about the tipping and the handout of money. I find it so difficult myself - and the thronging is even worse. Now you have a little understanding too of what it is like to work in a military aid station - being clawed at every moment and knowing that you are but a drop in the ocean compared to the 100's of thousands that are around you.
ReplyDeleteOn a lighter note - I just know you are loving the Novotel. I just went and cruised the site and WOW. It'll make a heavenly difference to just sit there and be.
Love the Egyptian wear - is it Egyptian cotton by any chance? And what a buffet. I wouldn't be able to make a decision - even a large menu is daunting - but seeing it all spread out - that would just be too hard.
Well - machines going ping again - must away. Enjoy the flights - I know Trish is sending you an e-mail with some stuff about the inns and outs.
Lots of love
Alex
xxx
Good Morning Ralfy and Sam - peace at last at the hotel! You must be relieved.
ReplyDeleteI have to ask Ralfie - was that fresh cream in the desserts???
Man - what a spread - and I loved the Australian Crocodile.....good to see he got the right colours.
I had to wonder how you would go with the handing out of money. Sammy - Alex is alot like you and wants to help everyone and I know she finds it hard. I suppose I am alot harder than that and brush most of it aside - it helps too that I act as sort of protection for Alex and gives me another focus. I'd dearly love to visit India - but I am afraid that that is just too many people and too much for the senses - I am not sure that we would cope well.
The age and the sense of the place apart from that sounds amazing. I can't wait for our Northern Africa experience. I've always wanted to see Egypt. You make is sound delightful. Well - apart from landing in the rubbish dump I must say.
Another warm one here with threats of thunderstorms. It is currently around about 21 degrees (5ish in the morning). Getting into the gym early to avoid some of the heat. Hoping it is going to rain just to alleviate the stillness. Got to mow again too - the grass is going nuts.
Alex and I are on here at the same time - I've just been speaking to her on the phone - we are having a race to see who gets the blog up first.
Love
T xxxx
Hello I love your outfits,and the spread looks to good to eat ok I DON'T need that kind of talk haha Keep having lots of fun and 1- sound ok hey its a lot better then what you had in austria. just taking all the christmas stuff down and cleaning up after it I much rather be sitting in front of that spread.Love you take care Mum and Dad
ReplyDeletePinched Seb's can of bake beans for tea, hurry up Lynn and get here, before they admit me to hospital for being anorexic,
ReplyDeleteLuv Gervy
Hey Gerv - tell the kids to put their shopping list together - Tuesday's is shopping days and if it isn't on the list it doesn't get bought!!
ReplyDeleteT
Gerv,Seb and Steph, I hope you are not expecting me to come up there and be your fulltime cook and house cleaner. I am actually looking forward to a holiday, so you all better get your act together before we arrive wed night!!!!!
ReplyDeleteLynn - good luck with that! See you soon.
ReplyDeleteCheers
The Girls