Itinerary

All I know at this moment is:

Dec 13- Ferry across Lake Nasser to Wadi Halfa in the Sudan

Dec 15 - 22 bush camping across the desert

Dec 23 - 25 Khartoum. Merry Christmas

Dec 26 - Over the mountains to Nairobi

More later, I did not bring the rest of the schedule.

Cairo to Aswan

First night in an oasis, Bahariya by name. Also first in the tent, cold and wet in the desert. We had local entertainment, I have never seen a man able to move his bum up and down like he could. Another man, up on his toes, moving his hips and lowering down, almost to the floor and up-twice. Tabla music about how they loved the village and oasis, life is good there. slow and easy. From some of my companions many 'shoulds' regarding garbage and the like. Humm, like it was in our 'olden' days, I figure. Today came thru the Black Desert and now are comped in the White Desert. Covered with mushroom shaped wind sculpted Mother Nature art works. The desert is not all sand. Sky is now peach at sunset. Day 7, on the road agaon. 500 k's today is the goal. half way to Luxor. One of the groups mother called her honey, I thought, it brought me to tears so powerful it was like the day my mother died. One never knows what can affect a person. I made a photo of a camel foot print in the desert, very cool.
Now, I have seen Hatshepstut's temple. I never thought I would see that and yesterday Abu Simbel. My life is so fantastic.
Today we went on a long feluca ride on the nile, to a Nubian village. The food was over the top delicious. And, I know if I went into the kitchen, it would be so very basic.
The normal way to drive is without headlights. Even the boats. Honking is another language, it was explained to me, but, too confusing. Can use the horn for so much.
We lost one of the survivors of this game of overlanding, he voted himself off. Some days it feels like the TV program.
Tomorrow, The Sudan. Whoo hooo. We will make it thru before they go on their new program of separation, or not.

Cairo

Busy would not even cover this city. I got new glasses, yet again. Met with AA people for a meal and the next day went to the desert for a BBQ with so many different countries represented. Egypt, denmark, Holland, Sudan, Saudi, and me. Lots of tabouli and chicken. I missed the meeting they were going to have, had a date with the Sphinx. She seemed smaller than before. My group is good so far, leader very upbeat. On the the next adventure. PS: I am not the oldest one.
Went to an AA meeting last night on a Feluca, now that was different. Another man thought we would be at the dock, not, we went right out on the Nile. I love my life.

Alexandria, Egypt

The train station in Cairo is under construction, walked thru scaffolding and sand underfoot to ask many people where to but a ticket. Finally in Alexandria, place of the lighthouse and library. Walking on the seafront, cornich, these boys just cannot behave. Part of the 'charm' of modern day. The new library is really high tech, so very modern. Maybe it will be as modern in 50 years as the buildings at Brazilia. I was almost tired to the point of getting some fast food, but then found the restaurant the hotel recommended. Many back streets later, there it was. A seafood place resembling a market. I pointed to what I wanted, it was weighed then I was sent to find a table. I asked two men to join me as they were looking for a table. The place was a bee hive of activity. One of the gentlemen was an opera singer in Egypt and his nephew in real estate. They happened to be from Palestine. They gave me the big conversation about how Muslims did not hate, well, only the Jews. It went on from there. I was invited to the house for a meal as the uncle is an artist in the kitchen. Also invited to Palestine. Interesting. Why do people want to talk religion and politics? Especially to me, as I am so a-political. I did hold my own. Then I had a little walk to the sea wall where I met four young ladies, we tried to have conversations. Lots of laughs, They are all in university, law-maths-philosophy. Bravo. I was encouraging them to stay and finish, there are enough babies in the world. Jaded that I seem to be. Shower: there is so much hair, like a bear has been shaved. Was told that the men shave everything. No wonder.
Got new glasses, again.

Galway, Ireland

Friendly as all get out. Smiles, light hearted, helpful, laughing. GREEN and rain then sun. Dramatic coast as Leon Uris said, "Harsley Beautiful". Fort on Inis Mor had a horseshoe design with the open end facing the cliffs to the sea. It had four walls around it made up of big rocks tumbled there, that stopped horses from approaching and footmen as well.

Honeymoon comes from the wine made from honey drunk at match making festivals. So there.

Ever wonder where sloegin comes from? Well, the sloe berries grow next to the juniper berries and there is the made in heaven combination.

Old castles were covered with a type of plaster that set up a chemical reaction that made them turn pink. Oscar Wilde restored one and did it as it was and: and it turned the required color, much to the shock of the locals that did not know or remember the history. Oops.

Enya started in the north in group. I did not know she even came from there, she is my sculpting music.

Saying: "Tight as a bulls ass in mating season" "It's as long as it is short" "We don't park our cars, we just abandon them"

Said of the Burren, an area of the west when foreign invaders came, "No trees to hang a man, no water to drown a man, no earth to bury a man" They left it alone.

The English invaders had the locals construct walls over mountains in the famine time for something to keep them busy and for some food.

Heard in a Catholic wedding in Galway that I had walked in on. Priest was recounting some point from St. Paul. Love is seeing it in others; if you cannot see that in the one across from you, you are in the wrong place-you should be in a mosque" He did not apologize and it was a wedding and it was Sept. 11th. Ouch. He thought he was amusing. God help him, and his parishioners.

Claddagh came from an area of Galway.

Texas

Austin: met a woman from my school days in Greece, not seen since 17 years. We had so much in common, we laughed a lot over that. It was my 28th sobriety anniversary, to celebrate we went Zip lining. Yup, flying thru the trees on a cable, yioza! Celebrate life.
San Antonio: It is really country. Went to see the San Antonio Rose country music show tonight. What fun and much more. The review covered many decades of country, blue grass, rock, and gospel. The show took place in a restored theater named: The Aztec, true to the name, the decor had immense Aztec motifs. The singers had big hair, embroidery, sequins, fancy boots, a variety of instruments, and good voices. The audience was clapping and moving with the music all during the show. When they sang, "He Stopped Loving Her Today", sadness came over me like it was today that my husband Marc passed on. How a song can move a person, even after 25 years.
Earlier in the day I was on a tour to the German part of Texas, seems that the Comanche left the German immigrants alone and protected for the very reason they had BEER. Social lubricant.
On the way back the driver took us the the oh, so famous, Luckenbach. Where, Willie , Wayland and the boys hung out. I don't know where, as it is not much bigger than a common back yard. It is a city because it has a post office. And in the same building is a bar and a little dance floor. BBQ out back and a river to dip in. Paradise for some.

Mexico and Minnesota

Well, small town life is very slow. Have gone to the next village forl "buck burger" night. I know from last time not to order lettuce., tomato, onion etc on my burger, it totaled about $6. So, this time I ordered wild rice soup, a speciality of Minnesota. Next night was Taco Tuesday and tonight was Burger night at the local VFW. Friday is all you can eat at the next village Sidewalk Bar, fish fry. My brother told me the salad bar is really varied, I asked him if there was anything green. Will see. I am painting a picture of Pe Pe Le Pew, so you know where the humor is here. So far, it has given me nothing but trouble. I got the background looking great, then put it against the wall and it clashes, oops. Tried to put a purple wash over it and that did not work either, so, will try the next option tomorrow. Cross fingers.
Mexico did not go so well either, dentist had family emergency and was not there, friend lost his wallet on the plane, and the glasses I got are not working. In fact, I saw progressive lenses at Wal Mart today for $88.00. Go figure. But, the food was fantastic and the people so nice. And not dressed badly and no rude talking. Loved it. And, I slept much.

Diaper Pins

Uses I found for diaper pins.
Inside blouse for emergency repair
pins curtains together
use for hanger on drape
use a tie back
zipper pull
button
hem
zipper locks for suitcase
clothes hanger
hang notes
staples
pin luggage tag inside suitcase
inside bag to hang keys