COMING SOON HOUSE ADVERTISING ads_leader
I left Luxor on the hopes that whatever was next would prove my trip worthy of the horror stories accumulated. I sat at the Luxor bus station with Mohammed whilst he puffed his hookah and I baked in the foreign heat. I took one puff to say I smoked the seehsha in Egypt then realized why I had passed over and over aagain. With my nausea and sleeplessness I boarded the over-crowded, sweltering, all Egyptian men but 2 other American Bus to Dehab. I had never heard of Dehab. All I knew was something about a monastery and ideally I imagined people more reverent or atleast in some way holy around those parts. Egypt has a way with time that I now know very well. Egyptians say a store is about 5 minutes walk, prepare for 30. Same goes for a 10 hour bus ride that turns into 18 1/2 hours. ! ! ! 18 and a half hours without enough leg room to even fill the floor, snuggled next to a large Egyptian man, sweating thru the seats and stopping every hour for security hassles has proven something. I am awesome.
On to Dehab around 11am, I sleep
"How Many Camels?"
My highest bid was 100,000 though Nora beat that with an offer of a million!in a greatly deserved air-condition room for a couple of hours and fend for the streets. Wait a minute... I don't have to fend. Where the hell am I??? Turns out my ass ended up on the tip of the Sinai peninsula right on the shores of the Red Sea. Only a couple of streets here and they were consumed by scuba enthusiasts and tourists alike. Apparently I have reached one of the 7 diving wonders of the world. The beach was lined with chill, loungy, overly plush seats and cheap as hell food. Hookahs abound and exotic trance music lulling out of every corner... I won't lie. I was haggled. But by no means was it in any way like the rest of the cities and by then I was at "I will nuke you and your family" bitch stage. I found a seat at sunset at some restaurant called "Chill Out." I was trying in every way to manifest this peace and the name sold me. My couch was comfortable, the breeze was warm and welcoming, my food... amazing. A stray cat, one of the hundreds there, asleep in my lap. I cried like a baby at this
restaurant. At that moment overlooking the Red Sea I broke down again in the middle of the eatery. Humility and happiness all at once.
After 4 hours of sleep... understand my schedule is so obliterated I am lucky to win more than this a night. So after 4 hours of sleep I sprinted to a travel company at 8am, found out what this place was all about and was bound and determined to experience all of it. I was offered a free breakfast. more redemption, then off to "Blue Hole." Oh, the second signs of sweet redemption. I spent the next 3 hours snorkeling in the Red Sea. I keep saying this but I will never find the words. The bliss and simplicity of the open waters, 800 meter drop offs, nemo looking bastards everywhere and complete surrender was intensified by my very soul in need of such things. Breath... You know you can do that underwater! I would say the only true test was finding an Egyptian boy struggling about 200 ft. out, whereas I put him on my back and swam him to shore. Still working on that superhero dream here. He was appreciative as was I
for the much needed exercise. Before leaving I stopped for water only to find, Richard. my adopted husband, Barry and Norah, all together. I have loved the synchronicities of running into the same people over and over. We all knew each other intimately at this point so we arranged a dinner date and I was off on my next adventure.
I met with a guide around 5pm. I was escorted to the hilarity of a riding a camel. Off I went through the Boudine village where a family made me their special and oh so yummy tea. Then, to the desert. The Sinai desert was welcoming. It was me, my guide and a Boudine youth. I felt as if the entire landscape was all for me. As Dehab disappeared into the background, and I humpty humped on the back of Mathk.. Masin.. Oh whatever, I named him Mazda, we found the shade for more tea. I soon found out whatever foreign herb that created this lovely concoction was to help "clense" the stomach. Needless to say after 3 glasses... well, have you ever tried to find a restroom in the middle of the desert? Good luck! Not to mention
I'm not in the green Appalachian mountains. Leaves? Bark? Anything?!!? Nope, again, another chance at humility and great feats of ingenuity. Somehow the fates had lead me into the White Desert, famous for full moon weddings. Based under the ancient rocks where the moon offers her love. Lots of love here. Around sunset I hiked high on the rocks for a try at meditation. I just ended up crying. I did however find more than bargained for there.
I found my treasure.
I'll leave it at that.
The group of friends I had acquired on the trip met at 9 for the "Last Supper" as we were all parting ways the following day. The feast, the company and the time here was incredibly healing and indescribably appreciated. Fun, laughter. What the hell was laughter? I forgot as much because you can't smile elsewhere. You do and your a target. I started to smile again here. The lot of us were headed for a night hike to St. Catherines Monastery. I didn't know more than that other than it was included in my trip. Ohhhhhh Myyyyyy Goooooooooodd!!! Did this offer more than I could dream of.
First let me
say that St. Catherines Monastery sits at the base of Mt. Sinai. Quick Sunday school flashback.. Mt. Sinai is where Moses was granted the 10 commandments and spoke with God at the burning bush, which is now the home of the Monastery. So Sweet!
We shuttle for a 2 hour ride into the heart of the desert. Arrive for a 1am start to a very long night. Please keep in consideration my day, my journeys and every ounce of energy in took me to get here. It's 1 am and I was starting what turned to be an insanely and wonderfully challenging hike. Ha! My ass hiked 7 Kilometers up, in beautiful darkness, submerged in camel shit and enlightenment to the top of this holy peak. Every step was one closer to exactly where I needed and wanted to be. I suppose it only destiny that my guide's name was Moses. Ever read "Way of the Peaceful Warrior?" This man was Socrates reincarnated. A magical man who floated effortlessly along the cliffs, offering wisdom in simple, quiet and profound ways. He called me sister. I followed him, the first Egyptian anyone I felt trust towards.
I met some kindered spirits
Valley of the Kings
Sweet Destiny lead me there the day they Discovered Queen Hatsheput!!! How cool was that? immediately before journeys begin and we were together for the duration. Two absolutly amazing, aware, intelligent, hippie types from California. Graham and Andrew were an added bonus to this life-changing time. They offered amazing company, stimulating conversation and might have been the only other people on the damn trip who pulsated with energy and life. Most walked in silence. The reverent and intense. Maybe it was late, maybe the hills were steep and leaving them breathless, maybe they walked in silent prayer. Not us, I believe us the athletic types, feeling the magic, and we were thriving on it. The ascension was a God-send. We arrived to peak around 4 am, shared what had to been the most amazing chocolate rewards and sat warmly watching the plethora of shooting stars, the dancing milky way and snapping magical photos. Then came the sun! "That shit was mad biblical!" My favorite Andrew quote. Ladies and Gentlemen at this moment I knew I was exactly were I was supposed to be. Enlightenment. Treasure found, accomplished, still. I will never regret coming to Egypt. My time there had been the most amazing so far. Of all the fun and crazy adventures. This adventure was
real. Real. I'll take that over paradise island any day.
The climb down only took 1 and a half hours, I was pumping. To be honest for the next few hours I carried an unprecedented amount of energy. Watch my new friends sprinting thru the cliffs as I tag behind with Moses. I offered to run with him down the cliffs and off he goes. I have to tell you, this old man kicked my ass! More humility. Lovin it! Grab a 20 min. power nap on the rocks of Mt. Sinai and tour the sacred monastery. Witness the great, great, great, great, brothers.. cousin, half-sister twice removed but somehow still related to... The Burning Bush okay! You know this might just be a theory of mine but after that insane climb, no sleep, and crazy heat I felt as if God was talking to me thru a freakin bush too. I'm just throwing that out there. I liked the sunrise! Somehow find my way back to Dahab around noon, only to pack, and shower and out on the 2 pm bus to Cairo. Just 10 hours this time. Piece of Cake! I say hello once again to the
27 million people who inhabit that insanity of a city and bar myself back in my hotel room. Is it scary that I welcome the thought of JoBurg? The most dangerous city in the world.... At least I'm working my way into all of it. Baby steps Yall.
and love, lots of love too!
COMING SOON HOUSE ADVERTISING ads_leader_blog_bottom
Tot: 0.067s; Tpl: 0.013s; cc: 8; qc: 60; dbt: 0.0441s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 2;
; mem: 1.2mb
Stephen and the Girls
non-member comment
Amazing
Christy, Thank you for sharing your journey. It is beautiful. I feel amazing things happening all around and within you. Love ya, S and Gs