Sabaah ilxeer!

Guess who's back? Back again... Sierra's back... tell a friend.
(preferably a single one)

I've been back in the states for nearly a week now. Egypt was such an incredible experience. I saw the pyramids, some ancient temples, and every childhood fantasy I had about going to Egypt came true.

Inside scoop: growing up in Akron, Ohio I was obsessed with Ancient Egypt. Literally, I read every story and book I could find.

I went to Egypt expecting an ancient people... Instead I found a modern city (Cairo) and remnants from ancient times (Luxor, Aswan)... And I found a people that laugh and love in a way so similar to ours yet different. there's really no adequate way to express this; but i will say that it puts southern hospitality to shame. for real.

I fell in love with Egypt and left a great deal of myself there... and I'm not talking about in the form of digestion. I was one of two people on our trip who didn't get diarrhea.

Egypt top 10

1. The Pyramids at Giza: we legit climbed up them and took a picture... okay not to the top but climbing did occur.
2. Cairo traffic: honestly, riding in a bus through Cairo was terrifying. I can only imagine attempting to navigate it yourself.
3. Ice cream and pastry shop: located on a roundabout in Al-Agouza. Seriously, the best ice cream I've ever had topped off with amazing chocolate cake creations. UGH.
4. Intern Brian: he hooked us up with deals like everywhere we went and was our cultural crutch. I'm sure we made him nervous with our willingness to talk to strange Egyptian men and wander off on our own.
5. Mafia: not the Egyptian one... the card game. We played it with our trip directors, the program directors in Cairo, at St. Catherine's Monastery, and we would've played atop Mt. Sinai if we had brought the cards.
6. Mosque: on the first friday in Cairo we attended a service at a nearby mosque. I got dressed in a higab (head covering) and it was interesting how similar it was to a christian service... Okay not similar really at all BUT there was a message and it was on morality... not to mention the fact that it centered on the importance of a moral woman b/c she brings the downfall... sound familiar saints?
7. FOOD: okay I know I already listed ice cream but the fruit and Egyptian food made my life! Kusheri, bashbussa (I'm guessing on that spelling), and the best watermelon of my life are forever etched in my stomach's memory. Besides, what kind of sloppy American would I be if I didn't appreciate the food?
8. Temples....Temples.....and more Temples: Even though I may have felt slightly temple'd out by the end of our Nile Cruise, it was awesome being there. To think I was walking on the same ground ancient egyptians had... and touched the same hierglyphics they touched totally blows my mind. I wish time travel was possible... seriously though.
9. Snorkelling in Dahab: This place...ugh... there are no words. I didn't understand when Brian couldn't describe it to us but really it's just phenomenal. The funny thing is, sure the water is the amazing shade of blue...but when you look at the landscape it's stark and brown... and then when you look under the water, it's this amazing world of every color and fish imaginable... seriously? Go. now. don't think about it... just buy the ticket and go.
10. Hiking Mt. Sinai: who needs to ride a camel up? i thought i was going to die, but it was such a great experience. besides, if Moses can do it at 90, so can you!

Readjusting to American life has been interesting. Not as dramatic as I expected, but I do miss Egypt a lot. Who knows, maybe someday I'll find myself there again.

Speaking of maybe someday....

The situation with the boy reached its climax about 2 months ago, and has been on a downward slope since. Going to Egypt let me finally let him go. So, dearest confusing male whom I had high hopes for-- see ya. I'm ready for something better.

stay tuned for more summer misadventures... it's only June :)