Egypt

This past week was one of the most amazing weeks of my life. There is not one thing we did that I didn’t absolutely love. Although we were in Cairo during all the craziness, we were safe the entire time, our security guards and Jerusalem Center leaders kept us safely away from even the possibility of any danger. Unfortunately we were not able to go to the Citadel or the Cairo Museum but we were excited to be in Egypt during this historic time. I have grown to love the people in this area. I love Egypt so much! I’ll go through the details of what we did each day on this trip of a lifetime.

Sunday: Day 1

I have only been on this study abroad program for 3 weeks but I literally feel like I am a different person. I have changed and grown more in the past month than I ever thought possible. My relationship with my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ is more amazing than I ever could have imagined. The first day of our trip was spent on the bus with some stops at some biblical places where we were able to see the ruins of some ancient temples. Towards the end of the day we got off our buses and stopped at the sand dunes. I can’t even describe this place- the sand feels like silk it is so smooth and everywhere around it looks like there are huge spoonfulls of sand plopped down on the ground. We had about half an hour to play and run down these giant hills of sand and it felt like we were running down clouds- the sand was so smooth and we were running down so fast that most people flipped over themselves at the end of the hill. After our playtime we were invited to go off somewhere we could be completely alone in the desert and wait until we heard a bell ring to open up a piece of paper we were given, then fill out the paper until the bell rang again to round us all up. I looked around the desert and thought about Lehi and his family wandering through this land and wondered how they found food, water, or knew which direction to go. As I sat by myself looking around I prayed to my Heavenly Father about all the questions I have in my life right now. I had a conversation with him and poured out my heart- my worries, fears, and confusions. Then I heard the bell ring and the paper invited us to read 1 Nephi 2: 4-5.

After reading that scripture I was overcome with the spirit and realized that just as the Lord led Lehi and his family and guided them to where he wanted them to be, he will lead me and be with me if I put him before all else. I can’t explain in words how that made me feel but all I can say is that I felt so much peace that I have been looking to feel for quite a long time. After writing all my feelings down we were invited into small groups to sit around a bonfire, sing hymns, and share our testimonies. Through this experience I realized how important it is to spend time on my own when I can talk to my Heavenly Father without the influence of the world around me. I can honestly say that night was one of the most spiritual experiences I have ever had and I could have sat there alone with my Father in Heaven for hours- the time went by too quickly.

Monday: Day 2

Things I learned on my first day in Egypt:

· It is completely normal for people to stand at the median or on the side of the freeway

· At least 20 people can cram into a van

· Most people live in apartments and when they purchase them they are also required to put their own windows in, so every apartment complex has different decorations outside each individual home

· Camels are completely common

· The lines painted on the road are “for decoration”

· At least 3 cars can fit into 2 lanes

· Holding a child while driving with your wife holding an infant in the seat next to you is just fine

· Don’t be surprised if someone exits a bus on the freeway

· There is a reason we don’t drink Egyptian water-large dead animals in the Nile

· 300,000 stones make up the Great pyramid with some weighing 30 tons

· most bathrooms don’t have toilet paper and cost money to use

· hot chocolate means hot water with a dash of cocoa

Tuesday: Day 3

The Giza pyramids are even more amazing than I imagined. I was giddy with excitement- I think my friends were slightly embarrassed by me. Each individual limestone is HUGE! I was amazed! 100,000 people worked on these pyramied and 10,000 people died during the process. We were able to go into the middle pyramid which was also a really neat experience. Other items on the agenda: statue of Ramses II, sphinx, papyrus factory (I got the neatest papyrus for my future home), and buffet meals. The pyramids and sphinx were so cool- I found myself all day wishing that my family could be there with me to experience everything that I was seeing. I love you guys! We took a plane that night to Luxor.

Wednesday: Day 4

We went to the Valley of the Kings and saw 4 tombs- the hieroglihps are incredible. We also saw the mummy of King Tut- a lot smaller than I imagined. The highlight of this day was our sail boat ride across the Nile (by the way our hotel was literally on the Nile) and then a camel ride around the city of Luxor. My camel was so nice- his name was Alababa, my guide was also very nice- maybe a little bit too friendly. Most of the other guides were younger so I chatted with them instead, they named me Shakira. The camel ride was so neat because we were able to go through the city and see the people, wave to children as we passed by, and look at the beautiful land. That night we went to the shuuk and did some shopping- I bargained and got a 2 dollar scarf which I was very proud of. One of our market friends that we met gave my friend some advice on how to win me over and told him to buy me for 100 camels. The next day when my friend went back this man asked him if we were together yet. He also set up Kaitlin and another one of our friends. Gotta love the markets. In that night I was proposed to, told I have beautiful eyes, that I look like an Egyptian princess and surrounded by about 4 men who wanted to take a picture with me (don’t worry I hurriedly got away and stood by our friend who was our protector for the night).

Thursday: Day 5

This day wasn’t that great. We didn’t really do anything that exciting and everyone was dying of boredom…Just kidding. Another day filled with adventures! We left our hotel on a motorboat and sat on top looking around this amazing city. We arrived at the Carnak Temple and saw one of the seven ancient wonders of the world- 134 columns that are enormous in the Carnak Temple- another day I’ll tell you how they were constructed-pretty ingenious. We also went to the Luxor museum and took a carriage ride that day. The afternoon was spent relaxing and by the pool- nice to get some sun ( I have a great tanline from all the modest clothes I’ve been wearing). That night we got on a sleeping train to make our way back to Cairo- we crammed about 10 people in a tiny room to play games- oh the memories.

Friday: Day 6

Our train arrived in Giza at about 5:30 and our day began. Because of the riots, we were not able to do what we had originally planned so we made our way to the Red and Bent pyramids and went inside of the Red pyramid. We had another day around the hotel (there was a curfew in place that started at 6) and took advantage of the down time to take a nap. That night we had a great Sacrament meeting in the conference room (which was used later that night to fill with cots so people could sleep since they were not allowed to check out and leave the hotel at night).

Saturday: Day 7

As a result of all the chaos in Cairo our faithful guides got us on the buses and left (we were always kept far far away from the possibility of even being in danger, extra precautions and the guidance of the spirit). We took the bus to St. Catherines where we would spend the night ( on the buses all day) and had a great night looking at the stars and learning from Brother Muhlestein about Moses 1. We went to bed early that night in preparation for the big day on Sunday.

Sunday: Day 8

Our wakeup call was at 2:30 and we started our hike up Mt. Sinai at 3:30- the stars were incredible and it was great to walk up with my friends and get to know everyone. When we got to the top we took pictures, sang hymns, and watched the sunrise together- what a beautiful morning. (PS, I dont know that I have ever been that cold- the top was windy and FREEZING) We learned from Brother Muhlestein about the events that took place at Sinai and the love God has for His children. I love learning from him! I feel so grateful to have made this hike and had the experiences that I hope never to forget there. We drove home that day and arrived to rain and happy greetings from the Muhlestein family in Jerualem- it was nice to sleep in my own bed and be back with my great roommates to catch up on an eventful week.

Means of transportation for the week: bus, train, taxi, carriage, sailboat, motorboat, plane, camel, hiking, walking, shuttle

Food for the week: meat, potatoes, bread, and rice (fresh fruits and veggies were not allowed)

The pictures are all a jumble because I didn’t have time to organize them, but I’ll try and explain each of them. (and I haven’t updated my blog account yet mom, sorry!)

My roommate Rachel and I on Sinai (excuse the tired eyes, we started the day early)

My girlfriends with sweet Brother Muhlestein on Sinai

Carriage ride with Chelsea, Rachel, and Danielle

At the bottom of one of the pyramids with some of my closest friends

This actually isn't from Egypt- it is at the Garden of Gethsemane after church one day which was another great experience. Me, my roommate Rachel, and my other friend Chelsea.

I don't know who has the other pictures of my on the camel- but here is the one I have with Alababa and my guide, Mohammed.

Sweet little boy selling things at the market- I paid him a dollar to take a picture with us. I couldn't help it! These kids melt my heart.

Kaitlin and I with the Great Pyramids in the background- how cool is that?!

The Great Pyramid- just to show you how big it is. Nathaniel, Brock, me, Stephen.

Jumping pic at the pyramid

I love this one- me and my roommates. yes, we are always that happy. I don't think I stopped smiling all week.

Our sphinx pose. Faith, Jess, me, Donovan, Kaitlin, Jeanelle

Passport stamp for EGYPT

most adorable kids ever, their parents were more than willing to let us take a picture with them at the Luxor Temple. I just want to take all these kids home with me.

Tel Arad- one of the stops on the way to Egypt- love these girls.