Hello from Khufu, the biggest of many of the great Pyramids.
More to come!
P.S. I am alive, back at the Center and soo happy to be (not that Egypt didn't rock; it's just nice to be home after an intense vaca). Egypt was incredible. I can't wait to document it via e-mails and the blog. In case of questions concerning the violence in Cairo this last week - yes, it riots definitely ensued while we were there but we were more than protected. We were never in the "line of fire"; rather we seemed to just miss them. It was very humbling to see the conflict escalate in places that we had been in just the day before. For example, when we left Cairo yesterday morning for Sinai (to hike the mountain), there were only 6 deaths from the conflicts - today there was a report of 100 plus.
The Pyramids were closed today.
The Cairo Museum was targeted by looters.
Had our trip been one day longer, we wouldn't have been able to hike Sinai, coming straight home from Cairo yesterday morning.
When driving through the city to leave, we saw some remnants of the protests - overturned, burned cars, people looting a mall, and army tanks filing in - but like I said, we didn't see any of the problems until we left.
We were safe the entire week.
My thoughts are many, the first of which is "why me?" I'm feeling very fortunate to have had the Egyptian experience, seeing as how subsequent groups at the JC may not be able to. I also feel to ask, "what's next?" I needed to be in Egypt this past week for a reason - for many reasons. I have an idea of what some of those may be, such as having a greater sense of gratitude for my home, family, and country (Egypt is the poorest country I have yet visited), but is there more, considering that I was in what may be the last BYU group to go to Egypt...?
I'll keep thinking about that question, but for now I do know this:
I am grateful for
freedom
America
an ever-growing education
the gospel
cleanliness
opportunities to progress
the love of God for the world
D&C 101:16
I'll be back!
Oh Jen...I am so glad that you are safe!! I have been so worried for you! I am seeing all of the horrible things going on in Egypt every night on the news, and I just keep wondering how you are over there! I am so glad that you are being protected, and are doing okay!! What an experience! I am so glad that I found out about your blog! I am excited to follow it! I hope all is well, and that you are having the time of your life! What awesome memories you are making. Good luck with everything, and STAY SAFE!!
ReplyDeleteLove you!