Dear Egypt

Dahab is one of the most amazing places.. relaxing, chill more than anything, and beautiful. Bob Marley playing in the background sets the mood. The Red Sea is vast with endless beauty and the town itself is quaint with a good ambiance. It's magnificent how much one can pack into a week of being here, and we didn't even get to do everything we wanted. The first two days involved a lot of laying out in the sun, meeting new people, snorkeling and relaxing. We planned most of our excursions for the rest of the week, and because of expenses, we decided not to go to Israel and Jordan. I'll have to hit them up another time! However, we did get a whole bunch packed in and had an amazing time doing it all. The first trip was up to Mount Sinai. Leaving from our hotel at 11pm, we took an hour and 45 mini-bus ride to the starting point at the bottom of the mountain. I was pretty pumped, and had more energy that I thought I would for doing a night hike. The total climb was about 3.5 hours, with an intense walk up, plus 700+ stairs at the very top. Whoever tells you that this excursion is easy, they aren't telling you the truth. I'm pretty in shape, and at some points, I could feel my heart beating through my chest. I was however in front of everyone else in our group and was walking pretty fast with some English guy. As much as I wanted Mt. Sinai to be an awakening experience, it lacked. Who knows.. maybe it was because I was up there with 1000 other tourists, I was tired, and I didn't see God in a burning bush (lol)... but mainly I experienced the feel of ancient buildings and beautiful sights. It was gorgeous up there. It's a shame that my internet connection isn't good enough to load photos on facebook yet.

One love.. one heart.. Give thanks and praise to the Lord and I will feel all right- Bob is still playing.

The hike down was something else.. the beauty I got to see was extraordinary, and thinking about how old those mountains are.. the erosion has eaten through them.

Later that day, we went horseback riding along the Blue Lagoon, and thankfully there was someone else who rides, so we got to race the horses. Just a little 411: Egyptian sattles are no where near as comfortable as what we're used to. Which didn't help the next day when we took an hour and 1/2 camel ride to Ras Abu Galum.
This village is out in the middle of no where. I don't think there was any electricity and the only water they probably had was from the Red Sea.
I forgot to mention that our shower water, isn't even fresh. It's filtered salt water. It's so interesting to experience how others live, because they use this every day. When in Ras Abu Galum, we got to snorkel and see the beautiful reef, all while being harrassed by these little girls. It's horrible how much they beg, asking for anything I was wearing, even my nose stud. I guess that's what you have to do when you don't have much. Supposedly these are the people who own Dahabian land, and are actually rich from renting it out. Why you would live in those conditions, I'm still not sure.
Cheri, Kelsey and I were already so exhausted by the time Monday rolled around, but we had already booked the excursion to the desert. So 8am rolls around and we head off. It was quite an awesome experience. I have ridden a camel in the Sahara before, but hiking through two beautiful canyons (The Red Canyon and White Canyon) was something different. It was HOT. But the over hangs from the rocks helped cool us down and the beauty kind of took our mind off the heat. We got to visit some ancient tombs, over 6000 years old, older than the Pharaohs, and of course I climbed inside... they must have been a lot smaller than we are today, because my butt barely made it through some of the entrances. After, we visited another small village, except this time it was worse than the other one. They had no electricity, no running water, and there were flies everywhere. I asked what they did throughout the day and was told they take care of the children, the few animals they have and cook meals. That was pretty much the extent of it. I guess when you live so far out in the desert, there's not a lot of option. The best part about that day was visiting the Oasis. I had always wanted to see one and found it so interesting how vegetation can spring up in the middle or nowhere! We were in the middle of a desert and all of a sudden, we come around a corner and BAM! Trees so green, flowers so colorful, and what felt like all the water you would need to survive a lifetime, and that's exactly what they do. The village was big, bigger than all the other ones I had seen thus far. The flies were killer however, but the food delicious for being vegetarian. They didn't have enough electricity or space to store meat, and the people were nice, respectful and hassle free! I think it would be a very interesting experience to try to live there (even if it was just for a week). My goal would have been to kill all of the flies, since there's not much else to do during the day in a desert.

On another note, the World Cup has started and everyone is going crazy over it. I guess the way I love other sports, a lot of people love "football." I don't think I've ever watched an entire game straight...

The end of this vacation in Egypt hasn't been the best. I was super excited to dive the Red Sea, I mean, really, I didn't get my certification for nothing. And not being able to dive in Malta had already bummed me out. So I decided to try again here in Dahab. It started off when I sliced my hand on a wooden bench and then.. with some of the best diving in the world, what happens, I once again, hardly get to see any of it. A few days ago, I headed to a dive center to test out my ear under 2 meters, and with a little pressure, it was okay, so I figured it would hold up for the two dives I wanted to do that coming Tuesday. So yesterday comes along, I'm exhausted from everything we've been doing the last few days, not having slept for over 36 hours straight and only 5 or 6 hours the nights since then... but I was amped to go diving. We did some refresher drills before heading in the water, and just took it real easy going down. Wanting to test my buoyancy, we headed away from the reef to the area called the Trash (because there are some old car tires sitting on the bottom, and no reef) Little did I know, that was going to be my first and last dive of the day. My ear was really not doing well. We got down to about 18 meters, which was pushing it hard, and I sucked it up until it was time to get out, but man was it painful at some points. I let it dry out a little bit and an hour or so later, we headed down for the second dive (the Lighthouse- reef). I got down about 15ft. max and I just couldn't handle it anymore.. I had to go back up and dive number two was a no-go. At least I had seen some great things snorkeling in the Blue Hold the other day (huge fish, beautiful coral, and even a big sea turtle!) otherwise, I would have been extremely upset. Anyway, it just so happened that I was sitting next to this really nice man who saw me in a lot of pain and trying to get water out of my ear and called up his brother who is a doctor. He suggested I go to see this dive specialist doctor in Dahab to check out what was wrong. So the random man (the Monk of Dahab) I had just met, gets a taxi and takes me all the way to see this specialist. Come to find out, after going to see the doctor, I have a nice hole in my ear. He thinks I had ruptured it in Malta, and it was almost healed until I went down again. FML. No diving for at least 3 months, unless I get it checked out and everything is all healed up. There goes diving in S.East Asia. But it goes to show that there are nice people in this world, wherever you are, there will always be someone to help. The Monk didn't let me pay for the taxi there or back, and if I hadn't strongly insisted, he would have paid for me to see the specialist too.

So now, as I'm sitting here, still in Dahab, trying to recover from the (no, I can't win) food poisoning that hit both myself and Kelsey hard yesterday afternoon, I'm scoping out the beautiful Red Sea, I'm thinking about one of the most important parts of Egypt I am missing today.. the Pyramids. There was no way we could have made it on the bus to Cairo last night, our heads were in the toilet pretty much the entire night. So we stayed here, hoping that today we would feel better. After getting everything out of our systems.. I can vouch that I feel as if I have been hit by a bus.. going full speed. My body is exhausted, it takes so much out of me to even walk, and I'm depressed knowing I won't be able to visit Cairo, the Egyptian Museum, the pyramids, or the sphinx. I guess I'll just have to figure out a way to come back..

Next stop.. Prague. Let's hope my body is up for it by the time I get there. I need to get rid of some things from my bag. I have too much and it's too heavy. I don't have enough energy to do this however, nor the energy to carry my backpack. I'm screwed.

More to come.. please pray for my quick recovery, with all the problems I've been facing.

Sending love from Egypt.

Kristi

Malta baby! Reflections...

I'm sitting on a rooftop cafe, watching the stars, listening to the kind of music that sets the mood.. there are only two things that could make life better right now. I'm in Egypt, looking out onto the Red Sea.. the warm air rolls over me, palm trees swaying, and the smell of amazing food enters my lungs. I can see flickering lights from Saudi Arabia in the distance and I feel so alive!
This place is absolutely magical... but so was Malta.
I have a hard time comparing the places I've been. Malta was more than extraordinary.
After a rocky start (like most adventures that I've done abroad), it was only Lukasz and I who made it on the island at the right time. The girls flight got canceled and will all the effort they put into getting there, they arrived the next day, completely exhausted. Lukasz and I met Ian the first day and instantly knew how awesome this week was going to be after talking with him that night. And he really did make my trip amazing! I don't think I could have couchsurfed with anyone better. After the first night, it was Kelsey, Cheri and myself who stayed with him and he made us feel so welcomed. By the end of the week, we felt like we had known him for so much longer and he was no long just our host, but a friend too.
A very brief overview of some of the amazing things I got to do and see in Malta:
Ian is a big rock climber and offered to take us whenever he went, Lukasz and I went 3 times with him, climbing some of the most awesome rocks in Malta, and even did some deep water solo climbing at the end (which is climbing with no equipment over water- so if you slip or fall, you land safely) It was pretty exhilarating, especially the two times that I fell because of rocks breaking on me. Unfortunately, the two groups didn't get to see each other as much as we had hoped. Being at one side of the island and them couchsurfing with someone else on the other side kind of limited things. But when we did get to be together we had a great time. We went snorkeling (which wasn't the best area of Malta to snorkel- and on top of it, I was STUPID and forgot to take out my nose stud, so when I went down to do some shallow diving, I couldn't equalize and my ear popped so badly that I had tears rolling down my face)- meaning I didn't get to go scuba diving in Malta. It's still not all there but I'm going tomorrow to get it looked at to make sure I didn't do any serious damage. I will be SO disappointed if I don't get to dive the Red Sea. Other than that, we had a fun night in with everyone at Ian's, went to Karaoke, camped out on the beach, hit up the Blue Lagoon (where we went deep water solo climbing). The water was so blue that I couldn't imagine any water ever being bluer, laid out on the beach and just enjoyed being in the beautiful weather.
There is so much more to describe about this amazing place.. but it's a must experience yourself kind of thing. It was hard saying goodbye to Ian and his precious dogs, the Island and Lukasz and Fabiola (it will be the last time I will see them for a long while).
Overall- Malta was AMAZING and I wouldn't have changed anything.
Now on to Egypt.. where my first day in this country has been just... super.
After the over night van ride here, we (Kelsey, Cheri and I) were all pretty exhausted but decided not to miss out on what the day offers, so we checked into our beautiful hotel right on the Red Sea, grabbed some food in the sun and signed up for our excursions that we'll be taking over the next week. I checked out some diving centers, and then we headed to the Lagoon, took a swim and a nice nap before heading back to the hotel. We got stopped on the way and decided a massage was a great way to start our vacation here in Egypt. The best thing about this place is that everything is oober cheap and the conversion rate it amazing!
I can't wait to tell more about the rest of this trip here!

Thanking God everyday for blessing me with such great opportunities! I'll talk to him more on Mt. Sinai in a few days.

And we're off!

Tomorrow.. I set sail (or fly) to MALTA!
It's strange to think that I really do miss my family. It was great having my aunt Faye and mom here for the 2 weeks. And as much as they do drive me nuts sometimes, I love them very much and enjoyed getting to spend time with them. Family really is the only thing you'll have when everything else is gone. The only thing that was missing was Daddy! I was just looking over the next 3 months, thinking about all the places I'm going and the awesome experiences I will have.. and realized.. it's going to go by SO fast. Before I know it, this year abroad will be over, and I will be back in my old life. But will it really be "my old life?" I think I'll come back a new person, maybe somewhat more wise, not by knowledge, but by experience. I believe I have a new outlook of the world, of life, of myself... so maybe I'll be coming back to a different life... not a new beginning, but a new branch on my tree. But I can't think about that.. I have to focus on the time I do have, the endless possibilities, the unforgettable summer. I have to remember things while they're happening... not after they've happened. Life is too short. Time goes by too fast, and one day blends into another. It's taking it one moment at a time, discovering every second as its own, rejoicing in life and making it worth while.
My ultimate goal is life is to feel everlasting happiness, a constant rush, and intimate joy. I come to realize more and more each day how to make that happen. Trust in Him, let myself go, never worry, and try to live my life unselfishly, for I feel the happiest when I help others be happy, I've discovered. I feel like I've been given something when I give to others. I never want to lose the smile off my face and I always want to let others see this peace in my life.

A toast to the summer.
A toast to Life.
A toast to Happiness.
And never let there be Vice.

Travels with Mom and Aunt Faye

I was so sad to leave Grenoble for the second to last time (hopefully not ever) but for a while. I knew I would be coming back for 2 days to pick up my things and take care of some necessities, but it was like leaving home. Others were leaving, my friends, all the wonderful people I have met this year, and when I come back, I know they won't be there anymore. Thank God for Facebook!
Anywho, I've had a good time with my mom and aunt coming to visit.
Lyon was pretty much just the meeting point. Didn't get to see or do much. But Nice.. like always is amazing. And this time I actually got to go to Monaco- Monte Carlo baby!! Where... I had my first Casino experience! Wooot! It was pretty exciting, minus the "losing money" part. I got a few free drinks, however, because the guy that was serving me loves Grenoble! lol And After having lost the money I was willing to spend, I finally learned how to play the roulette tables. Next time= VEGAS!
On to Italy, where Genoa was pretty and we went on a city tour, drank some good wine and I got to become captain of my new Pirate ship! (it's not letting me add the photo- so I'll have to update that later).
We just so happened to be in Milan during the Milan "football" championship game for the World Cup. The only upside was seeing 1000's of very good looking guys shirtless. Otherwise, none of us got much sleep because of the constant horn blowing and screaming people. However, everyone was super excited about anything and everything and by the 4th or 5th time I ran around the old fortress, people started blowing their horns and yelling for ME. lol I guess they were keeping count!?
I've been to Geneva, Switzerland a few times now, but mainly to catch a flight, and the most I had seen was the floor of the train station as that was my bed for the night. I never did get to see a lot of the city, other than riding through a bit in a car, or passing through by train going snowboarding. But this city is absolutely beautiful. We took another City Tour today, but got a chance to explore the country side and take an hour and 1/2 boat ride on Geneva Lake.
We haven't really had much night life, I guess going hard throughout the day has worn out my mom and aunt, so they crash pretty early. I'm used to doing the day life now and then having night life too.. But hey, I'm young and can get away with it right!?
We're heading back to Grenoble tomorrow. I have so much to do, so much to still pack up and/or get rid of, blah blah blah, etc etc. But I am really glad my mom and aunt will get to meet some of my friends that are still there and I'll get to have a night life again, at least for 2 days.
After is off to Paris for 3 days and then they head home.
I'm still trying to figure out this whole China visa. I'll be going to the US Embassy in Paris while I'm there and hopefully get it sorted out. I'm very much looking forward to this journey I'll be on the next 3 months.
Next stop after Paris= MALTA!!!!!
6 Friends, 7 Days, on an Island = Oh Yeahhhh Baby!!!!

Until next time my friends!