Wow...

Two Saturdays ago, I was running around the Macaroni Grill in two layers of polyester clothing and bad shoes. One Saturday ago I was enjoying a stunning view of Haystack Rock and the Pacific Ocean in Cannon Beach. Today I was wandering the streets of one of the worlds oldest cities, surrounded by honking taxis, wonderful food smells, and the sounds of the call to prayer. Oh, the extremes one can experience in the span of two weeks. It really is surreal to think I am here, in the Middle East. The phrase I have heard the most when speaking about my travels is: "It's so far away!" but it doesn't feel far away. I can't explain it, but I feel pretty normal. We'll see if that wears off.

Here is what stands out most about my last two weeks (I'll include some of the time before I left, because I feel tying up the loose ends and saying goodbye is really the beginning of the journey):

• Walking out the front door at the Macaroni Grill was quite a catharsis for me. Charla, you made that moment possible. Until I heard you say, "Drumroll, Please!" as we walked past the saluda stand, I hadn't even thought about the fact that I would never have to set foot in that place again. Thank you for making that the event it was! What I wouldn't give for one of those margaritas right now... ;-)
• Also highly satisfying was spending time with my family at Cannon Beach. I will post some pictures of that soon, if everything works out. Especially satisfying was burning the two Macaroni Grill check presenters in a bonfire on the beach. Everyone else was roasting marshmallows, but not me. I was laughing like a maniac seeing that logo burn, burn, burn. They went up extremely hot and bright, with lots of sparks. All of you Mac Grill people should try that next time Chip or Jen gives you shit.
• Telling was the difference between the airports in Germany and Cairo. Cairo has the saddest duty free store I've ever seen. It was some vacuum cleaners and "crystal" vases covered in dust, while the American and European airports were shiny and clean. This was a sign of what was to come. From the freeway into town we could see into some slum areas, where I kid you not, I saw people pulling carts with donkeys. Some neighborhoods just looked like rubble with laundry hanging from the windows. Somehow they all have satellite dishes though...
• My first meal (and friend) in Egypt: Kashiri (Danielle). I was walking back to my room after the most needed shower of my life and Danielle was like, "Hey, you look normal. Want to get dinner?" And so after touring the streets around the dorm and visiting an Egyptian grocery store (so much fun!) we stopped at a little hole in the wall place and ate. Kashiri consists of small pieces of pasta (macaroni and spaghetti chopped up), lentils, and a little rice, covered with a flavorful tomato sauce. It's poor-people food, but it's good. Apparently, I was the first non-ditzy girl on our floor, and Danielle was getting desperate for companionship.

There's so much to tell, but this post is already getting really long. For more dirt, download Skype. It's a free internet phone service. All you need is an internet connection and a microphone. You can search for me online and you'll get all the gory details. It's so easy and my family and I are thrilled with the service. Ta-ta for now...more later.

Welcome to BFE...

For those of you who do not know, that means bum fu** Egypt, or really far away. I thought that title would speak to both the Egyptian and really far away aspects of my trip. Thanks Marissa, for the late night inspiration for the name. I haven't left yet, just thought it would be prudent to get this set up ahead of time. In the future I will be posting pictures and comments on just about anything going on in my head, so enter if you dare...