The Hike of Lifetime.

Mt. Sinai

Life is most clear when I'm on top of a mountain, after I've felt a burn in my legs, an ache in my stomach, and a sweat on my brow.* If you're ever feeling confused, frustrated, or you find yourself full of unanswered questions, I suggest a hike. It will do you wonders.

Think about it. While you're hiking your main objective is to reach the top, alive and well. All the while your body is screaming at you to stop the pain. But you keep going. You move ahead. You press harder against the temptation to stop. And then, before you know it, you've reached the peak. You're at the top, and you can see for miles in all directions. You'll look back at your progress and shout for joy because, yes...you did it! And even though you realize you still have to hike back down and face other trails, you'll never forget each time you did make it to the top. The feeling of accomplishment and fulfillment is unforgettable. That's the feeling you'll remember when things get tough again. That's the hope you'll cling to when you feel like giving up and falling prey to complacency.




*Caleb, Josh, Candace, Buttons, and Gardners: I dedicate this hike to you--to remember all those good hikes we've had in the past. Thanks for the many, many good memories on top of Camelback, Windcaves, and Squa Peak. 

Mass Photo Upload

And there's a better taste of Egypt for you :-) 

Political Rundown

As much as I would love to try and explain everything that happened in Egypt while I was visiting, my writing skills aren't quite up to par (it's that, or my brain is seriously struggling to connect all the dots. I blame my terrible sinus headache that makes me feel like a big balloon is pushing against my forehead. Any solutions, doctors??). SO, in order to give you a brief and interesting political rundown of what happened, I give you THIS POST. My roommate has such a way with words. Her summary made a lot of sense to me, and it's always nice to enjoy some good, witty rhetoric.

Comments are not unencouraged :-)

For those following on Facebook, you'll want to copt/paste the following link into your URL (Mom, the URL is the bar at the top of your webpage where you type "www"): http://sadielorainedesigns.blogspot.com/2011/02/sln-your-number-one-source-for.html

In the mean time...here are some more pics for those who are craving to see them! (Our internet connection is minimal, so I do what I can :-/ ).



Standing in front of the Great Pyramids of Giza just before the Sound & Light Show



The whole group in front of the Great Pyramids

Le Sphinx...the man who took my picture was trying to get me to pat its head. It almost worked...



The Israeli/Egypt border = BEAutiful. Red Sea in the background.

Sometimes our profressors get really excited when they find ancient temples...



Photos courtesy of Ashley Crist

Peeling Oranges

Oranges.

That's one of my favorite memories from Egypt. Our tour guides and hotel agents offered them as complimentary gifts all the time.

There was one night in Cairo when I felt slightly queasy after dinner. I think I was exhausted from all the traveling, late nights, and intense fieldtrips (not to mention, we had just learned of the increasing riots that would eventually cut our trip a little short). So, I ventured back to my room and rested while peeling an orange, savoring it's delicious sweet juice. For 10 minutes I sat peacefully on my bed without interruption, eating one slice. Then another. And another. There wasn't any sign that life existed outside of the small oasis I had created. Just me, my room, and my orange. Even though I knew turmoil and chaos were growing on the other side of the glass door that separated me from the outside world, I still felt safe, protected, and untouched. All I cared about was sitting right where I was, peeling one piece of orange at a time, enjoying the simple truth that my life is good.

*****

My trip to Egypt was memorable because of small things like oranges. It's true that I did see a lot of grand historical sites like pyramids, tombs, temples, and mummies. Indeed, they were impressive. But I think the most memorable experiences were the minor events that happened unexpectedly. For example, there was one day in Luxor when our whole class rode camels around a small village across the Nile from where we were staying. It was humbling to see that people still live in small mud huts with large palm tree branches as a roof; that mothers still carry their babies in hand-sown blankets as they walk to and from the market; that fathers still grow and harvest sugar cane as their only livelihood; and that children still still run barefooted through dirt roads littered with debris. I suddenly didn't want to care anymore about all the things I normally worry about (school, career, physical appearance, etc.). I wish I could have spent more time with the people in hopes of understanding their circumstances better. But rules, time constraints, and other restrictions prevented me from doing so.

However, I will never forget the love I saw in one father's eyes as he helped his 2-year-old son mount a camel and ride it around a small hut. Or the old man who jokingly scolded my camel guide for taking some sugar cane from his harvested piles. Seeing the people reminded me of oranges: the small doses of delight that frequent out lives if we're able to see them.

My Camel, Charly

Egyptian village woman walking home. 

Me and my roommates standing in front of the Bent Pyramid.

Where do I begin?

Me and the Great Pyramid of Giza

I don't even know how to begin to explain the past 8 days of my life. For now, may this string of thoughts suffice:

wilderness pondering
kabbuts
white bread, white bread and more white bread
life in my suitcase
5-star hotels on the nile
camel rides and sugarcane
poverty 
packing, repacking
tour bus upohlstery 
ancient tombs and pyramids
Mt. Sinai at 2:30 AM + hymns
food, food, food
spiritual twinges 
fear, growth, and nourishment 
le bible 
political riots + safety 

Let it be said my week in Egypt changed my life.

More coming very soon.