Well I am back in Cairo in the internet cafe where our group has become part of the regular crowd. We just returned from an amazing three days on the Sinai peninsula. It started saturday when we drove to Sinai and stayed the night...or three hours, in a hotel at the base of the mountain. Then we woke up at 1:30 (the mornings just keep getting earlier here) and began the journey to the top. We were all given camels, mine was named Whiskey (I laughed pretty hard at that one. Too bad it wasn't Cabernet or Tequila, but still funny nonetheless). The trek took about two hours to the top. It was INCREDIBLE. I have never seen stars so bright, and being on a camel climbing a mountain for that amount of time is truly a life experience. We even saw the moon cresting, and it was bright orange and beautiful. We got as far as the camels could take us, then took a rest in a little shack and made the rest of the way climbing and hiking in the dark--a rather precarious adventure for a group so sleep deprived. We arrived at another shack/resting point to rent blankets (it was FREEZING) and make the rest of the climb. We found a secluded spot close to a chapel and just waited for the sun to rise, sitting sometimes in silence, sometimes taking photos, sometimes in worship. There were travelers from all over the world at the top. I met a couple from the phillipines who own the dunkin donuts chain there and he gave me his card and said I could eat all the donuts I wanted if I went there. Perhaps that will be my next destination :). We waited in great anticipation and were certainly not disappointed. As the sun came up, the surrounding mountains turned golden and they sky took on so many beautiful hues. It was breathtaking and probably one of the most amazing things I have ever seen in my life, and as wonderful as my camera is it will not even begin to do it justice. We then walked all the way back down, and I decided moses was the man because that is quite the trek, and with stone tablets? I could never have done it. In all, it was one of the most wonderful life experiences and I definitely felt God's presence. It was interesting to go back and read the accounts in Exodus and know that I have stood on the same ground. It was truly an indescribably blessing.

After our visit to the mountain, we made our way to Dahab, a beautiful resort along the red sea. We arrived and after lunch sat under umbrellas along the beach, jumped off the dock into the crystal blue waters of the red sea, and soaked up some more wonderful egyptian sun. That evening we had a bible study and discussed the ten commandments in our lives as well as what we are thankful for, and I am certainly thankful for the many opportunities and experiences this trip has offered, as well as the great friendships. Granted, we were all exhausted from waking up at 1:30 so our prayers may have been a little less than coherent, but our hearts were thankful nonetheless.

The next morning we woke up to go snorkeling. We boarded some jeeps and drove along the desert coastline (it felt like indiana jones in the jeeps--they kept making turns to make us laugh I think...it was awesome!). We arrived at the Blue Hole, one of the top snorkeling destinations on the Red Sea and maybe even in the world. Luckily we arrived early and the reef was all ours. It was seriously the most beautiful snorkeling experience I have ever had. The coral was like a colorful garden, and there were so many fish! I bought an underwater camera, so hopefully those pictures can give a small amount of justice to what I saw. I loved diving down and swiming among the fish and I decided I really want to become a certified diver so I can really see some fish! Jocelyn and I stayed in the water for over two hours, so were were pretty pruny and salty after that. We returned to our little beach cabana and had mango smoothies and bought friendship bracelts from the locals and felt like we were in sixth grade again--it was great. Joc got stung by a jellyfish though, so that put a little damper on things, but she is better now. There were so many, it felt like that scene from finding nemo. Most of them are fine and you can touch them even, but she got a stinger. Other than that the morning was perfect. We left in the jeeps and I stood up the whole way holding on to the side bars. Sometimes it is nice to not have safety regulations; it helps one truly live on the edge!

After snorkeling we went into the beach town of Dahab for lunch. We ate at a beautiful restaurant right on the red sea with cushions and lamps and beautiful carpets. It felt worthy of royalty, and the food was delicious. We had free appitizers and soup and fresh mango juice and pita and humus and I had grilled shrimp that they made into a sculpture somehow and then fresh fruit for dessert...all for less than 20 dollars! We learned after that the very restuarant where we ate was the site of a terrorist attack last spring, so that was a little eerie to find out. I always felt safe and the town was so peaceful, so to imagine that was heartbreaking.

Following our lunch and shopping (yes, more purchases) time in town we went back to the hotel and swam a little more. Then we went on a horseback ride along the red sea to during the sunset. It was so gorgeous, and our horses could gallop and they went so fast! It was quite the adventure. We returned pretty worn out, and my legs are definitely feeling it (camel, snorkel, hike, horse) but I still managed to muster up the energy for a cribbage game with my friend Dan. And I beat him twice in a row! (once in the poophole...you would have been proud dad). I feel to sleep almost instantly when my head hit the pillow.

This morning we woke up early and went to the beach one last time to collect sand and shells and just bask in the glory that is the red sea. We had to leave at 9, so after breakfast we boarded the bus for the return trip to Cairo. As we went along the Sinai peninsula, we were within miles of the Israeli and Jordanian borders, and not far from Saudi Arabia either. It was crazy to think how close these far off places really were. We went through the Suez canal (under a tunnel actually) and nine hours later arrived in Cairo. After a few minutes of rest in the hotel, we went back to Giza for a light show by the pyramid and sphinx. It was honestly a little corny, but still fun. Seeing the pyramids at night was almost surreal, they looked like the backdrop of a stage of some sort.

Now I am here and it is almost 1 in the morning, so I better get back to the hotel. Tomorrow we go to Alexandria and then to the Siwa Oasis and then we come home. This trip has flown by, and I hope that I will be able to return someday and I definitely recommend it to anyone. This country and people are fascinating.