This and That

Photos will come, but I'm in the hotel business center for now and a few words will have to suffice. 

In less than two days time, our trip home begins.  Mostly, we are only looking forward to returning.  Hotel and suitcase life has started to nauseate and frustrate.  Home.  It's what we want. 

We found a swingin' pad and are set to review the contract tomorrow.  The spot is dog-friendly, offers up tons of light, and has a big round tub for all our laboring needs, garden with mango tree, extra beds, and rooftop terrace.  Dust off your piggy banks and come visit us!  We'll cook you food and dance to Jonathan Richman all night!

Hmm...  what else?  Oh, we explored the Grand Canyon of Egypt.  Wadi Degla rests at the edge of our neighborhood and seems, basically, to mark the beginning of the surrounding desert.  Mountain bikers, trail runners, homeless dogs, and hikers peppered the landscape, but the land is so ever-reaching that each creature looked more like a wind-up toy on some distant part of the horizon.  And if it's possible to hear silence, one can hear it throughout this canyon.  Silence had volume...  until the desert wind took center stage.  I practice no religion religiously, but I swear something holy was riding that wind.  At some point, the call to prayer rang out, met up with the wind, and swept us away in wonder and awe.  Again, come visit!

Other highlights...  for your pleasure and imagination...  include navigating the city, a dog, getting lost, yoga, a wedding, soccer balls and toy guitars, food hits, food misses, Ahmed, pictionary, panpipes, shawerma, Egyptian youth, hard work, and hope.  Oh, and finally dislodging a thorn from J's head that had been stuck since before Thanksgiving was super satisfying.

Peace, everyone.  If snow has fallen where you are, roll around in it for us.  We love you all.