When I awoke the next morning, all was forgiven and forgotten as I sipped Egyptian tea while sitting on the balcony of Pyramids Overlook Inn Bed & Breakfast. I vaguely remembered being picked up late, being cold, exhausted, and falling off into bed. The morning was full of possibilities and sun. Besides, look at that view! The Inn, www.pyramidsoverlookhotel.com,  has three rooms the Sphinx, Queen Nefertiti, and King Tut. My room had a double bed, an ensuite bathroom with shower, and was about 14 sq. feet. Truly a tiny Inn with a big view!  Today, according to the itinerary, we were heading up to Giza Plateau after breakfast to see the Great Sphinx and other nearby Pyramids.

Adel and I were driven up the path about two miles from his quaint Inn. Once up top, I sat on a camel and some really cool pictures were taken. Adel is extremely knowledgeable about Egyptian culture, traditions, and genealogy. His passion is sharing that knowledge, and I soaked it up like a sponge. We spent the better part of our morning at the Giza Plateau. I especially loved the picture Adel took of my side profile outside the Great Sphinx. Years of experience led him to know the exact spot in which to take that picture. It is one of my most memorable pictures.

Instead of being driven back down we rode down in a carriage.

That very afternoon, I began collecting souvenirs to bring back to Mexico and Stateside. In two weeks, I would leave Egypt and return to Mexico, which had been my home for four wonderful years. But this time around, I was only going to spend eight glorious days, in the Lake Chapala area of Jalisco, Mexico. In 2021, I returned to my hometown of Detroit, Michigan to care for my mom and stepdad full-time. They both passed away in 2022 within ten months of each other.  I stayed on after my folks transitioned. I believe after all was said and done, returning home after twenty years of absence, worked out for my good. As always, the Universe is perfect.

The afternoon flew by as Adel escorted me to local shops in the neighborhood to browse around.  I must say his presence helped fend off the extra aggressive salesmen that consistently approached me. The Inn is located in a highly commercial area. The entrance to the Great Sphinx was just below. During the time I was there, I observed many different tour groups, families and school field trips pass through those gates.

By the time we returned to the Inn, dinner was already prepared. I met a lady and her son who were just staying overnight on their way someplace I can’t remember. Dinner was delicious, and the evening air was quite chilly on the balcony.

There are a couple of things I came to realize pretty quickly during my first 48-hours in Cairo. The first thing was wine was something that was not readily available anywhere, and it was a process to get it. I love red wine and a glass or two at dinner is usual for me. I had expectation, but when I saw what Adel went through making phones calls and strategically planning pick up, I realized that I was in a Muslim country. I understood the religion shies away from alcohol consumption for recreation, especially women. That was the second observation. Women, most women heads were covered, they were out with a group of other women, or with a male. There were coffee shops in all around, but they were only filled with men. There are lots and lots of men everywhere, doing everything, but not women.

When darkness fell, it came time for the Evening Light and Sound Show. I can show you better than I could ever tell you about that experience.

 I retired to my room shortly after getting a good understanding of the Light and Sound Show. I wanted to take a hot shower, and bed down. It had been a long day, and I had a flight to catch in the morning to Aswan. Stay tuned…