Egypt - Day 6 - Thursday, August 6th

Today was our first full day in Aswan! I only got to see it in the dark last night. In the daytime, it was a dusty place. I'm going to like this place a lot! Well, I thought I was going to like it a lot. And then things got a little out of control!

First we went to the Philae Temple in the morning. We took a boat to get there. Remember all of those life preservers on the bus? Well, apparently, they're for the humans. Hrumph! See if I help YOU if the boat capsizes. You're on your own! We made it to the temple fine. Apparently they had to move it when they made the dam. They did a good job, from what I could tell. Ok, let's get out of here. It's getting hot and I'm hungry because SOMEONE didn't feed me breakfast!

Our lunch was on an island in the Nile River. We got off our boat and walked up a path that led to an area with a large canopy over tables, chairs and a buffet line. I got some good eats!



Ok, now I'm full. Are we ready for a nap? Wait, what? We're going swimming ... IN THE NILE? Aren't there, like, crocodiles and other nasty creatures in there? There's not? Ummm.... Are you sure? I was told not to swim until 30 minutes after eating. Really, John? You want to go swimming in the Nile? Fine. I'll go with you and guard your camera. But I'm getting very drowsy from all of the food, so let's hurry this up, OK?

We went to a local beach that our guide knew about. We approached the restaurant area near it and wouldn't you know it? One of the locals was holding a baby crocodile!



I thought you said there would be no crocodiles! Don't you dare get me near that thing!



Apparently, John and the rest of the group didn't hear me. Before I knew what was happening, I was getting chicken-handled by the guide who was putting me dangerously close to the croc. Don't ... go ... any ... closer!



OWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He's got my beak! Get him off, get him off, get him .. BAWKKKKKK!!!!!!



Thankfully I was able to escape the clutches of the evil crocodile. Unfortunately, John was nowhere near me. HE IS SO TOAST!!! Where is he? He had meandered down to the river to take a dunk. He was taking all sorts of pictures with his camera. I didn't know he had a waterproof camera? He took a picture of me with Mr. S. and a picture of me chilling out on the beach, guarding his flip-flops.



We hung out at the river for a VERY long time. The water was nice and cold (from what I was told - I ain't swimming in there!) Thankfully the crocodile didn't get me too badly with his snout. However, I did want to get a piece of him before we left because that wasn't very nice. Our guide redeemed himself by letting me "ride" the crocodile. I rode that bad boy hard! If I had a whip, he would've been sore!



That made me feel invigorated. Let's go back to the hotel and raise the dead! Imhotep!!!! How about it, John? He stifled a yawn and said "Sure. We'll go to the pool and play chicken". Awesome! We got back to our hotel room and John promptly laid down and fell asleep. He didn't even take off his wet shorts! He must've been exhausted! The heat had taken a toll on me, too. So I rested beside him and closed my eyes.

BBBBBAAAWWWWWKKKK!!!!!!!!!!! I woke up from a horrible dream where an alligator was chomping off my beak. Thank goodness it was only a crocodile that did that to me today! I was about ready to peck off John's toenails when he woke up. Apparently it was time to go to the light show at the Philae Temple. I didn't go, which was fine, because I needed to ruffle my feathers some while they were out. What? They locked the door! And me without opposable thumbs to open the door! Fine! I'll go back to sleep. We have to leave early tomorrow anyway. The birds won't even be up yet, because we're leaving at 5 AM. But we're going to Abu Simbel tomorrow, which should be awesome. I didn't even hear John and Mr. S. come in because I was sound asleep.

Egypt - Day 5 - Wednesday, August 5th

I awoke from a restless slumber. Man, John sure does snore loudly! At least he has been a good friend by feeding me and keeping me away from the Egyptians who want me! What? No breakfast? I better get lunch!!

Today was an easy day, as John didn't take me into any of the places he went to. This was fine by me, as Cairo is CRAZY!! They went to a museum/mosque where John climbed a minaret. I got to stay on the bus and hear the tour guide argue with the Tourism Police. Apparently John's group of minaret climbers were holding up the entourage and the police were not happy about that!

Everything got squared away and we were off to lunch. I had a slice of watermelon and a banana. 2 days in a row without chicken? Are the Egyptians seeing the error of there ways? We shall see ...



Once we were done there, we had to go to the airport, as we were leaving the dusty, brown city of Cairo for the South of Egypt. Aswan, here we come!

Again, I had to ride in John's bag. You know, I would be a much happier bird if I got my own seat! John paid no attention to me (yet again) and stuffed me in the overhead compartment. At least it was a short flight!

We arrived in Aswan in the evening. Once the bags were loaded on the bus, John took me out. Apparently we're going to be swimming soon, as he put me with the life preservers!



Maybe it was so I wouldn't drown in the hotel fountain?



We got to our hotel room and I promptly fell asleep. Who knew that doing nothing would be so tiring?

Egypt - Day 4 - Tuesday, August 4th

When I woke up, John was ready to go for breakfast. I must say, he has made up for not feeding me on the plane. Despite having to eat eggs, I did enjoy some pineapple and a roll.



Now that I am physically fed, it's time to get spiritually fed! Off to our Spiritual Cairo tour! First stop: the Mosque. I can't remember which one it was. I did enjoy the open spaces and lighted areas. I especially enjoyed the high perches from which I could pounce on John from!



After the mosque, it was the synagogue. Again, I can't remember the name. And again, I enjoyed the wide open spaces of the church. Lots of light and high rafters. In fact, one of the high beams on the roof is supposed to be from Noah's Ark. Get me a mate and I'll go on the Ark, baby! Since that was a sinful thought, I had to spend some time with the Lord to atone for my sins.



After being forgiven, we moved on the a church. This was reported to be the one where Mary and Joseph took Jesus when they were hiding from King Herod. We weren't allowed pictures in the church, but trust me when I say it was spacious and open. Enough room for a bird to spread his wings!

We were allowed pictures in the kindergarten class, though. Our guide was approached by the teacher of the class, who saw us walking to the church. She said to bring in our group when we came back. So he did. The kids were great! Such happy, innocent faces. And the teacher was nice as well. In fact, she held me for a little bit. I think she wanted me to stay with her because she kept calling me "Benny". I would've loved to help her teach her children, but part of me wondered if I would be a teacher's aide or a teacher's meal?! I was somewhat thankful when John got me back. Something in her eyes made me wonder about her intentions ....



After the harrowing escape from the classroom, I was hungry. Apparently danger works up my appetite. Thankfully, it was time for lunch. We were going to eat at Felfella's, a local restaurant. John actually gave me food that was non-chicken: pita bread and falafel. It was delicious!



After Felfella's, it was off to the El Khaleili Bazaar, the largest bazaar in Cairo. Thankfully, John let me stay on the bus. From what I saw, I didn't want to deal with the insanity!



I found out later on that I could've gone with them, as they had the bodyguard from the bus give them a personal tour of the bazaar. Chickens have bodies, so they're worth guarding, right?

After the bazaar, we went back to the hotel. I spent the rest of the evening in the room while they went to a local family's home for dinner. I was glad I stayed in; this day was stressful! And knowing Egyptians like I do now, I'm sure they were eating chicken for dinner! At least I feel comfortable in my locked hotel room, where no one can come in and take me! Wait ... where are the room keys? I slept that night with one open, always watching the door.

Egypt - Day 3 - Monday, August 3rd

I woke up STARVING!!! I could smell babaganoush on John's breath when I woke. That made me VERY hungry. John promised me breakfast and if I don't get it, I'll peck off his leg so he won't be able to walk around the pyramids!

We ate breakfast and John got to keep his leg.



Then we got to see the pyramids. John did his best to keep away the men selling stuff, but they were like little black flies that wouldn't go away! Thankfully he did get a picture of us at the pyramid.



Take my word for it: the pyramid goes up MUCH higher than in this picture! I wanted to fly up there, but John didn't trust me to come back. So he kept me with him at all times. Which I'm glad he did, because then I wouldn't have gotten to see the camels later on in the trip:



I wanted to ride one, but John said "no". There was a camel ride later in the trip. At least he let me hang out with Mr. S.

The rest of the morning was spent in a museum for an old boat and seeing the Sphinx. And he FINALLY got a good picture of me with an entire pyramid!



After touring the pyramids in the morning, we broke for lunch. Andrea's was the name of the restaurant that our guide said we would never forget for the rest of the trip. And boy, was he right! What a horrible place! They served chicken! They even were roasting them right out in open! Oh, the horror! I couldn't look, it was so horrific!



At least John let me eat inside. I had the pita bread and some water. I couldn't eat the chicken!


Of course, everyone else at the chicken in front of me. The BARBARIANS!!!! You don't see me eating people in front of you, do you? Well, do you? I swore that I would get even with John and his kind. After this trip, though. He at least feeds me. The Egyptians apparently love chicken ... AS A MEAL!!! I promised myself that I would be nicer to John as he is now my American bodyguard against the ravenous Egyptians!

Ok, after the massacre that was lunch, we took another excursion to some more pyramids. These were step pyramids at Saqqara, predecessors to the Great Pyramids. Not as frequently visited as the ones in Giza, but still impressive.



Of course, John found out that many of them were made by Ihmotep, so he had to make a video:



I'm so embarrassed for him! If he weren't my protector, I would leave right now! I'm sure I can catch a nice flight to India! They worship chickens over there, right?

After the Saqqara pyramid excursion, we stopped off at a rug shop. John was shown how to make a knot in a rug and I was allowed to watch nature from the bus. At least the dates looked yummy!



No one got me a date when they came back on the bus. I was a little peckish and wanting some dinner. Instead I got the room all to myself while they watched the light show at the Pyramids. Apparently I fell asleep before they got back because I didn't hear them come in. Tomorrow we get to see a mosque, a synagogue and an old church. Whichever religion doesn't eat chicken is the religion I'm converting to!

Egypt - Day 2 - Sunday, August 2nd

I woke up and it was pitch black. What happened to the sun? Did we crash and I'm dead? Where is everyone? Oh, wait ... I'm still in John's bag. Mystery solved. I stayed in the bag all the way through breakfast (at least, I think it was breakfast, as I could smell coffee and poached eggs). Then my ears started popping as the plane descended to our landing. I heard the claps when we touched down on the tarmac. Then I heard people getting up from their seats to get their bags. A lot of jostling happened and then my bag was picked up. I hope John picked me up; otherwise, I'm going to have to learn Arabic very quickly!

I heard his voice as he mingled with the OAT travelers who were waiting for their bags. Mmmmm .... OAT. I'm HUNGRY!! When will I get fed? John couldn't hear me because I was still in the bag. I need out so I can stretch my wings. I tried tapping SOS on the bag with my beak; my distress call went unanswered.

The bag moved towards the outdoors. I knew it was outdoors because I could smell the dust. Ah, the glorious outdoors THAT I CAN'T SEE!!! LET ME OUT!!! But, alas, my cry for freedom was in vain. I was still bag-bound.

Everyone was quiet on the bus to the hotel. Either everyone was asleep or they were mesmerized by the beauty outside the bus THAT I COULDN'T SEE!!! BAWK!!!!! No one paid attention to me. They kept talking about camels and pyramids. John is SO DEAD when I get out of this bag.

The bus stopped and the bag moved again. I heard a number mentioned and an elevator (I heard bells, so I assumed it was an elevator). Then I heard the door unlock. It was our room. John put the the bag down and opened it. I'll get you ... ARRRGGHHH!!! DAYLIGHT!!!!! I'M BLIND!!!! Where's John? I'll get him!! OWWWW!!! WING CRAMP!!!!! As my eyesight and mobility came back, John and Mr. S unpacked, stretched out, and then took a nap. The nerve ...

Once I could see and move, I attacked John in bed. Well, at least I thought I did. But he and Mr. S were gone. Apparently they had left while I was regaining my vision. Well, fine. I'm hungry, so I'll order room service. Wait ... I can't dial a phone or talk. Maybe if I write my request ...



That didn't work. However, John came back from the welcome dinner and said everyone was looking forward to meeting me tomorrow. And that he would feed me breakfast. I suppose I'll let him live ... but it better be a good breakfast! Hopefully everyone else is nicer to me than he is! The day was so exhausting that I fell asleep. Tomorrow I get to see the pyramids!

Egypt - Day 1 - Saturday, August 1st

Today we begin our journey half-way around the world to Egypt! I can't wait to ride a camel, see the Sphinx, and cruise the Nile. It should be a fantastic trip! But first we need to get there. What a fun first day of traveling this will be!

We woke up early Saturday. Well, I woke up a little earlier than I wanted to because I slept with one eye open the whole night. We slept at Ellen's, who has 5 cats! Thankfully John stowed me in the carry on bag, so I didn't have to worry about a stray cat.



Ellen did have all of her cats sequestered in the back rooms, so I guess it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. But I digress ...

After posing for pictures with Ellen and John, we left for the airport at 7 AM.



First stop: Kathy and Mr. Stephenson's house (we're going to call him Mr. S. from now on, as it is easier!) Mr. S.'s friend Dee loaded us all into his SUV and we headed to the airport. After dropping all of us off (except Kathy, who unfortunately could not go with us due to a last-second medical emergency that kept her home. We'll miss you!) we checked in. I got to ride through the X-ray machine (they really should clean the inside of them every once in a while!) and then we waited for our plane. I passed the time by trying to steal Mr. S's ticket. I was a whole seat to myself! Unfortunately, he thwarted my plans and I was back in John's bag before I could get it in my beak. Drat!



It was going to be a long day. We would fly from Moline to Chicago to NYC-Laguardia and then take a shuttle bus to NYC-JFK where we would then board EgyptAir to Cairo. I'm exhausted just saying it! I would've flown on my own to Cairo, but that's a long way. And there are no pit stops over the Atlantic Ocean. Instead, I had John stow me in his carry-on bag for the entire trip. He left me with cinnamon gum and cinnamon Twizzlers to eat. Good thing I like cinnamon!

According to John, there were no problems at the airports. O'Hare was busy. LaGuardia was where they picked up their checked bags (John helped a woman get her bag off the luggage carousel - no, wait. That was Ellen. At least, that's what she says. And I trust her over John.) The shuttle bus to JFK was uneventful. At least I got to get out and stretch my wings on the shuttle!



They got their tickets (we're in the middle seats on the plane ... I wanted a window seat!), went through security (this time, I was in the bag, so I was unsure how clean the X-ray machine was), and then waited for Egypt Air to board.



They ate dinner at an Irish pub by their gate - I slept in John's carry-on bag.
They finished dinner and boarded the plane - I slept in John's carry-on bag.



They put their bags in the overhead compartment and got to their seats - I slept in John's carry-on bag. Hey, there wasn't much else to do in the bag other than sleep. I woke up in time to hear the take off. Then I fell back to sleep ... in John's carry-on bag.

Summary of trip to Egypt

Well, I almost immigrated to Egypt. I thought I would enjoy it over there, since it was warm and dusty and there was plenty of friendly people. However, I soon found out why to they were friendly to chickens: it was to lull them into a false sense of security before they fried, boiled, baked, or broiled them! And if the people didn't get me, then the crocodiles would! Boy, it was a rough country! Here are some pictures of the situations I had to get out of:

First, there was the kindergarten teacher. She was very sweet, but I'm sure she only wanted me so she could eat me at a later date:



Then there was the crocodile:



Thankfully, I had a falcon, a camel, and a baboon to take care of me:







I'll be sure to update you with all of the gory details! I had fun, but I think I had more adventures then the entire group combined! Stay tuned!