Egypt - Day 14 and Day 15 - Thursday and Friday, August 14th and August 15th

Today was definitely bittersweet. We were saying good-bye to Luxor and heading to Cairo. Today was our last official day in Egypt! Tomorrow morning we leave for the States. I think I'll shed a tear!

But not before I peck on John's hands and feet! He has been a horrible chaperone! Note to self: bring birdseed with me whenever I go on a trip with John. He never feeds me! Also, don't forget my own ticket!

We flew back to Cairo (John in his luxurious seat, me confined to his carry-on luggage - AGAIN!) and headed to our hotel. Finally, we could relax. Nothing on the agenda today except for dinner tonight. Hopefully I get something to eat! But first, sleep. John and Ellen wandered around the grounds while Mr. S. and I got some sleep. He looks like a mummy when he sleeps!



When Ellen and I got back, I asked her to take pictures of me with everyone from our bus. (I would've asked John, but the stupid human got his camera wet in the Nile!). We got pictures with everyone on the bus.

There was Pam and Larry:



And Valerie and Joyce:



And Mary and David:



And Jose and Lupita:



And Bob and Carol:



And Mary Ruth and Barb (wait, where is there picture? I know we took one! John, you better find it and update it when you get the chance, OK)

And of course, our fearless leader (aka - Tour Guide), Ahmed:



We had dinner that night at an Asian restaurant on a floating boat in the Nile. John learned how to use chopsticks, and I learned that JOHN IS HORRIBLE PERSON WHO DOESN'T FEED CHICKENS AS OFTEN AS HE SHOULD!!! Maybe I'll get some dinner at the hotel when we go back? Nope. They went to bed early so they wouldn't be tired the next day.

The last day (travel day) to the US was uneventful. By uneventful I mean LONG. I was stuck in the overhead compartment listening to young children SCREAMING. I thought for sure John was torturing them, they were so loud. But it was just the air pressure getting to their little ears. If you let me out of this bag, I'll peck their ear drums out for you! Really. No one got me out of the bag.

I assumed we made it through customs at JFK, even though John didn't declare me. I'm giving him the cold shoulder when we get back. He'll be sorry! But first, we have to get to Minneapolis and then the QC. We got through each airport safely and arrived at the Stephenson household around midnight. Kathy was up and ready to talk with us about the trip. She was fine (sad, depressed, upset and angry about not being able to go, but physically better) and I was tired from all of the traveling. John went to bed that night, and the next day we came to Home Sweet Home. Where I promptly ate some popcorn kernels I scrounged out the lounge chair. John, you got some 'splaining to do!

All in all, Egypt suited me. I would've enjoy more freedom and more food, but the locals were friendly (sometimes too friendly) and the climate was perfect (hot and dusty). Too bad I couldn't have stayed with the nice, young kindergarten teacher! Maybe next time ... when I travel alone!

Egypt - Day 13 - Thursday, August 13th

Today we were up before the birds! Apparently, we left early to beat the heat. All I can say is - John looks HIDEOUS in the morning! And he's grumpy, too. Remind me never to tick him off in before noon.

On the itinerary today: Queen Hapshutsut's temple, the tombs of King Tut and other pharaohs, and then the chicken farm! I can't wait!

First up: Queen Hapshutsut's temple.



It was totally cool! Apparently, it was buried under sand for years and was only recently excavated. A very royal, regal place. Very spacious. I would've stayed all day, but we had tombs to explore. Onward!



When we got to the Valley of the Kings, it was a scene straight out of "The Mummy". Trails led to outcroppings and hills that were most likely tombs. We were allowed to go in three. We went into some AMAZING tombs! The coloring on the tomb walls were awesome! As an added bonus, we got to visit the Valley of the Queens. Less visited, it was just as fun. I even got to explore an unnamed tomb.



The guard yelled at John. I laughed to myself. This day is perfect.

And then it wasn't. As we boarded the bus, John put me in his bag. I didn't mind, because I knew in a few minutes we'd be at the farm. I wanted to mingle with the hens and chicks of Egypt. The bus stopped, I heard voices, and then silence. Where did everyone go? OH, MY, GOD!!! HE LEFT ME ON THE BUS! He knew I was looking forward to this visit. HE IS SO DEAD! I plotted his death while he was away. I could push him off the balcony at the hotel. Or I could throw his passport in the Nile so he would be stuck in Nile forever! Or I could peck his brains out. I was still plotting when he got back. He apologized but I ignored him. I gave him the silent treatment for the rest of the day. Not like he noticed!

After dinner we took a tour of Luxor. It was GREAT! First we got in a horse-drawn carriage. I said "Hi" to our horse and then we were off. It was night so it had cooled off. However, it was very dusty. Just the way I liked it. We went through the back streets of Luxor. We saw toy shops and fruit stands and butchers. "Help me! He's going to murder me!" Before I could help the CHICKEN held up by his neck in front of our carriage, we had moved on. John, of course, took a picture of the chicken and the butcher! This is the last time I go on a trip with John! Maybe if I smoke on this hookah, all will be forgotten.



Nope, I still remember!

We went back to our room and started packing, as tomorrow was our last day in Egypt. I was sad. However, I perked up knowing that I won't have to be around John much longer. He is such a heathen! I slept great, thanks in large part to the hookah. Apple-flavored tobacco is a great relaxant!

Egypt - Day 12 - Wednesday, August 12th

Today we had to leave our boat. I was sad to leave because the service and food (what little I had) were excellent! I will especially miss Hani, as he was always kind to me. He liked me so much that he wanted his picture taken with me. Wait? How did John get in there?



John even gave him his bag of Oreos to share with the crew. Wait a minute - Now what will I eat when I'm stuck in the bag?

We disembarked in Luxor and headed to the Steingenberger Nile Palace, our hotel for the next two days and nights. It was a very large hotel and our room was on the top floor. We even had a little balcony to view the courtyard below.



I thought about flying across the river to visit the tombs of King Tut and his friends, but the heat had me broiling! Thankfully, John left me in the nice, cool room while they ate pizza in the restaurant below. I'm sure he'll feed later. Right?

Wrong! He came back and put me in the bag. Not the bag again! I would've fought him, but I was so tired that I didn't realize it was him until I heard the bus start up! I better get to see this temple!

I did. John took me out when we got to Karnak temple. The grounds were huge! There were statues



and monuments



and pillars!



I so wanted to fly up there and scout out the area. But John had a tight grip on me.

I also wanted to peck his hands off me when we got to the scarab statue.



If I fly 7 times around it clockwise, will that get rid of John? Apparently I was not allowed a chance to do that. I left with John, disappointed I was still with him. Will I ever be a free bird?

We went back to the hotel, where John chatted with Kathy on-line and I did nothing. I eventually fell asleep, saddened by the fact that tomorrow was our last "real" day in Egypt. And we get to go to a chicken farm! Yay!