A Postcard from Egypt
We are ten intrepid
Americans, bucking the media blitz of fear to complete a pilgrimage to
Egypt that for some is the dream of a lifetime. Over the loud protests
of family and friends, those who have made the choice to come on this
adventure are not disappointed. This morning, our first day here on the
Giza Plateau, started misty and mysterious as we entered the area of the
Sphinx to stand between her paws and ask permission of this ancient guardian
to proceed through Egypt on a path of initiation into her mysteries. It
was eerily quiet, with no other people around as we completed our ceremony
and moved to continue our explorations in the Valley Temple.
As we approached the temple,
a bus drove up and unloaded a group of secondary school girls who were
on a field trip to learn of their country’s rich history. They politely
made way for our little group to enter first, and we went directly the
public viewing area at the side of the Sphinx where Emil, our Egyptologist,
talked to us about the controversial theories on the history of this enigmatic
being.
A few of the braver girls came forward
and asked if they could have their pictures taken with us. We were happy
to comply and suddenly found ourselves swarmed by these beautiful, youthful,
and thoroughly delightful pre-teen and teenage girls. They wanted to know
where we are from, what our names are, and how old we are, obviously excited
for an opportunity to practice their English. They were welcoming in such
a pure and openhearted way, that by the time the next wave of students
entered the area, this group much younger and even more unabashedly friendly,
we were all embracing and practically cuddling there on the rocks by the
side of the Sphinx. I wished I had taken a video to show my friend Kathy,
who had tears streaming down her face as these beautiful children came
to her in waves of three at a time, kissing her face as she wrapped her
arms around them. Two of the teenaged girls danced for us, right there
in the temple, while we clapped our hands and trilled with their friends
and teachers.
Our feeling of welcome only intensified in the festival atmosphere of
the pyramids, where it appeared to be a day for students. When they found
out we were Americans, many told us with great care and sincerity how
badly they felt for what happened to us in our country.
With our hearts burst open, we finally tore
ourselves away to bask in the good feelings of the morning and the magic
that is so quintessentially Egypt.
