It’s a Small World

Ok, remember what I said about Egypt’s charm disappearing? I totally take that back. We rested at the hotel till 11:30pm, then boarded the bus along with all our luggage, suit-coats (only 2), the immeasurably talented Abdul and headed off, horn tooting, lights flashing and attitude galore. If we’d had a tail it would have been wagging like mad. You simply could not make a video game near as fun or challenging as Cairo traffic. We squished and hurtled our way past, through and around all the peasants. It was our lovely driver Said’s birthday and after a rousing happy birthday song his driving only got friskier. We laughed alot. Especially at the expense of the poor guy whose car or driver, not sure which, simply couldn’t make it over a speed bump. Our driver shouted encouragements out his window, the security detail howled with laughter and we all joined in. It must have been horrible demoralizing, but after all, we are Important. As we rocked off, they were just hopping out to start pushing. The airport came too soon.

Anyone flying through Cairo knows how horrible annoying the red shirted luggage helpers are, as well as the professionals who offer front of the line services aka, push and shove, and the incorrigible security personnel who want a tip for catching your stuff on the other side of the conveyor. Let me tell you, our security detail made short work of them, in fact so thorough I never even saw the first red shirt. Heath noticed the exchange and told me later. We got no questions, just breezed through every single check. Never opened our luggage, nothing. Faithful Hassan accompanied us all the way to the first screening check point and told the agent not to frisk us. Honestly, I half expect to see him in Paris! Fact is I wouldn’t mind.

We’re hanging at gate E02, waiting on our flight to Paris. So far so good. From there we go to Minneapolis, then Sioux Falls. Should be home Saturday evening, Lord Willing.