Hey Guys!
It has really been a super long time since I have posted here, and just to make up, I would post this, a documentation of my Egypt trip which is actually only for selected people. Well, I guess now I would just say it was sneak preview for them xD well, do enjoy this, and look out for my next post titled - Realisation. Do enjoy this, and give me any comments or suggestions should you want to hear anything from me! Enjoy!
Day One:
Took a 1 a.m. flight from Singapore to Dubai, in transit to Cairo. Generally it was a pleasant flight except for the fact that I had a running nose when I was on the plane. Well, it is nothing out of the ordinary for me, as I would often have running nose due to a change in climate, even if it means to step into an air conditioned room, let alone the cold conditions and the difference in pressure and everything else up in the plane. Well, when the plane descended into Cairo, the sight was simply breathtaking, as i could see a layer of clouds illuminated by the breaking of the dawn. Funny seeing how out hyperbolic exaggerations used in our compositions come alive, even more beautifully before your very eyes. Then the desert plains become visible, and although it was very plain, like, just silhouettes of plateaus, and the miniature sand dunes in one plain sight, it was actually quite beautiful. For us, marveling at mountain ranges and plantation agriculture is the ‘normal’ definition of beauty. But this exotic and rare view of a desert at a bird eye’s view to the horizon can be too classified as beauty; the simplicity. It was juxtaposed by the suez canal and the red sea that flows adjacent to the edges of this endless sight. I really have no words to describe this beauty. It has brought too unto my memory that all that was created by God in 7 days, and what great plans did God had for the middle eastern countries to contain these brutal, yet simplistic creation. God did not bless any country or nation less, but gave each their own specific nature, and climatic conditions for us to treasure, and for the rest of the world to discover. Who knows? Maybe in twenty years time, beauty would not be defined as green pastures, and farmlands, and mountain ranges, but as what I saw from the plane? I guess that is what I love so much about leaving the cozy environment of home, and step out to the world, and experience, and comprehend the wonder and splendor, and the diversity of God’s creation. Indeed He is brilliant! 
well, upon arrival to Cairo, having stepped foot on a foreign soil, I have too breathed in the foreign air. What they has said about Egypt is true; indeed the air lacks moisture. Although it is winter here right now, humidity levels remains, and it is really dry, and as of now, my fingers are already very dry; the thick layer of dead skin resulted from excessive usage of the guitar has dried up even more, and became more protruding. I can really feel the difference while typing on my left and right fingers xD okay that’s besides the point! At customs, we met the first of the Egyptian race, the people at the counter. I could really tell that they did not really bother much, and just did all the checks hastily. Well, they are generally friendly, and welcoming. So we got onto the coach, and it is those average air conditioned buses, 6/10 standard, rather dusty, having 3 houseflies circulating within the bus. Anyway, the first place we visited was a museum, which has many stone carvings and statues of the typical Egyptian figurines that you might have already perceived in your mind before you embark on a journey there yourself. But what helped me appreciate this form of art is the commentary and explanatory, based on the historical value and background that each individual carving has behind. Some may be from 3000BC and it has been preserved so well, that even the colors are original, reason being that the dyes are made from natural sources like flowers, eggs, etc. Also, the guide explained the ancient Egyptian symbols depicted in the statues, and all the different features found on each individual statue, ha a specific meaning and representation of the king the artist was trying to portray. It is indeed highly fascinating to know that people in the past can so skillfully do these things, and think of such great metaphorical representative of gods and goddesses. Well, it is just sad to know that it is these idols that the jews were worshipping under the nose of God. But anyway, it really fascinates me to see how much gold the people have back then to plate anything the Pharaoh owns in gold. For most of the things in the museum are made of wood, plated in gold. Well, after the museum trip, we had a lunch stop, whereby we had this buffet lunch. Well, you may be curious as to wonder how the food here tastes like. Well, it is pretty much the normal, something like that of Turkey, guess even if it was disgusting, we would have been used to it as we had worse in Turkey, either that, or we are really hungry. As for me, I took two full plates of serving, and I felt so warm. I guess the only reason I was feeling cold in this enjoyable climate was because of my lack of food! Well if I keep on this diet, I guess you will see me when I come back FAT haha! On the way out of the city after lunch, I witnessed some really poor people dwelling in the streets, walking to the passing vehicles selling towels, and simple hand made items, in which many, were brushed off. I guess that’s just it when you are in a developing country, there are two ends of the social class, those wanting money due to materialistic drives, and the other, needing money to live on. Well the rest of the day was mostly spent on the coach, as we took the coach from the city, out. I took advantage of this long coach ride to catch up with some lost sleep, and I have to say that sleeping is awesome xD! By the time I got up from the sleep, it was 5 plus and the sun was already setting. I could see the sky in a screaming orange, extremely beautifully blended into the yellowish rock-face at the mountainous horizon. As the sun sets lower into the ends of the horizon, the mountains start to discolor and form silhouettes unto the dusk. The orange started to fade to a gentle yellow, before disappearing, revealing a beautiful navy-blue sky, before it totally dissipates into the darkness, leaving the night sky gloomy black. Not long after the disappearance of the light, do the stars start to appear. At first, I saw one bright star, and jokingly commented to my sister that it is the North Star, and should we follow it, we will find Jesus, in a manger, after all, it is Christmas! Well, but when everyone is fast asleep in the coach, and I flip open my iPad to update this, did I realize the night sky dotted by plentiful silvery white glimmers, that of you will never get to see in the bright city lights of Singapore. The breathtaking view Abraham beheld when God promised that his descendants will be as bountiful as the stars in the night sky. Indeed the night before Christmas is a really dark one, but without it, all these would not appear before my eyes. I took out my earpiece immediately, and turned on some Christian audio, and look onto the stars and worshipped Him. Knowing that I’m the only one awake, I whispered as I looked towards the brightest star I pointed out to my sister, and said, that is my promise Jesus; this is the covenant by which You have gave Your Word You will fulfill. The one that will lead to salvation, the path, the promise, the covenant that will lead me to Jesus Christ my Lord and savior. I spoke in tongues under my breath, marveling the transition, from this morning, the break of dawn, to the fall of dusk, a beautiful transition of the day, that will never be observed in Singapore. I submitted myself to the saturated presence of the Holy Spirit, hallelujah! While I was taking ten minutes to pray, and daze unto the stars, it has brought unto my memory of how a star can shine by its own, not having to depend on the sun or anything to have a natural radiance, like the sun, they are independent. So I got this revelation, when God promises us something, it is really like, ‘on this truth I stand’ kind, and it won’t waver one single bit. But when the devil tempts us, he has to be like the moon, he has to wait on the seasons of our life, whereby there would be a ‘full moon’ in your life, when you are at your lowest, in the darkest of the nights, when God, the sun, the brightest sun does not shine in your life, but the devil kopes all God’s light, and reflect negativity into your eyes, and you get to see him so brightly in your life, and get consumed it. Where other days, when God’s light shines, and it is not timely for the devil, it becomes a new moon, and God’s splendor is over your life, and on other days, he shines partially, like a crescent, a half moon, or a 3/4 moon. The devil has no roots in our life, he has to depend on the absence of God to try to consume us. So really, there is only one word to encapsulate the devil; weak. So this Christmas, why not we look to the leading star of our night sky, why not we pick up the brightest star in the night sky and recognize it as God’s promise to us, and follow it until we find salvation, until we find restoration, reconciliation, healing, our blessings that God has promised us! Let’s be shamelessly persistent in praying for it to come to pass, for after all, it is this time, 2000 years ago that God has so perfectly planned for Jesus to come to walk with the human race, to dwell with us, to edify us, to teach us, to heal us, to bring salvation to us! Amen?
Day Two:
We woke up at 630 in the town of Hurghada, in the Hilton hotel, we had breakfast at 7, and observing the risen sun at the edge of the horizon of the panaronic view of the Red Sea, paralleling the backdrop of an island of mountains (or at least that was what I saw). We took on an optional tour for a ride on a quad-bike; a four wheel drive in the desert. It cost 55 USD but I have to say it was worth it! It was a really simple mechanism, by which there is a thumb button for gas, and like the bicycle, brakes on the two handles. Well, it is really hard to explain the thrill that I felt while I was riding on the quad-bike, but it was rather fast, and hence breezy, and at times, dusty and sandy. At first it was difficult to maneuver, like how to control your speed, brake, and stuffs. But soon enough, we got the feel of it, and it was all alright. The trail was rather bumpy, and by butt was rather hurting. My thumb too was rather tired after having to press on the gas to move. The whole trail was about 30 kilometers, and it took two hours plus to complete. We had a rest stop midway, where we had a really short camel ride, like just 10 meters there and back. There, we saw the typical desert people, and they were rather poor. One even asked if she could have a pen from one of our group members, which before that, the guide had already told us about the people there who wanted our items, for they could not afford them. But still, she gave the desert girl the pen, and she was really happy. It is rather awkward to share, but at that time, I really felt like going to the toilet, so I asked the local guide if there was a toilet around. He looked towards the natives, spoke in Arabic words, then turned around laughing, saying “here, no toilet. Any mountain you like, go! Enjoy yourself!” and I was there like ‘…’ and smiled, and found a mountain that I really LOVE (yeah right) and went around it, making sure I was out of anyone’s sight, before relieving myself. I have to say, it was really cooling. I meant literally! XD then we went back. The experience was really awesome, as we got the chance to be close up to the landforms, like the mountains and stuff, like really travel to it. I’m really disappointed that there is no free Internet in the hotel, hence I wasn’t given the privilege to contact back to Singapore. Anyway, after that we were given half an hour to freshen up ourselves before taking the coach with the rest of the group to lunch. Lunch was really delicious, it is grilled chicken with buttered rice. Although it may appear simple, it is actually really nice. Idk if it is Egyptian style chicken rice or not, but it tastes nice. It is quite juicy, and the rice is really different from the one we had in Singapore. It is like, more oily, and sticky, like, not properly cooked, or not having enough water while the rice is being cooked. But when you eat it, it is palatable. If every meal here is like this, I’ll do just fine! (unlike in Turkey xP) well, it is Christmas here in Egypt, and I felt more homely feeling of Christmas back at the hotel the previous night as they served roasted turkey for dinner, and the man who cut the piece out for me was an Egyptian, but wished me Merry Christmas. I mean, what I love about these people who wait upon you overseas is their hospitality. I mean, in your own country, when people are being hospitable to you, you will just take it for granted, like, it is supposed to be that way. When when you are in a foreign land, and someone is being friendly to you, you will really feel that special warmth in you. After lunch, we were brought to the beachside to embark on a glass bottom boat in which we could look down the crystal clear waters. The waters in the red sea is indeed really clear, by which we can really see the seabed, and the corals residing there. What I love about the boat ride was the breeze, and it is really very fresh and moist air, as it was by the sea, unlike in the desert or city. One person even went for a dip! Wonder how freezing cold that would be! XD haha! Well anyway, after that, we went to a perfume palace by which a really convincing, tall and buff Egyptian salesman explained the history and origins of the essential oils, the pure concentrate formula by which all perfumes are made from. He could even memorize which base are that of the make up of various brands of perfume. Like Chanel, Dior, Hugo Boss, etc etc. he could name them all. Well, in any case, he had convinced me a lot that it is really worth buying. I was impressed, for I am not someone who is easily convinced xD there was frankincense as well! Haha! I didn’t know what it was until I smelt it today. Three drops of its concentrate was put into warm water, and they told us to smell it. Do you remember doing SPA and how your chemistry teacher tricked you into smelling ammonia? Well, it was the same, it went straight into your nose, down your throat a little, just that this time, you get menthol aroma instead of some chocking ammonia, whatever unpleasant smell xD apparently it was good for the running nose, so I took the cup of hot water for a second whizz xD my dad got himself a bottle of sandalwood, which actually has no fragrance but is good for the massage, or headaches, muscle pain etc. well, my main aim in wanting to talk more is to be as charismatic as him, as to be able to speak, and even if it is a trickery, make it sound convincing xD well, of course, I won’t misuse this ‘talent’ that I wanna cultivate out of the frequent talking that I practice. Well, the day ended with us heading down to a street where we are given an hour to shop a little, where we saw this Egyptian man, sitting down at a table, making colored sand bottles which was really beautiful. We got ourselves 3 bottles of the sand which we put our names in it, which cost us forty Egyptian pounds (s$8) which I thought was really cheap for such beautiful work of art. Then we went by coach back to the hotel for dinner, and now, retired back to our rooms. Merry Christmas! Regards from Egypt!
Day Three:
We woke up at 6 and had breakfast at 630, and checked it at 715 to start our journey towards Luxor. The benefit of waking up so early in the morning is the privilege to see the crack of dawn at the horizon of the Red Sea (as I had said I saw yesterday). The reason for this early rise was to travel to the city of Luxor. It was a 4 hour drive, which had really nothing much to see along the road, which was the reason the most of us fell asleep on the coach. One thing about here in Egypt is that the daylight is really short, and we have to use the most of the day to visit and see the places, before the sun sets at about 5 in the p.m. So our guide took this time to explain the history and background of this place Luxor, which is translated, the land of gods, by which most of the kings buried there (in the valley of the kings) have their pyramids. He even mentioned about Moses, and how in the Qur’an or in the Holy Bible it isn’t mentioned which Pharaoh was the one who Moses helped the Israelites out of Egypt, but he said many people debated that it was King Rameses II when in his rule, was a very powerful king. We had lunch upon arrival to the cruise (by which we would spend the rest of the four nights there), which they claimed to be five star, (which was not really good looking) we had our lunch. After lunch we headed down to see two temples, well, it was nothing the surprising about the place, perhaps because I have seen aplenty in Turkey, but what I really have to commend the ancient Egyptians is for their brilliant ability to transport these really heavy limestone and granite down the river Nile, to these places to construct. And also in that era, there was no such things as cranes, or machinery, but still they did it. And even now, coming to think of it, I think the modern day architect could not even replicate the similar facade, corridors, walls, pillars, obelisks, many many many works of art, and the best part is that every single surface of any wall, structure, ceiling, pillars, or anything is covered with hieroglyphic carvings, conveying really strong messages about the king, his reign, his palace, his contributions, his assumed afterlife, many many things. That, the history, was what impressed me, topped by all of that, was done in 2000 BC! By which men built it by hand! Simply amazing, it was meters tall, ten, twenty easily, vertically escalating skywards. Well, after the two visits to the temples, and having the guide explain to us the structure and the places in the temple (i.e. from facade to holy of holies), he brought us to the bazaar, in which we got a peek at Egyptian ‘salesmen’ which are, in one word, condensed, and spelt as, F.R.A.U.D.S.T.E.R.S; fraudsters! Well, at least most of them. At least I got me a good buy of ten papyrus bookmarks for one USD. Which I thought was quite okay. After the bazaar, it was already sundown, and we went on an optional tour on the horse carriage ride. I have to say, it was really very wort taking, for the ride took us into this really narrow road, by which was the sales of the fruits, vegetables, and clothing. It was so interesting, as I never knew it could squeeze into such tiny alley as such. Anyway, we got to explore the untouched areas of Luxor by which the normal tour did not cover. We got a first hand experience as to the life of the poor. We could really see how dirty they were, skinny, and went up to your carriages to ask for money. Honestly, when I first saw documentaries about these poor people in the region, I told myself one say I’ll be rich, and come down to these places and bless these people. But as I come down the alleyway by which these people were contained, I had mixed feelings about that. For yes, on one hand they may have their needs, but on the other hand, some disrespect the people, and even spat at my dad! Gosh! Well, but I thought the boy was just being cheeky xD I was really moved by compassion when the driver told to me come in front and sit with me, and we had a little talk, and it was my question to me, reciprocating the act of him asking if I was married, I asked if he was, and he said no, and the way he asked me if I was getting married soon, if I were to have a baby, were indirect implications of his own want to have it himself. Even though he did not say it out loud. This simple conversation, although he did not really understand English, and we had a really small talk, it was a good insight as to the life of the people here. Well, more than not, I observed the life of the people here, and really felt the communal life here; how the people could be standing my by the street and chatting, the driver just shouting at some familiar person along the street, shop vendors, etc. the kind of sight you do not behold in Singapore. The people here, I have realized so far, really love foreigners, many smiled and waved towards me when I was on the carriage, in the bazaar, from the coach, etc. Well, we concluded the day with dinner back at the boat. What a tiring day! It will be four days without Internet, meaning till now, and four days later, I had, and will have no communication with Singapore, which is really sad, for there ain’t no here on the boat but whatever it is, I will enjoy! good night! Regards from Egypt!
Day Four:
It would be irritating to repeat the beauty of the sunrise here, but it just gets better. This time, we woke up at the sea level of the river nile, and we got to see the . Some who opted for the optional tour, to sit on the hot air balloon could enjoy the spectacular view from 2000 meters up, but we took the one in Turkey already, over the little town of Capadoccia, hence did not see the need, for we had the experience already. Well, today, we didn’t really do many things. Our first stop was to some twinning cat-faced statue called the colossi of memmon, it was really nothing much really, guess that was just some meeting place where we can unite with the rest of the group. But it was there that I personally got up close to an Egyptian dog! I just whistled randomly, and it just got up and went to me! My sister and I were so fascinated. Anyway, after that, we headed down to the valley of the kings, by which we weren’t allowed to take any photos. It was a beautiful limestone mountain, in which 50 kings were buried, and it was really interesting to see how the kings back then could think and construct such beautiful tombs. Most of the tombs are underground, and it is so fascinating to learn how they used simple leaver mechanism to bring down the massively heavy granite tombstone down from the top of the river Nile, down to the valley of the kings by which is down at Luxor. We were given a pass which admits us to 3 tombs, should we want to go for more, we have to buy our own tickets, but our guide said it wasn’t necessary. It is my first time being in such a large burial location for one person, so it was really cool. There were many many Egyptian painted engravings of what the king was like, as well as scenes, portraying the offering of food and incense to the Egyptian gods, as well as the kings potraying themselves as gods, with their cartouches, titles and descriptions. Well, it is another experience that I’m exposed to! Well, after exiting the valley of the kings, on the way to the temple, which is our next stop, our to guide clarified the Qur’an’s verson of the life and story of moses, which already alone, has many variances with that depicted in the Holy Bible. Well, one of our friends there shared the eastern interpretation, which if you are interested, I can share it with you! But really, who knows? Our heavenly Father in heaven! Anyway, we reached the majestic to temple of one empress which also housed many high ranking officials tombs. It was, to me, by far the nicest temple yet. Well, to tell you the truth, all the temples, tombs and historical statues all look the same, and over time, it just loses its flavor but still, merit given to the ancient slaves who were able to construct something so large and impressively elaborate in the minute details. Amazing! Well, the day was really short, like, really, for after lunch, was free time. So, we depended a lot on the pathetic ship facility. We made use of this cui table tennis table to kill our time, and well, it was rather alright! Well, I feel, it is more of a socializing time, as we got to know and get close to the other group members. I’m so sad, as I am the only guy, and also, there are only 4 teenagers there ><! Well anyway before dinner, there were small ships that came and tied their small boats onto our ship, and started seeking attention from the people at the top deck above, and threw shirts four stories up from their boats. I really adore their skills, and also, their trust in us that we would return them their shirts and carpets should we not want it. Well, I guess that’s their way of life, traveling around the Nile, to get business from the people on the boat. It is really interesting, and many people gave their ‘wooo’s’ and ‘waa’s’ when they threw the items up the boat. To me, I really feel sad, and sorry for these people, who’s way of life is so tough, making me feel so blessed, to know how fortunate we are. They are living on an average of 5USD a day. I really feel very sad for this variance of society, and made me want to treasure, and value everything that I do have. Anyways, we had dinner, and went to this shop in the ship, and saw this shop keeper named Bob. He was really nice, and he translated all our names in hieroglyphic, and explained what our names meant in the language. Today was really short, and the day was mostly spent on the boat, but I really have to say that the top deck was really cool, as the view is great, and also really cooling. Honestly, it was my first time taking a boat overnight, let alone, having 2 more nights here. It is really an enjoyable and relaxing time, these two days, and I guess it is due to this, that I am so lazy, that this documentation is getting shorter and shorter ><!~ but still, am unable to send it out, for there is no internet! Till then, peace out!
Day Five:
Today we woke up early to get onto a horse carriage as a transportation to a temple that we are to visit. I think slowly, it is getting irritating, to disembark from your ride to find vendors and kids, pestering you, persistently pushing you to buy things, and say you have bought the item from one person, another person selling the same thing will come and try to sell it to you. But well, we cannot blame them, as they are really poor, and they need the money. But what I really admire about them is that even if you show not one ounce of interest, they will still come after you, and promote their products; I give merit for that. Well, it was just another temple, and in time, we got accustomed to identifying the depicted symbols, and scenes portrayed on the walls of the temples and tombs. I would have run out of vocabulary to describe these things to you. Well, there are two ways of looking at the number of temples and tombs built here in Egypt. One is to say that the kings then are really powerful to command his slaves to built these buildings for him, and it was not easy, but still he was able to make the people build it for him, and the other negative way of ‘appreciating’ the bountiful national monuments is to say that they are all the same, henceforth viewing one is enough. Well, to me, it is really an eye opener as to the historical value of these places; they are so rich in comparison to that of Singapore! Remember Bob? The shopkeeper? He was so shocked when we said that Singapore is only like 50 years old, as his country, Egypt has a long history of 5000 odd years. We were having this conversation of politics and religion in Egypt, and he shared how he was of a minority of 30 % of Christians, the Egyptian orthodox. He also shared how the Christians in Egypt are being discriminated against, and how some churches are bombed by the people. But really, what I see in Bob is true faith in the God he serve that He would protect him. Although we know that he isn’t a really strong Christian, we can tell that he has this aura, you know, if you know someone who is a Christian, and say or do something and you feel like the presence of God? He was like, I know, you all Christian, ‘cause I just see you, I know you Christian. Although it was just a simple statement with strained mutual understanding, we can really feel so.. Waaaa, like this warmth in you, like you are reunited with a long lost friend or brother! Then again, we went up to the sun deck to play table tennis again! It is a really simple yet fun game, you can’t really get bored with playing it. It was really during this time where you get to socialize with the group members. Well, our tour group has many aunties there, and they even commented about how I have darken in my skin tone, since day one! Haha! I mean, nothing beats understanding Singaporean aunties, for once you get into their language, like the half complain half praise, or joking with you and stuffs, well you can’t get that much time in Singapore with these aunties, for they will be arguing with the fish monger over 10 cents, or gossiping with their friends. So it is a real rare occasion to be able to linger around them, and having them ask you simple questions, and they will joke with you about little things. Funny how these little things can just brighten up your mood. After this free time, we went to another temple. Well, it will be just exhausting for me to explain to you the details, but this time, it is two temples, that mimicked each other, forming a symmetric figure, that looks like just one building, but the guide explained that the two were dedicated to two different gods altogether. Well then we went back to the ship, where we had tea time, and my dad had me to talk to this couple, who was on the same trip as us. I have been noticing him, and he is a rather rich guy, who at every stop, he would get souvenirs and photo mementos. But he isn’t those sort of snobbish rich guy who flaunts wealth, and has “eye see no men” - mu zhong wu ren. XD he is actually a really humble guy, he and his wife. He shared how he was the son of a man who provides raw materials (silk) to large companies like billabong etc.; he is an Indonesian, who came to singapore to study, and now, is a property agent. But he said he didn’t start off rich, he actually grew up in a one room flat, and slowly, built up his family business in indonesia, and how the large companies take advantage of their weak currency, the rupiah, and by this way, force their revenue to the minimum. But they still did well, and made a living. But in the economy crisis at the start of this millennium, his dad lost almost everything, leaving them to start from scratch from the one room flat. His boss lent hi, some money, and with his determination, he picked up fast. Fast forward, Josh, the guy who shared, got a business degree, and his dad asked him if he want to take over the family business, force was the eldest, but his dad didn’t want to, for he knows the business will only go down. So he went onto fox.com, and searched the 100 richest men on earth, and he realized that be it a banker, stock broker, doctor, or whatever, one thing they have in common is that they all were involved in the trade in the property market. That was the beginning of his story, and it wasn’t easy, for his dad doesn’t like the idea of him doing it, for if you don’t know how to do it right, once you lose it, you lose it by the thousands. But still, he made it up, and he was so successful, and really, like what pastor John avanzini said, he wasn’t bragging, for bragging is to say you have something you don’t have, but he has it. Today, he is nicknamed Astro boy in the property realm, and his just acquired a property in orchard where he will live with his wife and mother (his parents divorced) and it was 3 and a half story high, the tallest landed property in that area, the heart of orchard road, whereby he would have a four story high water feature, 6 carpark lots, and top grade interior design, including a fully glassed staircase well and lift, and had spent a hundreds of thousands importing the most famous kitchen down from UK. He did all that for his mother, for he wanted the best for his mother, for he remembered the lengths she went to give him the best, last time, in the poor conditions. You should know, it is harder to give the best when you are poor in comparison to giving the best when you are rich. So to him, it is jut a fraction of the sacrifice that she made for him, and he was possessing such great humility. I felt so blessed when I heard his story. It took about 2 of 3 hours for him to share but I thought I would just condense it for you. Anyway, after dinner we had this galabaia night, whereby we would down this costume and party. I bought the set for 8USD and I thought it was quite worth it. Although it was a short day, I enjoyed it a lot!
Day Six:
This morning, 27 of our group members embarked on an optional tour to Abu Simbel, which is the highlight of Egypt, or so they say. Our family reasoned amongst ourselves that it was not worth the trip, for firstly, we were required to pay each a hundred and fifty five USD, which was like… Whutt? And also, we had to wake up at 3 in the morning to join the convoy. It is a three hours up, and three hours down trip, with only a two hours stay there. We thought it was really not worth it, and we did not join it, and took time to catch up with some sleep. So instead, we got up at 7 for breakfast and took a walk down the streets ourselves. We were approached by a horse carrage driver who offered us 50 Egyptian pounds for transportation down to the bazaar in Aswan. Of course, it was after some bargaining and negotiating. It was our luck that we chose to take on this trip on the horse carrage, for not, we wouldn’t have known where to turn, and just walked straight to nowhere. Upon arrival to the bazaar, we had a look around, and my mom got herself three scarfs to give to her relatives. It was really interesting, the construction of the bazaar, for it was built along one single street which supposedly stretched for 4 bazaars. Well anyway, my dad got his friend this really cool sand bottle, by which you can design your name in it. This guy was doing it on the streets, this really nice boy, who displayed his artwork on the counter of his workplace. It was really beautiful, especially for one special one thy he did, on a wine bottle. It was so beautiful, the details of the desert floor, the camel, the sky, the birds, sun, sand dunes, etc. beautiful. So then we headed back to the entrance, and right at the arch of the entrance to the stretch of the bazaar, was Thomas and Rambo, the driver and the horse. We were taken aback by the fact that he was right smacked in the centre waiting for our return. For he said, payment would be when we disembark from the ride, not when we start. He sent us back to the boat, and when we paid him and disembarked from the carrage, he secretly swapped the notes and instead of 50, he displayed 35, indicating that we have short paid him. When we realized we were tricked, he admitted indirectly by saying “baksheet” for the horse, which means in their language as tips, which he supposed was for the horse. But we walked away. 50 Egyptian pounds is a lot to them already, which is like, 9 USD. This is for more than their daily wages, so although a bit more may be seemingly nothing to us, my dad insisted that we do not entertain them. We went back to the boat for lunch, before meeting the rest of the group for a yatch ride, which was to bring us to an elephant shaped island, but due to low tide, and the lack of wind, we weren’t able to go there. Really, this trip has been a whole new experience for me; it was the first time I rode a four wheel drive on my own, climbed onto a camel, sat on a cruise, and now, on a yatch. Life is good here in Egypt so far, and we saw migrating birds from Europe, to here in Aswan, which is warmer, over a sunset sky. Beautiful! Anyway, from there, we went back on board to the ship for free time. I guess out of 5 free times that we had, 4 were spent talking to bob. We even explained to him about the Chinese language, and gave him an interpretation of his name. His real name is Bahaa, and we made it in Chinese ba hai, 8 seas literally, and we explained how 8 is a really lucky number in Chinese, and how hai, is sea, and could represent his future is as broad as the sea. Similar to how he interpreted our name in hieroglyphic, we coined one for him in Chinese. He was so grateful. At night, we had a belly dance night. Everyday, our tour leader, Billy would draw and design the itenary on board the ship for that day. Our tour guide, the local guide, has a rather bad pronunciation of the English language, and sometimes refer to Billy as belly. So this morning, when the guys were out at Abu Simbel, my dad cheekily took a marker pen and corrected the belly dance to billy dance, giving us all a good laugh when the rest got back. If we were to compare the dance here in Egypt to that in Turkey, we all agreed that the one in Turkey was so much better. They had the wheeling durvishes as well, but still, Turkey was so much better. But still, we had a short, yet great day altogether! By now, it’d be 6 in the morning in Singapore for you! Good morning, and have a great day! Greetings from Egypt! (still no Internet in Egypt! Sad TTM ).
Day Seven:
In the morning after breakfast, we checked out from the boat to the Aswan high dam, by which we got to see the Mediterranean sea, split by the the dam. It was a massive structure, which used 11 times more volume of rock in comparison to that of the pyramids of Giza! That alone could generate 50% of the energy in Egypt itself. After that, we took a motor boat to this temple, which house this structure that looks like a baby cot, and they called it the bed of the gods. Or so if I can remember. Well, I guess I will really skip the details, for I can’t repeat the vocabulary used to describe the rest. There, we met some students who went to visit the temple, and they were so friendly, and talked to me when I was taking a rest. Or thing I notice about the people here, is that they love to talk to foreigners. Be it having an agenda (want money, or to sell us things) or not, they just want to strike a conversation with you, and take a photo with you. I guess right now, I have doubts about the people whenever they approach me, like I will think if they have a ulterior motive wanting to speak to me. But still, as a whole, I still enjoyed the little conversations that I have with this people, and they gave me many new insights as to the life of the locals, and how they go about their daily routines, and how they make a living. After that, we went to this cotton factory, by which they sold 100% Egyptian cotton products, like shirts, sweaters, bed sheets, and table cloth. It was really cool, but to me, it isn’t anything impressive, just that it is Egyptian xD well anyway, we went to this really cool restaurant that is situated on an island, and we have to go there by means of motor boat. From there, we got to see another island that is originally shaped like an elephant. Food was as per normal, as we slowly got accustomed to the food down there. What was special was that we got this pineapple soda, and a special Nubian mixed fruit cocktail, which tastes rather well. So then we coached down to this granite quarry, which an unfinished obelisk was found, the reason for their abandonment of this obelisk was that it was cracked. For not, it would become a forty odd metros tall one. But our guide said that no matter how tall or impressive a statue, tomb, temple or monument may be, it is the unfinished, or abandoned ones that are valuable to archeologists for it is through that that they get to uncover how the ancient Egyptians do up their buildings. It was a great climb up, and at the top, we got to see this really long piece of granite, that has yet to be engraved, which has cracks over it, and we realized why it wasn’t used. After that, we went to this papyrus producing factory, where we got to view how the people make real papyrus paper, instead of fake sugar plants produced paper. Anyway, the great thing about it is that the paintings were so beautiful, and I got one for myself, to display in my room when I will be moving. Of course, I didn’t get the expensive one, but one that was reasonably good, and I requested to paint my name on a cartouche in hieroglyphic. It was great! Anyway, we went back to the ship at about 3 to have a bath, for you can’t to do so in the train, for there is no shower facility. So we bid our final farewell to Bob, who gave us an insight to the protest and revolution in Egypt, and he told us he was a protester himself. Haha! Well then, the driver dropped us off at KFC to take away some food, as the guide said that the food on board the train is bad, so he advised us to buy some food from KFC. For tonight, we are going to sit on an overnight train to head back, from Aswan railway station, back to Giza, at Cairo. You can add this to the list of the things that I will do for the first time right here in Egypt. For I have never sat on an overnight train before, and it would be my first. My dad warned me that it would be very bumpy and I could not sleep. Anyway, when we arrived in the train, gosh was the cabin squeezy! it could barely contain our luggages, let alone having to open them, so we just let it be. Well, the dinner served looks just like normal, just that it doesn’t taste normal at all. I had to chew the chicken with the muscles of my jaw excruciatingly, for thirty times before it could be sizable to swallow. We settled down, and it is bedtime.
Day Eight:
My dad was wrong, and I slept like a log in the train, for 9 hours, guess I was consumed by the tiredness of the whole trip, and I finally gave up trying to keep awake for the last few days, hence I just laid on the cabin bed, and listened to music. At first, I was so consumed by the sadness, and depression the songs were trying to convey. But soon, I wanted to get out of there, and I just turned on Christian audio, and overwhelm the sadness with God’s presence. I cried quite a lot, cuz I was feeling rather sad and depressed. Still, I made it out of the day. It was much colder, when we arrived, at Giza railway station, in comparison to that of Aswan; in the morning when we breathed out, smoke could be seen. So we hopped onto our coach, and made it out to our sight seeing programme. We had a rather tight schedule, as we visited four sites in Cairo. I couldn’t really remembered the sequence of events; the chronological order of progression. Well, from what I can remember, we had visited tombs, temples, as well as a fort. Well, I shall skip the first two, for they would be the same to talk about, but as for the fort, it is a first. Well, I have never seen an actual fort before, and I guess fort canning doesn’t count. This fort was built for a sultan, a king, who had actually constructed a lighthouse, which was one of the ancient seven wonders of the world. But because of an earthquake, the whole lighthouse collapsed, and using the stones from the originally built lighthouse, the people constructed a fort, which stood at the original ground of the site. The fort is really very large, and it was like three stories tall, the main one, and there were many interesting features of the fort. For example, there was this opening by which the soldiers could pour boiling oil down the vent, which is situated right above the opening of the fort, and I could really imagine how the people can defend themselves. Like when the enemy came, and they retreated back into he fort, they can pour the boiling oil down and ignite the whole thing altogether. Okay, too much of imagination. Well, another interesting feature is that it is built similar to Singapore’s, as they also overlooked the sea. For this case, it overlooked the Mediterranean sea, and it was just, b.e.a.u.tiful! Choppy waves crashed into gabions, which protected the foot of the fort, and I just got a revealation; our faith is only temporary. Just like the gabions which protected the foot of the fort (as learnt in geog that it is hard engineering against coastal erotion) has a “lifespan” of 15 years, so does our faith; having a limitation, a lifespan. The devil comes like a destructive wave, bringing more backwash than swash, and he tries to erode our promises from God. So we as Christians have faith, and put up our defense machinisms to insure ouselves against the devil. It is just like how men put up coastal protection measures to prevent the loss of their national heritage. But still, it is only temporary. There is always a time limit, lifespan, best before, and expiration date for anything. Be it a car, a dog, food, water, and so does our faith. Day by day, the devil will keep trying to attack our faith. Minute by minute, out faith level will depreciate, our resistance will be diminished, our strength will dwindle. But God, offers us comfort, salvation, promises, deliverance, blessings, anointing and love, He is our Shepard, of which, will lead us towards the truth, and the Father. Jesus provides us with the renewal of our faith, the reinforcement of our resistance, and the fortification of our strength. Amen! Fret not when the devil attacks our faith, for we know we have a higher calling, and a greater purpose than to be repeatedly attacked, consecutively assaulted, or time and again get encroached by the devil. But we are here to be one with Christ, and to let Him come into our lives, intervene within us; and let His glory blossom, His mercy magnified, His love love augmented, His grace transcended, His love radiated for all to see I our lives! Amen? Well after the visit, we had a late lunch and it was there, which I had first contact with Singapore! I heard over the phone, within the chatter of the background of the new year eve celebration, the soothing voice, of you know who it was just the reverberations through my soul, the warmth of the distant receipted love, that my love satellite dish managed to pick up signal from. The answer to my prayer, that I so badly needed for eight days, without wifi. The answer that God gave me, after having to cry out to Him at night, in the train. Indeed He may not be early (it is eight days!) but He is never late! We were at this restaurant I overlooking the sea, as the sun was descending to the edge of the sea, when it was almost midnight in Singapore, I hope I had completed her year, as how she did to mine hehe! Well, then we went on a super long ride to the hotel, which by God’s grace, have wifi as well! All glory to God xD really! It was truly a new year’s gift from God so then I was able to view some really awesome video messages, and I was able to reply to them. Well then, we had dinner, and had a bath, before heading back down to the reception for a second helping of wifi, and the countdown to 2012! It was just so great to be able to stay up for the first time, over 12 in Egypt, and it was to count down to the new year. When then counted down to one, the first thing I saw was an old couple French kissing passionately right in front of me. What an amazing sight behold on the first day of the new year! Gosh >< anyway, we greeted those who stayed up happy new year before heading to bed. Anyway, I just like to challenge you to start this year with an abundance of faith, having a five kilometer long gabion, to shelter and charge up for the tough year to come! Happy new year! Greetings from Cairo, Egypt
Day Nine:
Happy New Year! We woke up early in the morning to take a bus ride down to the desert area. It was a 400 kilometer drive all the way to the ‘resort’ where we’re to be staying for the night. It is indeed a long time, sized to ten times to that of the length of Singapore! So using this time we had, we played monopoly on my iPad. We played with Josh top, the property agent, so yeah, it was fun to see him bring in some sales talk xD Well, it was really time killing, and before the second game ended, we reached the desert area. We visited many little place, like a mummy museum, burrial chanber, as well as a tomb which is burried under the desert sand, which was excavated. It was dedicated to many pharaonic gods. Soon enough, we reached the hotel, and checked into this little room, which housed three beds, and two beds in another room. We decided that for this night, we’d all sleep in one room altogether. So after lunch, we chose a jeep, whereby we would take for the whole day until we get back. So we had this really nice tour around the deserts, and we had a stop over at one of the plains for photos. In my opinion, the tour to Egypt started today, for my impression of Egypt is about deserts, sand, pyramids, camels. It was really amazing, my first time stepping onto desert sand, and touching it with my hands, and sinking my feet deep into the sand. Amazing. It was just, so fine, and beautiful. The mountains that is carved so beautifully naturally by the winds, was a splendid sight to behold, and this time I’m serious *wink* haha! Well anyway, we went to the black and white desert. It was not long before it was sun down, on the first day of 2012 in Sahara desert, but what unfolded was even more magical than what was in the day. Remember the sight that I described to you on day one? It was similar. One look up, you see the vast infinity of the pitch black welkin, dotted by countless stars, a sight that I myself have never beheld, a sight I myself never dreamt of being in. It feels like open heavens, when you get to see all His majesty, the whole sky, painted with His radiance. I just can’t explain how beautiful it is, for words are just words and you just have to be there by yourself. I just stood there, marveling God’s creation, and even this is a fraction of what God has created for us. Splendid! It will always be, indefinitely, a unforgettable, memorial day for myself, and I believe many others, to be under the stars, having dinner, by a fire, in the middle of the Sahara desert, on the first day of 2012. I really cannot encapsulate the beauty of the night into words, but all I have to say, it was the second best night in Egypt, for there was lacking of God’s presence, unlike that of day one. But on the trip back, I turned on Christian audio, and jacked two earpieces on, and just submit myself to whatever that is to take me away. God came. I turned on the playlist of Hillsong’s A Beautiful Exchange, and I was soaked in tears, when the praise, open my eyes came on. “in the stars I see your majesty displayed, in the heavens all Your wonders far proclaimed… I seek to know the ways of your heart”, soon, I fell asleep, and crawled back into the resort, and was fast asleep. (guess now you know I am backtracked in my documentation ><!
Day Ten:
Theoretically the second last day here in Egypt, but I’d consider it the last, for the next day, all we would do is to travel to the airport, and go back home. This morning, we woke up early, to the chilly frosty morning in the resort of Sahara. Well, we had out breakfast, and took a similarly long trip back to Cairo, as long as how we made it there. This time, we didn’t play games, but rather, catch up on sleep, while I, caught up with my bad lot (of this documentation), and also to read the English translation of the Chinese ISPL book - The
All of the Wild. Well, it was not long, before we have reached the pyramids area, and we had lunch, before jumping straight into a two odd hour exploration of the pyramid area. From the coach, (afar) the great pyramids of Giza, one of the seven wonders of the world, do not look as impressive, like, it wasn’t as tall. But once we got up close face to face with the hundred and thirty something meters high pyramid, we were awe-struck by the majestic structure. About the pyramids, and why ancient egyptians wanted to build it was because its triangular shaped is likened to the symbolism of the sun god, Ra, and the Egyptians kings wanted to be like the gods, that in their after life, when buried in pyramids, would be like the sun god, shining all over egypt, all over the world. Every construction of the pyramid consists of four buildings : the valley temple, whereby the mummification process would me held, mortuary temple, where the funeral rites would be carried out, the causeway, where the mummified body from the valley temple would be transported to the mortuary temple to carry out the rites, and lastly, the pyramid itself, where the dead king was to be buried. Well, it is really really fascinating to know how all these things existed in the past. Amazing! Well, we stood at the foot of the largest pyramid, and look skywards, it was so steep; each block of the rock is six small steps! Although I thought it was bodily able to scale the whole height of the pyramid (I would if I was allowed to), but was stopped at the height of where everyone is, that was, only a fraction of the whole height of the pyramids. Now that’s what I’m talking about, Egypt haha! Well anyways, we went to the panorama of the pyramids, whereby we got to see the three pyramids of Giza from a panoramic view. It was amazing. And it was there where we took a formal, 15-20 min camel ride. It was super cool, butt very scary, and gross. The camels were burping, and shitting, and everything, and it was smelly, and an unpleasant sight. But still, the scenery have proved to be a better sight than to look at the camels. Haha! Well, towards the end of the ride, it was almost sun down, and there was a column of light that shone down to the surface of the earth, like heavenly light, you must see the photo! My sis captured it, but it was definitely more appealing real life, but it will do. Really, it was amazing, like God’s light shining! Haha well, the dark clouds approached, and it started to drizzle!! We were so lucky, for it only rains in Egypt for five days (if I didn’t remember wrongly) in the year! The guide said that it is good luck, to see rain there, and I guess he was right, like what are the chances. Haha! Well, the rain didn’t last long, not long at all, and it was the lightest drizzle that I have ever seen before. The droplets were so fine, and the touch on your skin is almost negligible! Well then we visited the Sphinx, the cat faced statue, and had a group photo there. We ended up,the day in the Cairo bazaar, having the last leg to chiong buy all the souvenirs for our friends. Well, that was the whole trip of Egypt. All in all, I feel that it is a really great trip, and like I said, had many first experiences, and revelations from God. It is either the best trip, which I feel it can be engraved in my memory, or I have grown to appreciate, the value of overseas trips, and the lessons that I can bring home! Unforgettable.
Hope you have enjoyed :) God bless you :)
