Scene from a distance...

Tragic really....leaving all those oranges piled up in a lonely corner in that posh Hurghada supermarket. I bought just four, leaving the crinkly leaves in the bag. Now? With hundreds of vitamin C deficient children roaming the streets beside me, as I travel on through the outskirts of Cairo, I wish I had a few oranges to share out. My western, wrinkled cheeks stand out here. Not many Aussie tourists around in such troubled times. I am still offered many exotic trinkets all of dubious quality. Buy 10 mini sphinx and get 20 free for cousins and aunts! I am amused by this bulk selling technique - it sounds out of place here.
I feel guilty. The mother in me taps at my shoulder. Little children earning a living. Our lungs sucks in the furnace air..... It's so very dry here...I am thirsty but mine is quenchable with the "aqua minerale" dispensed from my hotel. Oh "Oberoi" you do it so well. Nice touch that chocolate truffle on the crisp night linen! I loved it.
But now, I try to look poor......ashamed at my gold pass sunglasses. Hustle and bustle brings me to my father's past to a place he viewed well before I was born. My eyes are now set on the enormous pyramids...one of the many wonders of my world now. Hues of sienna, rust, dust, slate and limestone.

I have goose bumps at the enormity of these monster sand castles! Funeral homes for the long dead. But I am completely overawed at the workmanship. I sit down at the side of the road to rest and to take it all in. Ironically an Egyptian policeman strikes a pose just for me - lips puckered and seated on his camel. "No charge" he calls out. I take his picture anyway, as the children have run away now. I then reluctantly allow a tourist guide to use my camera for me. He takes my photo holding a pyramid. It's my proof of being here......there I'm justified!! I feel myself smile.....I made it. Cairo you are amazing.

Egypt some more...

Could have seen today coming! The dust is settling over the hills of Hurghada at last and the blue "Red sea" is more aqua than ever. Fifty seven kite surfers are up in the northerly winds to the left looking out of the marina. An osprey has made it's sprawling scruffy nest on the outward bound marker just feet from the boats swell. Warming up at 23c the prospects of a swim invite me but the sea is chilly @20c water temperature and I settle for "chili" omelette to warm me up and Nespresso coffee...what more could a girl ask for? Exploration of the local supermarket reveals amazingly diverse supplies and I wonder who buys cat food and a garden rake to compliment their boat stocks....Whatever, nearly everything is available and I am fascinated by the tin of Bombay Indian Curry powder blend number 80. I settle for flat bread and hummus. Magic is the taste of the local honey. I am almost ready for the ancient places that I came here to visit and I start to pack a bag of garments ready to explore in comfort - the great pyramid and sphinx near Cairo. I want to smell it all - feel it - but no more haggling over prices please. I have been offered so many fake watches! Not very Egyptian.
The salted air tastes so, so good...the spray has thickened my hair.
First - This arvo we will sail to the other side of the Red Sea. White hills sprawling. Dolphins calling, just two of them. Lucky me...I am going to need to explain what I am doing on this massive motor yacht at some point I guess...?