My ‘Miya Miya’ Life

January 20, 2010 – Luxor, Egypt

In Egyptian Arabic, “miya miya” means 100 x 100 or “perfect.” I think that’s a fair assessment of my life in general, but the last few days especially. 

 

Take the day before yesterday.

 

We woke at 4:00 am to visit the incredible Egyptian ruins of Rames II at Abu Simbel. Because the ruins are located only 25 miles from the Sudanese border, we were assigned the equivalent of an Air Marshall to ride in our van and we joined a convoy of more than 30 vehicles surrounded by marked and unmarked police escort to make the 3-hour drive. If you know me, you’ll know that the proximity of these temples to Sudan makes my way cool list. (Interesting, Sudan is supposed to have many more pyramids than Egypt). We arrive at the Abu Simbel antiquities early morning to see Rames II in all his glory. Here’re just a few shots of these amazing temple from the 3000-2000 BC. One of the guards told me I could hold his Key of Life. Not surprisingly, I’ve heard this line before…

Or even yesterday.  We spent the day sailing on a felucca and chilling out on the Nile. The weather was perfect and we all lounged in the sun listening to Bob Marley. I’m not sure where the hours went, but we all ended up sleeping out on the boat, slumber party-style.

   

We visit Karnak, with 10 temples that span 10 dynasties. It actually starts to get a bit mind-boggling at this point. Let’s just say that these are some pretty impressive relics.

Or tomorrow:  I’m due to wake up at 4:00 am again, this time to take a balloon ride over the famed Valley of the Kings at sunrise. Um, can someone pinch me, ‘cause I’m thinking life doesn’t get any better than this. Actually – those were my exact thoughts: “I’m the luckiest grown-up girl in the world” – when all of a sudden, as I plug into my iPod, it hits me out of no where: Homesickness. I’m blaming it on the Dixie Chicks. I start thinking about what I miss most (besides, of course, my family / friends / kitties):

• Cooking myself a huge breakfast, while basking in the morning light of my kitchen
• Driving the winding mountain roads of my backyard, while singing at the top of my lungs
• Sitting in my garden, drinking coffee and chatting on the phone with friends

This is the real source of my 100 x 100 perfect life. Because as fabulous as my travels are and as much as I love seeing new sights and making new friends, I’m truly the “luckiest grown-up girl in the world” because I get to return home.  Miya Miya Me.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 20th, 2010 and is filed under Arab Region.