The Fam in Cairo--Day 1

First Published January 1, 2009

We have just returned from our first dinner in Cairo, Egypt.

Our day started in Springfield, Missouri on December 31, 2008. Many of our friends arrived to hug us, pray for us and see us off. We can't tell you how grateful we are for that special memory. My nephew, Ian, was absolutely incredible with all of his help as a TSA officer at the airport. 24 bags, 8 carry-ons, ticket agents as kind as could be and smooth sailing.

Our plane departed at 10:27 am from Springfield and completed its first leg in Chicago, IL. We were to depart at Chicago on time, but the pilot announced that the plane had to wait on some excess baggage that was in transit. We all sheepishly looked at each other knowing that it was ours from Springfield.

From Chicago we went to Frankfurt, Germany where we found a McCafe. I drank a $4 Diet Coke and knew I was in Europe. : ) We then transferred from United Airlines to Lufthansa.

We boarded the plane and were told that the engine would need repaired and it would take about an hour. By then I guess I was so tired that when I woke up the plane was fixed and we were in the air. So much for remaining aware of my surroundings...We crossed into the new year somewhere over the Atlantic, but I think I was unconscious (lack of oxygen, I'm sure.)

At 3:30 pm, January 1, 2009 our feet landed on Egyptian soil--our first home in this leg of the Amazing Adventure. The funny part of the trip happened as our luggage began to gather. Several fast talking Arabic men began shaking their heads and kept asking if ALL this luggage was ours. Yes and 2 are missing. We counted, recounted, stacked, counted, stacked some more and confirmed that only 2 of the bags were late arriving.

The baggage agent assured us that they already knew which 2 were missing and they were on our way.

Our school representative didn't show or we couldn't find him so a man with 2 minivans loaded our luggage and took us to our hotel, El Nile. Very sweet, hospitable people met us at the desk and began the process of taking our luggage up to the 4th floor. Now we are in a room that makes Motel 6 look palatial, but we don't care. It's a little tired looking, but aren't we all?

The hotel has a Korean restaurant in it so that's where we ate our first dinner. Americans in an Egyptian hotel eating Korean. Sounds like the start of a great story...

Thank you for your prayers. We will sleep in tomorrow and then begin the process of looking for a furnished apartment near the school. An agent will show us some possibilities...

Now we head to bed already having heard the call to prayer, many horns honking and pedestrians yelling at dodging cars. A city of 20 million...4 M-rt-ns. We can do this--if you pray.