"I'm tappering." I'm ready... or am I?
Signing up for this race was the most aggressive endurance related move I've ever made. The 1/2 Ironman (1.2 Mile Swim, 56 Mile Bike, 13 Mile run) is this Saturday, April 30th up in Napa... oh jeez!
This week Brett and I are focused on light workouts aimed at maintaining our intensity over a "briefer" (not a word) period of time. I just finished a quick 30 minutes jog and in a few minutes I will join Brett for a 30 minute swim at the gym.
I haven't blogged in a while but during my run today I self inspired myself to write a post.
When I run, I usually think a lot, and for those of you who know me - that can be a scary thing. After Brett and I returned from our 44 mile ride yesterday, I asked him what he thinks about while he's riding/working out. He said that he usually thinks about crossing the finish line. So today, while I was running the thought of crossing the finish line came in and out of my mind and it was difficult not to get emotional. So now I'm running with an increased heart rate and crying (happy tears of course) - which is an interesting combo, making it all that easier to breathe (insert sarcastic whisper). 70.3 Miles is a big deal. Plain and simple. It's probably the most I will ever push my body and to be honest ... I'm already $&6!#&^ my pants.
Alright, maybe I'm not having destructible bowel movements, but I'm ridden with anxiety that I can't seem to kick. Three nights ago, I was dreaming and telling myself over and over again that there is no way that I can finish a 70.3 mile race with 40% if my airway. Two nights ago, I had a dream that it was the day of my Half Ironman and I was taking my contacts out because I thought I'd be able to see better with glasses during the swim portion of the run, but then I couldn't figure out how to get my googles on over my glasses. And last night, I woke up in the middle of the night from a night terror where Brett and I weren't married and he was playing me like a fiddle. I woke up seriously dazed and confused, uncertain of what was reality and what was truth. As you can see, my mind is playing tricks on me, which leads me to my point.
How many times have we given up on dreams or aspirations we've had because our minds have played tricks on us? How many times have you told yourself no, knowing the answer could be yes with the right amount of determination. 2 years ago, as I watch Brett finish this same race, I remember vividly admiring him from afar and thinking there was NO WAY I could ever do a triathlon, let alone a 1/2 Ironman. I gave myself all sorts of reasons... There would be no way I could swim and/or bike with such a small airway. Those turned out to be the easiest of the three events!!!! I'm here to tell you that we can be anyone we want to be and do anything we want to do, it's only our minds that stand in the way and create false realities for us. We are the only thing standing in the way from us realizing our dreams and true capacity as individuals. Step aside "me," "I" know "You" can do this! Silly me...
I know many of you will read this, and some of you may have similar aspirations to complete a Triathlon, to run a half marathon, a marathon, whatever it may be - physical, mental, emotional. I'm here telling you that you can do it. Just believe in YOU. Don't worry about how fast someone else is, or how long it would take you to complete something, or how hard it will be, because you can't possibly know the truth until you try. Going in with the right attitude is everything. Just believe that you can do it. Imagine the finish line, the rest will work itself out in due time. You owe it to yourself to be the best you. Because I'm telling you, if I can finish 70.3 miles with 40% of my airway and you have 100% of yours...you can be a Half Ironman too! I promise you that! And if a Half Ironman isn't your cup of tea, I know something else is. Go get it and tell "Me" to stuff it!
March 8, 2011
Giving 100% with only 40.
I've FINALLY begun my "training" for the aggressive Half-Iron Man I signed Brett and I up for back in Novemeber - like I said, it was an aggressive move. With only 40% of my airway... I'm planning to swim 1.2 miles, Bike 56 miles and run 13.1 miles, can you say aggrrresssiivveee...!!!
Tonight while I was running, which was a challenge... I can say that giving 100% with only 40% feels good while doing it, and thinking about crossing the finish line (after what I'm guessing while be 8 hours of my life) feels amazing too - but the thought of running before I am actually running is daunting. It's daunting to think about participating. It's daunting to sign up. It's daunting to think about doing anything with nothing BUT 100% of anything.
The reality is I do only physically have 40%, but mentally, I have an infinite amount of potential - we ALL do. It doesn't matter the amount of talent we have, the muscle mass we have or even the diameter of our airways. All that matters is the amount of passion, drive and will-power we have. It's about the amount faith we have in ourselves and the amount of trust we have in our inner potential to actualize our dreams. If we just believe we CAN do something, we have infinite potential to DO it. Like Nike tells you, "Just Do It." Giving 100% negates a 40%, and any other obstacle you think is standing in your way for that matter.
Tonight while I was running, which was a challenge... I can say that giving 100% with only 40% feels good while doing it, and thinking about crossing the finish line (after what I'm guessing while be 8 hours of my life) feels amazing too - but the thought of running before I am actually running is daunting. It's daunting to think about participating. It's daunting to sign up. It's daunting to think about doing anything with nothing BUT 100% of anything.
The reality is I do only physically have 40%, but mentally, I have an infinite amount of potential - we ALL do. It doesn't matter the amount of talent we have, the muscle mass we have or even the diameter of our airways. All that matters is the amount of passion, drive and will-power we have. It's about the amount faith we have in ourselves and the amount of trust we have in our inner potential to actualize our dreams. If we just believe we CAN do something, we have infinite potential to DO it. Like Nike tells you, "Just Do It." Giving 100% negates a 40%, and any other obstacle you think is standing in your way for that matter.
February 4, 2011
Do you hear what I hear...? MY VOICE!
After 7 years and 8 month I had a stint of about 15 minutes last night of "Normal voice."
I wanted to titled this "My Voice has returned!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" but I didn't want to jinx my voice or get ahead of myself, but for a span of about 15 minutes last night laying in bed before Brett and I went to sleep, my voice was coming through LOUD and CLEAR!
It seems the less I try to force a voice, the better off it is sounding. It sounded like I just had a plugged nose or was just getting over being sick. Now with that said, some of you might say, that's how you always sound - Brett did - but this was more clear than my voice has ever been since my car accident happened 7 years ago!
As we were laying in bed, I started singing Christmas carols! Frosty The Snowman and Jingle Bells and while it wasn't loud first, it got loud and Brett - trying to fall asleep - got annoyed. To his defense, he was sweet about it and exhausted from a long day at work. He was so sweet, when I asked him how good it sounded - he said, you always sound like that to me. To clarify, I didn't always sound THAT GOOD! I was so excited, I could barely contain myself - 7 years!! To finally hear the sound of some of my words was really too good to be true. I had a hard time believing what I was hearing and I let myself only get excited for a few minutes - I felt like calling everyone I knew at 11pm. I did call my Dad and left him a message so he could hear!
I'm hesitant to even post this blog - I don't want to jinx my voice but I think it might be safe to say that the surgery is being to show and I hope signs of marked improvement continue to come! YAY!
I wanted to titled this "My Voice has returned!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" but I didn't want to jinx my voice or get ahead of myself, but for a span of about 15 minutes last night laying in bed before Brett and I went to sleep, my voice was coming through LOUD and CLEAR!
It seems the less I try to force a voice, the better off it is sounding. It sounded like I just had a plugged nose or was just getting over being sick. Now with that said, some of you might say, that's how you always sound - Brett did - but this was more clear than my voice has ever been since my car accident happened 7 years ago!
As we were laying in bed, I started singing Christmas carols! Frosty The Snowman and Jingle Bells and while it wasn't loud first, it got loud and Brett - trying to fall asleep - got annoyed. To his defense, he was sweet about it and exhausted from a long day at work. He was so sweet, when I asked him how good it sounded - he said, you always sound like that to me. To clarify, I didn't always sound THAT GOOD! I was so excited, I could barely contain myself - 7 years!! To finally hear the sound of some of my words was really too good to be true. I had a hard time believing what I was hearing and I let myself only get excited for a few minutes - I felt like calling everyone I knew at 11pm. I did call my Dad and left him a message so he could hear!
I'm hesitant to even post this blog - I don't want to jinx my voice but I think it might be safe to say that the surgery is being to show and I hope signs of marked improvement continue to come! YAY!
January 29, 2011
1 Day Post-Op
"Patient is an extremely pleasant 28 year old female status post MVA in May of 2003..."
Yesterday, as I was being pre-op'd for my procedure, in which my surgeon planned to increase the diameter of my airway and place a steriod injection in my left vocal fold - I read through volume 3 of 3 of my medical file. Every patient history page started off with the quote from above - which is a reflection of 1 of 2 things... the truth or pure laziness. As I sifted through the hundreds of pages - now knowing where to look and what to look for due to my clincal experience through nursing school - I found something incredible.
As we go through life, it is SO easy to forget the amazing barriers we've traversed our ways around. It's SO easy to simply forget all that we have been through and what we have overcome. We tend to focus on the future, where we are going, what we are doing with our lives, what we need and want for ourselves and so fourth that it is so easy to forget where we have been, what we have been through, and most importantly, what we have overcome.
As I read back through my charts dating back to Decemeber 2003, I read things like "Pt eagar to have trache removed..." May of 2004... "Pt complaining of SOB at rest and inability to excercise." As I read through numerous other accounts over the years of my surgeon perception of my circumstance, it was clear as day to see the progress I have made to the present day. SOB at rest is NOW non-exsistence (well, a little right now between my excitement over life and the edema/swelling in my throat from the procedure). And exercise intolerance? I'm swimming, biking and running miles at a time!!! All this happened while I was busy trying to "get my voice back."
Sure, when I look at today, and where I would like to be - singing, laughing out loud - yelling... it makes me well up inside with the loss I have suffered, but I'd be lying if I didn't say I also well up inside with happy tears thinking about how far I've come, how much I've endured - and how I would do it all over again and not change a thing about myself or my life.
I think we as humans forget to think about where we've come from, what we've endured and we forget to give ourselves pats on the back for the accomplishments that we have achieved and the heartache and loss we have endured that we indirectly cause a greater disservice to ourselves. We fail to reflect on who we have become.
We all know that our experiences not only shape the way our brains think and the way we operate. However, we overlook the importance of self-reflection which make our experiences null. If we do not celebrate who we are and what we have achieved and what our hardships have pulled out from deep within us it makes the process incomplete.
One of the greatest challenges in life is giving ourselves enough credit that we deserve and basking in the glory that is our own existence the good and the bad.
As I woke in the recovery room, I met with the head nurse of the Ear Nose and Throat Clinic at UC Davis. My surgeon put me in contact with her to discuss the opportunity of joining their team upon graduation. I immediatley recognized her from my initial stay at UC Davis and rehabilitiation process. She immediatley recognized me as well saying... "You were so independent and stubborn." I didn't know if she was talking about the time I demanded to have my trache taken out - only to have it placed back in 2 1/2 weeks later aftering waking up at 3am not being able to breath calling 911. Or the fact that I would use the red cap to plug my trache, run until I couldn't breathe and then unplug the trache to enough air into my lungs. Or the time the doctors took my feeding tube out and I could finally eat a real meal. The Doctors instructed me to start off with soft foods such as puddings, yogurt and apple sauce and continue on a liquid diet with protein shakes as a base. Once we left the hospital that day a trip In-N-Out Burger was in order.
Maybe a more honest history of present illness should read "Patient is an extremely pleasant 28 year old female status post MVA in May of 2003...who is bound to get her voice back due to her independent and stubborn nature." But for now, I will focus on what I know. I've come a long way and I have a long way to go.
Yesterday, as I was being pre-op'd for my procedure, in which my surgeon planned to increase the diameter of my airway and place a steriod injection in my left vocal fold - I read through volume 3 of 3 of my medical file. Every patient history page started off with the quote from above - which is a reflection of 1 of 2 things... the truth or pure laziness. As I sifted through the hundreds of pages - now knowing where to look and what to look for due to my clincal experience through nursing school - I found something incredible.
As we go through life, it is SO easy to forget the amazing barriers we've traversed our ways around. It's SO easy to simply forget all that we have been through and what we have overcome. We tend to focus on the future, where we are going, what we are doing with our lives, what we need and want for ourselves and so fourth that it is so easy to forget where we have been, what we have been through, and most importantly, what we have overcome.
As I read back through my charts dating back to Decemeber 2003, I read things like "Pt eagar to have trache removed..." May of 2004... "Pt complaining of SOB at rest and inability to excercise." As I read through numerous other accounts over the years of my surgeon perception of my circumstance, it was clear as day to see the progress I have made to the present day. SOB at rest is NOW non-exsistence (well, a little right now between my excitement over life and the edema/swelling in my throat from the procedure). And exercise intolerance? I'm swimming, biking and running miles at a time!!! All this happened while I was busy trying to "get my voice back."
Sure, when I look at today, and where I would like to be - singing, laughing out loud - yelling... it makes me well up inside with the loss I have suffered, but I'd be lying if I didn't say I also well up inside with happy tears thinking about how far I've come, how much I've endured - and how I would do it all over again and not change a thing about myself or my life.
I think we as humans forget to think about where we've come from, what we've endured and we forget to give ourselves pats on the back for the accomplishments that we have achieved and the heartache and loss we have endured that we indirectly cause a greater disservice to ourselves. We fail to reflect on who we have become.
We all know that our experiences not only shape the way our brains think and the way we operate. However, we overlook the importance of self-reflection which make our experiences null. If we do not celebrate who we are and what we have achieved and what our hardships have pulled out from deep within us it makes the process incomplete.
One of the greatest challenges in life is giving ourselves enough credit that we deserve and basking in the glory that is our own existence the good and the bad.
As I woke in the recovery room, I met with the head nurse of the Ear Nose and Throat Clinic at UC Davis. My surgeon put me in contact with her to discuss the opportunity of joining their team upon graduation. I immediatley recognized her from my initial stay at UC Davis and rehabilitiation process. She immediatley recognized me as well saying... "You were so independent and stubborn." I didn't know if she was talking about the time I demanded to have my trache taken out - only to have it placed back in 2 1/2 weeks later aftering waking up at 3am not being able to breath calling 911. Or the fact that I would use the red cap to plug my trache, run until I couldn't breathe and then unplug the trache to enough air into my lungs. Or the time the doctors took my feeding tube out and I could finally eat a real meal. The Doctors instructed me to start off with soft foods such as puddings, yogurt and apple sauce and continue on a liquid diet with protein shakes as a base. Once we left the hospital that day a trip In-N-Out Burger was in order.
Maybe a more honest history of present illness should read "Patient is an extremely pleasant 28 year old female status post MVA in May of 2003...who is bound to get her voice back due to her independent and stubborn nature." But for now, I will focus on what I know. I've come a long way and I have a long way to go.
January 16, 2011
I feel changed... not because I know more, but because I know less.
We're home! And thank God!
The trip was amazing - the sights and experience incredible and impossible to put into words. After being gone for a month, taking 15 flights, an adjusting to an 11 hour time zone difference, travelling over 20,000 plus miles, a few skeptical bus rides and intense dreams from prophylactic anti-malarial meds, we're thankful to be home.
I feel changed through our experiences and through the sights of the various countries in Africa, but not because I know more, but because I know less.
This trip was undeniabley the most insane trip Brett and I have or will ever take together - fingers crossed. Africa is a continent like no other. After visiting three countries, Egypt, South Africa and Tanzania we are so thankful to be home - and American. The poverty and quality of life in some parts of Africa that we drove through/saw is heartbreaking.
Most, if not ALL the areas we visit thrive due to tourism. You have Egypt which has the pyramids of course, and most of the individuals make a living either through tourism or agriculture- mainly tourism. South Africa more developed and more first world (we even tasted some of the best wine we've ever had) however, the economy down there has taken a hit due to news that the area is unsafe to travel - which Brett and I unfortunaltey experienced ourselves (more in a bit). Finally, Tanzania is again tourism (Safari and Kili hikes) and agriculture yet the income provided by tourism leaves the country at the hands of foreign investors who own/invest in the safari lodges - they actually fly in the food we were eating because the food would make the average tourist too sick to enjoy their vacation.
In South Africa, we stayed in the Gardens district, which was about a 10-15 minute walk to the VA waterfront. On our first day there (New Years Eve), we left our Guest House and decided to walk down to the VA Waterfront, which we assumed would be perfectly safe, considering it was the middle of the day and light outside. Upon approximently halfway there, after stopping through the local market where touts sell trinkets, carvings and souvieres we continued to make our way through to the waterfront. I saw this neat statue type thing in the shape of a rainbow and wanted to take a photo in front of it. It had a beatifult view of table mountain in the background. As Brett and I were crossing the street, a homeless man approached us asking us for money - not unusual. Brett kindly told him he didn't have any cash, which we didn't pull any of SA currency, Rand, out yet. The gentleman wouldn't leave us alone and actually waited for Brett to take the picture of me and continued to follow us, talking us up, telling us how he "know people like us have money" and to "stop lying and running away from him." Even after Brett continued to kindly tell him we were trying to enjoy our time and that we weren't running from him (just walking really fast) asked him to leave us alone he kept following us and asking us for money. Finally, waving his beenie for money in our faces, he pulled his long sleeved shirt back on his right arm to show a large steak knife. We continued to ask him to leave us alone and his response was that he would leave us alone but keep following us. We grabbed the first cab we saw.
This incident was much scarier than when I type it out, as you're in the moment, in foreign land, foreign and alone, after reading about how unsafe SA is, only to find out the truth was not only heartbreaking but terrifying. We were both quite taken back by the situation - things we thought you only read about, but now here it was becoming our reality. Needless to say, we shook it off and continued to enjoy our day, just a bit more skiddish and aware.
I want to share with you some of the journaling I did while we were over there. I'll post a few in the days to come from the different coutries/lands we were in.
Happy to be home.
The trip was amazing - the sights and experience incredible and impossible to put into words. After being gone for a month, taking 15 flights, an adjusting to an 11 hour time zone difference, travelling over 20,000 plus miles, a few skeptical bus rides and intense dreams from prophylactic anti-malarial meds, we're thankful to be home.
I feel changed through our experiences and through the sights of the various countries in Africa, but not because I know more, but because I know less.
This trip was undeniabley the most insane trip Brett and I have or will ever take together - fingers crossed. Africa is a continent like no other. After visiting three countries, Egypt, South Africa and Tanzania we are so thankful to be home - and American. The poverty and quality of life in some parts of Africa that we drove through/saw is heartbreaking.
Most, if not ALL the areas we visit thrive due to tourism. You have Egypt which has the pyramids of course, and most of the individuals make a living either through tourism or agriculture- mainly tourism. South Africa more developed and more first world (we even tasted some of the best wine we've ever had) however, the economy down there has taken a hit due to news that the area is unsafe to travel - which Brett and I unfortunaltey experienced ourselves (more in a bit). Finally, Tanzania is again tourism (Safari and Kili hikes) and agriculture yet the income provided by tourism leaves the country at the hands of foreign investors who own/invest in the safari lodges - they actually fly in the food we were eating because the food would make the average tourist too sick to enjoy their vacation.
In South Africa, we stayed in the Gardens district, which was about a 10-15 minute walk to the VA waterfront. On our first day there (New Years Eve), we left our Guest House and decided to walk down to the VA Waterfront, which we assumed would be perfectly safe, considering it was the middle of the day and light outside. Upon approximently halfway there, after stopping through the local market where touts sell trinkets, carvings and souvieres we continued to make our way through to the waterfront. I saw this neat statue type thing in the shape of a rainbow and wanted to take a photo in front of it. It had a beatifult view of table mountain in the background. As Brett and I were crossing the street, a homeless man approached us asking us for money - not unusual. Brett kindly told him he didn't have any cash, which we didn't pull any of SA currency, Rand, out yet. The gentleman wouldn't leave us alone and actually waited for Brett to take the picture of me and continued to follow us, talking us up, telling us how he "know people like us
This incident was much scarier than when I type it out, as you're in the moment, in foreign land, foreign and alone, after reading about how unsafe SA is, only to find out the truth was not only heartbreaking but terrifying. We were both quite taken back by the situation - things we thought you only read about, but now here it was becoming our reality. Needless to say, we shook it off and continued to enjoy our day, just a bit more skiddish and aware.
I want to share with you some of the journaling I did while we were over there. I'll post a few in the days to come from the different coutries/lands we were in.
Happy to be home.
January 1, 2011
Happy New Year from Cape Town, South Africa!!!
Brett and I spent our first New Year together A&A - abroad and alone. After taking three flights to get down to South Africa - Capetown (we flew 1 hour from Dahab, Egypt to Cairo, Egypt then after a three hour layover flew 8 hours from Cairo to Joburg, South Africa with another three hour layover and then flew from Joburg to Cape Town which was 2 hours...).
Needlessto say - we weren't too tired to immediatley hit the grounds here in Cape Town and put our tourist hats on! We walked through the amazing Dutch and European style streets and visited some local markets. The people here are filled with love and have a lot of energy and spirit.
We ended up at the VA Waterfront and spontaneously took a sunset cruise on a yatch with bottomless champaign - great New Years Eve combo! We each had four glasses - but who is counting... Then we headed to dinner.
I'd be lying if I said we made it to midnight. After our hectic travels, we actually decided after a sunset cruise and celebratory dinner, we skipped the fireworks, beat the traffic and headed back to our B&B Manor. We did see midnight from the comforts of our "home."
Our cab driver on the way home - unfamilar with traffic apparently - kept saying F&*# Sh*t over and over again and swearing at people with nice cars while simultaneously hollaring at the "beautiful mamas." He told Brett and I that he finds the "right one" ever two months... and then proceeded to scream profanities. Our favorite was "Mother NATURE!" instead of "Mother ..." - well you get the point.
We are happy to be here and out of Egypt - for Egypt (aside from Dahab) was insane. The combination of smog, honking horns, auditory and visual stimulation along with 5 time daily prayers was enough after 4-5 days. The driving is insane was well - the white lines painted on the road are pointless and there are NO traffic laws - NONE... It's UNREAL!
Tomorrow, after a tour of Robben Island (considered the Alcatraz of South Africa) - where Nelson Mandela was held for 30 years, we head to South Africa Wine Country. We are renting a car, scary - well won't say that because Brett is driving, but I will say that they drive on the "opposite side" of the street here, and while I am in the "drivers seat" in the Western World, I will actually be the passenger. Pretty much a metaphor for Brett and I's relationship. After 5 nights - we head to the airport to fly to Tanzania for our game drive! Can't wait!!!
Well, we're off for more adventures. We feel VERY blessed to have safe travels!! Miss all of you dearly!!!!!
XoXo - Brett & Gina
Needlessto say - we weren't too tired to immediatley hit the grounds here in Cape Town and put our tourist hats on! We walked through the amazing Dutch and European style streets and visited some local markets. The people here are filled with love and have a lot of energy and spirit.
We ended up at the VA Waterfront and spontaneously took a sunset cruise on a yatch with bottomless champaign - great New Years Eve combo! We each had four glasses - but who is counting... Then we headed to dinner.
I'd be lying if I said we made it to midnight. After our hectic travels, we actually decided after a sunset cruise and celebratory dinner, we skipped the fireworks, beat the traffic and headed back to our B&B Manor. We did see midnight from the comforts of our "home."
Our cab driver on the way home - unfamilar with traffic apparently - kept saying F&*# Sh*t over and over again and swearing at people with nice cars while simultaneously hollaring at the "beautiful mamas." He told Brett and I that he finds the "right one" ever two months... and then proceeded to scream profanities. Our favorite was "Mother NATURE!" instead of "Mother ..." - well you get the point.
We are happy to be here and out of Egypt - for Egypt (aside from Dahab) was insane. The combination of smog, honking horns, auditory and visual stimulation along with 5 time daily prayers was enough after 4-5 days. The driving is insane was well - the white lines painted on the road are pointless and there are NO traffic laws - NONE... It's UNREAL!
Tomorrow, after a tour of Robben Island (considered the Alcatraz of South Africa) - where Nelson Mandela was held for 30 years, we head to South Africa Wine Country. We are renting a car, scary - well won't say that because Brett is driving, but I will say that they drive on the "opposite side" of the street here, and while I am in the "drivers seat" in the Western World, I will actually be the passenger. Pretty much a metaphor for Brett and I's relationship. After 5 nights - we head to the airport to fly to Tanzania for our game drive! Can't wait!!!
Well, we're off for more adventures. We feel VERY blessed to have safe travels!! Miss all of you dearly!!!!!
XoXo - Brett & Gina
December 21, 2010
It's goodbye to Cairo and hello to Aswan!
After three crazy days in Cairo, and by crazy we mean INSANE, we are happy to be off to Aswan.
Cairo is insanity on wheels. There are horns constantly honking - constant and pedestrians crossing the street like "Frogger." Brett and I have truely experienced our first culture shock. This city is in shambles! The buildings are built out of brick and clay and cement and many do not have roofs. Smog checks don't exist here - that is for sure. However, amist the insanity described above, between the hagglers and the donkey carts alongside the road, lies a genuine nature, once you get past the haggling ofcourse.
Aside from the people, the pyramids were amazing! Breath taking and a sight to be had. We enjoyed our 2 hour camel ride in Giza. It was an amazing experience. My camels name was Alibaba and Brett's camel's name was Mickey - like Mickey Mouse. My camel was sassy and hated laying down for me to get off and occassionally grunted and spit and snorted. We also visited Dashur and climbed down about 100 steps into the bottom of the pyramid - once in there, we could barley breath and the limestone reaked of ammonia, I had a mini panic attack as I felt as though I could not breathe.
Yesterday we travelled by bus 6 hours southwest into the black sand and white sand desert and slept under the stars. We hired a guide and drove us through the desert sand dunes and set up our camp and cooked us lunch, dinner and breakfast. We watched the sunset against a salvador dali backdrop and woke just before sunrise and also made a friends with a fox named Jose that looked just like HURLEY!
Now after three crazy days, we're on to Aswan. We're staying on the Nile and will visit more temples and tombs. After Aswan we are taking a bus to Luxor and then onto Dahab to spend Christmas on the Red Sea.
PS: People think we are brother and sister and are from Spain or Canada.
Cairo is insanity on wheels. There are horns constantly honking - constant and pedestrians crossing the street like "Frogger." Brett and I have truely experienced our first culture shock. This city is in shambles! The buildings are built out of brick and clay and cement and many do not have roofs. Smog checks don't exist here - that is for sure. However, amist the insanity described above, between the hagglers and the donkey carts alongside the road, lies a genuine nature, once you get past the haggling ofcourse.
Aside from the people, the pyramids were amazing! Breath taking and a sight to be had. We enjoyed our 2 hour camel ride in Giza. It was an amazing experience. My camels name was Alibaba and Brett's camel's name was Mickey - like Mickey Mouse. My camel was sassy and hated laying down for me to get off and occassionally grunted and spit and snorted. We also visited Dashur and climbed down about 100 steps into the bottom of the pyramid - once in there, we could barley breath and the limestone reaked of ammonia, I had a mini panic attack as I felt as though I could not breathe.
Yesterday we travelled by bus 6 hours southwest into the black sand and white sand desert and slept under the stars. We hired a guide and drove us through the desert sand dunes and set up our camp and cooked us lunch, dinner and breakfast. We watched the sunset against a salvador dali backdrop and woke just before sunrise and also made a friends with a fox named Jose that looked just like HURLEY!
Now after three crazy days, we're on to Aswan. We're staying on the Nile and will visit more temples and tombs. After Aswan we are taking a bus to Luxor and then onto Dahab to spend Christmas on the Red Sea.
PS: People think we are brother and sister and are from Spain or Canada.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)