Day 36 India to Egypt

Thursday January 10, 2008

Up very early and on our way to the airport – we arrived by 3am. We took a picture with Mr Sing – I gave hime my contact information and got his – ecept for an email address which I hope he will send to me.

I told him all of the amounts that we had spent to hopefully ensure he would get his commission. I have grown quite attached to him and hope to see him again someday. I had daydreams of helping fund his dream of setting up a spare parts store front.

I gave him 100 US and 500 Rupees – I would have given him all of the rupees I had remaining but I am afraid to go anywhere in India without money – including the airport – who knows what bribe might be necessary – what unique tax might be imposed.

We checked in and the ticket counter lady asked for more money – I told her I had paid last night and thankfully had the receipt. We were at the gate by 4 am. I was envious of Allysha's ability to curl up on the chairs and sleep. Pam and I made a couple of calls regarding the house and cats. We only reached Merri – I feel so guilty having to rely on our friends but I cannot see any other options at this time – Thanks to you all.

We did get a brief email from Lea indicating that work was still being done on the house. No details, nothing regarding the softball sign-ups or cats.

Left a message for my cousin Chad (also our insurance agent) thanking him for coordinating things and seeing if he had any news. Also left a message for Lea.

Boarded the plane and left about 20 minutes late – food and a movie on the place – I dosed but got no quality sleep. We landed in Bahrain and had a brief layover. Met a Canadian lady, Monica, who was travelling alone – had been to Lebanon and was also headed to Cairo. Bahrain is the first country where our dollar is worth less than the local currency – the Bahrain Dinar. We purchased a few books very expensive and Allysha got a meal of chicken nuggets, fires and a soda from a food place a called Jasmines. I got a Bill Bryson Novel, The Life and Times of the Thuderbolt Kid and another pleasure novel – thriller – Act of War by Dale Brown. I finished the Koontz novel – it was ok – a quick read but nothing I would recommend. Pretty thin plot and nothing to really learn – no researched facts etc.

I started finally doing my Egypt research on the flights. I am nervous and excited – I have dreamt of seeing the Egyptian pyramids and tombs since I was a small child and it is about to come true. I hope the arrangements we made are sufficient.

We land and get our visa with no trouble – all of our bags arrive – through immigration and customs with no problems. I hit an ATM, get a little change and start negotiating for a ride to our hotel. I get a cab for 70 Indian Pounds – Pam is not happy but I just want to get there.

When we arrive we start to check in only to find we are at the wrong Marriott – the one we want is back on the other side of the airport. We try to transfer the reservation but since it was booked through our travel agent she would have to cancel it and it is only 5am in CA and we do not have a cell phone number for Shonne. We decide to get another cab back to the correct airport – as you can imagine Pam is frustrated – and won't let it go. It costs us 120 Indian Pounds to get back.

The hotel is nice but internet is expensive. I take a shower as I stink and the girls are scoping out the place, I am writing this – oops there's the door, it's the girls returning.

Pam gives Allysha her malaria pill and she starts to feel nauseous immediately – I am exhausted and stay in the room with Allysha while Aria and Pam go get dinner. They bring back some pasta and pizza – Allysha and I had fallen asleep.

    

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