So I’m sitting in a FoodMart right now. It’s kinda weird because every restaurant here is in English. Hm. No wonder Jordanians speak so much English. Anyway, to get the login name and password for the wifi here, I have to buy a doughnut (the login name and password are on the receipt). Yeah, I know it’s a hinderance, all those doughnuts. I’ll probably gain 20 pounds in exchange for this internet connection, so ya’ll better be grateful! Haha Well the title of this blog is kind of a lie. I’m in Jordan, but the pictures that will be posted are actually from Egypt. I know, it’s about time. Here’s a shout-out to all my friends and family, and especially to my immediate family gathered around the computer looking at these! (er…I hope you’re looking at them…ha)

I’ve got more to post soon, but it takes a while and I need to go to bed. Hope you enjoyed them! Wait for the next installment!

…until Lizzie posts something again.

Ah, she’ll be ok…

Burger King
Shopping
Suburbs
A Map of Jordan (the only decent one I’ve found)

…if any of you made a comment on the “She’s Here!” post, I responded to you. I’m going to (attempt to) respond to any comments made on almost all my blogs, so be sure to go back and look. Shukran jazeelan!

Wow, I feel like I’ve been here for weeks and weeks. That’s great, since I actually have 3 months left. I’ve gotten used to all the cigarette smoke though! I don’t get so sick when I walk outside…or inside. Oh I saw something funny yesterday - this kid, couldn’t have been older than 7 or 8, was driving this HUGE HUGE motorcycle in the middle of the midan (square), and was driving with one hand while smoking with the other. Ha. Only in Egypt…
Anyway, today was the first of our 2 free days in Cairo. Almost the entire group went to Alexandria today (they’re still there) but a few people and I stayed behind to go to Coptic Cairo. After looking around for a couple of hours, everyone broke off into small groups to go do their own thing. My friend David and I went slumming (**AGH! I JUST SHOOK OUT A BUG CRAWLING UP MY PANT LEG! BLEH!**) for several hours - THAT was an experience. Well, it was a speaking experience for David, and more of a listening one for me. Being a girl, in all the street conversations (all of which were with men cuz women just glare at us) I was ignored. Kind of annoying, but I guess that’s better than being hissed at. But that experience is for another day - I’ve got to get you guys caught up with everything else. Here are some pictures I managed to save on my computer before my camera died. They’re not amazing at all, but it’s all I’ve got to hold you over until I get my camera fixed…

Oh, and the women-folk will get a kick out of these - I’ve decided to take the advice that was given me and keep a journal of all the pick-up lines I get. Here are the most recent ones, most of which I received while walking through the Khan Al-Khaleely market:
“Nice, very nice”
“Oh beautiful angel!”
“Spicy hot lady”
“Mona Lisa!”
“My future wife!”
“You are so beautiful - why?”
and my personal favorite, “Oh excuse me, you dropped something,” (*I looked*) “My heart!” Yeah, none of those would really work in the states, but guys - you’re welcome to try. Let me know how that goes. haha Well thanks everyone for your support! Until next time…

Ok, ok everyone, I’m here. No need to worry, our plane didn’t crash while over the Mediterranean. Cairo has been absolutely AMAZING, and tomorrow we’re taking a night train to Luxor. Ha. What have I done in a nut shell? Let’s see…I’ve played with a lion, touched a mummy, climbed on the pyramids, argued with an Arab, and have had families come up to me and ask me to take a picture with their babies. I guess being white over here has its advantages - everyone thinks you’re a movie star. As I was telling my dad (much to his chagrin) I’ve had dozens of guys (from age 12 to 30, by the way) hit on me. Kinda strange, the age span. But by far my favorite was at the zoo - this guy, perhaps one of the cutest I’ve ever seen (haha) came up and said in broken English “Do you play volleyball?” I said yeah, a little. Then he pulled out “I’m the best volleyball player in Egypt - do you need a trainer?” Ha! It was pretty funny.

Anyway, I’m sorry, but this isn’t a picture/video upload time, although I’ve got some pretty cool stuff to stick on here. Right now I’m at an Arabic McDonald’s (it has WiFi and a twisty staircase, so it’s my new favorite place) in the middle of Cairo using a friend’s computer. I will try my hardest to get some actual blogging stuff up here, and when I do, it’ll be a culture feast!…whatever that means.

But anyway, thanks for following what’s been going on. I miss you all and hope you’re having a great summer (if summer’s already started for ya.) Talk to ya soon!

Hmm. Day 3. Still no word from the Queen of the Nile. Probably out chatting it up with a camel or climbing a Sphinx or two. I’m sure we’ll hear something ‘fore too long…

Goodness gracious — wake up at 3:30AM to make sure she took off at 8:41. Well, she made it and right now she is on her way to JFK Airport in New York. Want to know where she is right this minute? Click on this link:

Leg Two: New York - to - Cairo Egypt

I’ll try to get some video posted of the fun last night and her goodbye walk down the terminal at the airport this morning. Cairo, you’re next!

We’re coming down to the final days before Lizzie leaves for the Middle East for her BYU Study Abroad program in her MESA (Middle-East Studies/Arabic) degree program. Suitcases are being packed, airlines are being prepped, and the family is coming to grips with the fact that the Oldest Child will soon also be the Farthest Child. And the Most Expensive Child. All is well and she will have a wonderful time, meet interesting people, see interesting things and gain an appreciation for air conditioning, hot water, and Hawaiian pizza.