Hi every one who checks out this blog,
It has been wonderfull reading it all - keeping in touch with the travellers as well as Bill's keepers, Dodie and Mag. and others.
Dodie I feel badly about my "smart" remarks to you. I have thoroughly enjoyed your writing!
I have been having quite a time getting used to the new medicine that I must now take forever and more. It makes me very drowsy - so I have been doing almost nothing around here. But I did discover that a lot of activity helps - it gets my blood circulating and I don't feel quite so "not with it". So I walk up and down stairs, and yesterday we went out for a brisk walk - it all helps. The side affects will wear off in a month or so - accoring to Marilyn and David.(my sister-in-law and younger brother).
So it is new year's eve and we will have a quiet one this year as our usual hostess is suffering from acute anemia and just couldn't do it. I don't mind!!
I need to go and lie down or walk some more.
Love,Ma
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
For the last few days I have been graciously hosted by the Security Officer of The Grove, one Bill Hellum Esq, the gentleman in the dark suit resident at No 7.
I am pleased to report that he is fine fettle. He sports a fine coat of fur and pursues the day to day trivia within the propinquity of the aforementioned No 7 the Grove with great interest. Not a footstep falls, not a fantail flits, nor a beetle capers across the carpet without our Doughty Bill Hellum (Esq) following through with an intelligent interest.
I am not a man to complain but I feel that it is my duty to highlight just a few issues for his mother’s attention.
I am presented with a full report of these doings. Every damn detail. Not the day time stuff of postmen, trundling rubbish tins and poor critters lugging themselves off to work. No it’s the night time stuff. This at 3.30 am in the morning. The cat door swings Bill Hellum lurches up the stairs twittering leaps onto the bed, still twittering, clambers over me up to my face and he talks. 3.30 am in the morning. A time of the day when I am least interested in beetle scratchings, cat maraudings and night time calls of who knows what.
I feel used. He dumps himself across me for a kip. I can’t breath, my rib cage vibrates with purring, I can’t move. “This is the life!” says Bill Hellum (Esq) and drops off to sleep.
The case of the missing sausage end. Answering a telephone call (Current Chick, Thames) I returned to enjoy my dinner and Bill denied all. “Look for yourself,” says he. It was there when I left. Broccoli untouched.
I say again I am not a man to complain and the above small issues are nothing that a flat white, on your return Jen wouldn’t put to rights.
Yesterday I popped Bill into his cat box for a stay in the palatial ‘Appy Cat’ cattery. I found it quite hard, he was such a good little boy travelling too. The lady is fussy. Gawd did I hang about while vets were rung and details verified. Of course this is all for the resident cats welfare. But difficult. The owner is wonderful with the cats. Numerous fluffy felons arrived, most of them she knew and she welcomed and cuddled them. Repeat customers made me feel reassured. The place is clean, expansive and well maintained.
Back to the Grove next door there are earthworks that go all day and night. In that spare section opposite the main gate. A temporary railway station is being built adjacent to and behind The Grove while double tracks are laid. Trucks drive up Sojak St, no room to move, sometime we have to wait, and they exit from that wood yard nearer Pak n Save. A desperate holiday rush so that by the time people are back to work there should be some sort of order.
I am now back in Thames with beloved Mag and my own two hairy demons.
.dodie
I am pleased to report that he is fine fettle. He sports a fine coat of fur and pursues the day to day trivia within the propinquity of the aforementioned No 7 the Grove with great interest. Not a footstep falls, not a fantail flits, nor a beetle capers across the carpet without our Doughty Bill Hellum (Esq) following through with an intelligent interest.
I am not a man to complain but I feel that it is my duty to highlight just a few issues for his mother’s attention.
I am presented with a full report of these doings. Every damn detail. Not the day time stuff of postmen, trundling rubbish tins and poor critters lugging themselves off to work. No it’s the night time stuff. This at 3.30 am in the morning. The cat door swings Bill Hellum lurches up the stairs twittering leaps onto the bed, still twittering, clambers over me up to my face and he talks. 3.30 am in the morning. A time of the day when I am least interested in beetle scratchings, cat maraudings and night time calls of who knows what.
I feel used. He dumps himself across me for a kip. I can’t breath, my rib cage vibrates with purring, I can’t move. “This is the life!” says Bill Hellum (Esq) and drops off to sleep.
The case of the missing sausage end. Answering a telephone call (Current Chick, Thames) I returned to enjoy my dinner and Bill denied all. “Look for yourself,” says he. It was there when I left. Broccoli untouched.
I say again I am not a man to complain and the above small issues are nothing that a flat white, on your return Jen wouldn’t put to rights.
Yesterday I popped Bill into his cat box for a stay in the palatial ‘Appy Cat’ cattery. I found it quite hard, he was such a good little boy travelling too. The lady is fussy. Gawd did I hang about while vets were rung and details verified. Of course this is all for the resident cats welfare. But difficult. The owner is wonderful with the cats. Numerous fluffy felons arrived, most of them she knew and she welcomed and cuddled them. Repeat customers made me feel reassured. The place is clean, expansive and well maintained.
Back to the Grove next door there are earthworks that go all day and night. In that spare section opposite the main gate. A temporary railway station is being built adjacent to and behind The Grove while double tracks are laid. Trucks drive up Sojak St, no room to move, sometime we have to wait, and they exit from that wood yard nearer Pak n Save. A desperate holiday rush so that by the time people are back to work there should be some sort of order.
I am now back in Thames with beloved Mag and my own two hairy demons.
.dodie
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Aswan and peace
Hey, all. So Weezie and I are here, arrived yesterday and promptly settled down to watching Kojak and Buffy the Vampire Slayer in our room. We neither of us had slept well the night before, so we had snoozes and then went to the Panorama for dinner. Spicy meat tagine, rich rice (oriental rice) and basbousa (a sweet) with limoons. Weezie had 3.5 limoons. It's a kind of lemonade you get here, made with little lemons that taste somewhat like limes but are lemons. The best. So refreshing you could drink it all day long. And night. The drive down here was great - peaceful and we didn't have to stop in any stupid Ptolemaic temples, which was a blessing. Have I mentioned they've stopped the tourist convoy from Luxor to Aswan? Means we can just go when we want and we don't have to keep up with everyone. It was such a stupid idea anyway.
Aswan is its glorious self. Peaceful and calm and the weather is absolutely perfect. Our hotel is the best - right on the Nile with a marvellous swimming pool beside which to lounge, and the Panorama with the best waiter in Egypt, quite possibly the galaxy. We've decided to do nothing but lounge for the 3 days we're here. The only problem with that is I've run out of books to read and it's driving me nuts. So I'm going to get some because if I'm nuts, so's Hilary with my bugging her night and day. The internet is pretty good too, right now. Don't hold your breath, though, because it could turn on a dime and suddenly take years to change pages.
What else? Not much, really. Life is lazy. Hil and I laugh a lot. Every time we go into the souk, they call us twins. We must walk the same, or something. I don't know.
Everyone's Christmases have sounded good and without tons of tension. How they should be. David, thanks so much for your message and the picture of FRANK. He's gorgeous. And Dodes and Mag, NZ Christmas sounds like it was completely joyous. Bill, Cis, and Mom - yours sounds great, too. Hilary and I have celebrated exactly the way we wanted to, with McDonald's and a long visit to Aladdin's. And she DID buy something else, but it's beautiful, so no harm, no foul. I didn't. (See the halo?)
We're here for 2 more days, and then we fly to Cairo. We've got one day there and in that day, we've got to visit the pyramids and then make a flying visit to the Khan el Khalili to pick up a book for a student who was having it rebound. It'll be a busy day. There is so much more to see there - it's hard to leave without having shown Hilary everything there, but next time...insha'allah.
I'll write again before we leave.
Aswan is its glorious self. Peaceful and calm and the weather is absolutely perfect. Our hotel is the best - right on the Nile with a marvellous swimming pool beside which to lounge, and the Panorama with the best waiter in Egypt, quite possibly the galaxy. We've decided to do nothing but lounge for the 3 days we're here. The only problem with that is I've run out of books to read and it's driving me nuts. So I'm going to get some because if I'm nuts, so's Hilary with my bugging her night and day. The internet is pretty good too, right now. Don't hold your breath, though, because it could turn on a dime and suddenly take years to change pages.
What else? Not much, really. Life is lazy. Hil and I laugh a lot. Every time we go into the souk, they call us twins. We must walk the same, or something. I don't know.
Everyone's Christmases have sounded good and without tons of tension. How they should be. David, thanks so much for your message and the picture of FRANK. He's gorgeous. And Dodes and Mag, NZ Christmas sounds like it was completely joyous. Bill, Cis, and Mom - yours sounds great, too. Hilary and I have celebrated exactly the way we wanted to, with McDonald's and a long visit to Aladdin's. And she DID buy something else, but it's beautiful, so no harm, no foul. I didn't. (See the halo?)
We're here for 2 more days, and then we fly to Cairo. We've got one day there and in that day, we've got to visit the pyramids and then make a flying visit to the Khan el Khalili to pick up a book for a student who was having it rebound. It'll be a busy day. There is so much more to see there - it's hard to leave without having shown Hilary everything there, but next time...insha'allah.
I'll write again before we leave.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
You're still there!
Yes, you are! How lovely to be able to communicate like this while you both are so far away.
I've been missing our fambly this year, despite the fact that it really is no different from any other year (except last year at 32 Oxford road). But there you are; you're both (and all) missed.
Minor correction: I proposed to Carrie inside Hatshepsut's temple (building?) at Karnak (or so the guide leading the group of Germans who interrupted us told me it was... - its always a group of Germans, isn't it?).
We're home after three full days in Kingston with Carrie's family. Lots of food, too many sweets, musical beds at night with sicky kids (who've recovered quickly), and some great belly laughs with Carrie's brother Mark and his lovely partner Patrice. We gave Owen a decent camera this year - a Nikon LS18. To our utter surprise, he's become obsessed with it and already knows it much, much better than we do. Its shoots movies too and he's been busy making little films where he plays the part of some evil megalotron or other. Finney's main present was a LeapFrog Leapster 2, which is a hand-held learning device for counting and letters and so on and holds great promise for the long flights coming in February (!).
We've had an ENORmous amount of snow in short order (although it rained buckets today to keep evening dismal). We shoveled the drive three times in a day and a half, and then had to shovel again just to get the car out of the drive in order to get to Kingston on the 24th. I've done some shoveling since returning today and pondered the irony of getting soaked from rain while I heaved snow that was at least 150% water.
Carrie is well and absorbed Christmas rather well, inclusive of all the family stuff that can accompany close quarters over a few days.
The kids are currently in a bath behind me and laughing and shrieking while playing monsters, barbies, flying fishies and sunbathing pirates. All is well.
Can't wait to hear more from Weez when she returns home!
Owen's teacher has asked Owen to keep a small journal while he's in NZ, and I've thought it would be cool for him to post pictures and words on an adjunct portion of Hellum.ca while there so his class can log in and see what he's doing. Coolness. Finney can do the same for her Montessori class. I'll get started on the web templates on Monday. Its possible I'm more excited about this than they. Possible.
I would looove to do a ballon ride at Luxor some day. Perhaps a felucca trip along there sometime as well. The only felucca trip Carrie and I took was across to Elephantine from Aswan, back in 2000. I'm imagining both of you (Jen and Weez) walking together over there and its really does put a smile on my face. I am so, so, so glad you have had the chance to do something big like this together. Walking Egypt with Jen is something you'll never forget, Weez.
Apparently, shoveling watersnow gives one shoulder trouble, and so I'll cut it short here.
Love to you both and all who tune in to this excellent forum.
/timothy (and Us)
Friday, December 26, 2008
Thursday, December 25, 2008
testing a lighter than air machine ? ? ?
Balloon rides. Huh! I just so hate balloon rides. All that staring at a boring view, the boring quiet, and wafting along in that stupid hot-air-balloon way. I would just so hate riding in a balloon. I would hugely hate people who rode in hot air balloons too. Anyone I knew who had been flittin about in a hot air balloon – well - I‘d be straight off to Soljak Place and give their cat a cold shower. And laugh.
Yesterday: Icecream, unwrapping presents, presents that squeak with twinkly lights, petanque, ham and a cool beer. Mag gave me a book on steam trains for Christmas. As a kid I rode in them. As an adult I dream of them. Happy as a kid. This is Christmas lunch at my daughter Chrissie’s place. Mess, laughter, and I nearly got beaten at petanque by that ten year old Gemma again. Then she got bored and wandered off to whinge for chocolates. Sunny, sleepy, swapping family gossip, more food.
That morning I left Thames at 5.30am, had porridge and coffee with daughter Margaret and Mag. Kids shredded wrapping paper from some night intruder in a red suit. A scrawled sign on the fence outside said, “Stop here Santa”. Then collected kids, daughter, food, baby accessories, stuffed them in the car and drove an hour to Wellsford to Chrissies. Home to Thames 8.45pm. Fair wrung out I was. Thought about that hot balloon ride.
When I briefly called into Soljac Place I was greeted by instant purr from the bed. Old mates spend some time together. Old mate tells me he has captured hot air using the vacuum cleaner bag from the Christmas Cake oven and would I like to test his lighter than air machine first?
Soon m’lady Mag will be twiddling happily about the garden here in Thames. I’ll clear pathways, foliage and stock up some winter firewood. And receive instructions. And with an eye to longevity I shall follow them.
Then in the time honoured Thames way I shall ride up the valley, subside into a gold infested stream. Stare at the sky, ponder the meaning of life – hot bloody air balloon rides.
We, Lady Margaret and her 'umble house boy, wish you happiness and all the best. We love reading all your bits n pieces on this blog folks! Love you all. Am looking forward to Jen's photos! (none of that boring balloon stuff okay)
Balloons!
Hi everyone!
After Jen hit me and made me say it three times fast it was Sakkara not Karnak and it is Karnak not carnac. Sorry. We are going to go to Karnak tomorrow and to the Luxor Temple. I am looking forward to it very much. Jen has been a great guide to have around. She has kept almost all the "Guides" and pesky others at bay. I have learned to say no thank you and now use it with great delight as it works most of the time.
We took a great balloon ride over the West Bank. Jen is readinghtis over my shoulder to make sure that I do not make any more silly mistakes so if I say ouch you know why. Ouch. I have taken over 700 pic so far and I know that I will take at least that again before this trip is over. I am having a blast with Jen. We had a great traditional dinner for Christmas. The fries were OK but the Burgers were a little salty. Going to run now and go and get some tea from Alladin's Cave. I WILL NOT BUY ANYTHING, I WILL NOT BUY ANYTHING, IWILL NOT BUY ANYTHING! (I'll try)
Love and Merry Christmas to all! Love and miss you lots!
Hilary (Weezie)
After Jen hit me and made me say it three times fast it was Sakkara not Karnak and it is Karnak not carnac. Sorry. We are going to go to Karnak tomorrow and to the Luxor Temple. I am looking forward to it very much. Jen has been a great guide to have around. She has kept almost all the "Guides" and pesky others at bay. I have learned to say no thank you and now use it with great delight as it works most of the time.
We took a great balloon ride over the West Bank. Jen is readinghtis over my shoulder to make sure that I do not make any more silly mistakes so if I say ouch you know why. Ouch. I have taken over 700 pic so far and I know that I will take at least that again before this trip is over. I am having a blast with Jen. We had a great traditional dinner for Christmas. The fries were OK but the Burgers were a little salty. Going to run now and go and get some tea from Alladin's Cave. I WILL NOT BUY ANYTHING, I WILL NOT BUY ANYTHING, IWILL NOT BUY ANYTHING! (I'll try)
Love and Merry Christmas to all! Love and miss you lots!
Hilary (Weezie)
Christmas Day
Hey all, we went up in the balloon this morning. It was lovely. So peaceful and quiet, plus I got some great picture to use in lectures. Then we went back to the hotel (it was 8 am), and slept until 2. The days are long and full of sun and heat and dust. After this update, we'll go to Aladdin's Cave and sit and have some tea and play with the kids. Balikh, one of the 5 Coptic brothers who run the shop, has a Scottish wife, Claire, and she brings their 3 little boys around in the late afternoon. Hilary and I play with them - Billy and Blair. Bruce is still a babe-in-arms, so we just coo at him. Billy's 2 and Blair's 6 - they are utter scamps, with lovely Scottish accents. They switch back and forth between English and Arabic at the drop of a hat, lucky beggars.
Tomorrow, our last day in Luxor, we'll hit the temples on the East Bank, Luxor and Karnak. Walkable. Karnak is enormous, and perhaps my least favourite of all the temples in Egypt (and God knows there are a lot of them); Luxor is where Tim proposed to Carrie, in the open courtyard, otherwise known as the hypostyle hall. It's lovely. We're catching a car to Aswan early the morning after, so next post will be from Aswan.
Merry Christmas, everyone! And Happy New Year!!
Love, Jen.
PS. Thanks for adding the message to Mag, Mom. She's been wondering about them.
Tomorrow, our last day in Luxor, we'll hit the temples on the East Bank, Luxor and Karnak. Walkable. Karnak is enormous, and perhaps my least favourite of all the temples in Egypt (and God knows there are a lot of them); Luxor is where Tim proposed to Carrie, in the open courtyard, otherwise known as the hypostyle hall. It's lovely. We're catching a car to Aswan early the morning after, so next post will be from Aswan.
Merry Christmas, everyone! And Happy New Year!!
Love, Jen.
PS. Thanks for adding the message to Mag, Mom. She's been wondering about them.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Merry Christmas Dear Daughters
Hi you two,
It was very good to hear from you and know that Hil arrived safetly and that you are enjoying your visit!
Things are fine here. Penny and her boys arrived yesterday and will go today to help Pat prepare for Christmas dinner.
We will go to enjoy the meal tomorrow around 5 p.m. Then we have another Christmas dinner with Cicely's daughter Sarah and her family.That will be on the 27th. Vancouver will get 30 cms. of snow today. That is an awful lot any where - and especially in Vancouver.
I am fine, but forgot to bring my puffer along and so today we are going to London Drugs to see if they can contact Sherwood Park and get the prescription from them. I am at the point where I need a puff or two. Otherwise, things are fine.
Penny's boys have grown feet!! Gabe is 12 and Noah is 10.
I am rambling on.
A message for Meg: Hi Meg. I thought that I had written to Doddie to thank you for the Christmas gift which arived safetly. It sits on my desk at home waiting patiently to be used - which it will be. Thank you both very much indeed. I was delighted to get it. Now I am in Victoria -2 hours flight from home - and I am sorry, but don't have your email adress with me.
Merry Christmas to all, and to all good year ahead.
Love, Ma
It was very good to hear from you and know that Hil arrived safetly and that you are enjoying your visit!
Things are fine here. Penny and her boys arrived yesterday and will go today to help Pat prepare for Christmas dinner.
We will go to enjoy the meal tomorrow around 5 p.m. Then we have another Christmas dinner with Cicely's daughter Sarah and her family.That will be on the 27th. Vancouver will get 30 cms. of snow today. That is an awful lot any where - and especially in Vancouver.
I am fine, but forgot to bring my puffer along and so today we are going to London Drugs to see if they can contact Sherwood Park and get the prescription from them. I am at the point where I need a puff or two. Otherwise, things are fine.
Penny's boys have grown feet!! Gabe is 12 and Noah is 10.
I am rambling on.
A message for Meg: Hi Meg. I thought that I had written to Doddie to thank you for the Christmas gift which arived safetly. It sits on my desk at home waiting patiently to be used - which it will be. Thank you both very much indeed. I was delighted to get it. Now I am in Victoria -2 hours flight from home - and I am sorry, but don't have your email adress with me.
Merry Christmas to all, and to all good year ahead.
Love, Ma
Monday, December 22, 2008
Uncle Bill calling
Hi My lovely Nieces,
Well your Mum is with us in Victoria and that is great. She is such a great person to have around. Christmas will soon be here snow is everywhere for a change. In fact we were shovelling out our driveway this morning as well as the neighbour's one next door. ( A little old lady ) After that we had a cup of tea and then a snooze. The 20 cm snowfall has made driving difficult so Cicely and I have been donning our back packs and walking down to the grocery stores. It is great exercise.
We will have two Christmas dinners this year. One at Pat and Mike Gye's for the Gye and Spriggs Clan on the 25th and on the 27th there will be another for the Meek Clan. They all have met your Mum before so it will be like a mini reunion for her.
I have really enjoyed reading your Blog Jen and the comments that you Weezy told of your adventures so far. You girls are really having a good look around while you are in Egypt.
.
Love and Our best wishes for Christmastime and for all of 2009.
Uncle Bill.
Well your Mum is with us in Victoria and that is great. She is such a great person to have around. Christmas will soon be here snow is everywhere for a change. In fact we were shovelling out our driveway this morning as well as the neighbour's one next door. ( A little old lady ) After that we had a cup of tea and then a snooze. The 20 cm snowfall has made driving difficult so Cicely and I have been donning our back packs and walking down to the grocery stores. It is great exercise.
We will have two Christmas dinners this year. One at Pat and Mike Gye's for the Gye and Spriggs Clan on the 25th and on the 27th there will be another for the Meek Clan. They all have met your Mum before so it will be like a mini reunion for her.
I have really enjoyed reading your Blog Jen and the comments that you Weezy told of your adventures so far. You girls are really having a good look around while you are in Egypt.
.
Love and Our best wishes for Christmastime and for all of 2009.
Uncle Bill.
I'm here!
Hi everyone! The internet was down the last couple of days and yesturday I just answered emails. Jen and I went to Carnac today and what a site to behold. It was so windy the sand was flying everywere and I think I got some in my camera. I'll clean it when I get home. Going to the vally of the whales with Jen's students was fabulous! My first time seeing the desert. Wow what a site! I never imagined that it would be so full of colour. Jen's students are great fun (The one's I got to know anyways). Caleb has promised to give Tim some info on New Zealand Theatre so Tim We'll talk. You'll really like Caleb and Wayne and Juliette. A great group to hang with. Jen and I are off to Luxor tomorrow in the morning and we are planning on a balloon ride on Christmas day. Best Christmas ever!! I must say that I have forgotten most of the time that it is Christmas. We spend three days there and then off to Aswan. We come back to Cairo on the 31st in the afternoon so off to the Han and Jen's favorite mosque. On the last day of my trip we are going to go to Giza to see the pyramids there. We are going to try to get tickets to go down into the tombs but we need to be there eary to do this. I hope we can as they only let in so many a day. Will write again soon and let you know about Luxor.
Love to all!
Weezie
Love to all!
Weezie
Last day in Cairo
It's so lovely to have news from everyone. I wanted to thank you all so much for contributing to this blog. So, thanks tons.
Hilary's been here since the 18th of December. We went to the Valley of the Whales for her first day, and now, she says, she understands my love of the desert. It is peaceful and quiet. And so beautiful. Today we went to see Saqqara and the Step Pyramid of Djoser, first king of Dynasty 3. The earliest stone structure in the world. It was blowing a gale - we both got sand everywhere, but it was still a very good day. AND I went with Mohammed to Mogamma to get my visa extended. That probably means nothing to any of you, but Mogamma was always pointed out to me as the hugely confusing building where they did immigration stuff and where people had been found years after being lost, mere skeletons in hallways, waiting for their turn in line. It wasn't scary at all. What a big baby I was. Always a good lesson, jumping into things I fear. They're rarely as scary from the inside, and if they are, experience has taught me that having been in terrifying positions previously, I'll get out of them again. I'm still alive, right?
The weather has been coolish for this time of year, but that makes it perfect. Except for the wind and the sand, that is.
Tomorrow, Hilary and I leave for Luxor. We're going to do the West Bank one day, a balloon ride one morning, and go to visit my friends in the souk, in Aladdin's Cave. Then on to Aswan, and back to Cairo. We have such a short time here. It's odd for me to be blipping all over the country, with only a few days in each place. I like it, though - it sort of pares it down, makes me think about what's most important.
Hil's going to be writing something - she's over in the corner typing away, so I'm going to do email. Merry Christmas, everyone! Love, Jen.
Hilary's been here since the 18th of December. We went to the Valley of the Whales for her first day, and now, she says, she understands my love of the desert. It is peaceful and quiet. And so beautiful. Today we went to see Saqqara and the Step Pyramid of Djoser, first king of Dynasty 3. The earliest stone structure in the world. It was blowing a gale - we both got sand everywhere, but it was still a very good day. AND I went with Mohammed to Mogamma to get my visa extended. That probably means nothing to any of you, but Mogamma was always pointed out to me as the hugely confusing building where they did immigration stuff and where people had been found years after being lost, mere skeletons in hallways, waiting for their turn in line. It wasn't scary at all. What a big baby I was. Always a good lesson, jumping into things I fear. They're rarely as scary from the inside, and if they are, experience has taught me that having been in terrifying positions previously, I'll get out of them again. I'm still alive, right?
The weather has been coolish for this time of year, but that makes it perfect. Except for the wind and the sand, that is.
Tomorrow, Hilary and I leave for Luxor. We're going to do the West Bank one day, a balloon ride one morning, and go to visit my friends in the souk, in Aladdin's Cave. Then on to Aswan, and back to Cairo. We have such a short time here. It's odd for me to be blipping all over the country, with only a few days in each place. I like it, though - it sort of pares it down, makes me think about what's most important.
Hil's going to be writing something - she's over in the corner typing away, so I'm going to do email. Merry Christmas, everyone! Love, Jen.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
A heavy bundle of purr
Christmas Cheer to all! My 2nd to last day of work (Mon day 23rd) and I am merrily decked out in festive tones of red, green and white. I am at work, so just a short note to check if Hilary Snr and Kore received their Christmas presents, sent 27 Nov. I seem to have lost most of my emaii addresses otherwise I would email you.
I hope you are all well, and much love to you Jen. Bill slept all night on my bed, and most of it very close to me, a very heavy bundle of purr.
Mag xxxxx
I hope you are all well, and much love to you Jen. Bill slept all night on my bed, and most of it very close to me, a very heavy bundle of purr.
Mag xxxxx
I caught a ball on the full !
Long, warm shadows across the patter of debris over the Firth of Thames. 8.00pm. Today a high of 35° and today I caught a ball on the full.
A beach reserve, tall, elderly pine trees whisking the wind, low scurrying cloud. Three sea gulls, hovering, undecided like me, ‘Poppa’, playing beach cricket with the grandchildren. They shout ‘LBZ’ and ‘BWP’ sounding names with great knowingness.
Run!” and clutching beach cricket implements they abandon that shrine, that important post, the three sticks in the ground with a bit of kindling teetering on the top. They sprint and the rest of the family grovel and whoop about the three sticks. This is the exciting part of beach cricket. A moment of entropy and critters are sprinting, shouting, clutching and dropping things. Like our economy.
I caught the ball on the full. Surprise, exclamation! From me. The kids just carry on. My last game of cricket was at training college. “Come on, just one ‘over’.” Then it was over. Boisterous cricketers became kindly, earnest counsellors. “Coordination is not everything,” they cooed. They aired Alternative Activities.
If you see three pine cones in a heap near children who are quite tuckered out then that pine cone pile is a ball throwing place. The place where the ball is arched over and above your shoulder. This gyration is to destroy your aim to give the sprinter a fair go. Because the sprinter has to lug that piece of wood used to drive in those three sticks I talked about with the kindling balanced on top. If that kindling goes it’s party time.
I have caught the ball three or four times in my life and am very happy to share those precious, albeit moments of mystery, over a quality bourbon. Or two. Two bourbons do not at all affect my catching ability.
Jen. The soft and elegant thud of a petanque boule awaits you here in Thames.
.d
A White Christmas
Hi you two,
Here I am in Victoria - early morning and Bill is out shovelling away a massive dump of snow. It could be Edmonton except that it is not as cold and is damper. It will indeed be a white Christmas!
We are going on Christmas day to have turkey with Pat and Mike and Alison and I think Penny and the boys. On the 27th we are going to have a post-Christmas Meek celebration at Sarah's place. We are to bring old second hand gifts. Fortunately I did bring some.
Cicely's son Tony and his wife, Alex, are here. They came last night and took us out to a wonderful mediteranean restaurant.
They are here to celebrate with Alexes children tonight I think. (it is Sunday here-Dec 21 - shortest day in the yeat and the beginning of winter.)
Then on Boxing Day there is a hike up Mout Douglas and soup and stuff after at the McLellans.
Talk to you later,
Love,
Mum
Here I am in Victoria - early morning and Bill is out shovelling away a massive dump of snow. It could be Edmonton except that it is not as cold and is damper. It will indeed be a white Christmas!
We are going on Christmas day to have turkey with Pat and Mike and Alison and I think Penny and the boys. On the 27th we are going to have a post-Christmas Meek celebration at Sarah's place. We are to bring old second hand gifts. Fortunately I did bring some.
Cicely's son Tony and his wife, Alex, are here. They came last night and took us out to a wonderful mediteranean restaurant.
They are here to celebrate with Alexes children tonight I think. (it is Sunday here-Dec 21 - shortest day in the yeat and the beginning of winter.)
Then on Boxing Day there is a hike up Mout Douglas and soup and stuff after at the McLellans.
Talk to you later,
Love,
Mum
Friday, December 19, 2008
news from Victoria
Hi Jen,
Your mum is here with us, having just arrived for a Christmas visit, which is going to be white for a change.
Cold for us, only minus 5 but we're wimps!
Cicely and I are well, and have been invited to two Christmas dinners along with your mum and if we want to, there is a hike up Mt. Douglas on Boxing day.
So sorry to hear about your financial loss. It seems we are all at risk when we are travellers.
You have had difficulties, but you have seemed to turned your life around and I hope that the rest of the trip is extra special for you.
Lots of love and best wishes from Bill and Cicely.
Hi Love,
Dad drove me to the air port at the fine hour of 6:30 this moning. He warned me that if the temperature is below minus 30 when I get back, that he would not come out to get me. I am not worried! I had a smooth trip here except that I realized that I still had my house keys with me! So I phoned Dad and alerted him to the fact that he would need to get the keys from their hiding place.
We are having lovely cool weather right now, and it is good indeed to be here again with Bill and
Cicely. I hope that you both will have a great time together, and we look forward to additions to your blog.
Lots of love and hugs from Mum
Your mum is here with us, having just arrived for a Christmas visit, which is going to be white for a change.
Cold for us, only minus 5 but we're wimps!
Cicely and I are well, and have been invited to two Christmas dinners along with your mum and if we want to, there is a hike up Mt. Douglas on Boxing day.
So sorry to hear about your financial loss. It seems we are all at risk when we are travellers.
You have had difficulties, but you have seemed to turned your life around and I hope that the rest of the trip is extra special for you.
Lots of love and best wishes from Bill and Cicely.
Hi Love,
Dad drove me to the air port at the fine hour of 6:30 this moning. He warned me that if the temperature is below minus 30 when I get back, that he would not come out to get me. I am not worried! I had a smooth trip here except that I realized that I still had my house keys with me! So I phoned Dad and alerted him to the fact that he would need to get the keys from their hiding place.
We are having lovely cool weather right now, and it is good indeed to be here again with Bill and
Cicely. I hope that you both will have a great time together, and we look forward to additions to your blog.
Lots of love and hugs from Mum
Thinking of Youse
When a kid in Wyoming asked his nanny why she always said "youse kids", she replied "well, there are two of youse." I know that I have told you this many times - just wanted to make you feel at home.
I wrote a comment that seemed to attached its self to Tim's lovely note and now the comment has disappeared. It is early and the car ride to the airport leaves here at 6:30.
Just really wanted to let you know that I have you in my thoughts, and have been thinking about Hilary Louise arriving and being met and so on.
I had supper with dad - special treat of shrimp before the meal (with orange juice not Gin and Tonic).
Will write from Victoria.
Love,
Mum
I wrote a comment that seemed to attached its self to Tim's lovely note and now the comment has disappeared. It is early and the car ride to the airport leaves here at 6:30.
Just really wanted to let you know that I have you in my thoughts, and have been thinking about Hilary Louise arriving and being met and so on.
I had supper with dad - special treat of shrimp before the meal (with orange juice not Gin and Tonic).
Will write from Victoria.
Love,
Mum
Thursday, December 18, 2008
So magnified
Hey Jen,
I remember very clearly how it feels to be away from home and have things happen. For me, at least, everything gets magnified. Joy is huge; great overbounding gulps of it. Forbearance requires patience that is almost completely unattainable. Anger threatens international agreements. Sadness wells up like the pitch of an empty elevator shaft.
But mum is right. One thing that we are good at, is soldiering on. I think that's the brit part of us. I have every conviction that you're tapped into this part of yourself, and your remarks about not letting events snow you under here-below are proof of that. Well done.
I wish wish wish I were flying in with Weezie. Hopefully she found the hotel alright. You are *so* lucky to have her with you now. She's more of a rock than you or I, and I suspect you'd agree with that.
love,
/timothy
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Wednesday in Thames
Hello dear Jen
I have just read your blog, and am very sad and upset for you having to deal, in Egypt with all your responsibilities, with the death of your friend Diane. I am really pleased Hilary is coming over and you will have time to talk and reflect.
Your darling Bill is an affectionate little tyke - he even did me the honour of a most gentle nip on my nose last week - just enough to let know it was time I shouldered MY responsibilities and jolly well got out of bed and fed him. After all, it was 5.10am and he had had a busy night. I felt quite loved! He does little purrs too, especially when he is damp (= soaked) from the rain and needs to push up close to me in bed. He is eating well, and not into fights.
This week I am working Thurs and Friday (which is why it is Wednesday in Thames) and also Monday and 1/2 of Tuesday next week. Then Christmas. I have made two Christmas cakes would you believe - one is a classic cake and the other a Lois Daish (great NZ cook) who has a recipe for a Christmas Cake which includes 250g dark chocolate - I made this for Aunty Trish! Maybe I should decorate it with a cheerio or two. And a side helping of whipped cream. With a dollop of chicken fat.
Anyone else reading this will understand that these are family jokes!
Aunty Trish is my sister Patricia (do not ever let her know I call her Aunty - a friend not family joke) who has a great fondness for the above foods.
Bye for now dear Jen and lots of love
Mag
I have just read your blog, and am very sad and upset for you having to deal, in Egypt with all your responsibilities, with the death of your friend Diane. I am really pleased Hilary is coming over and you will have time to talk and reflect.
Your darling Bill is an affectionate little tyke - he even did me the honour of a most gentle nip on my nose last week - just enough to let know it was time I shouldered MY responsibilities and jolly well got out of bed and fed him. After all, it was 5.10am and he had had a busy night. I felt quite loved! He does little purrs too, especially when he is damp (= soaked) from the rain and needs to push up close to me in bed. He is eating well, and not into fights.
This week I am working Thurs and Friday (which is why it is Wednesday in Thames) and also Monday and 1/2 of Tuesday next week. Then Christmas. I have made two Christmas cakes would you believe - one is a classic cake and the other a Lois Daish (great NZ cook) who has a recipe for a Christmas Cake which includes 250g dark chocolate - I made this for Aunty Trish! Maybe I should decorate it with a cheerio or two. And a side helping of whipped cream. With a dollop of chicken fat.
Anyone else reading this will understand that these are family jokes!
Aunty Trish is my sister Patricia (do not ever let her know I call her Aunty - a friend not family joke) who has a great fondness for the above foods.
Bye for now dear Jen and lots of love
Mag
It is good to hear
but I feel very sad over the loss of Diane. Hard for you my love, being so far away. My thoughts are with you.
There is one thing about Hellums - we get knocked, and we get up and get going. I have seen it in all of us. Thank goodness.
Thank you for your email and for the blog. Yesterday I read about a bus south of Cairo that went into a canal, drowning several people - including university students. I panicked inside, and phoned dear Tim, who was able to assure me that if the students had been from the west, we would have known immediately.
It has been very hard work for you and your TAs. I hope that it will all end well.
Lots of love, Ma
There is one thing about Hellums - we get knocked, and we get up and get going. I have seen it in all of us. Thank goodness.
Thank you for your email and for the blog. Yesterday I read about a bus south of Cairo that went into a canal, drowning several people - including university students. I panicked inside, and phoned dear Tim, who was able to assure me that if the students had been from the west, we would have known immediately.
It has been very hard work for you and your TAs. I hope that it will all end well.
Lots of love, Ma
I dunno 'bout this...
Hey all,
Well, I have to say I don't know when I've had a more difficult time in Egypt. First of all, in Luxor, I found that the bank machines were saying to Egypt that I'd taken out money when I hadn't been able to, and I've lost over $1000 NZD from my account, unretrievable. Thanks, Mom and Hil, for stepping into that breach. It makes me feel ill that this has happened. I have some lovely friends here, who have been taking me out to dinner. Thank heavens the breakfasts are free and buffet, so I can eat in the morning, and steal some buns and cheese for lunch.
Hardest of all has been for me the recent news that Diane Kriger has passed away. It's funny - I've always thought that we should just say 'died' but I find myself unable to use that word now. I miss her presence in the world like I'd miss a lung. And that's all I can say right now.
For a while, I was thinking that this might be my last class trip to Egypt. It all has seemed so very difficult this time, pretty much in no way fun, and if there isn't fun to be had here, there's only strife, and I saw no reason to come back. But I've changed my mind. Yup, it's been hard, and it's been extraordinarily stressful, but it's still been good watching the students discover things, and they've been really an amazing group for getting out and doing things on their own. This has been a learning experience for me - not as many, next time, and a tighter selection process for who should come. I kept thinking that the number of people didn't really matter, that once you'd reached a number over, say, 15, that it made no difference to group dynamics or organisation of the trip. Well, it does. Even with 3 fantastic aides - Sue, Caleb, and Wayne - it has been quite an ordeal in organisation and trying to endeavour that everyone has a reasonable experience. Ultimately, I do understand that it isn't up to me if people have a good time or not, but I do think it's my responsibility to see that they have the same opportunities to have a good time. If that makes sense.
Okay, I think I'm going to cut this off, for now. The internet in Aswan is expensive and slow, like you wouldn't believe, and I don't want to tempt fate. Thanks to everyone for their messages. I LOVE the picture of Bill, David, and of the pohutakawa. We're leaving for Cairo tomorrow morning by plane, and I'll get online once I'm up there and settled again. Abigail, how much are the Mandy P tickets? I'd really like to see him sing. And thanks so much for looking after the little reprobate. I miss everyone in NZ very much.
Love, Jen.
Love to everyone, Jen.
Well, I have to say I don't know when I've had a more difficult time in Egypt. First of all, in Luxor, I found that the bank machines were saying to Egypt that I'd taken out money when I hadn't been able to, and I've lost over $1000 NZD from my account, unretrievable. Thanks, Mom and Hil, for stepping into that breach. It makes me feel ill that this has happened. I have some lovely friends here, who have been taking me out to dinner. Thank heavens the breakfasts are free and buffet, so I can eat in the morning, and steal some buns and cheese for lunch.
Hardest of all has been for me the recent news that Diane Kriger has passed away. It's funny - I've always thought that we should just say 'died' but I find myself unable to use that word now. I miss her presence in the world like I'd miss a lung. And that's all I can say right now.
For a while, I was thinking that this might be my last class trip to Egypt. It all has seemed so very difficult this time, pretty much in no way fun, and if there isn't fun to be had here, there's only strife, and I saw no reason to come back. But I've changed my mind. Yup, it's been hard, and it's been extraordinarily stressful, but it's still been good watching the students discover things, and they've been really an amazing group for getting out and doing things on their own. This has been a learning experience for me - not as many, next time, and a tighter selection process for who should come. I kept thinking that the number of people didn't really matter, that once you'd reached a number over, say, 15, that it made no difference to group dynamics or organisation of the trip. Well, it does. Even with 3 fantastic aides - Sue, Caleb, and Wayne - it has been quite an ordeal in organisation and trying to endeavour that everyone has a reasonable experience. Ultimately, I do understand that it isn't up to me if people have a good time or not, but I do think it's my responsibility to see that they have the same opportunities to have a good time. If that makes sense.
Okay, I think I'm going to cut this off, for now. The internet in Aswan is expensive and slow, like you wouldn't believe, and I don't want to tempt fate. Thanks to everyone for their messages. I LOVE the picture of Bill, David, and of the pohutakawa. We're leaving for Cairo tomorrow morning by plane, and I'll get online once I'm up there and settled again. Abigail, how much are the Mandy P tickets? I'd really like to see him sing. And thanks so much for looking after the little reprobate. I miss everyone in NZ very much.
Love, Jen.
Love to everyone, Jen.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Hi Dear Jen
Early morning here. Good time last night - after the concert, Judy Johnson, Irma and Dad and I went back to Irma's place for supper and lively conversation.
I hope that I have learned how to put in a title to this blog. We'll see.
Love, Mum
I hope that I have learned how to put in a title to this blog. We'll see.
Love, Mum
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Jen
I am at Hilary Louise's and have had a good pancake lunch and am sipping my tea
Shortly I have to leave for the Winspear and ProCoro, then on to Irma's for dinner with Hilary. So, with a few minutes of spare time. How are you doin anyway? I should try to hook into your blog back home. I have tried a couple of times and failed so gave up, but i will try again.
We have -30 here today and on my way out here to StAlbert I saw at least 6 cars stranded probably with frozen gas lines. It is a real wake-up call for us who have had such a mild fall this year.
The cats here attack each other just like mine do at home too because they cannot go outside. Hilary Louise has gone to have a quick shower while I type away here in the kitchen. The house is very quiet and only Melissa is home. Mike just went out and neither Sydney nor Dylan are home.
This laptop is really nice but I am sticking with my old machine for a while yet. How are you managing without a computer? I understand you go looking for a cafe for access but that will not be so easy as you get to remoter areas. Right?
Well, Mike is back and things are starting to get busier so I will sign off now. Take care and have a really good session with your students.
Dad
The cats here are a bit batty because of the cold
Saturday, December 13, 2008
The Aroma of Christmas Cake
The C.E.O. is in the kitchen. It's a new kitchen. Tradesmen. Water off. Power off. Plumbers whistling. Cats peering from behind the sofa.
Finished.
I think it all started repairing a washer.
Shelves, lighting, wondrous cascades of filtered water our kitchen, our new kitchen is turned on.
So the Current Sheila is stirring, mixing ingredients, and before the stove (turned on) muttering calculus and physics concerning currents, butter and flour, time and mass. Christmas time. A time for cake baking, magic aromas and time proven recipes that once our grandmothers cussed over. A time for loving, giving and forgiving. A time when all the rellies on God's Earth come down to here Thames and polish off my Christmas Cake, the wretches.
I have been down to the supermarket with lists and hissed orders to "Be Back Soon!" - and "don't you DARE go near that petanque terrain!" I stalk the supermarket shelves with fear in my eyes.
Oh, by the way, Merry Christmas to all Jen's family, met and hitherto unmet. If the unmet ones are like the ones I have met you are lovely people and would be more than welcome to pay us a visit. Our generosity knows no bounds. Keep OUT of the Christmas tin.
Sorry, goodwill and good cheer to you all.
Picture is the New Zealand Christmas Tree. It flowers just before Christmas. To us confirmation that summer is here! Yippee! and happy memories as kids chasing, lazing on beaches and tucking into the rellies' Christmas cake.
Oh if any of you lovely folk have Christmas cake uneaten...
dodie
old codger
Thames
Monday, December 8, 2008
Hi Jen,
I have been following your blog and have written on post - I am here and all is well. I went to 2 concerts yesterday - both good and both Christmasy of course.
We are finally getting a bit of cold weather - it has been an extended fall here.
Dad and I have been having meals together - not all meals but every couple of days or so. He was up here yesterday for breakfast and I am going down there tonight for supper. He is in good spirits.
Our cats have gone on an eating problem binge - "The best is good enough for them"
I am leaving for Victoria on the 19th - having supper at Hil's next Saturday.
25 is a lot to shepard around. I am holding you in the light. And am really sorry about all your losses. I have that problem too - when over tired I lose stuff.
Let me know if you get this. If I don't hear from you I will contact Tim and find out what I am doing wrong.
Clean up day to-day.
Love you,
Mum
I have been following your blog and have written on post - I am here and all is well. I went to 2 concerts yesterday - both good and both Christmasy of course.
We are finally getting a bit of cold weather - it has been an extended fall here.
Dad and I have been having meals together - not all meals but every couple of days or so. He was up here yesterday for breakfast and I am going down there tonight for supper. He is in good spirits.
Our cats have gone on an eating problem binge - "The best is good enough for them"
I am leaving for Victoria on the 19th - having supper at Hil's next Saturday.
25 is a lot to shepard around. I am holding you in the light. And am really sorry about all your losses. I have that problem too - when over tired I lose stuff.
Let me know if you get this. If I don't hear from you I will contact Tim and find out what I am doing wrong.
Clean up day to-day.
Love you,
Mum
Still Luxor
Still here, and we have the first full day off. It's lovely, but everyone's body has been set for waking early, so some got up for breakfast and have gone back to bed. I wandered around with Sue looking for an internet place, and have found one, as you see. T0day is the Eid (eed), the big feast in honour of Abraham not killing his son Isaac at the behest of Allah (a Muslim portion of the Quran as well as the Christian part of the Bible). Each house slaughters a four-legged animal - goat, sheep, cow, bullock - in the streets and the meat gets shared around. So, on the search, we had to avoid large pools of animal blood and in one case, a slaughtered cow. I find that quite difficult - killing or mistreating animals is getting to be more and more of an issue for me.
David, thanks so much for the picture of Fra Billio. He looks just so regal, lovely boy. I promise to leap into your lap and gaze adoringly into your face just for that. I do miss him and everyone in Auckland.
Yeah, Tim, it's the difference between doing things in the travel industry and otherwise. I am appalled at the costs, and because I feel personally responsible for it, I can't ask everyone to pay up. So I feel kind of loaded down with 25 lots of bakshiish. There's no way I can pay, of course, but it feels that I SHOULD. Anyway. A very good reason for not taking 25 people again. I have to say that Mohammed has been really, really lovely about it all. He's been marvellous.
We're off to Dendara and Abydos tomorrow, with talks at both places. Then we have 2 more free days for people to see things on the West Bank that we didn't get to yesterday, and then we're off to Aswan. At some time on the 2 remaining free days here, we're going up in a balloon again. It was so beautiful last time. Hil, we'll do that when you're here, too. Which reminds me, Tim, I completely agree that we need to do something, all three of us together, before we reach 70. It would be lovely to be able to do it in a foreign country, but even just in Canada (is that a foreign country to me now?) would be marvellous.
Okay, I've got to go now. I'll write again soonish. Mum, where are you?
David, thanks so much for the picture of Fra Billio. He looks just so regal, lovely boy. I promise to leap into your lap and gaze adoringly into your face just for that. I do miss him and everyone in Auckland.
Yeah, Tim, it's the difference between doing things in the travel industry and otherwise. I am appalled at the costs, and because I feel personally responsible for it, I can't ask everyone to pay up. So I feel kind of loaded down with 25 lots of bakshiish. There's no way I can pay, of course, but it feels that I SHOULD. Anyway. A very good reason for not taking 25 people again. I have to say that Mohammed has been really, really lovely about it all. He's been marvellous.
We're off to Dendara and Abydos tomorrow, with talks at both places. Then we have 2 more free days for people to see things on the West Bank that we didn't get to yesterday, and then we're off to Aswan. At some time on the 2 remaining free days here, we're going up in a balloon again. It was so beautiful last time. Hil, we'll do that when you're here, too. Which reminds me, Tim, I completely agree that we need to do something, all three of us together, before we reach 70. It would be lovely to be able to do it in a foreign country, but even just in Canada (is that a foreign country to me now?) would be marvellous.
Okay, I've got to go now. I'll write again soonish. Mum, where are you?
Sunday, December 7, 2008
and it's Oy from Thames
Where do these guys come from?
A few years back I dug up a weed patch occasionally used as a car park and landscaped it. It meant more weeding but recently to our delight a family of frogs have moved in. Pictured is Kaspar, an Australian Bell frog, the biggest. ‘Hopping over the ditch’ has a new meaning.
A few years back I dug up a weed patch occasionally used as a car park and landscaped it. It meant more weeding but recently to our delight a family of frogs have moved in. Pictured is Kaspar, an Australian Bell frog, the biggest. ‘Hopping over the ditch’ has a new meaning.
Hairy Varmint.
With the frequent changing of the guard in the apartment text messages are dispatched regarding Bill’s health, where he slept, and where he’s been sculling off to during the day. Last night, staying in town, I was concerned he had wandered some distance and for some time. The Indian family next door had a wedding. The most wonderful costumes. And most vig
orous dance music. Not at all Bill’s cup of tea.
At 2.30am I was woken by a thudding weight landing on my chest. Purring up my nose. A delight and such a relief.
I mention, in my own quiet way that not once, not once Jen, have you leapt into my lap and looked admiringly into my eyes. Not for me to complain
Summer time.
Daylight at 5.20am and my own lads (wiLLim & rubbydunkin) scamper over the bed awaiting their morning walk. Coffee and toast, lingering in the morning 
sun on our front porch, in front of our best ever display of poppies is the best start to the day for a young lad in his prime.
Have now finished all the big commitments for the year at last. This is why I have been slow to add anything.
A couple of nights ago we had our poetry final which I won! It was all about the olden days when we first started coming here to the Coromandel as kids.
Today got accepted for a quartet to sing ‘Route 66’ for our February concert. Life ain’t not never dull here in lil ole Thames. Enjoy your trip – love to all your family!
Dodes
Whoa.
Holy freakin' Tip overload Batman! 500 bux from *each* student? That just seems so 'waaay out of control! I could see perhaps a fifth of that... But then, I am not there, have no idea of what they are providing, and what sort of standard increases have become normal since I was last there 8 (!) years ago.
I am so jealous of Weezie getting to go there with you. Wouldn't it be fun for the three of us to do something like that one day? I, for one, think it would be a blast! I think its been 7 years since we were all in one room together - when Carrie and I were married, I think. Please don't let it wait until we are in our seventies...
Just yesterday I came across an odd thing in the basement: a sterling silver single-cigarette holder. A kind of a silver tube with a cap on it. It was full of reddish sand, and I remember filling it from high up on the west bank of the Nile on a slope above Elephantine back in 2000. Remember that hike with Carrie and I? When you get abroad as little as we do these years, you tend to hang on to tidbits of memory as they flutter around your brain. Anyway, it brought a smile to my face to open the tube and pour the sand out onto my hand.
You're doing a great thing there, Jen. We're all tremendously proud of you.
love,
/timothy
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Luxor
Hey. First, Hil, I'm really glad you got the vouchers. I'd forgotten to send them, and asked Mag to do it for me. Which she did, clearly, and with all speed. I'm going to come to meet you at the airport with Mohammed, our tour director. He's lovely and he has a fabulous VW bug. I'm not sure if we'll get to drive in it or not, but I'm hoping.
We're in Luxor now. This trip is completely different from the previous one, and it feels, in many ways, much, much heavier. 25 is simply too many people for me really to keep track of, which is really not the biggest problem. Last year, I was completely unaware of the amount of tips that were necessary for the hotels, the restaurants, the guide, the driver, the tour director... I was told by Mohammed on the second day (in the nicest way possible) that what we were giving was completely and utterly insufficient. Apparently, we are to give, each of us, in the range of $500 US that is to be divided between the above list. I cannot, in conscience, ask this from the students. It simply isn't possible. I talked with Mohammed about it and we came to a compromise, but next trip will have the tips included in the price for the students. It has been a huge weight on my conscience and shoulders, and I wake every morning with a stomach-ache that drills through me. We have also had some trouble with the guide, who did not understand the nature of the trip, and insisted on talking pretty much constantly. The problem is the Egyptian government requires that the guides have licenses, and guiding without one has a prison sentence attached. So, we got rid of the talky, somewhat annoying guide, and inherited a whole other problem. We can't do the student presentations on site, so we do them in my hotel room in the morning, and then they all scatter once we reach the sites, and they aren't able to ask me questions at all while on site. Today was the first day, and it went all right. We'll see how it goes for the rest. There are only a few presentations left, so I'm not terribly worried about it.
Otherwise, I think everyone is enjoying the trip. They've all just come back into the hotel lobby, where I'm blogging this, chattering and smiling from their first visit to Aladdin's Cave (well, he actually calls it Aladdin's Hule, but Aladdin's Hole doesn't really sound right to my ears). There is one problematic person, and it wasn't someone I was worried about while in New Zealand, but something will likely have to be said to her.
Okay, Caleb and Andy (his girlfriend) will be coming down soon, and we're going out to dinner, so I'll get off now. It's hot here, unseasonably hot, and dry, but that is found in every season. Take good care, all. Hil, I can't wait to see you!
We're in Luxor now. This trip is completely different from the previous one, and it feels, in many ways, much, much heavier. 25 is simply too many people for me really to keep track of, which is really not the biggest problem. Last year, I was completely unaware of the amount of tips that were necessary for the hotels, the restaurants, the guide, the driver, the tour director... I was told by Mohammed on the second day (in the nicest way possible) that what we were giving was completely and utterly insufficient. Apparently, we are to give, each of us, in the range of $500 US that is to be divided between the above list. I cannot, in conscience, ask this from the students. It simply isn't possible. I talked with Mohammed about it and we came to a compromise, but next trip will have the tips included in the price for the students. It has been a huge weight on my conscience and shoulders, and I wake every morning with a stomach-ache that drills through me. We have also had some trouble with the guide, who did not understand the nature of the trip, and insisted on talking pretty much constantly. The problem is the Egyptian government requires that the guides have licenses, and guiding without one has a prison sentence attached. So, we got rid of the talky, somewhat annoying guide, and inherited a whole other problem. We can't do the student presentations on site, so we do them in my hotel room in the morning, and then they all scatter once we reach the sites, and they aren't able to ask me questions at all while on site. Today was the first day, and it went all right. We'll see how it goes for the rest. There are only a few presentations left, so I'm not terribly worried about it.
Otherwise, I think everyone is enjoying the trip. They've all just come back into the hotel lobby, where I'm blogging this, chattering and smiling from their first visit to Aladdin's Cave (well, he actually calls it Aladdin's Hule, but Aladdin's Hole doesn't really sound right to my ears). There is one problematic person, and it wasn't someone I was worried about while in New Zealand, but something will likely have to be said to her.
Okay, Caleb and Andy (his girlfriend) will be coming down soon, and we're going out to dinner, so I'll get off now. It's hot here, unseasonably hot, and dry, but that is found in every season. Take good care, all. Hil, I can't wait to see you!
Friday, December 5, 2008
They are here!
The vouchers arrived today so all is good I am looking forward to going to the dance at the 1000 year old hotel. Hell I am looking forward to all of it! See you in two weeks!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Jen leaving in 13 days to see you and I have not received my vouchers for the travel stuff and hotel. Getting a wee bit worried but hey I guess that is the life of a traveller. Looking so forward to seeing you when I get there! I am all giddy and can't stop smiling when I think about it. See you soon! (Hopefully with vouchers in hand)
Love Weezie
Like nowhere else...
Oh what a dreadful string of events! Especially given the luggage farce from last time. One thing that might be helpful is that as you still have one of the earrings, perhaps a jeweler could custom make the lost mate for it when you return?
We are living vicariously through you over there. I still remember a walk back from the AUC bookstore in '92 when a Khamsin flooded the city with sand, and pale orange light. It was spectacularly beautiful and even the traffic hummed down somehow. It made salmon-coloured columns of light sift down those open courts in city towers that were old air-conditioning techniques.
I hope its hot there. I hope you're off to a better start after early events. I hope you are smiling inwardly at being back once again and firming up the old Egypt hand thing.
love,
/timothy
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
