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If one is very lucky the opportunity to take the trip of a life time may present itself, and you have to have the courage to make it happen. For me that trip was Egypt. There were many fears connected to the decision to go. It was an unbelievable amount of money. There was also the issues concerning the terrorist activity, and the worry of getting sick because of water pollution, foreign bacteria on food, and unsanitary conditions. All these things, not to mention I'd be thousands of miles away from home and my loved ones on Thanksgiving. Someone had said to me you do not go to Egypt unless you're called, and I knew I was called. This was my trip, and I was going to figure out a way to go.
To be able to tell you about Egypt is like trying to explain the unexplainable. I could give you descriptions and information about what is there, but you can get that from a book. When you are actually there you are witnessing the life, culture, beliefs, skills and labor of people who lived on this planet 2 to 4 thousand years ago. For me and many others on this trip, there was an acute awareness that we were those people. We had memories and profound feelings related to what we were seeing, hearing and experiencing. Many of the temples, churches, sculptures, pyramids and other places and structures were still very much alive with the energy of the people and events that had occurred there. We were revisiting our beginning and we knew it.
Egypt is a land of contrasts and paradoxes. In the middle of this vast and desolate ocean of sand and rock there is a life creating and a life protecting artery called the Nile. For all those thousands of years this fascinating and extremely religious and superstitious culture thrived along this beautiful body of water. They also strive to ensure their immortality. What they built and documented did just that. Their faces, names, tombs, belongings, lifestyles, positions, families, beliefs, fears, loves and aspects of their personalities are still very much alive. We know their names and we look with fascination at their mummified bodies. We hear their words and their stories. We see their love of color and detail. We marvel at their need for the mammoth, the bigger than life itself, and their inconceivable ability to achieve it. It all there, documented in stone, and preserved only because of the intention of the builders and creators and the arid climate of the desert. The Gods and Goddesses certainly honored the requests of their kings and queens. "life ever lasting"
What of Egypt today? It has been locked into a concept of third world, meaning poverty, dirty, violent and other negative attributes. What I experienced was the paradox. If you love New York you would love Ciro. It has everything New York has, or any other big city, except there is very little crime, and the Egyptians are so much more friendly. All of those who lived outside the city by our standards appear poor. I however, thought they have an enviable quality to their life. They have lush tropical vegetation, the river Nile to swim, boat and irrigate their land. They have community in their local market places and obvious signs of fun and leisure activities. They have a profound commitment to their religious beliefs, and you see praying without shame everywhere. They are a people connected to nature. Animals roam pretty much unrestricted, and you see children barefooted carrying baby lambs and goats. There was no begging. People had something to exchange for our money. We witnessed smiling, welcoming and responsive faces. The military and the police were there for our protection. I invite you to think about giving yourself this spiritual gift. I felt no fear in Egypt only blessed to be there, and if God is willing I will return.
This poem was written in Egypt 2 to 4 thousand years ago. Nut is an Egyptian Goddess who was responsible for the rising and setting of the sun.
O my mother Nut,
Stretch your wings over me,
Let me become like the imperishable stars,
Like the indefatigable stars---
My Nut extend her arms over me
And her name of
"she who extends her arms,
Chases away the shadows,
and makes the Light shine
everywhere."
Be tough in the way a blade of grass is: rooted, willing to lean, and at peace with what is around it. ---- Natalie Goldberg
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