Well, friends, the trip to Egypt is now in the past. I had some incredible experiences.

In addition to the usual sights, I got to tour two hospitals and the Cairo University School of Nursing. All of those places were most welcoming and very appreciative of the things we brought to them.

I have learned that, as nurses, we are more alike than different from the nurses in other countries. Right now, though, Egypt is about where we were in the 1950s. Their hospitals are staffed with mostly LPNs (technical) nurses and have only 1 RN in the hospital. They have no licensing requirement, but they are trying to implement one. They have a nursing shortage of about 44,000 to oure 300,000 but with Egypt much smaller than the US, that is probably equal to or worse than in the US.

We saw the pyramids, and many other historic areas of Cairo, and one of my pics of the Great Pyramid has an 'orb' on it.

Our guides were Egyptologists who spoke with great passion about their country both past and present. They welcomed us, our expertise, and the learning we brought with us.

Just starting the thread. I have some really great and touching stories about some of the people I met.

Please keep them to yourself

The smiley means you were joking, right?

I'm glad you had a good trip and if you share some stories I would enjoy reading them.

Let me assure you, you are under no obligation to open or to read anything on this thread.

For many reasons, I have not had opportunities go go abroad as much as some, but my profession has afforded me two wonderful chances. And because of my chosen profession, I have been able to see two great ancient wonders of the world, the great wall of China, and the Egyptian pyramids.

On both trips, I was very embarrassed by some of the behaviors of my American colleagues. I just don't know why they don't hear when we are briefed on how to approach others in their own countries. But some just have brain farts and I am really sorry for that.

The Egyptians were very hospitable to us. The only disconcerting thing was the number of them who run after you trying to sell you stuff at the attractions and in the bazaar. They are difficult to give a wide berth to.


Of course, my orthopedic problems did not go away just because I chose to go on a trip which required walking 8 miles a day. I bought the ticket to go into the chamber of the second pyramid. I got inside it, but my claustrophobia took over and I had to turn back. But I made it inside.

When I was walking back down from that site I was having a lot of trouble with my orthopedic problems, was losing my balance, and thought I might fall. There was an Arab man in a white robe with the white headdress who offered to help me. I just thought he was wanting money, so I told him 'no thanks' twice. He saw my continued difficulty and said, "You are my sister, I will help you." With that he took my arm and helped me down off the rocks.

After all the negative stories we have heard about the middle east, I was so surprised by this act of kindness toward an American.

Thanks. It was incredible. I learned so much. In the airport I bought a book which I can highly recommend. It is by Gregg Braden and is called Fractal Time. I read it through, and looked for another of his on the way back, but didn't find one.

The only BAD experience I had was at JFK airport. That place sucks and if I even start on it, it will be a rant, and I don't want to go there.

I do appreciate your interest.

Well, as someone who has studied Arabic and has spent a decent amount of time around Arabs in American, I know how nice and generous they can be. Of course, there is another side to it as well. It is one strange people group, I'll say that. In one instance you'll see more kindness and generosity than what you'd see by Americans...at the same time you can see something an American would be appalled at. It's definitely a people group that is not easy to figure out. Did you get the (what seems to me to be the normal Egyptian line from my experience) "Egyptians are not Arabs." line? And, to be honest, it's mostly a true statement since Arabs actually are a tribal groups that originated from the Saudi peninsula. Even further than that, most Arabs aren't really Arabs. Oh well...I'll check in for any stories you drop in here.

P.S. Nursing is a rough career to get into with orthopedic problems is nit not?

Your last question first: I did not have orthopedic problems when I 'got into' nursing many years ago. And I had a doctor's statement that I was able to do the job, as did all my classmates. But nursing isn't all just about giving injections and emptying bedpans. I work in a specialty and I am an NP. My work does not require that I be on my feet. Time waits for no man...or woman. Man fears time. Time fears the pyramids.

Now your first: I didn't hear any of them say they were not Arabs. I did hear them say that Egypt built the entire middle east because they were/are engineers and builders. They seem to see themselves the more rational part of the middle east. "If Egypt sneezes the middle east has a cold."

I loved the National Museum. I saw thong sandles worn by King Tut that would look modern and in style if they were worn today. I also saw his wine jars that were in his tomb. He had his own label. LOL

We went out into the countryside where the crops were growing. There was no equipment in sight, so I asked about that. Crops are grown there using the same tools they used 3500 years ago. Food production and population are issues though....a baby born every 23 seconds.

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Been a while since I read anything that made me laugh on here. Thanks!

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Great Quotes from Great Americans:

"With regard to the words 'general welfare', I have always regarded them as qualified by the details of the powers connected with them. To take them in a literal and unlimited sense would be a metamorphisis of the Constitution into a character which there is a host of proofs was not contemplated by its creators."James Madison, Father of the Constitution

Hey CG where have you been. You've been missed.

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Been here, been there. Am back. For how long, I know not. I have cunning plans afoot!

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Great Quotes from Great Americans:

"With regard to the words 'general welfare', I have always regarded them as qualified by the details of the powers connected with them. To take them in a literal and unlimited sense would be a metamorphisis of the Constitution into a character which there is a host of proofs was not contemplated by its creators."James Madison, Father of the Constitution

Well, welcome back. I thought you had jumped ship.

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So it appears you saw Giza again(?) How has the Cairo sprawl effected it?

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"The captain has turned off the `No Dubbing' sign. You are free to speak any language you choose."

Nope, I was home for a while. Been busy, and some log in issues but that's sorted now (tips hat to OSB). Inherited a property out in nowheresville, MN - very very cool place!

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Great Quotes from Great Americans:

"With regard to the words 'general welfare', I have always regarded them as qualified by the details of the powers connected with them. To take them in a literal and unlimited sense would be a metamorphisis of the Constitution into a character which there is a host of proofs was not contemplated by its creators."James Madison, Father of the Constitution

It has completely encircled the pyramids. It is an illusion that they are out in the middle of nowhere. There is city all around.

Giza is growing also. Lots of lavis new developments and a huge mall -the Mall of Arabia. We toured a new hospital in Giza, went past a lot of farmland and crops, etc. But the pyramids are very 'close in.' I thought the Giza plateau to be quite small compared to what I expected.

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