The Motley Crew

Trip Start May 09, 2005

Trip End Aug 01, 2005

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Flag of Egypt Dahab, Egypt
Friday, June 24, 2005

Yesterday was quite a relaxing day with the weather cooling down a bit. It's amazing how 'in tune' I've become here with my body. I think perhaps its the harshness of the landscape (although it's absolutely the most beautiful) that has evoked so much change in my body...both physically and emotionally. I've never been more aware of how my moods are affected by the climate and the consequent outcomes of what I am putting into my body in the way of food and liquid. It's really very strange, too, because I was JUST thinking about this yesterday as I felt amazing physically. I know I've mentioned Carmella in a few posts before, a fellow traveler who I've only ever spoken to over email about our experiences. And sure enough she put out a blog today about this very topic--of what we put into our bodies and the even profound effect it all can have on us inside and out. As I read it, I felt it was as if someone was putting my thoughts into writing.

I know I am not the first person to 'obsess' over food whilst on the road. I have my fleeting moments where I begin to make a mental checklist of all of the things I will eat as soon as I am state-side again. I think about how generally I don't miss these things at all until I see an advert or the like on television or in print. Well, I am not going to go on about it incessantly; but it's been telling for me to really take the time to try and better understand how much what I am putting into my body changes my moods, my outlook on life. etc. It's something I intend to visit a bit more upon my return home.

In any case, yesterday as usual included a wonderfully impromptu experience.

Egyptian Charades

Mandy and I were heading over to Jack's for a late lunch when she received a call from Sylvia (a German gal teaching at the international school in Sharm and is married to an Egyptian man) that they had spent the day preparing moshi and that we should come by. I don't quite know how to explain what it is exactly, but maybe Houda's husband can help me out. But from what they say here, it's anything basically that is filled with a rice and spices mixture. In the case of our dinner, it was rice wrapped in cucumber and another dish of rice in grape leaves. This was along with a spicy tomato-based sauce, lentil soup and spicy chicken. After dinner some coveted imported alcohol was brought out. A cousin of Jegermeister that had mint in it (tasted a bit like mouthwash), Grappa and of course Vodka. I had a taste of the mouthwash stuff and then just sat back on my lounger and enjoyed the cool breeze that was wafting by and the lively conversation all around me.

The rest of the boys showed up later and I realized it was already midnight...time just flies in good company. It was quite the Montley Crew of Egyptian men from all over Egypt and their various European wives and girlfriends: Germany, Switzerland, Wales, and Holland. As usual, I was the sole American there to defend our politics and what seems to still be the biggest assumption about Americans: that we are highly ignorant and very poorly educated in the way of the world. And as most nights go in Egypt, traditional music was put on and the men began to dance. I know I've said it a billion times...but I just adore the fact that the men here have no qualms about dancing and the style is much like that of belly dancing in which fingers are flipped in the air and hips gyrated. We were then introduced to Egyptain charades which was quite amusing.

Anyways, as most nights around here do, it ended around 3:30am and everyone headed home. Today I slept in a bit and then caught up on the news and American gossip (Inside Edition). Anwar's new restaurant, Napoleon, is pretty cool and it's actually looking up to a better job for him overall. So it's fun to have somewhere new to hang out and read my book. Inshallah, we are making a trip into the desert on Sunday, so I'm looking forward to that should it happen. It's a bit difficult to make plans around here because you just never know what may happen next...