8/27/04

Okay, it has now been a couple of days since I last wrote but I will start from where I left off so this will be a really long entry. We landed in Egypt about 1:09 am. We got off the plane, found our luggage and went looking for the person who was supposed to take us to our hotel. We found a man with a sign that said "BYU Cosmos." So we knew that it was him. Then we had to wait in line for a long, long, long time. Then we hopped into a van. It was very dark outside so we couldn't see much but it was really humid. Now I am more used to that but at first it felt very different. We stopped at a nice hotel that had a bathtub, soft carpet, comfy beds, pretty paint, a tv that had lots of channels and the remote hadn't even been opened from it's case because it was so new. There also was a place to eat downstairs that had good food. Nabby, Camille, and I shared a room again except this time they had to bring an extra bed in. We slept there the night then woke up, ate breakfast, and headed off for Alexandria in the same van that took us last time. It took two and a half hours to get there. When we finally got there it looked like it was once again going to be a nice hotel. Nabby, Camille, and I once again would share a room. When we got there we were taken by surprise because the room was an ugly green color, the beds were very hard, the carpet was itchy an looked as though it had never been vacuumed, the shower had no curtain, the bathroom had one towel, everything was pretty unclean and disgusting. We looked out the window and saw that we had a spectacular view of the Mediterranean Sea. After that we went out to eat and had delicious food. They even have french fries here! Then we went shopping for awhile before going to bed. The next day we went to an institute where the BYU students will be taking their classes. We stayed there with Sister Parkinson while Nabby, Bro. Parkinson, Mom, and Dad went looking for apartments. (We couldn't all fit in the taxi and Nabby really wanted to go). We played fun games with Sis. Parkinson. After they came back, the cosmo van picked us up and took us to more apartments and this time we all got to go. Most of them were on the 14-16 floors. Today we went to church because they have church on Friday here. I made a few friends and sunday school reminded me of home because everyone was so loud. We went to church in Cairo so it took almost five and a half hours to get there and back. We went to an internet cafe and were able to write friends. Well, it's getting late so I'd better go. We are still in this hotel. Bye!

8/24/04

Today we got up early. Well, I'm not sure if it was early or not but it seemed way early. I woke up and heard Nabby wake up and get ready for the day and I was going to but I was just too tired. Camille, believe it or not, was still sleeping! (She and my dad are the early birds in the family). Anyway, back to the subject. Mom came in a little later to get us up so I got up and got dressed but Camille stayed in bed. I understood perfectly how she felt. I think the time change messed up our sleeping schedules and Camille and I switched roles. We went upstairs and had breakfast and then we took a tram to a train station and took a train to the bus station and took a long bus ride to Edirno [sp?] (which I slept through). Then we took a taxi to a mosque called "selimiyye" and it was very pretty and was the second one I've been to where you can go upstairs to the balcony. Then we took a bus to the bus station to take another bus to the train station and the tram ad then walked back. We had all of our luggage out of our rooms and in the lobby so that we would be ready to leave for Cairo. We then went to a place and ate some yummy things that looked like tortillas and are filled with potatoes. Then we got stopped by a man who knew English and was selling rugs. He talked to us for a long time and then invited us into his store for some apple tea. We went with him and he wanted us to buy a carpet but we were persistent on saying no. He showed us a wall full of pictures of his happy customers and their new rugs. We were finally able to leave. We had someone take us to the airport. We are now on a plane going to land in Cairo in 22 minutes. It is 12:48 am. Well, I'd better go.

Maren

8/23/04

Today we went on a boat ride and it was very fun. It was five hours long. We had lunch at a place on the way. We had pizza and it tastes different here.  We hiked to an old castle and it was very cool. It overlooked The Black Sea. We went on a long bridge but we only walked halfway across. We rode the tram on the way home. We had french fries with dinner and they were so good. We wrote to Jamie Lyn. We're leaving tomorrow. I will try to write. I'm so tired. Goodnight!

Maren

8/22/04

Today was very tiring but still fun. I woke up very early and got ready to go and then I listened to my CD player because Grandma gave me a new CD. She actually gave me two and Camille two. One of Camille's is a conference talk... Anyway, so I listened and waited for Camille and Nabby to wake up (we share a room). Camille woke up next and then finally Nabby (my point here being...?). We went upstairs and ate breakfast and then went to a site called The Harem (I'm thinking this was Topkapi Palace but I am not sure). My mom, Camille, and I had read a book about about it called "The Shadow Spinner." It was very interesting (the book I assume?). Then went to a whole bunch of little museums on things like the Sultan's clothing. He had a lot of clothes. Then we went a museum that had lots of things from Mohammed and Moses and Joseph. My dad was a little behind all of the rest of us (because he was more interested or something) so we went outside and looked around. It was pretty because they had a pond with sprinklers pouring into it. We waited for what seemed like a long time. Then we decided to go get my dad and so we looked for him and couldn't find him. The Parkinsons helped us look. Finally my mom  found him. Dad said he was looking for us too. We then went to museums with swords and guns and armor. The we went to a museum with mummies and carvings. Dad took a picture of Camille and I by a giant carving. I must admit, I was kind of grumpy by now. Then we went to another museum that had two parts, one had statues that looked like they were Roman (apparently I was paying close attention...), the other had coffins and things. Then we came back to the hotel and then Dad left with the Parkinsons to go see something. I took a nap. Then we went out to eat and got chicken pizza which was really good. We then went to the festival of culture and tourism and it was really cool because they lit up the Blue Mosque with different colors of light. We listened to a Turkish band. Then we came home and here I am! My hand is getting tired so I guess I'll write tomorrow. We are going on a boat. Bye!

Maren

8/21/04

On Wednesday night we slept at my grandparents' house because we had to be at the airport really early and they were taking us. We left for Salt Lake City at 4:30 am. We went through a lot of security. Soon we were on the plane heading for Chicago. It took about three hours to get there. Lifting off was my favorite part.

We got off of the airplane at about 12:00 pm and walked around the airport for awhile. They had pictures of families from different countries with everything they owned. It was really interesting to see the differences between the cultures. We also played Phase 10 while waiting for the next plane to arrive. We played it with the Parkinson's who are coming with us on the trip. Nabby is about 15 and her parents are friends with mine.

We got on the plane to London at about 5:30 pm and we stayed on it for a really really long time. I like English accents I decided. Then the next day we arrived in Turkey and got a ride to our hotel. We can't drink the water from the faucet here and hardly any water comes from the shower.

Today we did a little sight-seeing. We went to the Blue Mosque and the Haghia Sophia. They were amazing and beautiful. We ate some shwarma's (which are delicious) and then we went through a bazaar which is basically a place with lots of shops. Someone tried to sell us a rug and he took us back to his little shop and served us apple tea and showed us a wall full of pictures of happy customers with their new rugs. He was determined and it was kind of hilarious. We didn't buy one though.

So.

When I was 13 years old (2004) my family went on a study abroad to Alexandria, Egypt for my dad's work. It was an amazing experience and I am sad that I don't remember as much of it as I'd like to. I kept a journal while I was there but it's falling apart--the binding is completely gone so the pages are coming out. I decided to write down everything on a blog so I can have an easier time looking back at what I wrote about it.