I had a marvellous holiday in Egypt. So many people warned me not to go, said it would be dangerous, but I never felt afraid or threatened at any time. I felt for the local people who are struggling financially because tourism’s been so severely affected – But because there are so few tourists, the temples and sites weren’t swamped with huge gangs of people and there were hardly any other ships to spoil our peaceful passage down the Nile. Not only were there few cruise ships, the one I was on was practically empty. On the way down to Aswan there were about 20 passengers – half Egyptian, half British. On the way back there was only the nine – yes, nine – people who were on my tour. I was so lucky they didn’t cancel it.
The Pyramids, the Sphinx, the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. the Valley of the Kings, the temple of Isis at Philae, the Aswan Dam, Luxor, Karnak, Abu Simbil, the experience of the Nile itself, watching life on the river banks that can’t have changed much for centuries: it was all more fantastic then I had imagined it would be. But I’d also imagined I’d spend my evenings alone in my cabin reading and writing in my journal – but I was wrong!
All kinds of activities were arranged for us: an Egyptian night, when we all got dressed up in Ghelabayas and looked quite unlike Egyptians; a Nubian night – which was a lot of laughs; a visit from a belly dancer. Because there was so few of us, I couldn’t take my usual back seat but had to be a good sport and participate in party games, or attempt to do local dances (!). In short, I was forced to have fun. Before the trip, I had wondered who I would sit with during meals. I’d thought ‘there’s always someone to pal up with or who will invite me to join them’ – but as we were so few, we all sat together round one large table. I felt integrated into one happy group. Dropped my carer’s persona all together.
At home I keep my comments simple, if not monosyllabic because I often have to repeat them over and over again. I’d forgotten I can be cheerful, chatty, witty, cultured – even opinionated! So on some level, the trip has helped to give me back to myself.
But what’s even better is that mum also really enjoyed her respite break. Since we got back she’s been talking about it non-stop. ‘In the home’ this, ‘in the home’ that. She asked me – why didn’t you leave me there longer? As she usually complains that I’ve left her there too long I was pleasantly surprised. I asked her – would you like to go there more often, not just when I go away? And the upshot is, she’s going back to spend a few days there at the end of the month which means I can go to London for a couple of nights to spend time with friends. Fingers crossed this continues…
livingwithmotherblog 
Hi Pol
It sounds like a resounding success on all fronts, including the home front. Brilliant! Looking forward to hearing more. I’m off to Istanbul for a few days in late April and similarly lots of people are worrying on my behalf about whether I should go.
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I know, but I’m sure you’ll have a great time. Look forward to hearing all about it!
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What a positive time for both of you, wonderful what unexpected consequences can emerge: you felt you found your own voice, she felt good in the home! So heartening to read this post – and hope I can be one of the friends to benefit from seeing you perhaps more often. Much love Gail
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Indeed I hope so too, but I know you’ll be having fun in Scotland next week!
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Really nice to know that you enjoyed yourself in Egypt. Sometimes, it’s good to go alone because you can just be yourself and become more open to meeting people and making new friends. 🙂
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Hurrah for positivity and laughs. I am told by t’wife that I too am become a laugher. Gawd knows what I was like when she met me! I think I was doing ” life is jolly tough and then you die” or words to that effect. Take care and have some fun, Michael
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Can’t believe I only just noticed your comment. Better get back to blogging!!
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This is such a lovely, uplifting post — I’m so very happy for you! The trip AND your mum wanting to return to the home more often — wow, that’s fantastic, sending (((BIGHUG))) for support.
As you were naming all the places in Egypt, I couldn’t help but recall one of my favorite book series, a cozy mystery series by Elizabeth Peters: the protagonist is Amelia Peabody and nearly all her adventures take place in Egypt from 1884 through 35 years of her family’s saga — http://ameliapeabody.com/pressroom.htm If you ever need a light read, these are fun stories (I didn’t like the first one as much as all the rest) and, hey, now that you’ve been there and seen the sights, you’ll be able to envision her stories more clearly than I ever could! 🙂
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Amelia Peabody! As you say, now I can read them and really imagine how it is. Sigh. Would love to go again.
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Maybe you will someday. You are courageous, strong, and inspirational — don’t ever change!
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Oh so are you! I hope we will meet up again some day!
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That was uplifting! I’m thrilled that you managed to escape and find yourself again and brilliant that your Mum had a great time too! Now, if she does go on more respite breaks it will change both your lives tremendously! xxx Lorna
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Comment received thank you Lorna! Hope you’re not still completely in
transit?
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No.. have touched down..! 🙂
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Am pleased to hear it!
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