I should have started a travelblog long ago. I do so much of it and every now and then there’s something worth saying – or not and I’m just so bored while traveling that I could at least entertain myself by blogging mindless doodles.
I’m on my way today to San Diego. The trip will take around 30 hours to make with the air time and transits. That’s if I actually catch all my planes. I’m told I have a 15-minute transit in Atlanta, Georgia. Doesn’t make sense that they even booked that flight for me, does it? And I’m told the Americans have become extra vigilant at security checks these days. So I’ll have to go through passport control AND stringent airport security and get to my gate all in 15 minutes. That’s assuming we actually arrive on time.
People we meet
This morning at Cairo Airport I met the cutest little girl. She was quietly sitting next to the wall while we were all standing in line waiting to go through passport control. Her daddy was standing in front of me. The little girl appeared to be about 3 or 4 years old and she had a scarf tightly wrapped around her head. I was wondering why her head was wrapped like that. I thought maybe her mother wanted to make sure she was warm. But then she came and spoke to her daddy and gave her back to me. From the back of the scarf I could clearly see her head was completely hairless. I looked closer at her face. She was pale and had dark circles under her eyes. She had cancer. The little girl had the cutest high-pitched 4-year-old voice you’ll ever here. I asked her where she was going and her daddy told me she was going to Mecca to perform the lesser pilgrimage – Umra. This was also her first airplane ride! She looked so excited – and tired at the same time. I told her how much fun it is to see the clouds from above instead of from below. Her daddy told me she was scared. She really didn’t look it. I told her she’ll have a wonderful time and that seeing the Kaaba will be amazing.
It’s interesting how people put their faith in God above all else in times of need. I’ve been asking my tweople and my facebook friends to pray for her. I’ll ask you all as well to send her your prayers or your positive energy, whichever you prefer.
Nadia goes on an(other) ego trip
In recent years I’ve traveled so often it’s sort of ridiculous. But that has finally paid off. I’m the very proud owner of a Gold Air France frequent flyer card. This card pulls me up the social ladder about two rungs. I now get to stand in the business class lines at check-in – always shorter than other lines – and I get to spend transit times in the business lounges. Today I got a FREE lunch and I’m blogging using my FREE Internet connection. If you’ve traveled as much as I have, you’ll know how precious all this is. I feel so special. I really do.
Travel lessons
Travel brings down your shame levels as much as frequent flier cards bring up your social status (in my mind anyway). Today I was lucky enough to have the seat next to me empty. I simply put my head and upper torso on one chair and my feet and lower body on the other and fell fast asleep. I do the same – or did – in airport lounges. I could care less what I look like or how inappropriate it might be (in some cultures).
I’ve also decided to travel comfortably. I have this theory that I’m now investigating that spending too much time in jeans gives me headaches. It also makes me nauseous on long flights. So this 41-year-old woman is dresssed today in a sweatshirt, sweatpants, and sneakers. Yes she is! And I’m actually quite comfortable and no headache – yet.
Finally, I’ve attempted to travel light this time. For a 9 day trip I only have one pair of jeans, two blouses, and one pair of hiking pants plus shirt. I do not have any shoes with me other than the sneakers on my feet. The most serious of circumstances brings me to this desperate situation. I have shopping to do in San Diego. So I’m definitely coming back heavy. We’ll have to see how this works out. And don’t you dare look at me that way! It’s a small miracle that I’m going at least one way with hardly any clothes in my suitcase! Appreciate the fact!
My one hour of free Internet connection is about to end. Since I do not yet know if it is renewable I’ll have to stop here. But expect many more travelblogs from me! I could practically travelblog for a living!
Inner Workings of My Mind 