Trip of a Life Time - Still Egypt - Chapter 4

DeNiel isn't just a river in Egypt!  Oh wait - the Nile IS a river in Egypt!  We woke up this morning, packed our bags and mom went down for breakfast.  We then loaded the buses, and headed to the airport where we flew to Aswan.  In Aswan, we boarded our luxury cruise ship!

Fun 4 Less is very efficient when dealing with our large group and all our luggage.  Blue bus people had blue ribbons on their suitcases.   The yellow bus had yellow obvio.  You would set your luggage outside your doors by the appointed time in the morning for the porter's to take downstairs.  Once you had your breakfast or in my case, my diet coke/coke zero and made your way out to your bus, you identified your pieces of luggage to the porter's and they would then load it on the bus.  You would watch to see them get loaded before you got on.  That way you KNEW you had everything and your stuff was coming with you.  Of course, that doesn't account for anything left in your rooms, but because we rarely stayed in the same room for more than 3 nights or so, we never really unpacked.  We just would get what we needed for each day.  And for the record, mom is a much more efficient packer than I am.  I way over packed but as per usual, I feel like I need to be prepared for any contingency.  It wasn't like we're somewhere in the states or even Mexico where you could find what you needed pretty easily.  Did I leave some things behind on purpose?  Yes, especially towards the end of the trip when I had started loading up on souvenir's.  But I digress.

Back to the ship.  We cruised the Nile for 3 days.  Each day we made stops and saw things but rather than combine so much into one, I'm breaking them up into separate posts.  This one is the ship and it's experience  with pictures alone.  I'll do the stops next.

Let me say that I LOVE cruising!  Absolutely love it!  Of course, this was no huge ship like a Carnival line or something (we are just on the river) but it was perfect!  Each breakfast and dinner was buffet.  We were still in Egypt so the water rule and food rules still applied.   Thankfully, there were plenty of options for food.  I had my first falafel here and fell in love!  I wish I could find a place here at home that has some good falafel.

The deck was nice and there were opportunities to lay in the sun - although it was never really super warm.  I wore a jacket most of the time.  The cabins were much like a regular cruise ship.  Big enough to accommodate without being huge.  We had our own steward who liked to provide us with towel animals each night and tidied up our room every day.  The staff was wonderful.  Friendly and anxious to serve and make sure we were comfortable.  Access to my beverages of choice were plenty, there is nothing to complain about here!

My ribs and shoulder, basically my whole right side was still painful but the tour kept me busy and distracted.  There was so much to do and see that unless we were just sitting on a bus, I didn't have time to deal with the pain.  I feel blessed that I was able to enjoy everything!

Photos of the ship and views seen while cruising (in no particular order):

(the top deck.  I would find the sun, mom would find the shade)

(going under a bridge and I'm wondering if we're gonna clear it)

(lush green on the river banks)

( the ship had nightly entertainment.  They kept promising belly dancers but I think they must have been the very last night when we skipped the show and went to bed)

(before the last night's show, our educator for Israel and the rest of the tour S. Michael Wilcox joined us)

Things we saw from the ship while we cruised.  No particular landmarks just things I thought were cool:

(imagine somewhere along the banks, before they built barriers, Moses was placed in a basket and send down the river - pretty cool huh?)

( a fire off in the distance.  When it was asked what this was from, we were told it was nothing, but rumor was it was an outbreak of fighting)

(our cute steward - not a word of English but we could communicate with smiles)

( I finally felt brave enough get a pic of one of our guards with his machine gun)

(a souvenir I did pick up in Egypt - an authentic headdress)

(they were like a buck a piece so why not?)

Trip of a LifeTime - Egypt Chapter 3

A fun, yet eventful day!
We boarded the bus, ready for adventure.  We first visited the Pyramids in Giza.  They are every bit as spectacular as you imagine.  We were riding in the desert for some time and then BAM - there they are!  Huge, Beautiful and Majestic!

(ticket stubs)

Once off the bus, we were once again assaulted by vendors.  Following my mom's lead, we just kept our heads down, moved forward and said "no" over and over again.  As we toured and viewed the majestic structures,  Achmed would tell us some history about them.  I wish I took better notes and I didn't write down anything specific about the Pyramids, but guys, they are thousands of years old and I was impressed beyond what I can describe.

(behind is the city in the valley)

( that small opening is where you walked in.)

After going in side one of the Pyramids (not for the claustrophobic)  and then riding the camels, we got back on the bus and headed to the Sphinx.

(this was my camel, I called him Bruce.  Apparently, Bruce "don't like to be touched".  He didn't spit at me, but he growled.  The bit I did touch him, the skin is rough.  Not soft at all)

(mom's camel - look she's touching the top of the pyramid!)

(a fun adventure)

Guys - this was beautiful!  Such an amazing piece of art right out of stone.  Surrounding it is all stone too.  It was stunning

And then things took a turn.  As we were walking to the exit we approached some stone steps.  We started down them and next thing I knew, I was flying through the air, landing on my right shoulder and feeling my head bounce on the stone.  Literally one second later, I felt something on top of me and my head bounced again, while my entire right side was slammed into the stone again.

I laid stunned for a few seconds trying to assess what the crap happened and how I was hurt,  I thought a headache would start any second in addition to my entire body feeling like I'd been beaten.
Sadly, a gentleman on our bus was right behind me when we started down the stairs.  He lost his footing and fell forward, first knocking mom to her hands and knees and then me straight down the stairs followed by him falling on top of me.  The man is about my husbands size  6'2'' and maybe 200 pounds.  Well no wonder I felt like I'd been blindsided.  The tour guides and surrounding people were very kind in helping me get up, I could feel some blood and stinging on my right leg so I lifted my pant leg to find a swollen knee with a mild abrasion and then a larger one on my ankle.  My sunglasses took the brunt of the side of my head and thankfully they didn't break, instead I was only mildly scratched.  Not even as bad as my leg.  The worst was the right side of my chest and shoulder where I was already dealing with some rotator cuff issues.  It immediately felt like I had some broken ribs.  Deep breaths, exhales, coughing, laughing, taking a breath to speak, all hurt very badly.  When I was at rest, just sitting, they ached terribly.  Someone used some bottled water to clean my scrapes and then bandaged them.  I didn't even know that Mom had fallen, she never said a word until days later, but she was at my side making sure I was okay.  Once I knew I could be steady on my feet, we boarded the bus and headed to the next stop.  Man, I was hurting!

We stopped at the Papyrus Institute were we learned about that ancient art and viewed some spectacularly beautiful pieces.  I purchased one and had them add Catmull in hieroglyphics.  I love it and glad we had that opportunity.

(there are on the right hand side starting at the top and going down - Catmull

I just need to get it framed)

While there I was introduced to a man on our other bus in the tour group who was a retired doctor.  He reviewed what happened and concurred about the broken rib(s).  However, it was recommended to NOT seek medical treatment in Egypt, but wait until we got to Israel.  And if you know me or remember this post, you know that I am a no narcotic girl.  I did have some that my ortho had prescribed before I left for that nagging shoulder injury, but I hadn't taken any.  Now and for the rest of the of the trip, I only took one if things were not manageable.  Otherwise, it was grit your teeth and get through it.  This trip was one that was a once in a lifetime.  I never considered going home or skipping any of the tour.  I feel blessed that I was able to get through it with minimal adjustments.  People were kind in lifting things for me and mom did tons to help me.

We went back to the hotel for the night.  In talking with mom about chapter two, she reminded me that we did the buffet the second night at this hotel and then this last night we went to a restaurant in the lobby instead.  Guess what?!?!  Mom doesn't like cheese either so we split a delicious NO CHEESE pizza!  Great travel mates!

Getting to bed on this day was heaven.  I was so tired, in pain and needed to just stretch out and sleep!  Looking ahead to the next day, we are ready to board the cruise ship for some unforgettable time on the Nile river!

Trip of a Life Time - Egypt - Chapter 2

That first night sleep, we slept the sleep of the dead.  I mean, how else can one explain the turning off of the alarm and sleeping an extra two hours?

HOLY CRAP!  Mom turned off the alarm and we overslept!  I woke up to her frantic cries and tried to orient myself.  Crap.  Now what?  I think Mom was near to tears since we missed the bus and was missing the day's tour.  The Citadel, the Mosque.  She called down to the front desk and thankfully there was an employee of Fun 4 Less, who just finished a tour and was packing to go home, still there and she gladly made some calls, got a taxi and took us to the museum where we would meet up with our group.  Whew!  We missed the first part, but not to worry, our beautiful scarves would come in handy later.

We arrived at the museum before the group, but the cute Egyptian gal who was with us, stayed until the bus got there and she could successfully hand us over.  Again, armed guards at the outer entrance and more inside the courtyard.  At this point, I didn't feel brave enough to take a picture of one.  I had to keep in mind that I was in a foreign country.  I had no rights here.  If they didn't like something I was doing, I could be detained, thrown in jail and never released.  We were always mindful of their culture and rules.  We were guests in their home, and would act accordingly.

(waiting for our buses to get there)

(the Cairo Museum)

(scenery on the grounds)

(I'm learning quickly that cats are everywhere)

When asked, our tour guides explained that Egypt was very much a third world country. I was already finding that out pretty quick once we left the hotel.  Of course, as is culture in most countries outside the US, you don't flush your toilet paper.  Instead, you clean yourself and then toss it into a garbage
can.

(they also had two flushers on the toilets.  The small one for just liquids and the bigger one if you've got floaters)

I tried hard to remember this, but on occasion, habit would take over and I dropped paper in.  The rules of the road in Egypt are pretty non existent.  If there is room for your vehicle, you go there.  You honk to let others know you;re there.  Not many street lights or stop signs at least if there were, they weren't the universal red octagon.  

(the streets outside the bus window)

( a special game was coming up and this vendor is just standing there, selling right in the street)

I was getting used to everything in Arabic.  Some places had English translation and most of the people in the service industry would speak enough to help you.  On the streets?  Not so much.  Except vendors.  Vendors are EVERYWHERE and AGGRESSIVE.  If you thought shopping in Mexico was bad?  It was ten times worse here.  I learned quickly to not make eye contact, and to say no repeatedly. Mom was the pro.  My friend Kerry was an easy target. He was too soft hearted.  If you looked at them, slowed down, dared to look at their wares or heaven forbid touch one, then you were done.  Might as well throw your money at them.  The term "Fi dolla"  became the running joke in our group.  And if you didn't know how to barter before, you learned quickly.

(photo cred Angie Fenton)

Back to the museum.  Once our tour group got there, our gal passed us off and we were introduced.  Another "oh crap" moment.  They issued us Whispers.  They are receivers that you use with headphones so you can hear the guide talking without having to crowd in.  You can be looking at things and still hear everything said.  Did I grab mine when I left the hotel in a rush? Yes.  Did I grab my headphones?  CRAP!  So today, I spent the entire time we were with the guide, standing as close to him as I could so I could hear everything.

(I'm a nerd and saved all my tickets stubs)

Our guide was an Egyptian man named Achmed.  Yes, I always thought "I keel you" in my head when his name was said.  And if you don't know what I'm talking about google the comedian Jeff Dunaham with a puppet named Achmed.  Our Achmed was the kindest, most patient man.  Think about keeping a group of about 160 people reined in.  Herding kittens.  Achmed the Egyptian Saint.  And by the way, Egyptians are beautiful people.  Their olive skin, dark brown eyes, truly gorgeous people.

Unfortunately, we weren't allowed to take pictures in the Cairo Museum (most parts of it, or if we were, I failed) so I don't have much to document there.  Some fascinating stuff.  All of Egypt's history, and precious artifacts and King Tut's treasure's.  Come cool mummies there too.   It also seemed to be a favorite with local's and students.  We quickly realized that American's seem to be rock stars there.  So many school girls would stare at us, smile and even ask to take selfies with us.  Not one of them spoke English but with gestures and smiles we were able to communicate.  I don't know any of them, but I love them!

(when I got brave enough to ask for one with them on MY phone.  I also loved their hijabs.  I kind of felt like I should wear one to be respectful to them, but then again, maybe it would have been disrespecting their religion.  I loved them)

I also learned that Mom and I tour a little differently.  She likes to go, see and then move on,  She's a fast, efficient one.  I am more of a lingerer.  We usually always started out together but then she'd be up ahead waiting for me.  Good thing we were patient with each other or rather, her with me.

Back on the bus, we learned we were assigned to group one.  They had broken the tour group up in two buses.  The blue bus (us) and the yellow bus.  Then within the bus, couples were assigned to different groups with a group leader that was responsible to make sure everyone in your group was on the bus before it pulled away.  Fun 4 Less is extremely efficient.  I never felt like we would be left behind at any time.  And, when you spend so much time on a bus together, you forge some beautiful friendships.  Thus began our love affair with the Chipmans. The Connelly's, Sharon, Jean and so many others.  Our bus had a special spirit.  Our guides Diane and Rob had done this particular tour many times and their family begged them to do it once more.  They postponed their mission, and most of the bus was their family and friends.  They gathered the rest of us into their family and we seriously had the best time!  I think it was no coincidence that we were assigned to that particular bus.  I also firmly believe that God puts people into our lives at specific times for specific reasons.  I was meant to experience this not only with my mom, but with these outstanding people as well.  I have lovingly dubbed them, "my old mormon folk",  I was the youngest on the bus, but age was no issue.  I love them like family!

(another pic from the bus - notice all the satellite dishes.  For a third world county, they have priorities man!)

Back to the hotel ( International City Stars Hotel) where we could relax and then enjoy a buffet dinner.  Every dinner was a buffet offering in the hotel as well breakfast buffet's in the morning.  While in Egypt however, the water is not clean.  Therefore, no ice, no water other than bottled with the seal intact.  No fresh fruits or vegetables.  Cooked, or peeled was the rule. All that still left plenty of options if you're not a picky eater.  However, I was always able to find enough and I was super grateful for all the snack foods I packed as well.  Especially for lunches since we were always on our own for those.  Best was the fact that Coca Cola Light or Coke Zero were available everywhere we went.  Sometimes, very costly, but at this point, I didn't care.  They had Nectar of the God's and I was going to stay hydrated!

( I always had my notebook and a beverage)

Now that I think about it, I don't think this hotel had the buffet.  We were hooked to the mall and mom swears we ordered a pizza one night with no cheese but I don't remember.  I blame jetlag and old age for not remembering. At any rate, you understand about the buffet system now.  :)

I don't think either Mom or me slept very well that night for fear of missing the alarm again.  Nice to report that we never made that mistake again.  I loved the fact that I had internet to be able to post some pictures and message with my husband.  Always still pinching myself that we were actually here!

Tomorrow held the promise of the Pyramids, the Sphinx and Egyptian Papyrus!

Trip of a Life Time - Day one and two - Egypt Chapter 1

*whoosh whoosh*
That's me dusting off  my own little space of the internetz and getting some memories documented.  Sure, I've put some stuff on Facebook, but when I was cramming the pics on, I was on slow, sometimes spotty internet service and let's face it, I wasn't great at referring to all my notes.  Now I'm sidelined with a bad shoulder and there isn't much I can do other than write and make sure I get all my memories down before I forget some.

It all started in January of 2017.  Mom had just lost her husband Papa John and then within two weeks, her sister Nedra died.  Poor gal, she was double whammied,  First her husband, and then sister.  Crapville.  We were riding down together to St George for Nedra's funeral services when the talk about a tour of the Holy Land came up.  She's been doing tours with Fun 4 Less with her husband for years and always wanted to do the Holy Land tour.  Unfortunately, John's health was never good enough to allow them to go together.  She was musing that now that he was gone, perhaps she should go before she wasn't healthy enough.  She's a spry 73 year old  :)

As she was telling me about the tour and what would be involved, I got kind of excited.  I offered to go with her, she jumped at the chance and once I cleared it with the Splenda Daddy, we were booked and I started saving my pennies!

Cut to October 19, 2017 and the time was here!  I got my shots, new luggage, packed for every contingency and the next thing I knew, my niece was taking us to the airport.

(my partner in crime)

We had a long 13 hour flight to Paris.  We got there mid morning of the next day. Our layover was only 4 hours, so it enough time to stretch legs, get a drink, and try to catch up. 

There was minimal sleeping and it seems like even just sitting on a plane, it's exhausting.  We then caught a flight to Cairo, Egypt where we met some people for the tour, got out bags, loaded a bus and headed to our hotel.

They had us booked in 5 star hotels and this was a beautiful one!

(the hallway leading to our room)

We found our room, got settled and then went to find food.  Our restaurant was hooked to a huge mall.  We were told that for the next day we would be visiting the Citadel and a Mosque and needed head scarves.    The mall was overwhelming.  So many halls, and I can't even tell you how many times we got lost.  Each store had their own armed security guard standing outside the entrance which was really intimidating.    Of note, we also had police escorts and armed guards on our buses.  I felt totally safe but it sure was different than what we were used to at home.

We found a shop with the scarves we needed, had a salesperson show us how to wrap our heads and once we purchased, we started looking for food.  After skipping the food court, we found a restaurant and sat down.  I immediately discovered that I didn't have my bag with my scarf with me!  What the crap!  I thought of  my last steps in my head and decided that I would retrace my way back to the store and see if I could find it.

Well, that was an adventure!  I got lost.  More lost.  Asked directions but every person told me something else.  Got lost some more and then accidentally stumbled upon the store that we had been at, and I had set it down there.  They had it behind the counter for me!  Yay!!  While it wasn't expensive, I wanted the one I had chosen and I didn't want to waste money!  Now the trick was to find my way back to the restaurant.    I got lost.  More lost.  Asked directions.  More lost and then accidentally stumbled my way into the place where Mom was wondering what had become of me.  A nice meal, a lot of yawning and then the adventure of finding our way BACK to the hotel.  Repeat all the getting lost, before finally ending up in the right corridor.

We were exhausted and ready to lay down and SLEEP!  Mom set an alarm, I washed my face and brushed my teeth,  Got in touch with my family to let them know I arrived safe and called it a day.  As my thoughts were swirling in my head as I was trying to wind down, I had to really pinch myself!  I was in freaking EGYPT!  I have never been out the United States and here I was in EGYPT!  If I wasn't so physically exhausted, I would have never slept with the sheer excitement of what we were doing.  So much to look forward to over the next two weeks.

Merry Christmas 2016

If you've been a friend or follower for awhile, you know I don't do Christmas cards or a cutesie newsletter.  I'm just not that creative and let's face it, I'm too lazy but I DO admire other's.  However, I have a tradition of a nice hand drawn family card and a quick update on the family.  Remember, if ya wanna add this to your collection on the fridge, simply print and tape it up with the rest of them.  Easy peasy!

First, Preston and Montana:  They've had a great year.  Preston has left the business of pimping Coke to now work for Learning Systems as an Internet Business Coach.  He commutes to Orem, but so far it hasn't become a nuisance.  Montana is being a cute stay at home mom with Addy.  They are always doing crafts, taking walks, reading and other fun adventures.  Addy is being the cutest three year old on the planet!  What a fun stage!  Everything she says is adorable and makes us laugh.  Maybe not her parents, but the rest of us laugh.  Perhaps the biggest and most exciting news to come from these kids is a new baby due after the start of the new year!  A sister for Addy!  Preston will be outnumbered but he's okay with that.  So far, Montana's pregnancy has been good, although she is now at the stage where she is ready to be done.  We're so happy for them and their family!

Next is Luke and Mindy:  This has been a banner year for them.  First and foremost, the blessing of their baby son Carter!  Ya'll know what a miracle this little guy was for them and we couldn't be happier.  He's a darling boy and it's been fun to watch them fall right into parenthood so naturally.  Her pregnancy and delivery went well and again we feel so blessed for them! Mindy is staying home with Carter and loving every minute of it, as well as enjoying good health.  Luke is now working for Blue Mountain Media as the Account Manager and is successful in all his endeavors with work.  They still live in Saratoga Springs and we take every chance we can to see them and love on that miracle baby boy!

Finally Corbin and Karalee:  Corbin has been focusing his energies on school and will graduate in May with his degree in Public Health and Administration.  I don't want to jinx him by saying that he'll graduate with a 4.0  but that's what he's been pulling so far.  He'll start his Masters program in the fall.  Karalee is still working for the dentist and loves the flexibility he offers her so she can be there for Chloee whenever she needs her.  She's also a running machine!  She did several races last year and will likely do more in 2017.  Chloee has grown so much!  She's nearly as tall as Karalee and I bet by this time next year she will have surpassed her.  She definitely got the tall gene.  She's doing great in 3rd grade, loves foxes and is excelling at the piano.

Splenda Daddy and I took a cruise in February, and then he has been buried in work.  He is still at Nature's Sunshine and the poor guy has been docking a lot of hours but hopefully by summer of next year, things will have been installed, markets will have opened and work life will quiet down for him.  He's still serving in the High Council and really loves the ward he has stewardship over.  I'm still working part time at Wasatch Running Center and love it.  I haven't run very much this year.  It's been one for the crapper.  But 2017 is looking bright and goals have been set, there is nowhere to go but up!
The two of us celebrated our 32 year anniversary this year and I have to say I am pretty proud of that number.  Not many this day and age, make it that far.  Eternity to go....

This time of year is always of time of reflection for me.  Christmas particularly is the time I reflect on my Savior and all that He is to me.  Without him, I am nothing.  I am grateful for His birth, His life, His atoning sacrifice for me and hope that I will live worthy of it.

Merry Christmas my friends!  May you also find some time to reflect on the things that are important to you!

xoxoxo
mCat

Why I'm scared for surgery this week. Pain, doctor's, drug's and some other never before talked about stuff.

If you've been a follower of this blog for any amount of time, you know I run. A lot.  I'm a pretty active gal.  You also know I I have had some neck issues over the years and more recently a couple of surgeries.  You can get caught up here (scroll to the Splenda and mCat part of the Christmas update) I'll wait while you click.......

go ahead.......

just waiting......

(who knew that after this my life would go straight in the crapper?)

Okay.. so I had a couple of surgeries to fix my neck but unfortunately what happened after my surgery is far too common and sadly, not often talked about.

Pain.  Uncontrollable pain.  Pain that makes you stay in bed.  Pain that you hide and only share with your closest confidant's.  Pain that you get tired of talking about and rating.  Pain that becomes the unwanted partner in your marriage and the ugly family member no one wants. Pain that makes you watch the clock and count the minutes until it's time you can take more medication.  Pain that makes you want to sleep and never wake up.  Pain that makes you feel like death might be a better option.

After my surgeries, the pain I was experiencing wasn't getting better.  My surgeon was out of tricks.  He'd tried the medications he felt comfortable trying and was at a loss.  I decided to go back to my pain specialist who had helped me previously with some back issues and was successful.  He looked over the medications I was on and made changes to them, increasing doses and creating combinations that I later learned were deadly.

Relief. Yes. Finally some relief.  And I could function.  I could drive.  I could serve at the temple, fulfill my calling at church and even work very part time.  Sure I couldn't remember a darn thing.  Between the Gabapentin, the opiates, the benzodiazepines.... I had no memory and a foggy brain - but I could "function" and I was getting by with relatively minor pain.  I was even running a bit.

For a while.

And then gradually, the pain crept back...and with a vengeance.  Unrelenting.  As the pain increased so did my tolerance to the medication until we were doubling the doses.

Finally one night, a dear friend had a frank discussion with Splenda Daddy and me letting me know that the doses I was on, and the combination of things I was taking would have nothing but a bad ending.  It was time to do something or plain and simple - I would die.

With her help we found a place to take me inpatient to help me get off all these dangerous things..  There I learned that although I was taking the medication exactly as prescribed, my body/brain created conditions called hyperalegsia and allodynia (I'll provide links at the bottom to read about them).

I spent four days inpatient de-toxing from the drugs and then another couple of weeks while some of them continued to work their way out of my system.  It was probably one of the hardest things I have ever done.  And to this day, it's not easy.

Later this week I am facing surgery for a broken elbow and I have to admit, I'm scared.  I am a no narcotic girl.  There will be no Lortab or Percocet for me.  I can't take the chance that my body will kick back into hyperalegsia or if I even take them for a day or two, that I won't suffer withdrawal symptoms when I stop and I'm here to tell you - I don't wanna do that again!

So I'm scared.  I'm scared that when I wake up and the anesthsia wears off, I'll hurt.  I'm tired of pain.  So, so tired it.  I want my life back.  Pain free.  Fear free.

If you're so inclined, toss a prayer, good vibes, healing juju.... my way wouldja?

xoxo
mCat

PS - If you or a family member is struggling with pain medication dependency, there is help.  Email me:  melissa.catmull@yahoo.com  I'll see if I can answer your questions or direct you to some help.  YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

PSS - this took a lot of bravery on my part to write and post.  Please don't judge me.  If you feel like you have something negative to say, go find somewhere else to say it.  Sometimes bad things happen to good people.  I try to be good people.

Hyperalgesia

Allodynia