From one wonder to the next

So we weren't too shaken after that last adventure. Although sore for a few days and then hit with a little cold bug but we've recovered. So now it's time for the next plan.

We hit the continent of Africa and we didn't quite know how we were going anywhere from there. Some of you may remember that we planned to take trans-siberian railway across Russia and then scale the borders of numerous European countries before crossing the Mediterranean sea. Instead, after darn near freezing to death on the Great Wall we hopped on a 757 and booked it across the open skies straight to Cairo. I know we've talked about cold a lot but neither of us had ever been this cold in our lives. The wind was trecherous and climbing straight up to cross watch tower after watch tower just became debilitating after a while. How could it possibly be this cold and how could people live in it! China on one side and Mongol on the other was an unbelieveable experience. I mean we were actually walking on one of the man made wonders of the world and the photos in our history books had done it no justice. But my God my knees and ankles were rock solid frozen. Maybe it would have been better if we knew there was a nice cozy heater to go back to but it's been a rare occasion when we've been privy to a heater around these parts. Mateo's forehead and cheeks were red, my ears were ringing and both our noses were running and freezing at the same time. Have you ever seen snot crystalize... then shatter?

So a few days later we're living it up in the 55 degree Cairo weather. Ahhhh warmth. Cairo is a bustling metropolis with donkey and horse carts pulling men and women wrapped in scarves headed to their spot to sell their goods. The buildings are close together like New York City and the living is apartment style. You can buy bread on the street from the guy riding his bike with the whole rack on his head. Sweet potatoes are cheap, hot and fresh off the grill with wheels (easy mobility). Black and white Fiat Taxi's dart in and out of lanes never breaking for pedestrians. Packs of boys walk the streets arm in arm singing and yelling and having fun together. The same streets where men stroll arm in arm conversing with their brothers.

We've traversed the streets with our huge backpacks looking like foreigners coming home. We look foreign but somehow doemstic as well. Before we got here we got all kinds of stares and more than several times people just started speaking French to Mateo. Now we're asked what part of Africa we're from. Of course we have absolutely no connection to Africa and this garners a wealth of emotion for both of us. We are asked where we're from and America just doesn't suffice for people. They want to know where we're originally from. Of course we don't have that answer. A lot of people seem to think I'm from Sudan and Mateo looks a bit Egyptian and maybe South African. We've started telling people we're from Mexico and that seems to be suitable. Actually one person got it right when he straight out asked if we were from Mexico. I figured he should be able to see that for sure in my husband.

So how does all of this amount to more adventure? Well, even though I look Sudanese, we can't take the chance of going through Sudan to get deeper into East Africa. Instead we're taking the scenic route. We've opted to exit Africa briefly and then reenter through Djibouti. We will stop in a total of 4 countries before we reach Kenya in just about as many days. Most of that trip will be overland so that will require some patience and a little bit of blending in.

We tried to practice blending today as we trekked the sands of Giza to see the pyramids and the Sphinx. We were offered so many camel rides but no way because we could do it on our own...and we did. The camels were cool but I didn't think they were treating the animals right and it was all just a big tourist trap. Wait until you see some of the pictures. We don't blend very well with my lime green jacket. Anyway, tomorrow is our last day in Cairo before we head to Alexandria, up the Nile on the Mediterranean. We may be out of contact for a few days so here is our plan.

1. Fly from Alexandria to Sajrah, United Arab Emirates January 14th at 1:10am
2. Take a connecting flight to Sana'a, Yemen 6:45 am
3. Stay one night in Yemen and then fly or merchant ferry to Djibouti January 15th
4. Take a bus to Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
5. Transfer to a train in Dire Dawa and head for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (Capital City)
6. Try to get on a bus the same day going straight to Nairobi (overnight bus maybe January 17th)

This may take about 4 days

Once we're in Nairobi we may be met by our host where we're volunteering who will take us 7 or 8 hours to Rongo (Mbita) a small town on Lake Victoria just across from Uganda

As soon as we can we will post and update you all on our status and location.

Salaams from Cairo
Joronda