I’ve been living in Luxor since 2003, and these posts trace the path of that journey. I began writing in 2010—at first just trying to untangle my thoughts and make sense of life here. For me, writing has become a way of clearing out thoughts, ideas, concepts or information that would otherwise keep going round and round in my brain.
The early years were often filled with frustration, and that shows in the writing. I don’t like “venting” in public to be honest! Anyway, scattered among those struggles are moments of deep joy, wonder, and growth.
Some posts are personal, some observational, and others reflect the shifting politics of Egypt, especially between 2011 and 2014.
Someday, this collection might become part of a book—but for now, it’s simply a record of a life unfolding, one entry at a time.
Not having slept on the plane I expected to fall into bed and go unconscious on arrival at my hotel around 3am. Not a hope – spent most of the night talking with my travelling companion and feeling more awake and excited than sleepy. As to be expected I was not really in the mood…
Egypt’s newly-elected president Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi appeared on television an hour after he was named the country’s new leader to express his gratitude over the election results. “My emotions are mixed with happiness and aspiration: my happiness for what you have achieved and my aspiration to be worthy of your trust,” said the ex-defence minister, who…
The number one prized objective of thieves in Luxor these days appears to be the humble manhole cover. Of course with the high price of metals of all kinds now that might not seem so surprising to many. However, when pondering the sight of the half open manhole cover outside our balcony today a very…
Exceptional Service at Luxor Airport: A Journey of Kindness and Assistance As a hotel owner in Luxor, Egypt, I frequently hear lovely stories of kindness and generosity. Today I want to tell you about a heartwarming experience of my own at Luxor Airport and with Egypt Air, emphasising the exceptional service from the manager of…
Not only is Ancient Egypt still presenting the world with an unending supply of hitherto unsolved mysteries – modern Egypt is also presenting it’s mysteries and puzzles. If what happened in Egypt in 2011 and the ongoing effects of the ‘revolution’ had happened anywhere else in the world it would have been – and been…
Dahab in Egypt – wouldn’t you love to chill out with these happy people?
I’m pretty good with computers, technology etc. and have spent hours upon (sometimes frustrated) hours fixing computer and internet problems…until one day I met a great guy called Ehab Edward. I call him the ‘Tech Doc’ and never again will I waste a precious hour with a computer or internet problem – now I pick…
2014 – In the streets behind and away from the East Bank of Egypt’s famous Nile River and the strip where the 5 star hotels are located – Luxor is dying. It is no wonder that people speak nostalgically about the Mubarak days, curse the brotherhood and are waiting for a miracle from El Sisi. …
Why do so many people dream of going to Egypt? Why do we feel the ‘pull’? You know, when you think about it -the answer is rather obvious. We all came ‘Out of Africa’. Not so long ago, a friend told me about a company in the US called 23andme.com . This company provides a…
LATEST NEWS: 1. Following allegations that ALL striking staff members at the Winter Palace Hotel in Luxor are part of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood – 10 employees were taken away by Police for questioning yesterday…..unique way to deal with striking workers….hope it is not a sign of things to come! 2. Mid-day yesterday 5 employees…
When speaking of Egypt’s 2011 Revolution and the Arab Spring many like to say that Egypt revolted for bread, dignity and social justice. But which Egypt revolted? And against whom did Egypt revolt? Let’s play along with what may appear obvious here – but it is no harm to keep at the back of your…
This has got to be my favourite video!! Woman dances for joy after voting in Egypt’s Constitutional Referendum – just look at all the happy faces 🙂 https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10153641636000391
The US Travel Warning for Egypt has been downgraded
All foreigners living in Luxor were invited to a meeting at the Sofitel Hotel last Saturday night – I was really surprised to find there were so many ex-pats living in Luxor! I am not good with estimating crowds but I reckon there must have been up to 150 people at the meeting with the…
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I am attempting to focus only on positive stuff – since I believe in Law of Attraction…therefore, I didn’t want to comment on this – but really I do so want to comment on this. So, I am going to look on the subject as a positive instead of a negative while still getting my…
When it appears that something is happening in Egypt – most likely nothing is happening in Egypt. When you think something is going to happen in Egypt – most likely it isn’t. We live in a kind of twilight zone. We always have one way or another, just our physical or economic survival was not…
We marvel at the Ancient Egyptians, what they did, what they left behind. We dig in the sand for their treasures, rob their tombs and put their bodies on open display in museums so we can gawk at death. We crave information on them. We crave connection with their spirituality. We wonder what they…
