Owls and Orchids

image from www-josephinewall-co.uk

“Finding oneself and one’s path is like waking up on a foggy day. Be patient, and presently the fog will clear and that which has always been there can be seen. The path is already there to follow”
― Rasheed Ogunlaru, Soul Trader: Putting the Heart Back into Your Business

IN SEARCH OF …

From my time in the police force I had seen plenty of the seedier sights of life, but not many of the glitzier side of life.  Of course you meet plenty of people dressed to the nines on their night out, many looking down their noses at the intrusion of the police into their inebriated attempts to drive home, but not the “filthy rich” as the saying goes. At the Cairo Marriott, being part of the Omar Khayyam Casino precinct, there was plenty of opportunity to see this “elite” part of society.

Cairo Marriott hotel Omar Khayyam casino

Cairo Marriott Hotel

Marriott Hotel , Omar Khyyam Casino, Cairo

After we had safely returned from our water buying expedition we decided we wanted to look around this fabulous hotel.  There was gold glittering everywhere, either on the ornaments, the pictures, the floor tiles or upholstery. Opulence was the order of the day. Waiters seemed to have telepathy as they appeared at the moment we thought of a drink or something to eat. I have to admit, that part was pretty awesome.

Image courtesy of the Cairo Marriott

{(Daydreams) – As she languidly motioned with one manicured hand, her red nail polish glistening from the overhead chandeliers, a file of immaculately dressed waiters flowed towards her, ready to answer her every wish. Her eyes, like polished emeralds gazed at the Major Domo, with a bow he clapped and ushered his waiters off to bring Madam her desired drink. They knew her well.} Well, it wouldn’t be too bad for a little while, would it?

Coffee in the Marriott Gardens

Country fried chicken strips

Cairo Marriott Promenade

After walking the length of the ‘great’ hallway, absorbing the gold imbued sights, we decided to return to the garden area. The entire front colonnade was dotted with massive garden umbrellas, tables and chairs in precision rows from one side to the other. We found a semi secluded spot and ordered a light meal and watched the world sail past.  As the sun finally sank on another hot day we went to our rooms for a well-deserved rest. I was looking forward to a nice soak in a scented bath. I had already checked and the hotel had an array of items to choose from in the bathroom.

Scented bliss

I don’t recall the specifics of my dreams that night, but I did feel that, at one point, I was woken by a brilliant glow in the room. As I was told to rest assured that all was well, I distinctly heard a soothing voice tell me that I would be safe during my travels. It was a wonderful, peaceful message from Spirit.  I remember a truly blissful sleep and waking up feeling so refreshed, and without an ache anywhere, that I was eager to get into the day.

Baking traditional bread at the Cairo Marriott

We had an early start as we headed off to the Cairo Museum after meeting our tour guide for this part of our journey. We saw the flat bread being baked in traditional ovens by the women as we walked out through the gardens.

Cairo Museum entrance

Funeral Mask of King Tutenkhamun

Inside the Cairo Museum

After a guided tour from one of the Museum staff, we were allowed a few hours to wander around and see the sights we were most interested in. There was simply too much to see and too short a time to see everything in. I know towards the end of our time there we were almost running as we tried to get past the crowds of people and see as much as possible before we left.

Giza pyramids at sunset

We had a short break before we were back on the bus and heading out to Giza to see the famous light show. After only a short time we could see a huge difference between the westernised areas of Cairo around the large hotels and the Cairo of the general populace. The giggly tour official, who was taking us to this show, was quick to explain that the unrest had forced many of the regional farmers to leave the land and come to Cairo. Unfortunately, they were unused to the modern ways of living. Garbage was thrown into the centre of the street, where an open area, originally meant as an ‘island’ had been worn down by sandaled feet. Down the centre of this refuse littered area was a concrete channel – used as an open sewer by everyone. There was no other word to describe it other than a stench, which emanated from this channel and we hurriedly closed the windows of the bus.

Four Seasons Hotel

Downtown Cairo

Giza, the everyday view

Arriving at Giza we were ushered as a tight group into the ‘stadium’. Rows of plastic chairs had been set up with a central aisle, everything facing the pyramids. We were given strict instructions not to leave the stadium without Mr Giggles, but he forgot to say where he would be since he didn’t sit down with us. I suppose it was ‘old hat’ to him.  The stadium slowly filled up. We all wished we had taken an extra few minutes to get something to eat before we left, but we had no idea we would be sitting around for so long.

Shadows on the horizon

Suddenly there was a great commotion as the piercing sound of bagpipes split the air! To the skirl of the bagpipes a small band marched around the stadium. They were all wearing ancient Egyptian headdress clothing. They marched up one side, across the back, down the other side and formed up along the front of the stadium. All the lights went out and a deep sonorous voice began the story of ancient Egypt.

The sandstorm approaches

However, at that precise moment, Mother Nature decided to step in and honour us with a less than heavenly show as a sandstorm started to blow in. The light show over the pyramids was almost completely blocked from sight. (We had been told the actual light show was quite good, but no-one had mentioned the kilt clad band.) As the storm became stronger people began covering up. Cameras were packed away and after a short time people began moving towards the rear exit. The sand was stinging and managed to make its way through clothing and under the scarves around our heads.

Egyptian clad bagpipe players

Mr Giggles had vanished! Our bus driver had vanished! We were stuck there in the sand storm with nowhere to go and nothing but inky darkness outside the stadium. After a suitable time had elapsed Mr Giggles returned, not terribly happy at being peppered with complaints that he had deserted us in such horrid conditions.  Feeling as though we were carrying tonnes of sand back with us we were a sorry sight as we re-entered the hotel. (So much for making a grand entrance, bedraggled as we were there was no chance of that!)

Our one view of …the Light Show

When I returned to my room I stood in the furthest corner and slowly stripped off allowing the pounds of sand to fall to the carpet. I felt guilty, but what else was I to do? A long hot bath made me feel better and lots of lotion removed some of the redness from the stinging sand.  The next morning we were going on the next part of our tour, a Nile cruise.

Next week……The Pyramids and the River Nile

Blessings   Susan x

© Susan Jamieson 2014

Most recent of my In Search of… series can be found below

In Search of ..Part 15

In Search of…Part 14

In Search of…Part 13

In Search of…Part 12