Archive for May, 2011
Doing It Afraid and Trusting
Wednesday, May 18th, 2011
While I am sure many, many stories will emerge from my recent trip to Egypt, I am surprisingly at a loss for words to describe my journey. It was a trip of a lifetime and an amazing experience. Our group had a private tour of some of the most sacred temples and sites in Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan. I spent 16 days with a group that made me laugh hysterically, and allowed me to cry when I became overwhelmed with emotion.
I didn’t know until I came home how many people were thinking and praying for me before and during my trip. I hadn’t realized so many people were worried about my safety and I have never felt more loved in my life. I was scared too – at the thought of being so far away, of not seeing my partner for almost three weeks, of going to a ‘foreign’ place, of getting sick, of not fitting in with the tour group of eight men and much more.
When I arrived at JFK airport, I was nervous and excited. As I started to walk down the runway, I thought, “Turn around right now and go home. This is crazy!” I kept walking anyway. As I went to my seat, I heard inside, “Don’t sit down. Get off the plane before they close the doors.” The next thing I knew I was buckling my seat belt. I sat in my seat watching people and realized I was sitting next to a Coptic Priest. I tried to sleep, but all I heard were the screaming infants on the flight.
I arrived at the Cairo airport and was met by a Quest Travel staff member who helped me get my Visa, pick up my luggage and drove me to the Mena House Hotel. It was there I was met my friend and leader of our group, Howie. He walked me to my room and from the balcony there was a clear view of the Pyramids of Giza. The whole thing was surreal. Was I really in Egypt? Was I really looking at the Pyramids?
I loved staring at the views of the Pyramids and missed home at the same time. I kept wondering if I was crazy to go on this trip. I even thought about leaving to go back home. I started to question myself – first there was a revolution and then my flights were cancelled twice – were those signs? Deep down I felt like I was supposed to be in Egypt – even though I had no idea what the reason was. The word that came to me was “trust.”
On Wednesday afternoon the group started to arrive to the hotel (I had arrived two days earlier due to limited flights). I met my roommate, Don, that afternoon. As soon as we met each other we connected immediately. It was as if we had known each other for a long time. We had similar taste in books, music, and spirituality. I shared that I had no idea why I had come to Egypt. He had the same feeling and said he was working on “trust” and this journey would allow him to explore trust.
And there it was in front of me – my purpose for Egypt – to trust myself. I trusted myself throughout the trip and the eight men I traveled with and realized I was not visiting Egypt – Egypt was visiting me.
I am grateful for doing it afraid and trusting.
Mary Anne
This is dedicated to the people of Egypt!