Happy Thanksgiving from Texas

I'm in Texas for the first Thanksgiving in four years!  I'm only here for a week but I thought it was time for a family holiday and I needed to get my hands on that grandbaby of mine. I spent two days in Austin with my mom and step-dad, two days in New Braunfels with my dad and brother and the rest of the family.  Then I drove the six hours to Odessa in East Texas to visit Jessica, Johnny and Michael.  They just moved here a month ago for work and they're getting all settled into their new home.  

The Temple of Hatshepsut & Handling Vendors in Egypt

Ancient Egypt is a huge part of the curriculum in American schools.  Or at least it was when I was growing up.  We learned all about the pyramids and hieroglyphics.  My dad's collection of National Geographic was another source of information.  

Ancient Egypt is also very popular in Hollywood.  Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra, Raiders of the Lost Ark and who can forget Steve Martin's ode to King Tut.  You're going to have that little ditty in your head all day now.  You're welcome.  Or how about "Walk like an Egyptian" by the Bangles.  Even better.

It's obvious how Ancient Egypt has captured the imagination of generations of people.  To see it all up close and personal was a dream come true.  It's even more magnificent than you expect.

Luxor, Egypt

I still have several posts about our week in Egypt planned.  When the horrible crash of the Russian passenger plane happened last month, it was devastating.  To think of those hoilday-makers flying home full of memories of Egypt and then to be killed so tragically.  Then there is all of the speculation of it being a terrorist attack and possibly a bomb.

I thought initially there is no way that I can write about Egypt now.  More and more people are questioning whether it is a safe travel destination.  The plane crash in Sinai isn't the first time terrorism has rocked this country, specifically the tourism trade that supports thousands of Egyptians. 

But, then I changed my mind.  Of course I will write about our time in Egypt.  It was one of the most incredible weeks of my life.  I will not let fear keep me from traveling and I will not let terrorists keep me from sharing some photographs and stories of our time there.  The last thing I want to do is offend anyone, but I think writing about Egypt is the right thing to do, especially in this situation.  So, on to our next stop.