Resurrection

Resurrection

This morning I arose early, at 3.30 am, to greet a significant new day. As the sun rose over the Nile, I was high in the air in a hot air balloon. It was my first experience of this mode of travel. I did not approach it without intimidation. It is here in Luxor that many tourists died in a hot air balloon accident quite recently. Egypt seems constantly on edge, waiting for the next horrific news. Nonetheless, on with the plan!

Instructions were hurriedly issued in the darkness. A small army of people worked to get the balloon airborne and it was time to board. It is difficult to get into the basket and several people had to be dragged in! We were given clear instructions on the 'landing position' but the pilot had to repeat louder as several Chinese visitors did not immediately sense the importance of this manoeuvre! Off we set. The heat from the gas jets is scary, uncomfortable even, and the noise is intrusive. In between though, in long moments of silence, there is a wonderful feeling of floating free above the earth. 

Soon, the sun showed itself peeking above the horizon and we watched in excitement as the fiery ball came into full view, lighting up the splendid wonders of ancient Thebes, both on the East Bank, the land of the living, and the West Bank, the land of the dead. 

Landing has its own hazards, and it would be safe to say that it is more like a crash than a landing! The basket hits the ground and bounces and scrapes several times, all passengers crouched down below the level of the basket rim and holding on to a rope for dear life! Eventually we come to a halt, still upright thank goodness and are told to stand up quickly and remain in place so the balloon does not float up again. The army of earlier runs towards us through the fields and grabs ropes and hauls the balloon down as it slowly collapses and is ingloriously stuffed in a giant bag. And then the long journey back to base - as in a point to point marathon! 

Thence to a café for a traditional Egyptian breakfast, southern Egyptian style, with green falafel and delicious foula, always accompanied by the best pita style bread I have ever tasted. Every house stores its own wheat and grinds the grain as necessary. This must surely add to the flavour. 

What wonderful adventures I have had! The new me now is born. I need to get used to him! I hope that does not prove too difficult.  I know well that childhood has all kinds of challenges and setbacks but it is lovely to be reborn. It comes with a strong feeling of freedom and a sense of wonder and anticipation.  With love........