Memories of Egypt - Final Day

Ah, the last day of my trip…what a mixture of feelings.  I was so happy and content and had a feeling of elation simply because I had been able to have this experience.  It was the fulfillment of a life-long dream for me and everything about it had been perfect.  I was tired and ready to go home and rest for a while and process everything.  I missed my family and my pets, and I wanted to see them.  On the other hand, there was also a deep sorrow and grief.  Somewhere deep down I never wanted to leave.  This place felt like home and I was so completely settled and at peace with it all.  It was serious work to focus on overriding any regrets about leaving with complete gratitude for having been there at all.  In the end I managed and didn’t shed any tears.  I found contentment with knowing that one day I will be back again.
It helped that some of the best sites were saved for last.  We started the day with a private visit to see the sun rise with the Sphinx, followed with a tour of the Great Pyramids.  From there we went into the market in Cairo and we ended the day with a private dinner and boat ride on the Nile for one final time.  We were way too busy to have time for being sad but forgive me if I don’t elaborate much in this post.   I do want to remember and relive it but the feeling of melancholy as I write about this last day are difficult for me.

​The Sphinx is an amazing monument.  It really does give you the sensation that it is a living being.  It is said to be the gatekeeper for the Akashic Records, the place where the life experiences of every human being since time began are kept.  We stood between the paws and watched as the sun rose between them in the Eastern sky.  So very lovely and moving.  

The enormity of the Great Pyramids when you see them in person really sinks in.  It is one thing to see them in pictures and another to see them in person.  The age-old question of, “how in the world did they do this” was certainly in the forefront of my mind.  I loved going up to the King’s Chamber in the Great Pyramid of Giza.  It is a very steep climb that seems to go on for a very long time.  You pull yourself along up a ramp with handrails and foot holds, rather than steps.  I so enjoyed that it was not polished and fancy.  It was dimly lit but still felt dark and damp and raw like it must have been since they first opened it up.  When you finally reach the chamber at the top, there is a granite sarcophagus which you can lay in if you are willing to pay.  I chose to pass because just feeling the energy in the place was plenty for me.  Everyone’s experience there seems to be different.  I myself felt the “speeding up” sensation of high frequency vibration throughout my body.  It gave me an incredibly dizzy feeling, especially when I stood in front of either of two air shafts that were there.  This was heightened when we did toning or chanting.  The Pyramid seems to amplify and increase the resonance of any vocalizations you make, especially if it has a musical or singing quality to it.

After we left Giza, we went into the marketplace in Cairo.  This was a fascinating experience for several reasons.  For one thing I so enjoyed the chance to mingle with the people in a setting that just felt more natural and less “touristy.”  It was an opportunity to be part of the community and more immersed in the culture.  The shops and streets were full of fabulous things and the merchants were not as aggressive and pushy, it seemed.  I found some lovely things to bring home with me.  I also loved the architecture and the buildings there.  So much care, thought and detail everywhere!  I had to remember to watch where I was going because I wanted to look up at everything all the time.  The last thing of note was the military presence that was there.  On the particular day that we went, the officials of Saudi Arabia and of Egypt were going to meet nearby.  The streets were lined almost shoulder to shoulder for what seemed like miles with military personnel.  There were tones of people along the route that the Saudi Arabian officials were going to take, waving flags and waiting to see them go by.  My knowledge of worldwide politics is little (and I like it that way) so I don’t know much about the relationship between these two countries, but all of the people that I saw seemed very happy that he was there to visit.  No one seemed angry or like they were protesting anything but given the number of armed guards everywhere I don’t think they would have caused any problems if they were.  The vibe seemed more welcoming than anything.  Anyway, it was interesting to be able to see it.  

​At some point, we went back to the hotel to rest up.  That was lovely because it was such a nice place with beautiful grounds and views.  Soon though, we left for our farewell dinner which was organized as a very kind surprise by our group hosts.  We boarded a small ferry boat designed just for groups to have meals and then we set off one last time for a float on the Nile.  There were plenty of other boats going by, all lit up and playing music and full of people having fun.  It was a beautiful evening and a wonderful send-off.  

There is so much more that I would like to say about this trip, mostly of a deeply profound and spiritual nature, but honestly, I just don’t have it in me today.  I’m afraid it will make me too sad and nostalgic.  And part of me wants to hold it all close to my heart and keep those deepest thoughts and impressions to myself, at least for now.  I so appreciate everyone who took the time to read this and it is my deepest hope that it might inspire you to go and visit yourself one day.  I promise you that it will be a trip you will never forget.  I know that it has enlightened and changed me at the deepest of levels and I am forever grateful. 

The end of this trip deserves a special card, and I have decided that one from my Anubis Oracle is just right.  It is the Roman numeral I in the deck and the card of “Entering the Mystery.”  The image of Isis and Nepthys and the Great Mother Nekhbet, all with their arms and wings open wide, show that they will always welcome the innocent dove or traveler of pure heart home to Egypt.  If you follow the path of the Nile or of your own heart, the ancient mysteries will open up to you and speak of long hidden meanings. 

Not long after I came home, I did a meditational journey and in it, I saw Horus.  I was crying to him and I said, “Lord, Egypt is gone.”  He laughed, and said, “No, little one. Egypt isn’t gone. Egypt is just underground.”  And So It Is.”