An Egyptian Tale.

Swapping the Irish chills for a week of Middle Eastern sunshine Egyptian style in the midst of a bleak November was undoubtedly an intriguing promise. All aboard a plane full of sun starved Irish folk, the Mr and I eagerly boarded to land within 5 and half hours arriving at the Charming Sharm El Shiek, one of Egypt’s top tourist destinations.
Before my very eyes it was a sight to behold, a flurry of spectacular light and visionary displays, I felt I had certainly arrived in a far away Arab land as we journeyed towards our habitat for the week. Luxury was all around a Tropicana of pleasure so welcoming and hospitable to the foreigner in a far away land.
Morning had broken and the sun caressed my skin, a stranger of sorts but a joy to reacquaint with, a visit to the Red Sea ensued and what a bedazzlement! Aqua life visible to the naked eye, the water glistened in the sun, melodic blue captivating a human soul into a whirlwind of marine life and beauty.
Explorations of Egyptian lifestyle fascinated the mind, the bustle of the markets while locals would attempt to sell their right arm if they thought one would cough up some cash, haggling was foremost and on success beautifully handcrafted paintings on papyrus achieved from the friendly Egyptian who welcomed his Irish friends into such hospitable quarters.
Prayers echoed in my ears in a predominantly Muslim country a 5 a day ritual to honour Allah, a religion which allows man to have up to four wives, upon agreement of his first and as long as he can provide for all whilst they act as his right hand citizens. Many Muslim women of childbearing age wear the hijab if married in order to repress attention from flirtatious men.
The promiscuity of the Muslim man I felt evidently from advantageous remarks detailing comments and  attempted negotiations “how many camels for this queen” a joke to the Irish man but a stark reality on the thought of perhaps a future wife to the serious Muslim man, outlined the mindset of the sheer dictatorship of men towards women in this country.
None the less, steeped in history a visit to the most notorious museum was a  truly iconic experience, a world of knowledge incurred from history books laid there in reality, the tomb of Tutankhamen and such wealth of ancient Egyptian royalty was astounding. Skeletal pharaoh indeed jaw dropping as dead remains inhabited inside glass cases.
Driving through Cairo was an eye-opener on the final day of Ramadan the breaking of a month long fast known as Eid al- Fitr as preparations for a feast are evident with slaughtered animals lying on backstreets, it is equivalent to Christmas as we make our journey towards one of the seven wonders of the World!
And there they stand tall and mighty in the Sahara Desert- the pyramids of Egypt! Over 4 thousand years old, they truly are breathtaking, fascinated we get the eerie honour of going inside they are dark and mysterious with the smell of death and fascination we explore downwards through the tightly packed tombs no windows just empty spaces tell a tale of ancient history.
To ponder all this a night on the town ensues, it is vibrant alive and kicking especially in the open top ZuZu bar where culture spills from every angle, belly dancers on stage, music so loud and proud the culture is just wonderful, we gaze in amazement at a wealth of talent whilst enjoying the local beverages.
Egypt, a lot like Aladdin’s lamp full of  magic and colour was a truly magical carpet ride and one that will not be forgotten until next time the genie opens up the lid and returns me yet again for a wonderful Arabian Adventure!

A Winter Wonder.

So its that magical time of year  again, the air is crisp and fresh you see your breath through the cold and seize the opportunity to wrap up in your finest winter woolies, Snuggling up under a cosy hat scarf and gloves means winter really is the warmest time, Warmer than warmth in fact! Winter is loved  for the cosiness through the cold. So, does this mean that cold weather brings a warmer feeling than warm weather, Well Ironically yes!
Lets investigate, well the heart of a human is indeed he most vital of all our organs, and it is indeed the heart that is touched throughout winter, Christmas is at the epicentre, the heart of winter and the build up of this makes it a wonderful time, Kids and adults alike get carried away in the sheer brilliance, charm and the fantastical nature of Christmas.
The season brings people closer together, being around a cosy fire on a long dark evening feels so right and putting on a selection of Frank Sinatra’s finest whilst sitting around the blaze feels just about perfect, add some mulled wine to the scenario some freezing ice cold conditions whilst you glance out the window and the heart is singing J
The sparkle of winter is truly spectacular, the earth is clean as if mother nature had been preparing for this time, dirt is frozen and instead replaced with a wealth of fresh air and cleanliness, like a luxury new carpet sewed by a wonderful craftsman. Joy to the World is restored and decorated through a shining  array of glistening lights and lanterns in anticipation for the arrival of Christmas and indeed the birth of our Lord.
Winter, also brings with it the birth of a new year, a new dawn and an anticipation for new beginnings, the death of what was and the hope for what will be, a rebirth of oneself and a promise for a  new aspiration, a resolution, a song to be sung and  a dream to be realised. One has an excuse to  fulfil new desires for the birth of a new year.
A cup of spice to toast a winter so wild and wonderful, to vanquish the leaves off a tree revealing a strong  and mighty bark, branching out for times to come, full of flourish and a circle of life, the death of  a single flower to become a daughter of  another and a never ending world of splendour and marvel.
Embrace the wise tree for they have seen many a winter come and go, and respect the tree of life in which you have grown to become who you are, and what you will be for many a winter to come!