Monday, February 23, 2009

What a difference a day can make


A couple of days ago I was so excited with knowing that in about 40 days we would be wandering the small alleys and streets that make up the Khan al-Khalili bazaar in the heart of Cairo's Islamic Quarter. We would be experiencing the sights and smells and sounds of this bustling 600 year old market, haggling with very aggressive sellers to get the best price for the papyrus sheets, the jewellery and the cartouches.

But that all changed yesterday with the bomb that went off in this market killing tourists.

We were originally to be on the Feb 15th cruise and that group were at the bazaar yesterday. I wait to hear what they experienced and if any of them had been there at the 6:30 pm hour.My excitement has now changed to concern but not fear. I know that tourists will always be targets in the middle east and if one does not travel due to fear, we would never go anywhere but our own safe living room. Right now we just need to be aware, we need to be knowledgeable and we need to not let fear ruin our trip. If the bombings heighten and are not just an isolated incident we will have to make some decisions but today I hope we get to experience the excitement of Khan al-Khalili bazaar and to do it with out fear.

3 comments:

  1. Hmmmm...I'm thinking that is scary. You are a brave woman.

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  2. when you are passionate about what you want to do FEAR cannot get the best of you....knowledge and awareness and spirit? ... that you do have Cheryl!

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  3. I admire your sense of adventure. Thanks for linking to me. I remember meeting you when I was younger and sounds like you're meeting life head on with no regrets. xo

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