The best day yet....

Greetings from Donyat!

We had an incredible train ride today. We stopped in Tanta to say good-bye to Salah. He gave Dennis & I some gifts....he's so thoughtful. He sends his warm greetings to Andrea too! He's so special! I hope to see him again. Our travel destination today is a very special place for Heba and her family. Heba's father brought him to this very spot, annually, when he was a kid growing up. Heba's father brought his children here and has many friends here. At this little place in Egypt people are extremely kind, there's no smog, not a lot of pollution or people and the way of life is slower. In many ways these things remind me of home.

When we arrived in Donyat we got our things into our hotel room and took a walk through the market. We had lunch at a small Egyptian restaurant. We had grilled chicken - which was delicious. We then took a boat ride down the Nile River. Now.....imagine this amazing setting......we got off the boat, sat at an outdoor cafe along the river, ordered Sprites and played Dominos. It was incredible! We then took a taxi to the other end of the city. We ended up at one of the most amazing places on this great earth. We walked along a concrete walkway with the Nile River on our right and the Mediterranean Sea on our left. When we made it out to the end of the walkway the two bodies of water meet. It was so amazing. At that very moment I was wishing Butch was with me.

We sat there - enjoying the sites and sounds of the water. Heba's father described it as the sweet and salty collide. This is one of those amazing places that our traveling friends have missed out on. And believe me - missed out they did. Heba's father, Helmy, is an incredible host. Tonight we stopped at a few shops - along the market way - and I did a little shopping. We then had Egyptian pizza. Helmy's friend joined us and even paid the bill.

For our traveling friends - the people in the market are not pushy. It's incredible. It's making shopping fun! We're now settled into our rooms. Tomorrow morning we'll go to the beach - although it's not real warm here. We'll then go to a seafood restaurant for lunch and ride a bus back to Cairo.

All day I was pinching myself. I can't believe that I'm here spending time with Helmy and Heba. This spot that brings them such joyous family memories. Dennis and I are honored to be experiencing this precious place on earth with them. Today has been one of those "never forget" kind of days. I'm truly blessed!

Precious moments overflowing my heart.
Lauri