Yes, it is true. Now that I’ve found my Christmas in Cairo, now it is time for the fam-damily to arrive with more holiday joy. I know that sounds cynical, but it really isn’t. I’m a family person. I LIKE my family. The holidays are always (IMHO) better with family. Mom, Steve and Kenzie arrived on the 28th for about 2 weeks. We have adventures planned! I, of course, spent the days prior to their arrival stressing about everything little thing that no-one really cares about – welcome to the mystery that is me!
The arrival was…interesting. I’d arranged for airport clearance and transportation thru AUC. The clearance is a great service, as an “insider” meets your visitors inside immigration and customs and “expedites” them thru the paperwork and processing. It seems minor, but there is no long wait in line, he speaks the language, and he knows the airport officials. That part went really well. It was the baggage that caused the problem. Steve and Kenz’ checked bag came thru almost immediately, Mom’s bag of stuff for me and Jack came thru but her clothing didn’t. It took a long time, with the help of the expeditor, to fill out all the paperwork and get them on their way. I was at the airport, with the driver and car, and my stomach was in knots until they emerged from the customs area, looking tired but happy.
Kenzie, for a 5 1/2 year old, was quite a travel trooper! I think that adrenaline had a lot to do with it, but she really came thru well.
Before leaving the airport, I escorted the weary travellers (and their passports) to the duty-free shop to pick up a few “supplies” for the house. As liquor can only be purchased in bottles within 48 hours of entering the country, I took advantage of the family to stock up!
Their arrival day was a long and tiring one for us all. By the time we got back to Zamalek and got everyone settled, happy hour and some pizza from Thomas was about all we could manage. Jack and I got our Christmas in the form of opening “Brutus” (the world’s ugliest, poop-brown, hard side Samsonite), the bag that had all the Stateside supplies that we’d requested. People had said that, when living outside your “home” country, you’d be ecstatic about getting some of the oddest things delivered. Well, they were right! I nearly broke down at the sight of the right tampons, Emergen-C packets and the right deodorant! Oh how easily thrilled I am these days!