THE CIRCLE OF LIFE

Giza, Egypt

May, 1932.

We just found out that Miriam’s grandparents honeymooned in Egypt in May, 1932. And now, here we are, in Egypt in May, 2011. 79 years after their visit, their granddaughter has boarded a plane and set foot where they once did.

A big difference between 1932 and 2011 (besides the obvious) is that in 1932 an Egyptian man carried Miriam’s grandmother up the steps of the Pyramid. These days we’ll be huffing and puffing up those stairs ourselves, or we’ll be carrying the Egyptian men! No worries. I wouldn’t want an Egyptian man to have to carry me—I’d probably have to tip him in back surgery payments! Bah!

Miriam’s aunt sent us a picture of her grandparents riding camels by the Pyramids, along with their journals of the adventures. Absolutely fascinating!

(Courtesy of Rachel B. Heimovics)

I’m dreading the heat we are heading to (Aswan and Luxor are averaging 108-110 degrees right now!), but imagine back in 1932 when there was no air conditioning! Her grandfather even described their first time on an “aeroplane” and how nervous they were to be flying but how absolutely amazing it was once they were on the plane and watching the countryside below them. Nowadays no one bats an eye at airplane travel, but almost 80 years ago it was all so new. I love it!

(Dr. John in Morocco, July 1972)

Miriam’s father also sent us a picture of himself on a camel in Morocco. It’s only fitting that Miriam continue the tradition and get herself on a camel!