3.20.2008

En'shallah

Allison and I were given a beautiful gift on our last day in Egypt. The man who had sold us the snorkel trip with Red Sea Aqua Center on the first beach day would stop by to chat every subsequent day we were there. Kimo was very interested in why an American would live in Europe and was interesting to speak with him about being Egyptian surrounded by tourists on all-inclusive sun holidays. His wife is an Austrian Catholic, which interested Allison, since her boyfriend is Saudi and living in Michigan as his sister's chaperon. Lots of good chats.

Anyway. On our last day, Kimo said, "If you learn one Arabic phrase, it should be this: 'En 'shallah,' which means "If God wills it." You will hear us say this very often in conversation -- whenever we wish or want something to happen, we say this phrase."

Allison and I looked at each other and repeated the phrase to each other. It is indeed the perfect mantra to chant when flying from sun and laughter and sea back to reality and the unknown future. It will be the gift of that trip and I send all my gratitude back to Kimo for sharing it with us.

We managed to stay on the plane all the way to its final destination in Amsterdam that night, which seemed like an accomplishment. Allison was shocked by the inconsideration of the Dutch --- standing in a group in the aisle, talking very loudly about nothing while people all around them are trying to sleep (the flight left at 10:30pm and landed at 3:30am), pushing their way into lines, being generally as they are. My boys greeted me at home with a welcome home sign on the door and lots of tail wagging. What a week -- next year again, but for longer. My only hope is I will have a traveling companion as wonderful, funny, adventurous, smart and entertaining as Allison.

En 'shallah.

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