After we had our breakfast we took the metro to Giza to see the pyramids. We were shown the way by a very nice family, and they helped us get our camels. Camels, what a laugh that was. I’d been on one before so i knew what to expect, Ruth on the other hand was adamant she wasn’t getting on any such creature. I have to say she went on that much i felt like slapping her and throwing her on it. Eventually she got on, her and Doug on one camel and Hamada and me on another. And we were off, did she shut up? no, she went on and on and on. Poor Doug i’m so glad she wasn’t behind me. Eventually the guide gave up his horse so she could ride that. We couldn’t go to the main pyramids, we could only see those from a distance which was a pity, so the guide showed us how it was in one of the smaller ones. Then we made our way back, the three of us got on our camels and Ruth on her horse. Only she couldn’t get on and nearly ended up and over the other side of the horse, laugh i was hysterical it was like something from a carry on movie.

Woke up in anticipation of the day ahead hoping that after Thursday everything would go without any setbacks. The four of us went down for our breakfast, Doug was again telling Hamada it wasn’t too late to do a runner, blooming cheek of him. We had our breakfast , it was like de ja vu so said Ruth, and it was. We arrived at the ministry, Hamadas brother Hassan was waiting for him, bless him, and again we sat and waited for our names to be called.

Eventually we were called in, I wanted Doug and Hassan to be the witnesses for us but it had to be two Egyptian males so a guest from another party witnessed for us, and by the smiles on his face he was very happy to oblige us. Now there are no airs and graces here no fuss, i was just told we were married under islamic law. We both had to sign five pages and thumb print our five photographs and that was it my civil ceremony in Egypt. Never the less we were still very happy. We went out the building and stopped to take photographs but the policeman on duty wouldn’t let us take them outside so we had to move on. We crossed over and stood on the roundabout to take some very quickly because Hassan had to leave and return to work, getting time off work is very difficult in Egypt. Oh and of course whoever was taking the photographs had to dodge the traffic too haha.

We went to have something to eat and then returned to the hotel to relax. I fell asleep by the pool and when Hamada woke me there was a beautiful basket of pink roses from Ruth and Doug.

So now we are free to do as we want and go where we want, in Egypt anyway. It has been a very difficult time because you are so restricted there, we don’t appreciate how lucky we are or the freedom we have here.

But i love being here it is another world and i have learnt so much about Hamada, the Egyptian people, they are so lovely and friendly, and they just love it when you speak, wave to them, anything. I felt so welcome and truly honoured to be there.

This morning Doug, Ruth, Hamada and me went for breakfast, we were all dressed and ready to go to the ministry. Doug was joking with Hamada telling him he could still change his mind if he wanted to and all the other usual ribbing,of course being in Egypt we had no need to worry about the weather. We got a taxi to take us and met Hamadas brother Hassan there. Here you are not the only ones waitng to be married there are many others waiting too, both foreign and Egyptian. Hamada went to collect my photographs and when it was our turn we went through and handed in our papers, we were then told i had to have my passport stamped. this is to say i am resident in Egypt at this tme So off we went, Hamada and me, rushing round the city. We had to walk because a taxi would have had to go all around to get where we needed to be, by which time my lovely white sling-backs had given me blisters. After having my passport stamped we returned to the ministry only to be told they had finished at 12 o clock, it was 12:10 AAAAAAAGH !!!!!!!!!!! We had to return on Saturday !

This morning after breakfast Hamada and me went back to the embassy to collect our marriage declaration, we then had to take it to be stamped. Where you have to go for this is just a ground floor level building and you que up outside. While Hamada was waiting his turn i took a photograph to show where we had to go and what we had to do, they look like they are queing to place a bet at the races, but was promptly told NO by the policeman on duty there, oops.

I then had to go and have five photographs taken, ugh passport photographs.

Today after our breakfast Hamada and me took the metro into the city, we were off to the British Embassy for me to sign a declaration for us to marry. There were others waiting also, some wishing to do the same as us other waiting to renew passports etc, so you have to wait your turn. I filled in the form and returned it to the officer This was just the beginning of our journey together.

Well we made breakfast today! After breakfast i went to sunbathe by the pool, Doug and Ruth went for a wander. I don’t think they were gone an hour when they returned, “you can’t go out there taxis beeping and shouting TAXI they said and come into my shop!” Then they told me they’d been taken into a tour shop and had been given an A-Z of the tours he ran. ” I don’t know where he came from said Ruth, he appeared from nowhere and weaved us through the traffic, OH MY GOD THE TRAFFIC!” I thought to myself, oh no they are going to hate it here !

My Hamada eventually arrived about six o clock, i was over the moon to say the least. I thought this day would never arrive……….. 

My first morning, of course we missed breakfast but the waiter said i could order room service from my room. I had a very nice omelette, fresh orange juice and croissants, From this time on i learnt everything you order takes an hour haha.

After breakfast i recieved a telephone call from a man, i don’t know who. he said he wanted to be my friend, oh oh, i put the telephone down and thought that would be the end of it.

My Hamada wasn’t arriving until the evening, so Doug, Ruth and me spent the afternoon by the pool. My idea of heaven but not much fun for Doug. We ate at the hotel in the evening after which time i learnt Hamada couldn’t come until the following day. He had lost his passport and the police wouldn’t issue him with another. By this time i was desperate to see him.

So it was another evening drinking vodka,and into the galaxy bar again.

Well, my sister Ruth picked me up friday night, we were being picked up from their house to go to the airport. Doug and me had a few vodkas, we were very excited. We didn’t bother going to bed, we slept sitting up, Ruth stayed awake, what a hero. Our taxi arrived on time to take us to Manchester airport, Ruth was very worried because she wouldn’t be able to have a cigarette and it was going to be a very long day. We didn’t have a direct flight and had to change at Charles de Gaul in Paris. Poor Ruth was freaking out because she couldn’t have a cigarette, i was freaking out because i didn’t want us to miss check in. I think she thought we were doing it on purpose, what a nightmare. I have to say we had very good flights and we were well looked after.

We eventually arrived in Cairo about 7:30pm ( they are two hours ahead of our time ) we were very tired by now and Ruth was desperate for a cigarette, poor love i have never seen her so upset. We collected our luggage, which in Egypt is off-loaded the carousel for you, not like in England where you have to struggle and get it off yourself and if like me your case is nearly as big as you you do with great difficulty. We were chaperoned out the airport and into a limousine, in Egypt there is no shortage of men wanting to help you, all for a small price of course, nothing comes for free. You need lots of small change for tipping ! It was about an hours drive to our hotel, what an experience that was! There is no such thing as the highway code out there, it’s buckle up, if you can find one and hold tight !

We didn’t go to our rooms straight away, we had some coffee then some vodka ! Ruth went up showered and changed then came down and told Doug and me off because we were still drinking haha. So like lambs we went and cleaned up too. We went into the galaxy disco bar and had a few more drinks and Ruth and me had a couple of dances.Then we retired to bed for some much needed sleep.

Yippee it’s Friday, my last day at work !!!! Tomorrow my sister Ruth and her husband Doug and me are off to Cairo, Egypt. They are so excited, it’s there first holiday abroad and for Doug a dream come true to go to Egypt. I am excited too but also very nervous because i will be marrying an Egyptian man there and i am not looking forward to all the legalities you have to go through. so til i get back………..

Hi there from a very tired me. Yesterday i went home with good intentions of doing my packing. On Saturday i am going with my sister Ruth and her husband Doug to Cairo, where i will also meet my husband-to-be Hamada.  I made myself a cup of tea but it was a struggle to keep my eyes open and i kept nodding off. I got my case out the cupboard and plonked it on the floor in my lounge then got my holiday clothes. This is the part of going on holiday i hate and wish i had someone to do it for me. I packed and unpacked so many times, it was too heavy i found items i hadn’t packed you name it, it went wrong. It was nearly 1am when i fell into bed exhausted and i still didn’t get it sorted. So today i will go home and start again !