STACY IN EGYPT

EGYPT’S TOP 10 THINGS [11-1]

1. The hyeroglyphics. After staring at the walls long enough, I started to actually be able to understand some of it… Made me want to study it.

2. The TONS of artifacts everywhere… Made me want to be an archeologist. Would have grabbed a shovel and just started digging, but I would have been arrested.

3. The pyramids. You can only get them here. Vegas does not count.

4. The beautiful women. Primarily their Cleopatra-like eyes.

5. The protection. Our tour group was nearly always escorted by bodyguards, who often acted as my personal bodyguards. Overly friendly girl+ tendency to wander + single status = overprotective guard (who wanted to keep me to himself!) It was very funny when one of the Bedions was trying to dress me up… I thought my guard was going to kill him just for wrapping his arms around me. If looks could kill…

6. GYPSIES (& their mint tea)!!!!!! As much as you all think I already am one, I’m nothing compared to the Bedouins, who have hardly changed for thousands of years. They have no residence, but rather go (via camel, donkey, and foot) where the wind blows them…Although, let’s face it—it’s Egypt…. The wind doesn’t blow very often. Thus they live in semi-stationary camps in the desert. I heard many observers pitying these people, as they seem to live in such harsh conditions… I envy them. F-R-E-E-D-O-M. During my two personal encounters, they took me right in… As you can see.

7. The loop cross & the beatle. These are symbols of life and protection… These, along with the Bee, were my favorite Egyptian symbols.

8. The money. Instead of some gray haired old man, there are pharaohs in full head-dress! Much more exciting!

9. St. Catherine’s. “The oldest working Christian monastery in the world.” This was our first stop in Egypt…. Completely different than anywhere else we went. A picture of solitude and serenity. It is a church where the alleged burning bush [still] is… and sits beneath Mt. Sinai, where Moses met with God.

10. Luxor. Luxor is completely different than Cairo... it is so much more lush and green with beautiful flowers everywhere. Cairo has the pyramids and the sphinx, but Luxor holds the best temples and tombs.

11. The Cairo Museum & mummies! So creepy and so fascinating. When in Cairo, do the museum, and pay the extra price to see the dead kings… unwrapped.

-1. The heat! It gets sooooooooooo hot! Engrained in my mind is our group, wandering around the Valley of the Kings outside of Luxor, thinking that we were all going to collapse—It was great to go in the tombs, if for no other reason, than to cool off! Ok, there were many other reasons, but it was a nice bonus. [Plan your trips accordingly, and drink lots of bottled water!]

EGYPT'S TOP 10 PHOTOS

Call of Prayer. The sun was setting as the moon was rising over Luxor Temple; and as the huge statues of pharaohs and “gods” stared down at me, Islamic chants began to sound from the nearby mosque.

Golden Markets. There are few things more enchanting than walking through small alleyways lined with stalls of bold colors, flashing metals, and fresh foods. My favorites in this market: the lights, the hookahs, and the antique camera and watch place where I bought my old Cairo train engineer’s pocket-watch (the only watch I own).

Sun Setting on Pyramid. The pyramids are frighteningly close to the city… I guess I should say, the city is frighteningly close to the pyramids! But as I gazed up this powerful silhouette, I was instantly transported back in time to ancient Egypt.

Mooving. The roads in Cairo are the craziest I have witnessed in the world. Every mode of transportation, carrying every sort of thing, all at the same time… going every different direction… A taxi ride in Cairo is one of the greatest adventures one can take! (I think Sheryl would agree.)

Mary’s Light By Day. I passed her in an alley on my way to Ben Ezra Synogogue… one of the most amazing churches/ temples I’ve ever been in (where I was not allowed to take pictures). It has an incredible story, though.

Farm View from Train. Oh, the overnight train from Cairo to Luxor!... Where I could touch every part of my room from one spot. It was a very fun, musical (yes, I still have your dance moves on video), experience… and Luxor was definitely worth the long ride!

Neighborhood View from Bus. There are really no houses in Cairo. Everyone lives in concrete apartments with tons of satellite dishes on the tops of the buildings… It’s all quite strange.

In the Shadow of Giants. Inside the courts of Luxor Temple… a huge area surrounded by giant limestone puzzle pieces (ruins that have yet to be pieced together). In fact, there are ruins all over Luxor; for this reason, people are actually forbidden to dig under their own homes, because they will undoubtedly dig up some great treasure!

Sacred Bloom. The lotus flower. This, along with the papyrus plant, is one of the most holy symbols of ancient Egypt… and it is no wonder why, with such beauty.

Nile River Guide. There is nothing like floating down the Nile River—especially at dusk, while listening to our guide’s eerie tunes being sung and played (drums and back-up by his sons).

Beware the Ides of March

March 15, 2010 has actually arrived, and I'm embarking on my Antarctic voyage.

This is a huge endeavor for various reasons... (In fact, it is feeling much bigger now that it is really happening!)

For me, this means achieving a life-long dream of conquering every continent! Out of my lifetime, this will be Number 7! (For this trip around the world, it is the 6th continent I've touched so far.)

I am facing many fears, today, as well... and putting to good use my favorite quote...

A ship in a harbor is safe, but that's not what ships are made for.

Since there is no one else here to say it, I'll say it myself:

Bon Voyage!

STACY IN ISRAEL

ISRAEL'S TOP 10 THINGS--well, 11 minus 1

In no particular order…

1. Israel is a diverse place in every way: even its natural beauty can shift from dry desert to lush greenery.

2. The food! The food here is absolutely incredible… So rich and so fresh. I can see why meals here have brought people together since the beginning of time! Hmmm, maybe all of the world leaders just need to get together and eat.

3. Olive trees. They are so old and so beautiful. If the trees could talk… The Garden of Gethsemane is just a small garden of olive trees… I ate one fresh off the tree… not the same!

4. Wandering away from the tourists to remind oneself of what it’s really about. Although, this got me into trouble from time to time… mainly just with my guide—a descendent of the shepherds in Bethlehem, who threatened me with the Biblical story of the shepherd breaking the lamb’s legs in order to keep it close… I had to be reminded often.

5. The peaceful countryside and old ruins… I enjoyed this much better than the gaudy shrines that people have made out of significant places—At the same time, if they wouldn’t have done this, then we might not have known where things took place.

6. Experiencing the sorrow. Without the group noticing, I stayed behind… down in the dungeon where Jesus was chained to the walls and held as he awaited his execution. I just sat there in the silence, with my wrists and ankles pressed against the cold damp stone… thinking how strong those chains must have been… to hold up the weight of the world.

7. Freshly squeezed pomegranite juice!

8. Tons of beautiful artifacts everywhere… even being made into jewelry, like my widow’s mite and Roman glass cross necklaces…. {which I’m not sure if I actually agree with, but was apparently happy to enable}.

9. The intensity in the air—especially in Jerusalem. For better or worse, it is always there and always tangible… definitely unique to this place.

10. The water: Sea of Galilee, River Jordan, Dead Sea… there is something mystical (or maybe just miraculous) about them.

11. Experiencing several different religious ‘holidays’ at the same time (Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Ramadan)… and hearing varying calls of prayer—which was also a little freaky, they were so overwhelmingly powerful/ forceful. I had a love/ hate relationship with the eeriness of it.

-1. The worst part about Israel, for me… was learning the truth. And realizing that there is no black and white—just gray. The only clear line… is a giant wall with barbed wire on top. [Enlightening fact: There are Christians living inside this “West Bank” wall… and only 5% of them are allowed to pass through it.]

ISRAEL'S TOP 10 PHOTOS

Sunrise over The Sea of Galilee. I stood on nearly every side of this lake, I ate it’s St. Peter fish, and I floated on an old boat in the middle of it… and felt as though I was transported back in time a couple thousand years. [In case you’re wondering how I was up so early, it’s because we (my tour group) had already been awake for hours worrying that our hotel was going to burn down after a small fire broke out in the basement.]

Living Water. These hands belong to one of the sweetest men I’ve ever met—a good mate from down under, with whom I had the pleasure of touring the Holy Land and re-affirming my Baptism… in this water: the Jordan River.

Out of Darkness. A view from the stairs leading down to “the sacred pit” where Jesus was held while He waited to be killed. Look closely out the window… You’ll see the city of Jerusalem, complete with the golden “Dome of the Rock” in the Temple Mount (which is off-limits to Christians and Jews).

White Dove of Peace. Positioned above mourners on the Wailing Wall. Irony. And here you can view my favorite and even more ironic dove in Israel. It’s possibly the loudest bird in the world, yet it doesn’t make a sound. To solve the riddle, read the article… For an even greater understanding, I challenge you to spend this Christmas in ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem.’

Mary of Nazareth. This statue stands tall outside of the church that sits above Mary’s home (that she grew up in)… where (from the outside) one is able to view the old remains underneath the relatively new cathedral that sits atop. While I like this photo, this was not my favorite Mary… for some reason, my favorites were always the sad Mary’s… they just evoke such strong feeling.

Jerusalem Glass. Every chapel and cathedral had gorgeous stained glass windows. I loved this one because it was one of the more abstract ones… and it features the Jerusalem Cross, which you will only find in the Holy Land.

Jesus’ Donkey. The poor thing is still waiting for Him to come back.

Sheryl’s View. “Stacy is walking where Jesus walked!” My cool roommate played video commentator as I wandered down the only area around the City Walls where one is able to view/ stroll down original (structural) remains from the time of Jesus [because Jerusalem just kept being rebuilt on top of past ruins]… made of very impressive limestone boulders.

Place of the Story of The Good Samaritan. Unfortunately, this guy represents a different character in the story. Imagine being left out there. (It’s much bigger in person.)

Windows to the Soul. The eyes of my Palestinian Christian friend—likely the most well-informed, just, and unbiased person I’ve ever met… and possibly ever will meet. These eyes have seen quite a bit. Just look in them.

A New Approach

March 16th will mark 6 months of world travel. [Since I'll be forging the Antarctic seas at that time, I'll go ahead and do this now.] Time has definitely crept up on me... which could also be observed in my last post entitled "quarterly"... where I didn't realize that I was actually already 1/3 of the way through my trip! I have done just about as much as a human could possibly do during this time-- which is why it has gone SO fast. Though there have been ups and downs (and craziness all in between), I really do not think I would have changed a single thing so far.

So you're probably wondering, "Why the new approach?" Well... While my experiences have been amazing, my journaling has definitely been lacking! My camera bag has not left my side, but I have (unfortunately) rarely picked up a pen or pencil. The primary reason for this is that I am never willing to sacrifice experience for documentation. [This means I only do it when there is nothing better going on... which isn't often.] A secondary reason for this is that I didn't want to post my private journals-- I wanted to have 2 separate ones... a private journal and a public blog... PLUS, I wanted to make videos of each country I visited. [And did I mention I'm working on a book, too!?] Needless to say, that was so overwhelming that I haven't managed to do well at any one part of it!

On the other hand, some of you did not expect to hear from me at all, because I said that I was wanting to fall off the radar... and that you might not hear from me online or otherwise for a year. Not only was that disappointing for people who care about me and want to "track" my adventures, but I was also cheating myself out of quick and easy ways to record my experiences.

So here is my solution:

A few short and sweet summaries in a few different places...

1. THE BLOG [http://stacybeery.blogspot.com]

I'll be posting my TOP TEN PHOTOS from each country to this blogspot.

-Hard to narrow down-- but much easier and faster than short films... which I still hope to make (but might not be until my traveling is done).

-These are just my fave pictures (from a photography & content standpoint)-- not necessarily the best summation of the country... I'll leave that for the videos.

I'll be posting a TOP TEN THINGS (11 minus 1) about each country to this blogspot.

-This will be the good, the bad, and the ugly about each country (based on my encounters).

-May or may not have accompanying photos.

I'll be posting some SELF-PORTRAITS from each country to this blogspot.

-I really hate this part, but all I hear are requests for more photos of myself... so here ya go!

2. THE TWITTER [http://twitter.com/StacyLeighBeery]

I'll be posting 1-or 2-liner UPDATES on random every-day experiences to twitter.

-Won't be able to 'tweet' every day, but I'll do my best! And yes, it will be random... very random.

3. THE FACEBOOK [http://www.facebook.com/StacyBeery]

I will use my facebook as a NOTIFICATION of when I have updated my blogspot.

-Other than that, most of the content on my facebook is just what other people post. [In fact, nearly all of my photos were posted by other people.]

-I basically just use it right now to get in touch with people/ make new friends around the world.

-Oh, and I try to keep my "current city" current... In case you're wondering where I am.

COMING SOON TO A COMPUTER NEAR YOU!

[We'll see how I do with the second half of this trip... I may have to come up with yet another approach...]

QUARTERLY

It has officially been 4 months since this journey began. I cannot believe it! And yet, I know that I have accomplished more in the past four months than in the last four years of my life.

While I am a quarter of the way through my world tour, there are still many uncharted seas ahead. The Lord has watched over me in ways I cannot put into words, so thank you for your prayers-- I can feel them each day. Please remember me still, as I am about to go into possibly the most risky stretch of my trip, hitting 4 continents in one month-- all to places I have never before been.

Grateful for your care and support.

All my love,

Stacy

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

Where have the years gone? And where have the last two months gone??? It has been a whirlwind since I left home in September. I toured through Israel and Egypt, volunteered and safari’d my way through Kenya and South Africa, and now I am (thankfully) unpacking in Australia, where I’ll be staying for a few months! Now that I am able to breathe a bit easier, you should be hearing from me more.

In fact, as a birthday present to myself, I am taking the day to update my personal journals and blog site. So here I am, officially old today (which was yesterday, in Australia)… the big 2-6. I have passed that great 1^st quarter century… and am now in the 25-50 quarter… Having a hard time with that one. Farewell youth! It’s been real. It’s been fun. And it’s been real fun.

At the same time, age is just a number, right? And getting older doesn’t mean that the adventure is over—On the contrary, it is just beginning! That’s what this year is about: clinging to the adventure of life! Instead of spending my time and money on simply improving my stuff, I’m exchanging it for real experiences… Ones that will leave me forever changed. Speaking of Forever Changed, if you want to hear the lyrics of my heart right now, go here (http://www.purevolume.com/foreverchanged), find the playlist at the top, scroll down to the song Knowledge, and listen. I pray that you are all reminded, as I am, that there is so much more to this life than the things that we so easily entangle ourselves with on a daily basis. Why were you put on this earth? That is one of the many questions I am asking people as I travel around the world this year… self, included.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

This phenomenal (haha) post is dedicated to the many wonderful people who have sent me birthday well-wishes… especially all the poor Facebook friends who are not able to post on my disabled wall and have to send me special messages!

I must also send HEAPS of thank-you’s to my dear Aussie friends who have given me an unbelievable birthday, complete with trips to the mountains, the rainforests, the ocean, the mall, the best chocolate shops in the world, and Chinatown (where I also celebrated my 21^st birthday, five years ago!) That doesn’t even include all the gifts I’ve been spoiled with… Including my theatre tickets to see Jersey Boys tonight! [Appropriately, in the words of Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons (and my girl, Lauryn Hill), “You’re just too good to be true…”]

~Cheers, mateys!