It Must Be Love

I'm here in Dahab safe and sound. I didn't know it was possible to really love a place so much. As far as the otherplaces I've lived in or visited, I may love the place mostly for the people and memories I have there. In Dahab it's different. I could come here with any number of friends or with strangers or by myself and still have an absolutely wonderful time. Dahab is just beautiful. But I have to admit that Dahab was even better when Sara was here, she is my ultimate Dahab buddy.

Yesterday I got on the bus in Cairo at 4:50 in the afternoon with Renee (who I worked with at the school) and three of her friends. We finally arrvied in Dahab around about 3:00am. That is a hell of a bus trip, but only Dahab could be worth it all. After that we got settled in our hotel, which is the nicest one I've stayed at in all of my six trips to Dahab. We are staying at a place called the Bedouin Lodge. It is not extravagant, but it is clean. Renee and I are sharing a room and we have our own bathroom and a little balcony (with a lovely view overlooking the car park). Most importantly, it has an AC unit! As you can imagine, this is essential for the summer weather in the Sinai.

This trip I have vowed to do as cost efficient as possible (within reason). I brought my own kettle so I don't have to spend excess money on decent coffee. I am only eating out once/day and buying fruit and stuff at the grocery store for other meals. All of this is to justify spending lots of money on DIVING!!!

Anyhow, Dahab is pretty empty compared to other times I have been here. I'm not sure if it is all to do with the bombings last April or if it is a combination between that and the summer heat. Anyhow, it is kind of sad. There is this wonderful place with wonderful diving and snorkeling and desert trips, not to mention all the restuarants, shops, hotels, etc., and they are all quite empty. It's not totally deserted, but definitely doing a fraction of the business it had before. Oh Dahab, I still love you. I won't desert you.