“So many marvelous memories!” raved all the PCLG Travel Buddies just returned from their adventures in Egypt at the end of March.

Ready for take-off, ballooning over the Valley of the Queens: Bev Wright, Barbara Koplos, Steve Coates, Kevin Coates, Sue Coates

“A trip of a lifetime!” Ted and Jean Lusk enthused.

“Floating in the Dead Sea!” exclaimed Mary Jane Bender — at 87, MJ is one tough traveler.

Barbara Koplos is a terrific souvenir shopper. We visited a weaving shop—rugs, wall-hangings, and many other beautiful pieces. She was in her element!

Several shops sold lovely scarves for ladies, soft and in wonderful colors. Many were purchased. Later, on closer inspection. . . .we noticed the labels read “Made in China”!

Sue Coates liked the papyrus-making demonstration and of course bought an art piece.

Security (men with guns) was a highly visible presence everywhere. Our guide explained that tourism is a major economic item and the countries don’t want any incidents to hamper such interests.

The Leaning Mosque of Edfu

All the guides refused to answer political questions or discuss sensitive issues. But in Jordan we enjoyed hearing our young Muslim guide’s personal story of how his marriage was arranged.

Our group stayed in superior hotels throughout the trip for reasons of security and sanitation considerations. We did stay in a rather modest kibbutz in Israel. There, however, we could drink the tap water and enjoy ice-cold drinks and salads.

“Uh, Sue...” “Oh, Bev, of COURSE I know how to drive it!”

In Nazareth the YMCA has constructed a museum-type display of scenes and artifacts from Biblical times and an outdoor area of several acres of Biblical houses.

Sailboat on the Nile: Jean Lusk, Ted Lusk, Betty Spicher, and Barbara Koplos take it all in...

There is a “Peace Path” at the Y’s exhibit. Our group chipped in to buy a paving stone. PCLG is permanently embedded in the soil of Nazareth!

“I went for the camel, I opted for the balloon ride....maybe I should pass on the Hookah...” muses Sue Coates. Steve is distracted...or is he wondering what his wife might try next?

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Sphinx and Pyramid: MJ Bender

Bill Buckman doing a little, umm, sight-seeing...

John Lundell warmly sumarized the trip...

“For me it was Israel—the land of Jesus that we’ve all heard about since our early years in Sunday School—the land to which Moses had led the Jews after their escape from Egypt and the land where Jesus lived and preached.

“What made it especially meaningful was the fact the trip was led by Manuela, who has led us on twelve trips, who is of Jewish heritage, who has been to Israel many times and who lost relatives in the Holocaust. She was especially pleased to show her ‘Los Gatos family’ the land of her heritage.

“And, it was great to attend the Easter morning service at the Scottish Presbyterian Church of Jerusalem on the day of our departure!”

E-mailing home from Cairo Airport: Barbara Koplos, Rachel Larson, Alan Baker, Thinh Hong, Betty Spicher

—Article submitted by Bill Buckman,
photos by Alan Baker The SPIRE - May 2008

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