Behind the Mashrabeya

....so what have I been up to this past week? Well, firstly my bank agreed to issue me with a new credit card after we danced round in circles for 2 days. That was such fun and I shall miss Debbie, Chris, Mark, and all those other jolly, bubbly customer care telephonists who passed me from pillar to post....in fact I may call up later today just to say hi - I'm missing them already

I've had my friends Fiona & David over from the UK and so have been doing the tourist trail (always a joy)! Tombs, temples, monuments - we've done them all. It was David's birthday a couple of days ago, so we hired a dahabiya for the evening.

The Dahabiya

There were around 30 of us and we had a wonderful time. What can be better than great company, delicious food, dancing and a live oriental band complete with whirling dervish? The fact that we were sailing down the Nile at sunset completed the perfection. Below is a photo of the whirling dervish who performed for us, and another of Luxor Temple as seen from the boat.

Whirling Dervish

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View from the boat of Luxor Temple

Other news...my friend didn't make it to the summit. As permits for the summit are dated, they had a specific timeframe in which to push for the top. Unfortunately, the weather turned against them, so they had no alternative but to turn back. To get as far as they did was a great achievement in itself and I think their decision shows wisdom and responsibility.

8 whole days without an update. Surely I've committed blog suicide??!!!!

Firstly, great news about Mark Inglis reaching the summit of Everest - he's an inspiration to us all.

I have a friend who's in the team attempting the Everest climb from the Tibetan side - they're going to push for the summit tomorrow, weather permitting. I've been tracking progress as and when they've been able to get back to camp and run the laptop on a car battery.

crossing an ice chasm

camp on the north col

Am keeping everything crossed for them and wishing them a safe return

Thought I'd ask the question - because it's one I was asked repeatedly yesterday. Why?? Because I had the greatest pleasure of trying to get an answer from a UK bank; banging my head against a brick wall would have been far more productive.

A while back I contacted my bank to request they issue me a new credit card. Yesterday I got a letter basically saying I don't fit into any of their boxes and to sod off. Then the fun of trying to get someone to talk to me began.

First off, I called the Customer Service Centre number on the letter - I'd like at this point to say thank you to James, Chris, Julie and Mark for being ultra-cheery and equally ineffective. One told me I had to be transferred to the 'Plastic Enquiries Team'....hmmmm, I know some bank staff can be robotic but erm, plastic?!

Once the customer service centre realised I needed some answers and might actually have a point - they suggested I call my branch direct. I spoke to a lovely woman there who promised she'd look into it and call me back....I'm still waiting

But special mention has to go to Adam. While I was trying to get through to my branch the call was diverted to Bank Support. There I had the pleasure of talking to Adam - a robotic, nasally 12 year old. Thinking I was through to my branch I gave him the spiel and waited....and waited....then after much thought he said 'well, if the letter says we can't issue a card, then we can't issue a card - and there's nothing anyone can do about it'. Thanking him for his optimism, I asked to talk to his manager. Only to be informed that they're just a telephone answering service for my branch when all lines are busy - cheers Adam

Ever get the feeling you're going round in circles? That's all I seem to be doing at the moment.

Told Annie about the faulty camera on Wednesday and she was going to come by to pick it up later the same day and give me back my money. Thursday passed and there was still no sign of her. So yesterday I sent her an email reminding her that I still have the camera and that I'd put it to one side - or perhaps I could drop it off to her if it's more convenient. I got a reply this afternoon saying 'you're welcome to come for coffee any time' aaaarrrggh! I'm going to pop over there tomorrow and see what's going on.

Annie lives just across the road from me - we can wave to each other from our balconies (I'm tempted to throw aforementioned camera over!).

As you may have guessed, whenever I'm stressed, I love a bit of humour. Today is one of those days, so I'll share this classic with you:

Honesty on the Internet

Ok...so then what happened with my new Cybersh*t-666?

Well, after man-handling (literally!) the battery to get it charged, it was time to install the memory stick. This tiny little chip is encased in so much plastic, it's incredible! Himself and I reverently opened the plastic and held our breath whilst he popped it into place and then.....nothing. Much pressing of buttons and trying to get the card in every which way and then.....still nothing.

And then the battery died

This was at 4am this morning and we've been trying to coax it back into life all day - without success. Annie has since told me the camera is an ex-display model

Everything is now neatly packed back in the Asda carrier bag until I pluck up the courage to tell Annie I want a refund. I've got friends coming out to Egypt on 15th May who can return the camera to the store on their return.

Then my plan is to send the money to another friend who's coming over at the start of June - so she can buy another camera and the fun can begin all over again

Wish me luck!

I recently decided to upgrade my trusty old APS camera for a brand-spanking new Sony digital one.

My friend Annie who lives here who was going back to the UK for a holiday, so I asked her if she'd pick one up for me whilst she was there. To make things easier, I gave a choice of 3 different models. I awaited her return with great anticipation.

Yesterday was the big day and I went to collect my new camera. Annie explained that she'd had to take it out of the box so that she wouldn't get busted by customs because it was so bulky. She handed me an Asda carrier bag containing the camera and all its bits.

Being a bit of a saddo stickler for detail, I always devour the manual of a gadget before trying to work it. But my significant other pointed out that the lithium battery would take hours to charge and we'd best get it plugged in. I scrambled around in the carrier bag and proudly produced the charger and battery. The two of us went to the kitchen clutching instructions - himself was in charge of electricity; I had the job of shouting out what to do next. We got as far as 'push the battery until it clicks' - that's when things started to fall apart. Himself pushed and pressed but there was no click. About 2 hours later we discovered the charger model was different to the one listed on the contents. Laughing, I reassured Himself that Annie had probably given me her charger by mistake. A quick phone call and we'd be back on track. But no - Annie's camera uses ordinary batteries - the charger was the one in the box (which she later confessed was open when she bought it).

As Himself is rather technical minded, he claimed he had a plan! This entailed him sitting with the battery & charger on his knee, pushing the contacts together whilst watching Braveheart - bless him

I'm totally addicted to Sudoku puzzles. I'm sure it's some sort of Japanese conspiracy to have us all submissing to the power of 9 (sorry, I've obviously been reading too many Dan Brown books!!).

Took me ages to solve this one...

Yesterday evening my significant other was late coming home and we had an argument about time. Whilst we were exchanging words there was a horrible noise - the screeching of brakes, metal crushing metal.

We rushed to our balcony to see what had happened. A car had hit a motorcycle - the driver had been killed. On the handlebars were bags full of groceries. For some reason I found this extremely poignant - he was probably on his way home to his family who were waiting for him. I imagined a wife and children wondering why their father was late, not knowing he'd never come home again.

That reminded me that life is far too short to waste on petty arguments - it can be over in an instant.

These are words I hold dear:
Yesterday is history.
Tomorrow is a mystery.
Today is a gift. That's why it's called the present.

I'm lost for words!! Why? Well, two (yes not one, but TWO) amazing things have happened!

Firstly, my bank transfer has arrived in my UK account after taking almost a month *faint*. Secondly, my bank in the UK just need me to call them up to confirm some security questions and they'll reactivate online banking for me *phew*. I'd entered the wrong pin number too many times and so the system booted me off - plain and simple for once!

I'm happy

Above (left) Felucca on the Nile; (right) Sunrise Over Luxor

With all the stresses of the past couple of days, it's so easy to forget about the beautiful place I'm living in. One of my favourite de-stressing pastimes is walking alongside the Nile, looking across at that timeless view.

Ahhhhhh...I'm feeling better already

I just had to share this one!!!

Banks - &#$*&#$)(*

I must be the only person left on the planet who doesn't have, need or want a credit card. Well, until recently that is. Starting up in business generally needs some form of credit, so I thought I should get myself organised.

I wanted to order my credit card from the UK (call me picky if you want) and so arranged a transfer of money to make me look remotely credit-worthy. For the past 2 weeks I've been religiously checking both accounts online several times daily to see if a) the money has left Egypt and b) has safely landed in my UK account.

The money was listed as 'on hold for future transfer' on my Egyptian account - lovely. A few days ago it then miraculously appeared back in the 'available balance' section which freaked me out. I jumped on the phone to my branch to be assured that the transfer would be complete the next day. Guess what....it wasn't.

Today I went to check my UK account online and got a message saying I'd entered incorrect details and have to re-register - which is a royal pain because the activation code will take a least 3 weeks to reach me.....aaaarrrrghhhhhh.

I'm just hoping the bank in the UK hasn't decided to close my account for some freaky reason, which would explain why the transfer is now in my 'available balance' I sent them an email to ask what's going on - so I've got a couple of tense days ahead waiting for them to get back to me - oh joy