Only two weeks ago, it felt like a barometer had been implanted inside of me that could measure my emotional state. It would proceed to swing back and forth in a wicked tempest, in anticipation of the immediate future. This is what usually happens when it’s re-assignment time and the word is handed down about the new post from the higher ups in Washington, most notably from USAID.
Liebi and I had already completed our list, and we were certain we had it all figured out. We were going to stay in Latin America, either El Salvador or the Dominican Republic, for various reasons. One, we wished to be closer to the US—especially the DR appeared to be an inviting option for a quick flight home to Tryon, should we wish to spend the holidays in our own house for a change. Second, we had just acquired three years of Spanish (the boys included), and now we wanted more. Last but not least, we felt very comfortable in Latin America. La Paz has been, hands down, the best place we’ve been to so far, and from what people had told us, San Salvador and Santo Domingo had a similar quality of life to offer.
Before the weekend, Liebi calls me on the cell phone to announce the news.
We were going to Cairo. Egypt. The Middle East.
We were both stunned at the news, because it was so unexpected. We ranked Cairo at number three as a mere afterthought, certain Uncle Sam wouldn’t dream of sending us there. Add to the fact that we had the combination of having two young kids plus Egypt’s uncertain future and its current status that at times has bordered on anarchy, and we were certain—check that: we knew—that Egypt would be as distant from us as the moons of Jupiter.
I quickly did some research and read the Department of State reports—not good, really. The post reports suggested that the best thing about Cairo was the incredible ease you could leave it with. There is virtually no rain in Cairo—to be expected from a city built in the desert. And the pollution, the pollution, the pollution.
Personally, I have had fond experiences with Cairo, although this was five years ago (see previous post in 2008). Just what Cairo would bring once we established residence there would be anybody’s guess.
The next day, we are told that the appeal we had filed was being discussed. Good, we are thinking. Break out the books about San Salvador and hablamos espanol a little more. Six hours total from San Salvador to Charlotte. We’ll take it. Weekend trips to Beliz or Guatemala? 70 inches of rain per year? Four more years of Spanish for the kids, plus the Spanish schools. Latin American rain forests and the Pacific Ocean just minutes away.
Alas, it doesn’t happen. The next day Cairo is confirmed. Desert instead of jungle. We will be in Egypt from October on. We are bounced between Latin America and the Middle East more quickly than time travel itself.
We are beginning to think that the Arabs might just be our destiny following former stints in Morocco and Jordan.
Whatever the case might be—salaam alikoum to Egypt.
It should make for quite an interesting tour.
