How Did I Get Here?

Dear Universe,

After spending almost a week in the Cairo heat, I was told we were going to the North Coast of Egypt (Sahl) to cool off by the water.

Great, I thought. I love the water.

It was about a three hour drive and by the time we arrived it was pitch black. I could hear the sounds of the Mediterranean splashing, but I couldn’t see it.

I went to bed and woke up early, anxious to steal a peak out the window. When I did part the curtains, my breath escaped me for a few beats. Nothing could have prepared me for the view of bright, clear-turquoise water, palm trees and sugar-white sand. I felt like I had been picked out of nowhere and plopped in a postcard.

How did I get here?

As the day went on, I found myself repeating this question almost as a mantra.

Drive around the shore, more iridescent blue and blinding white everywhere I look: How did I get here?

Boat ride in the sea, salty breeze whipping my hair everywhere: How did I get here?

Swimming in the warm Mediterranean, not a single person as far as the eye could see, watching the sun slowly sink into the water with me: How did I get here?

Floating in the sea first thing in the morning, sky a perfect watercolor blend of violet and blush: How did I get here?

I have been to a lot of beaches, lots of tropical locations, but this may be one of the most stunningly gorgeous spots I’ve seen. The sand is so pure that your feet can’t help but sink in and no matter how hard I try, I can’t even find a shell to take home with me—that pure.

Between the sky, the water, the sand and the scenery—I haven’t seen anything like it. I think I wasn’t expecting it to be so beautiful, so picturesque.

Even better than all that is the way family you don’t see that often can take you in and make you feel that you just belong, that this is your home too, as if they’ve been waiting for you to come back all this time and they really don’t want you to leave. (Passport confiscation has been discussed!) I feel so blessed to be surrounded by such gracious, loving, warm and sincere relatives.

How did I get here?

I don’t really know how I got lucky enough to be here, but I’m so grateful I did. Thank you.