Middle Eastern Adventures

March 10th, 2014

I am back for a quick minute to just share some upcoming things I have going on, and to share a video I made from an amazing trip I took exactly a year ago!

I am now officially 75 pounds lighter from my highest weight ever!  I am still continuing my love for zumba, and have included lots of hiking into the mix.  I am blessed to live in a part of the country where I can go hiking in a t-shirt during the middle of winter! 

I have a few trips set in stone now.  Next month I head to New Orleans for Jazzfest,  a week later I go to a work conference in Orange County (not too far away, but I will still have to be out of town for that).  Two weeks after that I head off for my big trip.  My first stop will be Ireland (my 50th country!), where I will be partying in Temple Bar, kissing the blarney stone, visiting the Guinness factory, having an Irish Car Bomb, and visiting the Giant's Causeway and Cliffs of Moher.

Afterwards I head down to Kenya to visit the Masai Mara, visit an elephant orphanage, and to go on a few safaris before heading to Uganda to go gorilla trekking! After visiting Uganda for a few days I am back in Kenya to relax before venturing to Tanzania to see the great migration at the Serengeti and to see Mount Kilimanjaro.  To end the trip I will be relaxing on the beach in Zanzibar.

I am hoping that after these few trips I will have enough miles for some free flights around the USA.  :)

A year ago I was starting my big annual trip in Egypt and Jordan (I traveled for another month after that in Europe).  I met the most amazing people and we just meshed so well together.  In fact, I met up with one of my friends that I met on that trip for breakfast last week, and we talked for over 3 hours that the restaurant began serving lunch while we were there!  It always amazes me the friendships I have made simply by traveling. 


Life is treating me so well right now, and I am so fortunate that things continue to come into place.  I miss you all, and leave me a comment and tell me how you are doing!

Eat Stuffed Pigeon In Egypt

This is the story of the day I decided to eat a flying rat.

I'm sure you are quite aware what a pigeon is...

That's my friend Janice at the Piazza San Marco in Venice surrounded by pigeons.  I didn't want to get near them so I offered to be the photographer from a cautious distance.

When I found out that eating Stuffed Pigeon was a delicacy in Egypt I immediately knew I had to try it.  It goes along with my passion for trying weird eats like Guinea Pig in Peru.

Egyptians have been eating pigeon since 3000BC, so it can't be that bad, right?  Right!?!

While in Luxor, Egypt we went to a restaurant by our hotel that specialized in Stuffed Pigeon.  The catch was that you had to order the Stuffed Pigeon in advance. One day in advance?  Did they have to hunt my pigeon down on the streets?  I became weary, but my guide assured me that the pigeons were not like the ones you find on streets, and are bred solely for food consumption.   We then had the choice of having the pigeon stuffed with rice or corn.  I opted for rice because I was craving some rice (yes, I CRAVE rice!). 

Since I couldn't get my stuffed pigeon that day I opted for some moussaka and took a few bites of my friends camel dish.  I was surprised at how tasty camel was!

The following evening I found myself back at the restaurant for my stuffed pigeon dish.....

Before I continue I have to tell you that I have a texture issue when eating any type of meat.  I hate bones!  I'm a boneless type of gal if ordering any type of meat.  I knew the bone-in pigeon would be a challenge for me.

Just before I could start diving into my dinner this happened.....

City Wide Blackout!   Apparently this happens quite often due to the government.   The restaurant owners profusely apologized for the blackout and began a long rant about the demise of their government.  This was a constant topic throughout my travels through Egypt, and I could feel the increasing tension in every Egyptian person I met!

So they finally lit a few candles, and in almost complete darkness we began to eat our pigeon.  Don't people pay big bucks to dine in the dark at those fancy schmancy restaurants? 

Crack, crack, as I heard wings and pigeon backs breaking in the darkness.  I was beginning to feel queasy.  

I took small bites, but it was really difficult to taste the meat because their wasn't much of it.  I got to the rice and I wasn't impressed.  The flavors and spices they used for the rice were not good at all.  As I started really tearing into the pigeon, I was beginning to feel blessed that we were eating in darkness.  My guide noticed I was having difficulty and told me to just hold the pigeon with both hands and just crack the bones to open it up.  I couldn't do it, so I just kinda ate around the bones.

While some of my friends ate it in its entirety with only the bones remaining, I was only able to eat about 1/4 of it.  I'll stick with the camel next time. 

Date Accomplished:  March 27th, 2013

....And Do The Harlem Shake

I will dance to just about anything, and just about anywhere.  This is likely no surprise to those that personally know me.

I was the "inventor" of dance parades and dance parties at my hospital.  The main focus of the project was to get patients out of bed, to have fun in a hospital setting, and to see their doctors, social workers and nurses boogie.  I won a nation wide award recognizing my care for my patients, and the entire unit threw me a dance party to celebrate!  The dance parties have become known hospital wide, and it even made it onto the local news (I'm still working to get on Ellen!).  I am not claiming to be a good dancer, I dance to have fun. 

The more absurd the dance, the more I gravitate to LOVING it.

For example, remember that time I did the Gangnam Style (horribly) in the middle of a park in St Louis?  In case you may have blocked the images from your brain, let me refresh your memory....


Then the Harlem Shake came along, and it was even more ridiculous, and more approving of my horrendous dance moves.  It was a dance that encouraged outrageous and discombobulated movements to form a successful dance.  Wikipedia has an entire HISTORY behind the Harlem Shake (...and I don't know about you, but Wikipedia is most definitely a reliable source in my book...like ALWAYS). 

After watching what seemed like 873 versions of the Harlem Shake I decided that I needed to do it.

We had some time to kill in Abu Simbel, Egypt, and with a laptop in hand, I somehow managed to get my guide to log onto You Tube to watch the Harlem Shake.  He became obsessed.  We both looked at each other, and then looked around to find our future Harlem Shake victims.  Muhahahahaha.  Victory is mine!

My group was not difficult to persuade, partly because we were all nuts that were void of any ounce of attention growing up, and now we were seeking attention from anyone and everyone.

I mean, just look at us.....


Our first Harlem Shake attempt was on the Nile River on top of our support boat.  The "support" boat had the least supportive side rails ever created.  The side rails would probably fail to protect a gnome from being pushed overboard.  Somehow during the dance I found myself surrounded by three sweaty, shirtless men bouncing in every direction. It almost sounds like the beginning of a kinky porn flick, but think more horror flick.   I started screaming "DON'T PUSH ME GUYS!!!!!!!"

Thankfully I didn't get pushed into the Nile, but I'm sure that would have made for a good video.

Our second Harlem Shake was while we were heaps drunk at our resort on the Red Sea.  We had been to Cairo the day before and practically cleared out an entire bottle shop! We had two days to drink our entire alcohol stash before leaving on a boat to Jordan.  Our livers were aaaaangry with us those two days.

Because we were beyond intoxicated, we were a little off on the timing of our Harlem Shake.  None of us were even remotely sober enough to even recognize.  Oh and yes, I call the guy humping the pillow, and subsequently beating it up, my friend.

It was ridiculous.  It was fun, and it made some great memories with new friends.

How many of you guys can say you did the Harlem Shake on the Nile River?  How many of you probably would never want to (admittedly) say you have? 

Date Accomplished:  March 24th, 2013

The Top 10 Things I Am Most Excited About In 2013

January 17th, 2013

It's been a crazy year thus far, and I have gone full swing on planning for my Middle East and European Vacation that I am taking from March to May.  You know how much additional planning and prep there is to leave for such an extended period of time?  I have to make sure my taxes are done, I have to take a medical certification class a month early because it expires during my trip, I have to make sure all my bills are set up to be paid, and not to mention notifying banks and credit cards that I will be out of the country.   

Thankfully I have an awesome roommate, my brother, who can take care of my house while I am gone, like making sure the mail is checked, saving my most loved valuables in case a tsunami hits, and that my plants are watered.  You know, the usual house sitting duties.

I started off 2013 in San Francisco....

.....where I was arrested for being too awesome.  Actually the pic was taken in San Francisco.... in a porn studio...where I was a broadcasted live on a porn website.  My parents are so proud of me.   Actually they don't know about my porn site debut yet, I will save that for my upcoming appearance on Maury Povich.  Actually, if you believe that last bit then you don't know me well at all.  Actually, wow, I love saying actually. 

I will have to save that story for another rainy sunny (Southern California) day.

But really, 2013 is going to be great.  2012 was filled to the max with so many losses.  I think I wrote more bereavement cards and attended more funerals in 2012 than I did in all my previous years COMBINED!  Not to mention my little bout with cancer....2012 really entered the hall of fame as the suckiest year evaaaaar!

I have so many things to look forward to in 2013, and here are ten of my favorites...

1. Experience Mardi Gras

 (from the berry)

I scored a free flight with my miles to visit New Orleans for Mardi Gras!  They had to modify the Mardi Gras dates this year because of the Super Bowl, so thanks to the Super Bowl I am going to Mardi Gras for FREE! 

"Hey CeCe, you just didn't win the Super Bowl, what are you going to do next?"  Go to Mardi Gras BITCHES!!!!!!

2.  Visit the Pyramids

I am going to bloody Egypt, and I am going regardless what the media says!  I think Egypt gets a bad reputation, but I have done lots of reading on other travel blogs and they all say it's safe.  I'm riding a camel, kissing the Sphinx, going on a hot air balloon ride over the dessert, and taking a felucca ride along the Nile River.

3.  Visit Petra

 (from The Planet D)

Located in Jordan, it is not only a archaeological marvel, but also one of the Seven Wonders of the World!  Also if you're a movie buff, then you might also recognize it from Indiana Jones.  I am also looking forward to floating in the dead sea ALIVE and staying at a Bedouin Camp in Wadi Rum.

4.  Go on a Hot Air Balloon ride over the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia

The minute I first saw a photo of Cappadocia I immediately placed it onto my life list.  While planning my trip to Turkey I begged my friends that Cappadocia had to be one of our stops, and I must be very convincing because I am going!  As an added bonus, our lodging will be inside a cave that Cappadocia is also popular for!  I hope to see Fred, Wilma and Pebbles while in the caves too.

5.  Go Sky Diving

I am conquering great heights this year!  This is something I should have done two years ago.  I have seen several sky diving deals in San Diego, but I really wanted to do it somewhere extra beautiful.  My best friend is getting married in Maui, and what better way to make the trip extra memorable but jumping out of a plane in Hawaii! 

6.  Hike to Neuschwanstein Castle

I have no idea why it has taken my THIRD visit to Germany to finally make it to this castle.  This castle was the inspiration to Sleeping Beauty's castle.  I found a day trip from Munich that takes you on a hike to the castle while hiking through waterfalls, and picturesque landscapes.  I'm seriously contemplating listening to every Disney Princess song on the way up. 

7.  Relax in Santorini

When my friend and I visited Greece in 2007, Santorini was one of those places that we shook our heads and put on our "What we didn't do but should have done list."  So for 2013 we are putting it on our WE EFFING DID IT(!!) list.  

8.  Visit where the hills are alive with the Sound of Music in Salzburg, Austria

(from Isabelle's Travel Guide)

Similar to Neuschwanstein Castle, it has taken my THIRD visit to Austria to finally make it to Salzburg.  I absolutely adore the Sound of Music, so I can't wait to visit this little piece of movie history.  I am already planning on singing, dancing and skipping around the grounds.  I have no shame, remember?

9.  Visit Istanbul

Istanbul is filled with list items, like shopping at the Grand Bazaar, visiting the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque, and enjoying Turkish Delights.  I am pretty stoked that this is not my last stop, otherwise I would be taking a huge Turkish rug home with me!

10.  Drive the Road to Hana

Near the end of 2013 I will be enjoying two weeks in Hawaii.  One of things I am most excited to do is renting a car and taking the Road to Hana drive.  It is 60 miles of highway in Maui that is literally carved into the cliff.  During the drive it is highly recommended to make frequent stops to enjoy waterfalls, beaches, and lush forests. 

Honorable Mentions:  Visit Luxembourg (my 49th country!), revisit the beer halls of Munich, travel to North Carolina for a friends backyard wedding,  revisit the Acropolis in Greece, visit a friend in Cologne, Germany, and Visit Ephesus in Turkey.

Wowweee.  I'm exhausted just looking at it all!  

So Cheers....here's to a fabulous 2013!!

Also...like me on my new facebook page...pretty please?

(shameless plug over!)