hear we go again

The cruise did not treat this Kroeze very well again. Maybe that's too harsh, but i got sick. In fact, i don't recall being sick since the last time i was on this cruise two years ago. The first two days went very well - i saw some of the temples again but enjoyed the company of my fellow cruisers more. However, when the third day rolled around, my stomach was telling me that i had eaten something it didn't like...and it didn't whisper. I wasn't the only one either; there were about 10 students who also felt ill that morning. Nevertheless, i went out to see the valley of the kings. It was just as cool as it was the first time except this time i hiked over a small, rocky mountain to Hatchepsuit's temple. The hike was the best part of the cruise apart from feeling ill while i walked. The mountaintop view was spectacular. The mountain's cliffed face dropped down to a sandy hill which rolled right onto the lucious green fields that gobble up the Nile river valley. It was worth my stomach's complaining. Spending the afternoon in bed soothed my illness and the next day i was almost back to normal. I am now back in my apartment getting ready to leave - and this brings me to a few more thoughts:
before coming here, i knew i would not want to leave very quickly. with the departure date looming every so closely, i need to decide whether or not i should spend less time in europe and a few extra weeks here (which means i can go to lebanon, palestine, or wherever) or go with the original plan and see more of europe (or spend more time there at least). the clincher is that i'd really like to see more of eastern europe. i can fly from here to istanbul for about $225 which is not bad at all. From istanbul i would make my way back to amsterdam by way of used motorcycle, thumb, bus, train, or all of the above. it's kind of fun not having concrete plans, but the time has come for me to make a decision. by tomorrow night i will have to decide whether or not i will stay a few more weeks or spend those weeks in europe...so there you have it, my recent itinerary thoughts.
finally, i enjoy getting emails and i love hearing about what's happening elsewhere in the world; wherever you are, feel free to shoot me a line (as they say)