Predictable morning came way to early. Caught a taxi with Dawn to the airport said goodbye to Dawn (she was on her way to work). It was sad to say goodbye after hanging out with friends. The airport was horrible. The plane was two and a half hours late. Even after x-raying the carry ons and walking through metal detectors - twice - the searched each bag and frisked everyone at the bottom of the jet way.
At least the flight was not very full so there was plenty of room. Once we got beyond the clouds over Ethiopia the views of the Sahara were stunning. The shades of red were incredible in some places. The desert is so big and featureless that it's very difficult to conceive of it as anything but an ocean.
It was so hot. Stepping out of the airplane was like getting physically hit - it was 104°F (40°C). Coming through immigration they inspected everyone's yellow cards (immunization records) and then gave every passenger a blister pack of eight green capsules - with no explanation of what it is or what it does! Tried to get money at the airport, but both ATMs were out of service so I ended up changing some of my last US currency. Re-confirmed tomorrows flight and found out that the flight has been moved back an hour - looks like I'm going to have to spend the night in Casablanca instead of taking the train up to Rabat. Negotiated a taxi to the Sun Hotel (where I stayed last year when I was here) - but the Sun was full. The driver took me to a nearby hotel that's nicer, and - after a bit of bargaining - the same price as the Sun.
Went to the nearby Hilton to get some cash - the ATM there dispenses both Pounds Egyptian and US Dollars - so I got both. It was to late to go to the Egyptian Museum - maybe tomorrow. Went to Mc Donald's (of course - and it was as good as expected). Used a computer at the InterContinental's business center, then waited for hours for the use of an internet terminal at the Hilton Mall. In bed shortly after midnight.
