May 29, 2003
Sharm el-Sheikh

This morning we took an hour plane flight from Luxor to Sharm el-Sheikh which is on the Sinai peninsula. Sinai is actually on the continent of Asia. Other countries which span two continents are Russia and Georgia. Continents I have been on: North America, Europe, Asia, Africa. Still need to go to South America, Australia and Antarctica.

I can't believe I'm going scuba diving in the Red Sea ! We're on the boat right now and I can't believe how amazingly, mouth-wateringly, blue the water is. It almost makes you want to take a sip, but actually you really wouldn't.

Just got back from snorkling for two hours. The water is so salty that swimming is of little effort. I am not physically tired at all. At first I was anxious about something underwater biting, stinging, or otherwise hurting me, but after a few minutes I realized that I am the one who could most easily cause harm to the inhabitants of this sea. They are so delicate and I am so huge in comparison. There were a million different kinds of the most beautiful fish I have ever seen. Some were not shy at all, they must be used to divers. They would swim all around me, getting close enough to touch but darting quickly away from my fingers. This trip has been so amazing so far and the thoughts that troubled me in the past and caused me to question my reasons for existance seem so alien and far away from this reality. I only wish that everyone on the planet could feel as happy and fortunate as I do right now.

I'm inspired to do an underwater painting after seeing Liz and Anjie swimming underwater. Humans become extra graceful ! I'm thinking of coming back with Eric sometime with a camera.

Liz just came back from scuba diving and her verdict is that it's better than any drug or sex.

I just got back from diving. It was so great ! My ears hurt a bit and I was a little scared but I can't wait to go again. It's just like those National Geographic specials on coral reefs but it's in 3-d and it's kind of sensory overload !!!

Lameness: someone put their cigarette butts in the water. The water is so beautiful, unpoluted and crystal clear and someone has to go put their toxic crap in it. People forget that this is the home of the fish and we are only guests here.

You can see Saudi Arabia from where we are. Eric told us that umarried foreign women under 35 (excluding military personel) are not allowed to enter Saudi Arabia because they would be a temptation. I guess that means after a women turns 35 she is no longer attractive and no one ever looks at married women ? And I wonder if "women under 35" includes kids too..? I'll have to find out.