Where's my luggage?

I arrived in Cairo around 12:30 this afternoon (6:30 am Philadelphia time). My bags didn't.

Knowing my history of the inevitable ultimately happening to me, when it might be least convenient, I did pack my running shoes, gators and running outfit in my carry on. So in essence, I am ready to run -- I just won't have any food! I suspect that I will make a most interesting subject for the John Hopkins researchers. Apparently, the one hour layover in Frankfurt was not enough time to get my wee little bag on the plane to Cairo.

Well the world of ultra-marathoners is a very gracious and charitable one. People I've never met have offered to share their food with me! I suspect they will welcome their lighter loads but truly, I am overwhelmed by this outpouring of help.

In about 15 minutes the rest of the group will be getting themselves and their equipment checked and I will win the prize for the lightest pack!

I am confident everything will work out as another flight is due to arrive shortly from Frankfurt and will -- I hope -- have my bag. What will be interesting is to see if it makes it through customs without me there to explain why the bag is filled with zip lock bags of salt tablets, freeze dried foods and powdered eletrolyte mixes, all of which I pray will not be confused with being a drug shipment!

I have a fabulous roommate, Sandy McCallum, a Canadian who is doing her seventh ultra and had a blog during last March's Gobi Desert race. She also has an amazing website at http://www.saharaodyssey.com

My grandmother used to say, that when something starts out with lots of hurdles and obstacles, it will most certainly end well. Having said that, I am feeling really good about this race now! Remember, we will be five hours ahead on Sunday, so when you wake up, I will have already left several thousand footprints on this most beautiful land.

Here's to seeing my bag real soon!

Cheers,
Jacqueline