The Valley of Kings and a Queen

Chapter 18

"Morning mate," Finley coos pushing my head off of him with his shoulder, "we are about to land." We tummy rumbles longing for breakfast despite it only being about five in the morning.

Grey yawns and begins stretching in his seat hitting Finley straight in the chest with one of his flailing arms.

"Are you ever not annoying," Finley asks, scowling at Grey.

"I think you mean are you ever not awesome," Grey counters.

"No, I definitely meant what I said."

"You know you still love me though," Grey teases. Finley just rolls his eyes.

"How's Cali doing over there, and Grey leans over Finley to hit me in the arm.

"Tired and hungry." I also really wanted a nice long shower for airplanes always made me feel so filthy. Who knows who was sitting in the seat before you and where they all had been. I try not to heave at the thought.

The pilot makes an announcement over the intercom informing us that we were approximately twenty minutes from our final destination: Cairo, Egypt. Dreams of the Pyramids, the Sphinx, and the endless desert filled my mind. Though, I'm not sure how accurate my imagination would be compared to reality. London wasn't what I expected. Yes, I was right about the history and famous landmarks there. But one's picture that they made up in their mind is never perfectly true. For instance, the beauty and essence that made London so wondrous to me couldn't be fitted into a picture. It could only be understood through visiting and true experience.

The plane begins landing and the touchdown is awfully bumpy. If my seat belt didn't hold me back, I probably would have had a bruise from another collision with the seat in front of me. We sit and wait until most everyone gets their belongings and gets off before us. I glance at my watch groaning quietly to myself. It's barely six in the morning, and I need more sleep. A warm bed to curl up in would be really nice right now. The flight attendants somehow manage to be cheery at this early hour bidding us a gracious adieu before we head down the gangway.

The Cairo International Airport is one of the busiest airports in Egypt so of course it's crowded even at the crack of dawn. Customs is a drag filled with endless waiting. When the security officer asks me why I'm visiting Egypt, and I respond for holiday – I know so British of me – the officer happens to look doubtful. I just flash the gentleman a convincing smile as though to say, of course my friends and I are not here to get into any mischief. It's not as though we are attempting to raid the graves of the old Pharaoh's or steal any priceless treasures from your people. Who would be so stupid to ever think to do that.

We then proceed to the baggage claim to grab our luggage off the carousel.

"Egypt baby, I'm here," Grey announces loudly making a spectacle out of it. Locals and tourists just stare at him, well at all of us. We stick out like sore thumbs – seven teenagers traveling without a chaperon in sight. I can just see the older couples quietly whispering to themselves as though to ask where our parents were, grunting in disapproval.

We then make our way to the airport exit. I walk out through the automatic door and take a big breath as I step out into the beautiful city of Cairo. Except there is not much to it as of right now. Though the sun is slowly breaking through the sky off in the distance, and I can't help but think of Ra the sun god. Egypt where the myths come to life.

Finley calls us two cabs. I get in one with Grey, Olivier, and Annie. Well, Henri, Aiden, and Finley take the next one. The city is quite dead at this hour with a few cars on the road. The ride to our hotel is about thirty minutes. Olivier and Annie both fall asleep in the back of the taxi car. Well, Grey sits up-front talking quietly to our driver about who knows what. Despite my tiredness earlier, I feel fully awake and alert now that the city is laid out before my eyes. I just stare in awe of the city as we drive through. The city is a melting pot of ancient and modern influence alike. We pass modern business and hotels situated near historical mosques and other cultural institutions.

The cab stops in front of a grand hotel – the Ramses Hilton Hotel of Cairo Egypt. The hotel standing in front of us rising high into the sky, lights shimmering and reflecting out onto the Nile.

"How can we afford to stay here?" I lean forward to ask Grey.

"My parents know people," he laughs to himself.

"What kind of people?"

"Let's just say they have a lot of helpful connections."

"Is this how you are used to traveling?" He just chuckles to himself unable to hide the gleam in his eyes. I take that as a yes and can't help but be jealous.

We grab our luggage from the cabs and head inside. The interior is as luxurious as the exterior with its neoclassical architecture. The polished marble floors were designed with intricate detail. Ivory and cream lounge chaises and ottomans were splayed throughout the lobby. An old ornamental staircase leads up to the second floor where there are more luxurious seating areas.

Grey goes up to the consigner to grab our room keys. I grab a hotel brochure off a table to browse through. Apparently, there is a casino and bar as well as a rooftop pool and spa. Too bad we weren't here for an actual vacation.

"Here's your room card," Grey says as he hands me a card scanner, "it's legit right across the hall from ours."

"And yours," Grey hands Olivier one for him, Aiden, and Henri. Finley and Grey apparently are staying in the adjoining suite.

Our rooms are on the ninth floor, so we all cram into the elevator.

"I dare you to hit all the elevator buttons," Henri goads Aiden who contemplates the idea.

"Please don't," Olivier pleads, trying to not sound irritated.

The elevator drops us off our floor, and we head down the left hall room 909 adjacent from their rooms 908 and 910 across the hall.

"What time are we meeting your parents again?" I ask Grey.

"Noon, so let's sleep for now. Maybe plan to meet in the hall at let's say eleven thirty.

We all mumble our goodnights despite it being the early morning, and head into our rooms. I push open the door to our room to reveal a queen-sized bed, a flat screen tv, and an office chair and desk near the window. I throw my luggage onto the ground and dig to grab my bag of toiletries and pajamas.

"This is really nice," Annie says flopping onto the bed. Before I have the chance to respond, she is fast asleep. I decide to quickly shower first then curl up into the bed next to her letting my sleepiness take me under.