Egypt is Calling

So today was a very exciting day. Dane and I finalized our decision (that we've been tossing around since Nov 19th) to go to Egypt. That's right - for as long as I can remember I've wanted to go to Egypt and really spend some time there soaking in the culture and walking in the same sand the Pharohs did. And to go with a group of folks that I'm familiar with and have gone before is definitely a plus. And we'll be going to a lot of places that aren't normally tourist stops because of the connections this group will have. We're even going to the Temple of Isis. Amazing. It hasn't hit me yet. Probably wont till I have to start paying the bills to go on the trip, which isn't cheap but it is definitely within reach. In fact, school timing lined up nicely for me to go and it's the slowest time of year at work. I even have enough vacation time saved up to take two solid weeks off. Can you believe that! Of course Dane is coming and it will be the experience of a life time. Check it out:

http://www.delilahs-belly-dance-retreat.com/EgyptTour_packet.pdf

If that doesn't work, go to http://www.delilahs-belly-dance-retreat.com/ then click on Egypt Tour.

Now here's the deal. There have been some people (and it is not anyone who reads this blog so don't think for a second this is aimed at anyone close to me - besides, my friends don't judge me anyway and if they do they are kind enough to keep to themselves) who get this look or tone, almost a mockery. Let me explain. Anyone that I'm excited enough to share my travels with is at least some how affiliated to me. And as anyone who knows me knows, I travel. A lot. For instance, if we were to take a 12 month period, May 2007 - May 2008, I will have traveled to Amsterdam, Cabo San Lucas, Denver, Tampa, and now Egypt. That's a lot of personal travel for one little year. However, that's what I love to do. Dane and I made a choice not to have children. We decided that we'd rather travel the world and allocate our money and resources in other ways. But I've noticed that when we actually do travel, we get almost a stink eye from some people or at the very least a friendly but sarcastic "gee, wish *I* could go on vacation...." And I have to look at them and say "you made a choice to have children and that's where all your time and money goes." Why is it that people look at you like you have money growing out of your ears or you sell drugs on the street because you have money to travel? Now let me be the first to tell you that Dane and I do NOT have the cash for this, everything we do is financed through revolving credit. But we pay shit off and work hard therefore we play hard. I just don't get it. How much money do you think the average person or family spends on one child a month, any age? I guarantee you it's more than we shell out for traveling (assuming the traveling costs are expensed over time, not all at once). Yet that's okay. I don't look at Jill and say "Gee, you sure are spending a lot on Billy" So why is it okay to make a comment like that about travel. Or anything that people who choose not to have kids spend their money on. I know I'm not articulating this well and this is certainly not knocking those who have kids but rather those who have kids but feel like they are priviledged because of it or oppressed. You have access to the same credit cards I do (unless you have really bad credit), so if *YOU* want to go to Egypt, by all means. Till then, don't poo poo me and play the woe-to-me-I'm-a-parent card. Whatever.

I'm probably just biased because everytime I hear a parent piss and moan about parenting, no matter how tough it is, I want to look at them and say "At least you're still in the game."