there was only one live bug and the electricity and water worked most of the time. I think I had the honor of using the same blankets that Alexander used when he visited Siwa to consult the oracle.

The highlight was the day spent jeeping back into the dunes, racing across the sand, exploring fossil sites, and watching the sun set from the top of an 80 metre high dune. We were accompanied in the back of the jeep by two live chickens that later reappeared at lunch as steaming drumsticks and breasts atop a bed of rice.

There was one major negative note in the four days. After a hard day exploring the desert, sitting in an outdoor cafe, hot and tired, smoking a Shisha pipe, we could not have a cold beer. There is no alcohol allowed in the whole Oasis! I know this will surprise ya’ll, but we knew this in advance and went anyway.

Right now we are in Istanbul. We will explore Turkey until December 1, then head to Thailand. Will write more soon. Oh, by the way, we thank those of you who have expressed some concerns about our health, but no, Mike, you don’t need to send us new livers.

P.S. We have found that some American Express offices that we have been using as mail drops WILL NOT hold packages for us. There doesn’t seem to be any consistent policy from office to office. So, although we would love to receive packages, we would hate for anyone to go to the trouble only to have the parcel bounced back to the States. If you send us mail, please keep it to cards and letters. Thanks. (here is the address of our next mail drop: Sea Tours Co. Ltd.

 Suite 8892, 8th Floor, Payatai Plaza, 128 Phyathai Road, Rajthavee, 10400, THAILAND.   Address to either Victor Judd or Mary Lynn Maloney, and underline the last name.