Egypt - 3. Chapter 3

Over the next week, the Team actively prepared for their trip to Egypt. Equipment was reviewed and if the equipment we used in South America needed to be repaired or replaced, they were given one week to have that done. Arrangements were made for the equipment to be shipped to Egypt.

David called the Department of Antiquities in Egypt. He will need permits and additional help. Wondering who from that Department will accompany him, he made the call. After explaining to the person answering why he called, they switched him to another department.

“Hello Dr. McLavic, this is Dr. Al Khatib, Chief Archaeologist. How may I help you?”

“I am planning on an archeology trip to Egypt with several of my students. I’ll need permits and some assistance on site. I was there over 30 years ago and now I would like to return.”

Something David said triggered a memory in Dr. Al Khatib.

“My first time as an archeology student was 29 years ago. You said you were in Egypt about then. Do you have the specifics of that visit?”

“I was with a group of students from the University of Pennsylvania. I had to return for a family death and never made it back. I’ll be retiring soon and I would like to finish that first trip.”

Something David said must have clicked. All of a sudden there was loud laughter on the phone. David was completely puzzled by Dr. Al Khatib’s reaction.

“I am sorry Dr. McLavic, I faintly remember an expedition about that time when it was called short for lack of workers. I was one of the local workers on that dig and they told us they will be reducing the project and are expected to leave in a few weeks. I remember they had to negotiate with us because we wouldn’t be paid what was agreed upon.”

“I’m sorry but I don’t remember every one of the Egyptian workers. I do remember one boy who was afraid to enter a tomb we found. If my memory is correct, one of the team had to lead the worker inside. When he came out, the other team members welcomed him and announced he was now one of our team.”

There was that laughter again.

“I was that boy. I was afraid because the other men said that the tomb contained the essence of the pharaoh who built it. I was afraid the Pharaoh would be angry with me.”

I remember one of the other boys telling me that.

“Dr. Al Khatib, I believe I was on that expedition and I remember that young man. He asked a thousand questions whenever we found something.”

Now that connections have been made and old acquaintances renewed, the rest of the telephone meeting was quickly done. I needed to forward to him the names of the team, arrival dates of equipment and personnel. He will also provide workers, transportation to site, and logistics as needed. All of this if I let him join us. How could I refuse?

Over the next few days, the information Dr. Al Khatib requested was sent and the licenses to proceed were received. Now I needed to push the ‘go' button.

Two days after receipt of permits, our equipment was flown to Egypt. I sent the flight information to Dr. Al Khatib. Thirty-six hours later, I received notice that the equipment had arrived and was in quarantine.

“Sir, we received information from Richard’s Dad’s company. There is one glitch, the engineer that is coming is a woman.”