Grave Issues

YOU SHOULDN’T SMILE. THESE ARE GRAVE ISSUES!

This was the conversation. :::

Me ~ Now I need to get into the Christian Cemetery.’

Host ~ No way my friend. It is too difficult with the police.

They are afraid.

Me ~ Huh they fear proportional to the money they get in their hand

Host ~ Laugh hehe… true, but it will cost you too much.

Me ~ You have to tell me a way or I will go over the wall again.

Host ~ It is too dangerous Richard. Why you need so much to go there.

Mr ~ I have to confirm the location of a tomb that has a shaft going down to the underground tunnels.

Host ~ Ah ok, I have also heard of this. Ok Richard we will talk later.

I will think about this.

PM …. Richard we can talk. Tomorrow there is a funeral for the Muslim cemetery. It will cost a little, but you will be one of the family with someone else.

Next day I was trussed head to foot in full decrepit aged Egyptian garb limping with a stick to play the part, nearly peeing my pants and moving along with the funeral party in the nearby mosque for prayers before burial.

I was steered to be first after the bearers shuffling along the funnel path with the body aloft in front of me…., and then I was jerked to one side as my partner faked a pause for prayer before the Muslim cemetery. The procession filtered into the cemetery and I was jerked to one side again as the big iron gate was opened a few inches for us to slip through and head the few yards to the Wall of the Crow opening. It took just minutes but then we were inside the Christian Cemetery. The hospitality there had been prearranged.

I had a full 20 minutes to explore and photograph. I confirmed my task there and relaxed awhile. There was another legitimacy for the visit as I wanted to search the lasting place for Emir ##### another absolute Christian Egyptian gentleman, a former political attaché, who had helped us so much a couple of decades ago.

We met another dear lady there. She visited daily and very sadly to mourn her child who had died by accident a few weeks previously. We offered her such comfort as we could and swam in the unbelievable serenity and tranquillity of the place, begging in prayer for her comfort too….

Soon however it was perfect time, and with a skip and hop we were back in position outside the iron gate, I was nudged immediately behind the bearers of the now empty coffin because as anticipated we were flanked by other family members who looked our way as if we were invisible.

We were shielded from the additional guard detail at the entrance, who would not have dared to challenge any assumed funeral family members. I said my own final prayer of thanks and blessing for the privilege we had both experienced. My walking partner shook my hand and reminded me of the rarity for what we had just done – but he was otherwise well rewarded so also departed a happy man. The day had definitely matched up to the buzz that was becoming the daily normal there again ….so Lord forgive us!