I have just returned from a wonderful visit to the United States. Mrs. Laura Bush introduced my lecture in Dallas, and about 4,500 people came Atlanta’s Fox Theater to hear me speak. It was amazing to see how much the land of the pharaohs is alive in the hearts of Americans, and how so many people there are passionate about learning and the adventure of archaeology!

I arrived in Dallas on Sunday, March 22nd. The next morning, I went to the Dallas Museum of art to lead Mrs. Laura Bush on a 45-minute tour of the Tutankhamun exhibit. It was not the first time that Mrs. Bush and I had met - she came to Egypt in 1998 with a group of ladies from her husband’s family, including Mrs. Barbara Bush. I took them on a tour of the pyramids, and we had a wonderful time. She returned to Egypt after her husband became president, and during that visit I was able to announce the discovery of a new tomb at Giza in her presence. When I saw her in Dallas, it was like meeting a friend. I presented her with a copy of the souvenir book that I wrote for the exhibition, and I gave her one of the replicas of my hat that I authorized to raise funds for the Suzanne Mubarak Children’s Museum in Cairo. I asked her to give the hat to President Bush as a gift from me. 

The next day, Mrs. Bush introduced my lecture at Southern Methodist University’s McFarlin auditorium. About 20 minutes before the event began, she joined me and my friends Dina Powell and Andy Numhauser in the green room. Mrs. Bush told me that President Bush had been very happy to receive the hat, but that it was too small for his head! Andy said that there was a new batch coming in a larger size, and that he would send one as soon as they arrived. I also gave her a copy of the new edition of my book Silent Images: Women in Pharaonic Egypt, and told her the story of how I wrote it for Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak to take with her to China for the Fourth UNESCO World Conference on Women in 1995.

Bonnie Pitman, the director of Dallas Museum of Art, greeted the audience, and then a short video about my work was shown, after which Mrs. Bush introduced. me. I was honored that she said that she was “introducing a friend.” McFarlin Auditorium seats over 2,300 people, and it was sold out that night. I was so happy when I reached the stage to see so many smiling faces looking back at me! The next day, I went to a delicious luncheon at a restaurant called Perry’s. Before I knew it, it was time for me to leave for Atlanta.

Atlanta was just as amazing as Dallas. I found that the people there are in love with ancient Egypt, and that they are very interested in my work. Everywhere I went, people recognized me, and wanted to shake my hand and talk to me!

I gave my lecture at the beautiful Fox Theater, which is an historic building in midtown Atlanta. It was designed in the 1920’s, not long after the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb. You can see a great deal of Egyptian inspiration in its decor, which I thought made it a very appropriate place for me to speak. I had to reschedule my lecture in Atlanta from the 19th to the 26th of March because I was called on to take part in a very important conference celebrating the 50th anniversary of the UNESCO International Campaign to Save the Monuments of Nubia. In spite of the change in plans, however, thousands of people were able to come to my lecture. The Fox Theater, which seats 4,500 people, was completely sold out! Many famous actors and rock stars have performed there, and I really felt as though I was one of them that night. In fact, the Dallas Morning News did call me a rock star, and at the Fox I really felt the part!
 

My favorite part of my lecture in Atlanta was calling a group of children up on stage to meet me. I could not believe how excited they were to hear my talk and to learn about ancient Egypt! I met many wonderful kids in Atlanta. One young lady told me that her parents had driven her 6 hours to hear me speak on the 19th. After my lecture was rescheduled, she insisted that they make the 6-hour drive again on the 26th! Another girl who came up on stage to meet me asked me to give her a hug. I did, and then she said that she needed an even bigger hug. When I asked her why she needed such a big hug, she said that she wanted to have some of my passion for archaeology to take with her! I was so touched and so happy to meet her, and I will never forget her excitement and joy. One of my favorite things about my job is sharing the wonder of ancient Egypt with children, and I always hope that I can help them learn how to appreciate and protect our precious heritage.

I feel that the lectures I gave in Atlanta and Dallas were two of the best that I have ever given. The experience of being in these two warm and beautiful cities, and meeting many delightful people, is one that I will always treasure. I am looking forward to being back in the United States again soon, and I know that I will have even more adventures to share next time!