SOSMagOctoberDecember2021

Sandusky residents, Don and Jeanne Sharrah have been married for 41 years and they have lived a life of adventure. Before retiring, Don was an engineer for the Air Force and oversaw the construction of air bases. Jeanne is a Registered Nurse and still works part-time. Their adventures began in 1996 when they moved to Cairo Egypt with their two sons, Rob and Mike. Living there for two years, the boys attended an international school, Cairo American College, and met people from all over the world. Don said as he laughed, “I had the best job. I had a great office in Cairo and my boss was 6,000 miles away.” Jeanne worked as a nurse for the Embassy and the State Department. Working in an Egyptian hospital as she cared for an American who fell off of a camel, was a very different experience than working in an American hospital. Egyptian fashion, Don and Jeanne explained, is Couple Learns People Are People Where Ever You May Go pretty westernized. Traditional garb is not worn by everyone, like it is in Saudi Arabia. Additional job opportunities allowed them to live in Germany on three different occasions and England. The first time living in Germany, both boys attended American schools on the military base. Their favorite area in Europe was going to the Alps. Every season has amazing views and different activities. “There are streams coming down from the mountains. People would pull off the side of the road and go swimming. One day we did that. The kids had a ball.” They have hiked, skied and rode luges in the Alps, which took them to Italy, Austria, Switzerland and France. “It’s just beautiful,” they said. “It’s something everyone should have on their bucket list.” What Don has taken from his international experience is simple, “People are people – no matter where you go. Egyptians, Saudis, the Brits, Italians or Germans… They all want the same thing. Nothing opulent. Just a better life for their kids.” Don and Jeanne in Sandusky Don and Jeanne with Rob and Mike Our Village Stienwenden Germany Don and Jeanne Giza Egypt Don & Jeanne Eagles Nest Berchtesgaden Germany 7