She argued that the spirit of a place should be captured through its people not through monuments. Instead of showing Egypt as a land of pharaohs and giant pyramids, she wanted to show Americans what Egypt is really like and how they deal with their historical surroundings. She wanted to bring Middle Eastern culture closer to home for Americans, which is something she tried to do after living in Iraq for two years.
She contended that the essence of a location should be conveyed through its inhabitants rather than through memorials. Instead of portraying Egypt as a land of pharaohs and colossal pyramids, she sought to reveal Americans what genuine Egypt is like and how they cope with their historical environment. She aimed to bridge Middle Eastern culture closer to home for Americans, which she attempted to do after residing in Iraq for two years.