Egypt and Beyond

"We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open."

Jawaharal Nehru

This past week I’ve spent traveling Egypt. Spending 3 days in Cairo and 4 on the beaches of Dahab culminated in sunburn, a PADI open water diving certification, and the privilege of seeing the last standing wonder of the ancient world. As most travelers often discover there is much more to a country than usually what is expected.

Seeing the Pyramids of Giza was truly awe inspiring. As we rode across a small valley of sand (just as one would imagione in a desert being) it was difficult to keep your jaw from hanging in wonder. Dan, Carla, Steve and I rode camels to and around the pyramids stopping only to get hustled by some locals and take a few pictures. Additionally, we bore witness to an Egyptian force feeding his donkey Pepsi!

*one of the hustlers around the Pyramids. He rides up on his donkey grabs some soft drinks, pops the tops and hands them to you. You are left wondering and then forced to pay...

*Our Crew

The following day after recovering from a rugged camel ride w/ sore backs, hair missing from our legs due to the rubbing and jostling of our saddles and Dan bum crack being rubbed raw to the extent of bleeding we hobbled over to the Egyptian Museum. Marveling at King Tut’s golden caskets (3 in total) and head piece, along with some other mummies, ruins, and artifacts.

The following morning we decided to bag our plans to travel to Luxor and opted to spend some time one the beaches of the Red Sea. We traveled over with some Ausies (Steve and Carla) from “Brisie.” Dahab, our destination, is a very small resort town with its beach front board walk, hippie feel, and eager restaurant works shouting, stopping, and trying to course you into their restaurant.

*This pictures a bit blow out but on the horizon is Saudi Arabia

*The view from the other side, it was seriously what I inagine Mars like.

Dan, Carla, and I took an open water diving course while Steve, the expert of our crew, did some more advanced dives. Scuba diving is a dream come true for anyone who loves the water. The world that it opens up is full of the most magnificent colors and creatures. Although I had a little trouble equalizing my ears at our dive depth (19 meters/62 feet) once I got comfortable I was in an underwater paradise. It’s what I imagine zero gravity feels like. Simply floating…….. it was so disorienting on my first I actually didn’t really like it, but by the end found my self wishing I could stay all day. Now that I am certified, I can do open water dives at my hearts desire, and I plan to. Just another expensive hobby I’ve picked up!

In response to my first idea about there being more to a country than expected I’d never dreamed of the people, places and opportunities I would have offered to me while in my 8 days of travel. On our final day Dan and I (leaving Steve and Carla in Dahab), back in Cairo, went to Coptic Cairo and around. Here we found an open air market in session. We had such a great time taking pictures of the kids there and experiencing the culture. The poverty there was so real, the people genuine, and experience priceless. We’re so blessed in the U.S. but I think it’s important to put yourself in those circumstances and places where you can have this epiphany.