Treasures of the Nile

Speechless. That's the sensation that overcame me upon my first sight of the Great Pyramids of Giza. Ever since learning about ancient Egyptian civilization in elementary school, some small part of me had skeptically regarded it all as fanciful myth. Perhaps because the grand works of the Pharaohs stirred a part of my imagination normally reserved for interplanetary spaceships, eye-patched pirates on the high seas, and other things I'd read about in books but would never likely experience in real life. But here I was, staring at the last remnant of the world's seven wonders. And the indisputable reality of what I saw left me at a loss for words.

Finding the Way East (Part Three)

The hulking ferry lurched forward into the Red Sea. We left behind the historic port city of Aqaba, made famous to Westerners by Lawrence of Arabia (picture a heavily made-up Peter O'Toole dramatically exclaim, "AK–AH–BAH! ") Pious Arabs wearing robes and skullcaps sauntered into the aisles of the ship, dropped to the floor and prostrated themselves in the direction of Mecca, which I suddenly realized was right on the other side of this body of water, so close you could almost touch it. After a short journey our vessel docked. We had reached the Sinai Peninsula. I stepped onto Egyptian soil and braced myself for the ensuing chaos of landing transport to my destination. Aggressive Bedouins spotted myself with another Westerner who I had befriended on the ship, and rushed forward with their sales pitch. Soon, we were surrounded. It seemed a fight would break out amongst them as they quarreled with one another as to whom would have the honor of transporting us for heavily inflated prices. We finally ended up in a minibus, but my new friend discovered that she was missing her bag. I wouldn't be surprised if some unsavory character snuck away with it in the commotion of moments earlier. I felt sorry for her but also grateful that I still had all my possessions. The bus pulled away and I stared out the window as jagged mountains ebbed in the fading evening light. As dusk turned to dark, I finally arrived in a place where the air is freshened by the sea, time seems to slow, and many a backpacker find themselves happily stranded.

Christmas Breakfast in Egypt

Falafel, Green Pepper, Sliced Tomato, Baked Beans, French Fries, Feta Cheese, Tahini, Fried Egg, Cucumber, Pita Bread, Fresh Strawberry Juice.