Usually my travel plans revolve around me throwing my camera and my backpack in my car, turning on some music, rolling down the windows, and hitting the road. However, in February, I joined a small group participating in an Egyptian experience. It was an intense week, crammed with as much as we could fit in while we were there. Within the group, we each had our own unique experience, and, of course, mine was through my camera.
Egypt is a fascinating place. A blend, as well as a clash, of old and new, luxurious and stark, rich and poor, chaos and quiet. There is an air of constant activity. All of it beautiful in its own way.
You've seen the traditional photos of Egypt, so I'm not including those here... following are photographs that reflect my experience.
The Nile
When thinking of Egypt, you first think of pyramids, temples, camels and desert. The Nile is the lifeline, and sailing on it is a beautiful experience. Life is lived on the strips of land along the banks, surrounded by desert. The river has a life of its own.
The Places
The temples and tombs are each a different experience and are fascinating in their own unique way. The stories of the past are right in front of you.
The People
We go for the history and historic places, but for me, the people told the story. Every walk of life, a variety of living styles.
The Marketplaces
Marketplaces are everywhere you go, and it's a fun challenge to navigate your way through. You learn to either very quickly say "No," or to firmly negotiate if there is a souvenir you really want to bring home with you.
Scenes Along the Way
During a tour, you are busy getting from place to place, however in between destinations, there are glimpses of various Egyptian lifestyles.... photos taken along the way...
My Egyptian Experience
This trip had so many facets. I faced more than a few fears. The first was just getting to the place where I was comfortable making the commitment to go.
We were in Cairo, Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu, and Luxor. All modes of transportation were used, shuttle vans, airplanes, river cruise boat, sail boats, horse drawn carriages, camels, and walking... lots of walking. The food was fantastic, with flavors that were delightful. The cities were crowded and chaotic, the tourist attractions were crowded, and it is all part of the complete experience.
It was a fascinating journey. We laughed, we sang, we ate, we saw incredible things, we enjoyed. I learned a lot about Egypt, and I learned a lot about myself, what I am capable of, and gained an increased awareness of possibilities. Travel expands you in ways you would never imagine, whether it's halfway across the world or somewhere close to home.
To see more of the experience, please go to the albums page.
And, yes, there were camels....
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