Egypt

In Egypt, we visited the Roman Catacombs, Pompey’s Pillar, the Museum of Alexandria, The Pyramids at Giza, and even took a cruise on the Nile. All I can say it that it was an eye-opening experience from the very beginning to the end.

On day one, we started off with a bang (almost literally). No cameras were allowed at the Roman catacombs, which seemed unusual since there weren’t any paintings in which camera flashes could be destructive. Therefore, I decided to break the rules….a decision I greatly regretted as we were forced to pass through a metal detector with two armed guards, each carrying an Uzi. Luckily we were with a group of old people and almost everyone set off the alarm with their stints, metal hips, pacemakers and what-have-you’s. I simply kept walking as I too set it off, acting just like my elderly brethren. At the next stop, Pompey’s Pillar (where the ashes of the Roman General, Pompey, were placed upon), I was fortunate that camera’s were allowed…..but the guards still carried Uzi’s! They even checked under our buses for bombs with the special mirrors before we departed. Security was definitely tight. It was a bit unnerving, yet oddly reassuring at the same time.

As interesting as this all was, it was the poverty level that was the true surprise to us. We have never witnessed such unhygienic living conditions and extreme poverty before. The buildings appear as if they could collapse at any minute; as if the weight of just one more feeble shirt hung from the window to dry could be the proverbial straw that breaks the camel’s back. Yet, as difficult as their living conditions must be, they all waived cheerfully at us as we passed by. The 17 million inhabitants of Cairo, from what we could gather, seemed forlorn and despondent. They seemed oddly content with their discontentment, preferring to smoke cigarettes and sip coffee amid the filthy streets that they call home. Maybe there aren’t any jobs available, but you still have to take pride in yourself and your surroundings. The act that really brought it all home for us was watching a young man dump an entire can full of trash directly into the canal that ran along a main street just in front of the Pyramids.

The only people that seemed eager to work were the ones at the tourist sites; probably eager to prey on us fat cat Americans. I had always dreamed of gazing at the last remaining original member of the 7 Wonders of the World. I had dreamed of standing before the incalculable structure, soaking in all its wonder and vastness, trying to imagine the blood and sweat that went into its creation. However, I couldn’t even get in 5 seconds alone without a street vendor (and possible pickpocket) trying to hustle a camel ride or get me to purchase one of their cheesy trinkets, as if that’s the sole reason for my voyage. Yes, I traveled eight thousand miles to buy a stuffed camel, head wrap or plastic replica…..all of which were no doubt made in China. It unquestionably detracted from the experience that I had so longed for and dreamed of.

Yet, as startling and somewhat deplorable, as we found Egypt to be, it was one specific event that was truly intimidating and frightening. Evidentially, Egypt (especially Cairo) has it’s own version of the famed “Running of the Bulls,” that occurs every July in Spain, but only without the animals. In Egypt, they simply call it driving. That is honestly the best analogy I could come up with. They have no lanes, lights, or signs telling you when to stop, go, yield or just pray! Our bus got separated from the convoy as we headed to Giza amid the chaos on the roads. We had to navigate a large bus down a street that appeared to be a one way, until cars started coming in our direction anyway, weaving off to the side and barely avoiding a head on collision. This went on for the entire ride. Our whole bus was fairly certain that we were going to meet our maker each time we stepped onto that metal deathtrap. Fortunately, everyone drives with this same disorganized bedlam, so they are well equipped to handle pandemonium.

Egypt has now been checked off our life list and we don’t have any plans, or desire to ever return.

Our next stop was Israel……we can’t wait to tell you all about it.