Is it safe to visit Egypt?

The most common question that we get regarding our trip to Egypt is about safety.  Some do not consider Egypt a safe travel destination currently.  Although many do.  According to the UK government, "Over 900,000 British nationals visit Egypt every year. Most visits are trouble-free."  

Of course I was concerned when we were planning our trip.  We did hours of the research and I felt confident that we would be safe.  We can't tell you if it is safe to travel to Egypt, but I thought we should address the issue on our blog.  Because Matt is such an experienced traveler, I asked him to help me write this post to get the conversation started. 

Red Sea Fishing in Hurghada, Egypt

We decided to spend our last full day in Hurghada, Egypt out on the water.  We splurged a bit and chartered a fishing boat for the day.  It was just the two of us and a crew of four.  Our plan was to fish, snorkel, lunch and visit a sand bar.  It was the perfect way to spend our final day. 

The Temple of Karnak in Luxor, Egypt

It's been almost three weeks since my surgery.  I'm amazed at how much better I'm feeling.  I'm still easily fatigued.  Any activity results in spending the next day in bed.  But did you notice I managed three blog posts last week?  I'm much more productive if I get out of the apartment and luckily there is a Starbucks just a block away.  At this rate, I'll be caught up in no time.  Today we're going back to Egypt.  I've done multiple posts from that one week, but it was such an incredible experience that I can't help myself.  Today I'll be showing you photos from the Karnak Temple Complex in Luxor.

The Temple of Hatshepsut & Handling Vendors in Egypt

Ancient Egypt is a huge part of the curriculum in American schools.  Or at least it was when I was growing up.  We learned all about the pyramids and hieroglyphics.  My dad's collection of National Geographic was another source of information.  

Ancient Egypt is also very popular in Hollywood.  Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra, Raiders of the Lost Ark and who can forget Steve Martin's ode to King Tut.  You're going to have that little ditty in your head all day now.  You're welcome.  Or how about "Walk like an Egyptian" by the Bangles.  Even better.

It's obvious how Ancient Egypt has captured the imagination of generations of people.  To see it all up close and personal was a dream come true.  It's even more magnificent than you expect.

Luxor, Egypt

I still have several posts about our week in Egypt planned.  When the horrible crash of the Russian passenger plane happened last month, it was devastating.  To think of those hoilday-makers flying home full of memories of Egypt and then to be killed so tragically.  Then there is all of the speculation of it being a terrorist attack and possibly a bomb.

I thought initially there is no way that I can write about Egypt now.  More and more people are questioning whether it is a safe travel destination.  The plane crash in Sinai isn't the first time terrorism has rocked this country, specifically the tourism trade that supports thousands of Egyptians. 

But, then I changed my mind.  Of course I will write about our time in Egypt.  It was one of the most incredible weeks of my life.  I will not let fear keep me from traveling and I will not let terrorists keep me from sharing some photographs and stories of our time there.  The last thing I want to do is offend anyone, but I think writing about Egypt is the right thing to do, especially in this situation.  So, on to our next stop.

The Great Pyramids of Egypt

There's a particular scene at the very end of Titanic that has always stuck with me.  Silver-haired Rose gets in bed and the camera pans across a series of framed photographs on her bedside table.  

We see photos of young Rose in various scenarios, in a cap and gown, climbing aboard a plane, sitting atop an elephant, surrounded by family members, beaming on a horse on the beach.  All photos meant to quickly convey a life well lived, a long and fulfilling life of adventure and happiness.  

I wonder what photos silver haired Selena will keep on her nightstand.  Graduations, weddings, Jessica, grandbabies and great grandbabies. What travel moments will I want to surround myself with?  Me on a camel at the great pyramids of Egypt will definitely be on that nightstand.  

The Egyptian Museum in Cairo, Egypt

When we were planning our trip to Egypt we started off with a week-long resort stay in Hurghada.  During one planning session I looked at Matt and said "But, I can't go to Egypt without seeing the pyramids."  I think it was the tears in my eyes threatening to spill over that convinced him that we needed to explore further than the resort. Of course, he was easily convinced.  So not only did we add on a Private Cairo/Giza Tour but also a Private Luxor Tour which we booked through Egypt Tours Portal. 

Speechless in Morocco

I'm having the hardest time writing about Morocco and I'm not really sure why.

I don't even know where to start other than just admitting that to you.

We took this tour last April. That's nine months ago and 

I still haven't blogged about my week in Morocco.

I gushed about the three days we l spent in Spain.  I absolutely loved it!

And I've shown you some of my favorite photos from Rabat.

Most of my other photos are edited and it's time to start blogging about Morocco.

But.  I don't know where to start.

So.   I'll start at the beginning.

From Ronda, we took a train South along the Andalucia Express Route,
passing storks and the Rock of Gibraltar along the way.
We arrived at the southern Spanish port of Algeciras and boarded a large ferry.
We set out to cross the Strait of Gibraltar.

Once on board, we waited in line to show a stern faced immigration officer our passports.

Dee pointed out the mosque on board the ferry.  Dee was our tour leader.  I'll tell you more about her later.

We were conspicuous among the crowd.

A group of seventeen very white tourists among people from more exotic locales.

We purchased some Pringles and went out on deck to enjoy the sunshine.
We could easily see Morocco in the distance.

We arrived at the new commercial port about an hour from Tangier.
We were quickly shuffled into vans for the ride into the city center.
I buckled up and turned away from the group to gaze out of the window.
My first taste of Morocco and I wanted to savor it in my own little bubble.

I tuned out all of the voices and got out my little notebook.
It was with me throughout our entire journey.  To jot down notes, sights, impressions.
Short, succinct words that I hoped would contain a memory for me.

This is what I wrote during my first hour in Morocco as we drove along the coast.

First word I heard - "Welcome."

Gorgeous Ocean.  Green Hills.  Such different sights.
Pack Mules.  Beach Resorts.  Traditional Islamic dress.
Man praying on a mat off in a field.  Goats.  Children.

Low Stucco Buildings.  More Color.  Turquoise water.  Low Green Shrubs.
Fast, curvy drive.  Up, down and around.  "Beep.Beep."
Berber Market. Families picnic on the side of the road.

Cows.  Small fields and crops.  "Honk!!" Big city on the coast.
Cruiseship in port.  People in gym clothes jogging.  Camel.

For me, Morocco was the definition of juxtaposition.

We soon arrived at the bustling city where we would only be spending one night.

Tangier is a rapidly developing modern city in North Africa.

Located where the Med meets the Atlantic, it's known as the Gateway to Africa.

It's an eclectic mix of North Africa, Spain, Portugal and France.

It was once the preferred destination for poets, artists, writers and spies.

More notes from my feeble attempt to capture it all.

Kids playing basketball.  Kids playing on the beach.

Some people are covered in traditional garb.  Some people in western clothes.

Pizza Hut.  Little Girl staring at me with big dark eyes.  Smiled.

Cats.  Curious glances. 

A group of little boys say "Bonjour" and then run away giggling.

Kids catching a ride on the back bumper of a van.

Loved Spain, but this is a completely new experience.

After dropping our bags at the hotel, it was time for a guided walking tour of the Medina.

Market squares, back streets and an energetic bustling atmosphere that was almost overwhelming.

We're not in Kansas any more.  Here is where I resort to photographs.
Like my notes, they capture memories for me.  I hope they tell you a little bit of what I experienced.

We stopped at a 100 year old Anglican Church and played with the turtles in the graveyard.

The church had a distinctly Moorish style.
Beside the Lord's Prayer in Arabic are carved quotes from the Quran.
Our guide told us that Tangier is a place where all religions come together.
Islams, Christians and Jews all live and worship side by side.  

Then it was time to explore the Medina and the Kasbah.
The Medina is the old walled city where people live and work among narrow streets and alleyways.
The Kasbah is the old walled fortress of the Sultan.  It's the most amazing and beautiful place.

I was very careful and respectful with my camera.  Many people did not want their picture taken.
I would make eye contact, smile and tap my camera,
if they smiled back I'd take a quick photo and say "Shukran".

We stopped for dinner in a lovely little restaurant.

My head was spinning with all of the sights and sounds from my first day in Morocco.

I distinctly remember having one of those travel moments in that little restaurant.

Tears filled my eyes and I didn't really even have a clear thought.

All I could think was "Oh, my God, I'm in Morocco."

Everything else was just jumbled up.  All the sights and smells.

The faces and the children.  And it's still just all jumbled up in there.

And I don't know how to tell you about it.  I don't know where to start.

Did Morocco leave you speechless?

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Rabat, Morocco

With no big trips on our calendar for the next few months, I'm looking forward to settling into life in Blackheath.

 I've been feeling the lack of balance lately and one of my solutions is to find a regular yoga practice.

I'm just back from my first Well Woman Yoga class.  It's within walking
distance and I'm happy to say mission accomplished.

The instructor is very intuitive and nourishing.
I think I'm going to love this class.

She told us to bring a blanket, but I didn't have one small enough to bring.

Instead I grabbed my favorite scarf.  I have now decided it's my yoga scarf.

It's blue and I purchased it up in the Atlas mountains of Morocco.

The blue reminds me of my favorite city in Morocco.

We spent a week exploring Morocco last April.  Can you believe I haven't blogged about it yet?
Along with the yoga class, I think editing and posting about our amazing trip

will be the perfect way to get me through the next few cold and wet months.

So here is a little teaser to give you an idea.
These are some of my favorite photos from my favorite city in Morocco, Rabat.

 

 

 

It's a beautiful city.  I can't wait to get to editing more photos from our trip.

So, expect to see more about Morocco after the first of the year.  

How do you keep balance in your life?

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