Destination: Egypt

On the Cusp of Africa

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 | By sstolper | Views [1449] | Comments [2]

Chalk up the 3rd missed flight of my life. Not too good a record here, and that's not including all the trains and buses I've missed. But sitting on this balcony of the Hilton Hotel overlooking the Nile, I remember still how lucky I am to be here. Not ... Read more >

Tags: sights

The House of Bondage

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 | By sstolper | Views [4375] | Comments [2]

Let me see if I can paint this extraordinary picture properly. Just yesterday, I rode a train down the Nile Valley to Luxor, which was once known as Thebes, the legendary capital of Ancient Egypt's New Kingdom (think Ramesses and Tutankhamun). Now, ... Read more >

Tags: religion; history; culture

Gallery: MY REAL PHOTO

Thu, 3 Apr 2008 | By moyolove | Photo Gallery

Alexandria the Great

Sun, 23 Mar 2008 | By jreuter | Views [4914] | Comments [2]

Arriving in Alexandria was an initially morose and depressing experience for me.  After all, this was the intellectual center of the Hellenistic world, home to the legendary Cleopatra.  Founded by Alexander the Great in 332 BC, Alexandria boasted of monuments ... Read more >

Gallery: Alexandria

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 | By jreuter | Photo Gallery

Gallery: Giza Plateau

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 | By jreuter | Photo Gallery

True Wonders

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 | By jreuter | Views [1291]

Michael Jackson was cranky.  I know this because when I pulled left, he turned right.  When I snapped the reins, he slowed down, and when I shot a photo of him, he grumbled and moaned.  The camel is an amazing animal though, and one that I'm not sure ... Read more >

Dante's Tenth Circle

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 | By jreuter | Views [1991] | Comments [5]

I'm not sure why, but for some reason, a dinner cruise along the Nile sounded like fun last night.  So I threw down my 120 pounds, put on a nice shirt, and almost immediately regretted my decision.  It seems I was the only one at my hotel who signed ... Read more >

Gallery: Cairo

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 | By jreuter | Photo Gallery

Chaos and Cheops

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 | By jreuter | Views [1179]

As I have heard from numerous travelers heading north from there, Cairo is not for the faint of heart.  The traffic, the dust, the noise and the smog, plus the inumerable touts, make this a mind-blowing (or numbing) metropolis.  I am still amazed that ... Read more >

Gallery: Luxor

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 | By jreuter | Photo Gallery

My Addiction to Sheesha

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 | By jreuter | Views [1582]

Luxor has been fabulous.  This is, after all, my first exposure to what I consider "true" Egypt.  It is a hot, hazy place chock-full of palm trees and awe-invoking temples.  This was the capital city of Ancient Egypt during the 11th and 18th ... Read more >

Cool Water, Scorched Earth

Sat, 8 Mar 2008 | By jreuter | Views [2936]

One word describes Dahab: Paradisal.  And to no surprise, my first intention of only two days here has turned into six, as I have been practically hypnotized by its idyllic, tranquil vibe, and have spent many an hour on pillows by the water side, sipping ... Read more >

Tags: relaxation

Gallery: Dahab & Sinai

Tue, 4 Mar 2008 | By jreuter | Photo Gallery

Parting the Red Sea

Sat, 1 Mar 2008 | By heidischeifley | Views [1160] | Comments [1]

If you’ll recall the last entry, I worried about my lack of knowledge when it came to Egypt – and everything related to it. Well, I think for once my worrying was justified. Along comes my familiar friend Ignorance. Ignorant assumption ... Read more >

Tags: Culture