I've been watching the news about the revolution in Egypt. It's sad to see people getting hurt and killed. I'm excited for them, but nervous because the collapse of the Egyptian government could cause a great deal of instability in the region giving the religious extremists a crack from which to crawl through and cause havoc and devastation.
I remember Cairo as a bustling city, clouded by smog with drivers who didn't think road rules or traffic lights needed to be followed.
Imaginative Tours is not a comfort tour. You carry your own bags and have to be relatively fit to walk up and down stairs at the train stations while carrying your suitcase. But it was fun! We even got to climb into King Tut's tomb in the Valley of the Kings and saw his mummy.
We got to see all those antiquities we'd read and seen photos of in history books. I couldn't believe how well preserved the hieroglyphics and carvings were.
We rode a felucca (sailboat) on the Nile River and climbed up a sandy hill in the Sahara Desert. That was pretty darn awesome!
We visited a Nubian school on Sohail Island and listened to a presentation. Many of us gave donations to the school.
We were told that children were required to say something like, "President Mubarak is great," before they started the day. I guess the young minds were being conditioned to revere President Mubarak. Needless to say, it didn't work.
Egypt is such a beautiful country. We met a lot of very brilliant, ever friendly Egyptians and tasted their delicious food. I hope they are safe and that their country will survive this turmoil to give them a better life.
A nice tribute to Egypt, Kay.
ReplyDeleteYou really roughed it on that tour, it sounds like.
And now Giza is closed to tourists, with tanks guarding the antiquities.
I just hope the museum in Cairo will not be looted and vandalized again. The building that was burned right next to it might collapse and fall on the museum, Hawass said.
We are in for big changes in this region.
What a beautiful photograph in your heading.
ReplyDeleteWe've not visited Egypt, though it sounds like such a fascinating place. The situation there is very worrying. Our younger son is due to go there soon to do some work in some of the tourist hotels and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he won't have to go until the current troubles are resolved.
I was watching CNN and a somebody observed that the US has been supporting Mubarak for decades at the expense of the every day Egyptians, so how is the US gonna criticize Mubarak now for all the past injustices.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what it is that causes some of the older governmental leaders to become unpopular. In my lifetime, Egypt has had no Pharaohs but lots of people who made believe they were. I find it ironic that a lot of television crews have Canadian flags sewn on or stuck on their bags and baggage and no US Flags anywhere. We are becoming increasingly unpopular. And I wonder why?
ReplyDeleteThe news out of Egypt is so disturbing, and it seems to grow worse by the minute. I worry about the safety of the antiquities as well as the safety of the people.
ReplyDeleteI can understand people rising up against a dictator. I understand it started as a peaceful protest - I got an e-mail yesterday, from an international organization supporting the protestors.
ReplyDeleteIt will be a shame if the antiquities are lost, but human life and freedom sometimes comes at a high cost.
I was thinking of Dina, and hoping she remains safe.
-- K
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
Doesn't it remind you of the People's Revolt against Ferdinand Marcos in the Philippines in the 1980s? Wishing the best for Egypt!
ReplyDeleteYour trip sounds wonderful. We can all only hope for as positive an outcome as possible to the current chaos.
ReplyDeletehow appropriate to highlight Egypt. let's hope all works out for the growth and development of their land...
ReplyDeleteI fear many of the historical treasures will be destroyed before this is over. I've been watching the events on TV and hoping for whatever is best for the Egyptian people.
ReplyDeleteA lovely tribute to Egypt, Kay, and a marvelous post as always! I've always been fascinated by Egypt and its history. I, too, wish the best for the Egyptian people and hope the destruction will not touch those marvelous treasures.
ReplyDeleteSylvia
I have been intrigued with the idea of traveling to Egypt. A good friend of mine went there two years ago with a small tour group and said it was wonderful.
ReplyDeleteBut now any such plans would have to be put on hold. And more importantly, many peoples lives in Egypt are on hold and they fear even leaving the protection of their homes.
The US, a previous supporter of Mubarak, now walks a thin line in also supporting a people's desire for freedom. Hopefully they can keep the religious extremists from taking over.
Dr. Zahi Hawass, the chief archaeologist, smuggled a blog post out of Egypt today describing the looting of the Egyptian Museum:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.drhawass.com/blog/situation-egyptian-antiquities-today
He is very worried. Having a heart for archaeology myself, I sympathize with his desire to safeguard the patrimony.
Thank you for your wonderful post. Just yesterday, my husband said that he didn't think we'd be visiting Egypt anytime soon. Egypt has been a popular tourist destination in recent years. One wonders how much benefit the people had from the tourist dollars. I also hope the people and their treasures are protected from all of the chaos.
ReplyDeleteI hope the people of Egypt will soon find a resolution for the plight in which they find themselves.
I was just thinking about you and Art last night as I was watching the news,...and your trip to Egypt. I remember you talking about the traffic being kind of scary and the great pictures you posted.
ReplyDeleteI just hope it all turns out well over there.
Absolutely. And too, I am so very glad you got to go on that tour. What a special thing.
ReplyDeleteFriends of ours just got back from Egypt, just before all the trouble started! I am so glad they are safely here in the US! It is such a shame the way things are going over there.
ReplyDeletehear hear Kay. You are so right about the threat of instability in the region. Prayers for the people there right now, and their nervous neighbours. It's great that you were able to visit though.
ReplyDeleteinteresting place to visit!
ReplyDeleteI'm more worried than happy about the revolution underway. How lucky you are that you got to see Egypt when you did. I am lingering over the pictures and really enjoying them.
ReplyDeleteGlad also you went to Egypt. I have been following them on the news and it makes me nervous for them, hope it ends soon. I don't like to see people get hurt. I have about 11 books on the history of Egypt. Have a nice week, we are in for one heck of a snow storm, they are closing schools and some places of business for tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteFunny...I thought of you and your trip to Egypt...I hope they get a true democracy and no more violence..
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