Aug
11
Making the Decision to go to Egypt
As I sit here staring at the e-ticket that just arrived in my inbox, it’s finally starting to sink in… I’m going to Egypt next month.
A destination I’ve dreamed of visiting since the age of 12, Egypt has always been a place at top of mind when I think about travelling to Africa. I vividly remember my teacher Ms. Quinn showing us pictures from her trip to Egypt and it was at that moment I suddenly understood travel from outside of a textbook. Since sitting there in her class, Egypt has been at the top of my bucketlist and I’ve been waiting for the right time to book a ticket.
A couple of weeks ago, I came to the conclusion that there really is no right time. Despite the travel advisory still in place to avoid all non-essential travel to Egypt, I’m still going for it.
Is it unsafe?
Perhaps. But I put myself in ‘unsafe’ situations every time I board a plane. Heck, it’s even unsafe to walk the streets of Toronto it seems with all the recent shootings. The truth of the matter is, that anything could happen at any time, travel related or not.
After doing some extensive research and talking to other travellers who have recently visited Egypt, I feel like now is the right time to take this trip in my life. For one, I won’t be travelling alone. I’ll be experiencing Egypt for the first time with a company called On the Go Tours who specialize in trips to Egypt. This company started in 1998 with an inaugural festive tour to Egypt and simply put, when it comes to travelling through this destination, they know their stuff. Since then, they’ve grown to include destinations like Jordan, India, Morocco, Turkey, Russia,China, the Himalayas, South America, Africa, Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia.
Like some of my previous experiences with G Adventures and Intrepid Travel, On the Go Tours believes that the best way to experience a country is to see it through the eyes of people who live there. With this in mind, all their tours are led by well-qualified local tour leaders. So mom, you can rest assured I’m in good hands ;)
With my camera in hand and innate sense of curiousity, I’ll be documenting my experience on the King Tutankhamen tour which will give me a taste of Egypt in 9 amazing days.
Some of the Trip Highlights include:
• Cairo – Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza Plateau, Necropolis of Saqqara, Egyptian Museum
• Aswan – High Dam, Philae Temple, River Nile
• Nile felucca cruising – islands en route
• Kom Ombo – Temple of Kom Ombo
• Edfu – Temple of Horus
• Luxor – Temple of Karnak
• Valley of the Kings, Colossi of Memnon, Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
The great thing about this? I’m only missing one week of work.
This is yet another upside in choosing to travel with a tour company, since the itinerary is jam packed with all the right things and tailor-made by people who know the destination best. They take the headache out of planning a trip like this so I can spend more time and energy towards packing, prepping and researching/scripting general ideas of things I’d like to capture.
Most people I encounter tend to think that in order to achieve a bucketlist item they need to quit their job, save up a ton of money, or take at least a month to do it. This is terribly wrong.
Stop making excuses. Anything is achievable. I’ve been taking money out of my pay cheque each month for the past few months to save up for my flights and made it happen. Why? Because I wanted it that bad. The added bonus of doing a tour helps ensure accommodations and transportation are all sorted out for you. If you love the destination enough, you’ll come back again on your own accord and feel more confident and hungry to want to stay longer and really see more of the country.
I already feel this way about the trip I took last year to India, and have a feeling Egypt will have the same effect on me. I hear the diving conditions there are pretty unreal ;)
I take off on Sept 21st and will be live tweeting the experience on behalf of Flight Centre Canada and My Adventure Store Canada with the hashtag #OnthegoEgypt
Can’t wait to see how you like it!
As I mentioned on the book, I have family history there. My grandfather was born in Cario and my great grandfather was the chief of police for Alexandra. Would love to go and see Egypt and the various places. Always loved Egypt history too!
I have photos (of my grandfathers) of the Pyramids and such from back in the early 1900s. My favourite one was of my grandfather and a friend on camels in front of the Pyramids.
Tyler, that’s amazing! You definitely need to visit this place soon! With the unfortunate drop in tourism lately, a lot of the tourist attractions aren’t as busy as they used to be and I know this will provide amazing photo/video opportunities. I would sooo be interested in following your story. Hope my trip inspires you to go sooner than later :)
Did it last may and it was amazing. Egyptians aren’t after Canadians. They loved us. Never felt unsafe. Climb mount Sinai. Amazing views an a definitive challenge. Enjoy!
Great to hear Dave. Thanks for sharing!
Hey Alicia,
I was going to write a list, but then i realized you were doing a tour! So, not much point. However, if you do want to do some epic diving and you managed to smuggle out an extra day or two, go to Dahab. I hope your tour includes a feluca ride down the nile, one of my highlights.
FYI, I felt safer in Egypt then most places in Europe, I decided one day to take the train in Cairo out to a suburb to find the citadel, intelligently enough I thought since I had studied the map enough i didn’t need to bring it, needless to say i got hopeless lost wandering through areas toursits do not go, but people realized this and were friendly. Most people realize that tourism is the countries bread and butter, so they do not want to interfere with tourists aggressively, however they are amazing “horse-traders” and their game is to part you with your money with consent, the worst that will happen is you get ripped off, and that happens anywhere. In the areas you plan to go, the worst trouble you will run into is some bad ice cubes, this is solved by just drinking cold beer, easily done…
Culturally: Just remember, the men their do not often interact with women. Most men only talk to their sisters or family as such they would never randomly talk to a women they did not know, so our polite canadian conversationalist manners can be seen by anyone as a welcome invitation to try and hit on you. It’s unavoidable, but take the situation in context, as you well know as a seasoned traveler. (the only thing they know of western women is what they see on TV) Some women I traveled with were able to handle it, others were not. Best thing you can do if you find yourself in a situation that is uncomorftanble is to publicly call someone out on it, if someone touches you just point at them and call it out, the cultural stigma will ensure they do not do it again. Beyond that, drink it up.
The most memorable experience: Hearing the call to prayer echo across the largest city in africa, you hear the delay of speakers kicking in miles away in a unforgettable chorus. Its eerie and gorgeous. Best of luck Alicia!
Wow, this is amazing. Thanks for sharing your insights and experiences Neil. Truly appreciated and getting me even more excited for my trip! Cheers.
Awesome choice! I’ve been to Alexandria, Port Said, Cairo and the Pyramids at Giza. Canadians are loved over there. Make sure you bring your wide-angle lens, I didnt when I went and regretted it ever since! You must stay for the lazer show at night which is like a documentary of Egypt displayed on the Sphinx.
Im sure you can still go into one of the Pyramids, you’re small enough so you wont have any issues getting through the door…LOL anyone over 5’9” will have to crouch a bit..those Ancient Eqyptians musta been shorties!!!
You’re gunna love it!
Oh this would be such an experience! Can’t wait to see hear the stories and see the photos!
Im living there and im telling you.. you should really do it ..you will enjoy your time in egypt :)
Hi from Egypt! I’m glad you finally decided to do it you will really enjoy it here!
As an Egyptian I feel compelled to tell you that it is not at all unsafe here, especially for a tourist because generally people in Egypt are very fond of tourists and go that extra mile to make you feel welcome :)
I would agree with Neil though on staying alert when it comes to interactions on the street. Harassment is pretty big problem in Egypt and although it usually never goes past verbal harassment, just make sure you stay alert if someone is acting funny around you. The point is they may try to exploit that you are a tourist if you look like you are out of you element (it’s pretty simple to put boundaries if you speak the language). If anyone makes you feel uncomfortable the best thing to do is call them out on it and make a scene and they will be so ashamed they’ll just go away. Take advantage of any women with you on the street as well because we are more than happy to tell them off :D
Other than that have a great time, relax, and try to book a hot air balloon ride while you are in Luxor/Aswan, it is an unforgettable experience! Have fun! :)