TRAVEL BLOG THURSDAYS - EGYPT
EGYPT THE EXPERIENCE
|| CAIRO, GIZA, LUXOR || EGYPT || AUGUST 2014
In 2014 I had the opportunity to experience an ancient culture and to see a world wonder. i wrote about my time in Egypt on my emirates flight back to the states. emirates has the best food, btw! I tried to capture my experience using all five senses. Here goes...
Tasted new flavors of rich savory sauces and cool crisp veggies.
Drank my weight in guava juice and water.
Met some interesting and some genuine characters.
Was present in some humbling experiences.
Found beauty within the dirt and grime of the city and the sandy haze in the sky.
Felt the rough gravel under my feet, the soft Egyptian cotton between my fingers, the cool alabaster on my palms, and the
refreshing but rare breeze on my face.
Saw daily life and the colors, challenges, and joy it can bring.
Smelled the burning fuel in the air, shisha smoke throughout the city, and the warm spices inside the markets.
Experienced searing heat, ancient ruins, and wonders of the world.
Embraced the struggle and stories of those who came before me and the always present traffic ahead of me.
Heard the constant honking of horns, prayers coming from the mosques, the hustle and bustle of downtown Cairo and the
peacefulness of historic Luxor.
Rode in tight taxis with strangers in crowded Cairo, on the backs of camels among breathtaking pyramids, and on top of
spacious boats along the open Nile.
Drove through Tarir Square, took the bus, rode with the doors open on the public vans, and took the tram to the market.
there was Whimsical, nonsensical traffic with seemingly no rhyme, reason, or order; no lanes; a free for all in every direction. horns were used as we would
use blinkers in the us.
My heart was uneasy the first moment I arrived but the unease subsided with every passing minute.
People calling out in the market, "where you from, where you from?" "Nigeria?" "America?"; "Beautiful" "Brown Sugar"
"Welcome home my sista".
there were People crossing the street with no regard for cars and trucks alike; throwing down hand signals requesting patience.
Donkeys, camels, cars, vans, buses were all together.
there were Good looking men with piercing gray and hazel eyes.
the flavors and textures of Haloumi, Za'atar, Shawarma, Kosheri, Kofta, Kebab, and Tajine were PREVALENT.
Learned about the Muslim faith, the history of Egypt and how everything ties back to this ancient civilization somehow, and
confirmed that native Egyptians were in fact dark with very African features.
Touched the hieroglyphs and experienced the Arabic language.
Belly dancers, markets, bargaining, ancient history, bomb food, searing heat, fresh spices, crowded cities, calm country sides,
and great people... Egypt was truly an experience that I will never forget and I thank God for it.
Thanks for reading all these words!
Love ya!
Taste Tutor