York College goes to Egypt
Made it back to York
We all made it back to York safe and sound. Look forward to seeing you all Wednesday night- MP
Last day
Today is our last day in Egypt. Being that the day was free to explore on your own, it was relatively relaxing. I decided to go back to the market with my roommates and Dr. Fyfe. The endless isles of the market provide a great chance to buy anything you can possibly want in Egypt. I found some great things for myself along with gifts for people back home. After putting all of my bargaining skills to the test, I was done shopping for everyone. After 2 1/2 hours at the market, we returned back to the Cairo Khan. Besides getting some dinner and packing my things, the rest of the day is up in the air. I feel free time in Cairo is best spent walking the streets or in relaxing in a café.
It has been a long 16 days. To think that the trip comes to an end in the early hours of tomorrow. Spending the last 16 days here was great, but an American cheeseburger and my own bed sound great too. In my last post I mentioned the different feelings I have with the trip coming to an end. All of these hold true.
Something else that this trip offered was new friendships. Having spent the last 16 days with new people I never even knew went to YorkCollege has been fun. I am excited to have been able to make new friendships that I know will last long into next school year. I am fortunate that I met some awesome people (both students and faculty) on the trip.
Thanks to everyone who read my posts and enjoyed hearing my reflections on Egypt.- MP
For my last in country post I thought it would be a great idea to have some final reflections from people that went on the trip.
This trip has been on of the best experiences of my life. I have learned so much about ancient history and current culture in Egypt. I've experienced more methods of transportation in the past 16 days than in the past 20 years at home. 4 airplanes, countless hours on buses, 3 days on a felucca, erratic Cairo taxis, a camel trek, a donkey trek, and an overnight train. All of the traveling has been well worth it. Being able to climb inside the great pyramid of Cheops and actually touch the granite sarcophagus he had been laid to rest in was my favorite (nest to getting a shower after 3 days on the felucca!). These past 2 weeks have been an adventure
Sam Gebhart
The donkey ride to the top of the mountain was an experience I'll never forget. Being that I have never ridden any animal before, it was different than anything I have ever done. To be in control of an animal was unbelievable. This tells the story of the trip because it is something I have never done. Being in a country so different was outstanding.
Jim Cope
Mecca for any librarian is the Alexandria Library, and I was there!
Beth Jacoby
This trip has been amazing. Seeing how a completely different culture works was so cool. Making a bonfire with the Nubian felucca sailors and singing and dancing around it, was one of the best things I have ever been part of. Things like this have made the trip unforgettable.
Mike Woessner
This trip as a whole has been way more than expected. Within the first three days my mind was already blown. I didn’t think that I would connect with everyone on the trip so fast and I will never forget the times we had. Playing football(soccer) with our boat drivers stood out to me the most because even though we spoke different languages we were all united in one game
Chris Williams
Egypt was an epic and culturally life changing journey!
Clayton Fruhling
From the seas to the mountains and from the cities to its villages, Egypt has shown me how embracing it is allowing visitors to explore its various landscapes. This trip has allowed me to grasp a better understanding of both its culture and history. I'm sure I am not the only one saying this is definitely and unforgettable experience.
Mike Foster
Our Egypt trip has been the most amazing experience I have ever had. I never imagined that being on a boat for 3 days with no showers or bathrooms would have been the best part of the trip. Between sleeping under the stars, swimming in the Nile, and dancing around a bonfire with the Nubians, the felucca was the best experience of this trip.
Heather Hobson
Today is our last day on our summer Egypt trip, or what many of us refer to as "Breadfest 2010". Since I feel that traveling is the best education you can get, my favorite part was simply the shock of the cultural changes. Among many are: haggling for everything, using animals as modes of transportation, meals consisting of 65% bread (breadfest 2010), and having to sum up a sentence in one word to the locals. My favorite time was the last night on the felucca when our driver played drums and sang, uniting both cultures. These two and a half weeks were definitely some of the best of my life. Thank you to Dave, Rob, and Laura for everything
Emily Arndt
Being submerged in this culture for the past 17 days has opened my eyes to an entirely different world. The dinners in the Nubian villages, with the culture and foods were so amazing and something I never thought I would experience. Thank you Dave for allowing alumni to take part in the adventure- it was something I will never forget
Glynis Reilly
These last two 2 1/2 weeks have been a wild and eye opening experience. From the big cities to experiencing living on the Nile for 4 smelly long days. We have all fell in love with this country. The modes of transportation alone have opened our eyes to how other cultures differ to our modern world. Lastly, this trip would not have been possible without our trip leaders and I would like to thank David Fyfe, Rob, and Laura for facilitating this adventure. And I would also like to especially thank my parents for providing me with this amazing opportunity.
Sean O'Brien
My experience in Egypt was amazing. Being able to experience a culture was very interesting to me. Although the heat seemed unbearable at times, getting to see all of the ancient Egyptian structures was worth being in the sun. the amount of traveling did add up, but was worth getting in a bus or plane. The most interesting part of the trip was the 3 day felucca trip down the Nile. What made it so much fun was the amount of bonding that occurred?
Jimmy Virden
Coming to Egypt provided me with the experience that will be hard to compare to any other. During this trip I took away that it doesn't matter you are or what you believe in. People are people and will do whatever possible to look out for the good of you. This was evident throughout our entire trip. Especially, with the Nubian people of Aswan. Never will I forget how two different cultures were able unite over a simple game of soccer just to have some fun. Going forward, I hope to share the same hospitality to others as the people of Egypt showed me despite me just being a tourist.
Rob Mayer
I was blown away by this trip. I came in expecting one thing and almost got the exact opposite. The landmarks, the food, and the friendships that I was able to experience here is definitely something that I will cherish as I go back to the U.S. Going 3 days and 3 nights down the Nile was quite possibly the greatest part of this experience because it gave me time to really get to know fellow students, as well as interact with some local Egyptians. Compared to other trips I have taken, this blows it right out of the water, and I want to thank everyone who made this possible.
Ryan Hillary
Alexandria or free day in Cairo
6-5-2010
8:12 pm (Egypt)
1:12 pm (EST)
The morning started off with a 3 hour bus ride to Alexandria. Alexandria is along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, and has a different feel than any other place in Egypt. This is because Alexandria has a strong Roman influence. After the bus ride, we arrived to our first stop at around 11:30 am.
Our first stop was catacombs. The underground tunnels were fun to navigate, and around every turn there was something to be explored. I found the catacombs to be more interesting then first thought because I was unaware of the size of them. I spend a half hour just walking around in them.
The next stop was Pompey's Pillar. The large pillar surrounded by ruins was interesting to see. There was not much else in the area so we got back on the bus and went to lunch. Our buffet lunch was special because the resturant we were ate at over looked the sea.
After lunch we went to the library. The library was by far the most impressive building I have been in in Egypt ( Well, except the pyramids). The pictures inside I am sure everyone will see are outstanding. It is so nice that you need a membership to study there. It is the largest, most impressive library I have seen.
Our final stop was at the coast of the sea. This was my favorite because I have never seen the Mediterranean before. A small group of us stuck are feet and hands in the water. IT was much clearer than I expected. This was by far the best part of the trip to Alexandria.
Everyone who did not go had the day to explore Cario. Many people chose to go to the markets and do some shopping. From what I hear everyone had a great day.
Tomorrow everyone has their last day in Cario. I hope to make my last in country post at some point.
The photo essay presentations will be in HUM 218 at 6:00 pm, on Wednesday, June 9th. All are invited.-MP
8:12 pm (Egypt)
1:12 pm (EST)
The morning started off with a 3 hour bus ride to Alexandria. Alexandria is along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, and has a different feel than any other place in Egypt. This is because Alexandria has a strong Roman influence. After the bus ride, we arrived to our first stop at around 11:30 am.
Our first stop was catacombs. The underground tunnels were fun to navigate, and around every turn there was something to be explored. I found the catacombs to be more interesting then first thought because I was unaware of the size of them. I spend a half hour just walking around in them.
The next stop was Pompey's Pillar. The large pillar surrounded by ruins was interesting to see. There was not much else in the area so we got back on the bus and went to lunch. Our buffet lunch was special because the resturant we were ate at over looked the sea.
After lunch we went to the library. The library was by far the most impressive building I have been in in Egypt ( Well, except the pyramids). The pictures inside I am sure everyone will see are outstanding. It is so nice that you need a membership to study there. It is the largest, most impressive library I have seen.
Our final stop was at the coast of the sea. This was my favorite because I have never seen the Mediterranean before. A small group of us stuck are feet and hands in the water. IT was much clearer than I expected. This was by far the best part of the trip to Alexandria.
Everyone who did not go had the day to explore Cario. Many people chose to go to the markets and do some shopping. From what I hear everyone had a great day.
Tomorrow everyone has their last day in Cario. I hope to make my last in country post at some point.
The photo essay presentations will be in HUM 218 at 6:00 pm, on Wednesday, June 9th. All are invited.-MP
Luxor and Cairo
6-4-2010
6: 25 ( Egypt )
11:25 (EST) ??
When our experiences on the feluccas ended, new experiences were just beginning in a new location. Luxor, a small city on the west bank of the Nile was where we would spend our next two nights. The first day we went strait from the feluccas to the temple of Edfu before arriving at Luxor. Like many temples we visited, Edfu was full of history and amazing architecture. Although Edfu was a great site, most of us were more fascinated on the thought of hotel showers rather than ancient Egypt.
The name of our hotel was St. Josephs. It was surprisingly bigger than I imagined and it even had a pool on the roof. Around our hotel were various shops and cafes, which always gave us something to do. The first night was mellow and ended pretty early for most of us. A donkey ride to the Valley of the Kings calls for an early morning wake up call. Although this seemed early, it paid off because the heat would have been too much, even at 9:00 am.
Early the next morning we were on a boat crossing the Nile. I found it comical that one of the boats we took across was named "New Titanic". Sure enough, after a short ride across the water and no sinking ships, we were greeted by a large crowd of donkeys.
After we were each assigned a donkey, we started our 45 minute ride to the large ridge on the backside of one of the mountains of the Valley of the Kings. My donkey seemed a little slow at first. Then once everyone passed me and I was 30 feet behind the group I was certain my donkey wasn’t the fastest. As a matter of fact it was the slowest. Once one of the donkey guides came back and switched my donkey with his. After that I was in front of the group. Our steep trek on the rocky terrain of the mountainside gave us all a wonderful view of the landscape. Once we reached the ridge we got off our donkeys and continued on a short hike over the top of the mountain and down to the Valley of the Kings.
Looking down from the top of the mountain was an amazing view of the valley. All cameras had to be hidden. Even if you are not taking any pictures your camera is fair game to confiscate. This was a serious precaution we all took. Once down the mountain and into the valley we were given a pass that was good for any three tombs that were open.
Ramses I, Ramses III, and Tuthmosis III were the tombs I selected. The colors inside of the tombs were beautiful. The most unbelievable thing about the color was that it was never restored. All of the paintings and carvings in the temple were original. I was amazing to see what the Egyptians went through in order to hide their tombs and treasures. The Valley of the Kings was a remarkable place and the only negative thing about our visit there was lack of time.
Directly from the Valley of the Kings we drove to the HatshepsutTemple. The temple was larger than I first imagined. Some people in our group really enjoyed the temple. I also thought it was interesting, just not as much as the Valley of the Kings.
After everything we did that day we still had more. At 3:00 pm we met up again to take a tour of the temple of Karnak. Karnak was second on my list of favorite temples (the first being Abu Simbel). This was second on my list because of its size. Karnak was so huge that it would be very hard to see it all in one day. Karnak offers a large variety of different architecture.
After Karnak everyone was spent. We had the remainder of the day to rest until dinner. Our dinner was more memorable than most. An Egyptian band and dancer were our entertainment. The dinner was on the rooftop of another hotel which looked over the Nile. This was my favorite dinner not just because of the atmosphere, but because everyone looked like they were genuinely having an fun time.
Today was early once again. We woke up to catch an early flight back to Cario. The flight from Luxor to Cario was only an hour. Back in Cario, we headed directly to the museum of antiquities.
The museum was full of thousands of artifacts. Huge statues, coffins, mummys (both human and animal), pottery, and jewelry were things to be found in the museum. This is only a small list of the various treasures they had. The most intersetnig thing to me was the room full of King Tutankhamen's treasures. I found myself in awe while standing in front of the famous mask of King Tut. I describe it as being star struck. If you have ever seen a celebrity in person you know what I mean. The mask has been in thousands of pictures, books, and videos. Then you see it in person and it has a whole new level of meaning.
With the end being near, I am left with different feelings. I am looking forward to coming back home and sharing tons of pictures and memories with everyone. I am also in shock at how fast the days went by. The thing that surprised me most was that I feel like I am finally getting used to the way things run around here. While in Peru last summer, I had one week to experience the culture. I had a blast doing so and have benefited from it drastically. With more time in Egypt, I felt like I was able not only experience more, but gain a better understanding of daily life in Egypt.
Right now I am sitting in the lobby of the Cario Khan. If that name sounds familiar it is because it was the first hotel we stayed at in Cario. Everyone is playing a trivia game that our tour leaders Rob and Laura put together for fun. Dinner is at 6:30 pm and I can't wait.
Tomorrow some of us have an opportunity to visit Alexandria. I fortunately have enough money left to go. Thanks to two extra days here, Alexandria was an option. It is only a three hour ride and is made into a perfect full day trip.
Dr. Fyfe will be having the Photo Essay presentations at YCP on this coming Wednesday. All are invited to attend and more info about time and location is on its way.
Thanks for reading and keeping up with all of our adventures. - MP
6: 25 ( Egypt )
11:25 (EST) ??
When our experiences on the feluccas ended, new experiences were just beginning in a new location. Luxor, a small city on the west bank of the Nile was where we would spend our next two nights. The first day we went strait from the feluccas to the temple of Edfu before arriving at Luxor. Like many temples we visited, Edfu was full of history and amazing architecture. Although Edfu was a great site, most of us were more fascinated on the thought of hotel showers rather than ancient Egypt.
The name of our hotel was St. Josephs. It was surprisingly bigger than I imagined and it even had a pool on the roof. Around our hotel were various shops and cafes, which always gave us something to do. The first night was mellow and ended pretty early for most of us. A donkey ride to the Valley of the Kings calls for an early morning wake up call. Although this seemed early, it paid off because the heat would have been too much, even at 9:00 am.
Early the next morning we were on a boat crossing the Nile. I found it comical that one of the boats we took across was named "New Titanic". Sure enough, after a short ride across the water and no sinking ships, we were greeted by a large crowd of donkeys.
After we were each assigned a donkey, we started our 45 minute ride to the large ridge on the backside of one of the mountains of the Valley of the Kings. My donkey seemed a little slow at first. Then once everyone passed me and I was 30 feet behind the group I was certain my donkey wasn’t the fastest. As a matter of fact it was the slowest. Once one of the donkey guides came back and switched my donkey with his. After that I was in front of the group. Our steep trek on the rocky terrain of the mountainside gave us all a wonderful view of the landscape. Once we reached the ridge we got off our donkeys and continued on a short hike over the top of the mountain and down to the Valley of the Kings.
Looking down from the top of the mountain was an amazing view of the valley. All cameras had to be hidden. Even if you are not taking any pictures your camera is fair game to confiscate. This was a serious precaution we all took. Once down the mountain and into the valley we were given a pass that was good for any three tombs that were open.
Ramses I, Ramses III, and Tuthmosis III were the tombs I selected. The colors inside of the tombs were beautiful. The most unbelievable thing about the color was that it was never restored. All of the paintings and carvings in the temple were original. I was amazing to see what the Egyptians went through in order to hide their tombs and treasures. The Valley of the Kings was a remarkable place and the only negative thing about our visit there was lack of time.
Directly from the Valley of the Kings we drove to the HatshepsutTemple. The temple was larger than I first imagined. Some people in our group really enjoyed the temple. I also thought it was interesting, just not as much as the Valley of the Kings.
After everything we did that day we still had more. At 3:00 pm we met up again to take a tour of the temple of Karnak. Karnak was second on my list of favorite temples (the first being Abu Simbel). This was second on my list because of its size. Karnak was so huge that it would be very hard to see it all in one day. Karnak offers a large variety of different architecture.
After Karnak everyone was spent. We had the remainder of the day to rest until dinner. Our dinner was more memorable than most. An Egyptian band and dancer were our entertainment. The dinner was on the rooftop of another hotel which looked over the Nile. This was my favorite dinner not just because of the atmosphere, but because everyone looked like they were genuinely having an fun time.
Today was early once again. We woke up to catch an early flight back to Cario. The flight from Luxor to Cario was only an hour. Back in Cario, we headed directly to the museum of antiquities.
The museum was full of thousands of artifacts. Huge statues, coffins, mummys (both human and animal), pottery, and jewelry were things to be found in the museum. This is only a small list of the various treasures they had. The most intersetnig thing to me was the room full of King Tutankhamen's treasures. I found myself in awe while standing in front of the famous mask of King Tut. I describe it as being star struck. If you have ever seen a celebrity in person you know what I mean. The mask has been in thousands of pictures, books, and videos. Then you see it in person and it has a whole new level of meaning.
With the end being near, I am left with different feelings. I am looking forward to coming back home and sharing tons of pictures and memories with everyone. I am also in shock at how fast the days went by. The thing that surprised me most was that I feel like I am finally getting used to the way things run around here. While in Peru last summer, I had one week to experience the culture. I had a blast doing so and have benefited from it drastically. With more time in Egypt, I felt like I was able not only experience more, but gain a better understanding of daily life in Egypt.
Right now I am sitting in the lobby of the Cario Khan. If that name sounds familiar it is because it was the first hotel we stayed at in Cario. Everyone is playing a trivia game that our tour leaders Rob and Laura put together for fun. Dinner is at 6:30 pm and I can't wait.
Tomorrow some of us have an opportunity to visit Alexandria. I fortunately have enough money left to go. Thanks to two extra days here, Alexandria was an option. It is only a three hour ride and is made into a perfect full day trip.
Dr. Fyfe will be having the Photo Essay presentations at YCP on this coming Wednesday. All are invited to attend and more info about time and location is on its way.
Thanks for reading and keeping up with all of our adventures. - MP
3 days on the Nile
Yesterday I had my first shower in four days. Arriving at St. Joseph Hotel in Luxor was relieving for many of us because we were all looking forward to a hot shower. Although the felucca was without toilets or showers, everyone who was sailing for the last three days had a blast.
Our journey on the feluccas began at a dock in Aswan. My first sight when walking down the stairs and onto the dock was five large boats with tall sails. After hearing many negative things about feluccas I was surprised at how comfortable they were. Imagine a large mattress covered by a sun shade. Under the deck was a significant amount of space to store luggage and belongings.
Everyone was assigned to a felucca and the groups split up and went to their designated boats. Magdy Family, True Dreams, Bedoor, Love Boat, and “To fat to travel” were the names of our feluccas. I was on True Dreams. Each felucca had two Nubian sailors to not only steer and manage the boat, but to help us out as well.
Sailing on the Nile is an indescribable feeling. It is a privilege to see what Egypt is like aside from large tourist areas. Being out on the felucca was a great way to interact with Nubian culture. A big part of culture is of course the food.
Two kitchen boats followed us to each spot we stopped at for our meals. Our meals consisted of different plates of Egyptian foods in small portions. I feel the small portions reminded people what sharing means. For every meal we pulled over to the shore and wherever we ate dinner we stayed for the night. Our meals were prepared and served on the kitchen boats. The boats were about as large as the feluccas and by no means luxurious. Meals, sleep, and bathrooms were all outside. (for some this was their first experience living outdoors)
Throughout our three day sail, we visited different temples. It seems the more temples I visit, the more they start to make sense to me. I am pleased at the large number of opportunities we have had to visit ancient sites. I feel like we have seen the whole Nile valley.
Our second night on the feluccas was unfortunate for me. I believe being out in the sun and accidentally drinking some river water caused me to experience my first taste of being truly sick in another country. I didn’t get much sleep so for me the last day on the felucca was for resting. Fortunately, I was the only one to get sick on the felucca. Regardless of my sickness the felucca was an amazing experience.
We have to go off to Karnak temple for now- I will try to update you on our adventures in Luxor.
Thanks to Anthony Robinson for taking the pictures.
Hope to update soon- MP
Our journey on the feluccas began at a dock in Aswan. My first sight when walking down the stairs and onto the dock was five large boats with tall sails. After hearing many negative things about feluccas I was surprised at how comfortable they were. Imagine a large mattress covered by a sun shade. Under the deck was a significant amount of space to store luggage and belongings.
Everyone was assigned to a felucca and the groups split up and went to their designated boats. Magdy Family, True Dreams, Bedoor, Love Boat, and “To fat to travel” were the names of our feluccas. I was on True Dreams. Each felucca had two Nubian sailors to not only steer and manage the boat, but to help us out as well.
Sailing on the Nile is an indescribable feeling. It is a privilege to see what Egypt is like aside from large tourist areas. Being out on the felucca was a great way to interact with Nubian culture. A big part of culture is of course the food.
Two kitchen boats followed us to each spot we stopped at for our meals. Our meals consisted of different plates of Egyptian foods in small portions. I feel the small portions reminded people what sharing means. For every meal we pulled over to the shore and wherever we ate dinner we stayed for the night. Our meals were prepared and served on the kitchen boats. The boats were about as large as the feluccas and by no means luxurious. Meals, sleep, and bathrooms were all outside. (for some this was their first experience living outdoors)
Throughout our three day sail, we visited different temples. It seems the more temples I visit, the more they start to make sense to me. I am pleased at the large number of opportunities we have had to visit ancient sites. I feel like we have seen the whole Nile valley.
Our second night on the feluccas was unfortunate for me. I believe being out in the sun and accidentally drinking some river water caused me to experience my first taste of being truly sick in another country. I didn’t get much sleep so for me the last day on the felucca was for resting. Fortunately, I was the only one to get sick on the felucca. Regardless of my sickness the felucca was an amazing experience.
We have to go off to Karnak temple for now- I will try to update you on our adventures in Luxor.
Thanks to Anthony Robinson for taking the pictures.
Hope to update soon- MP
Camels, Temples, and the Nile
5-29-2010
8:30 (Egypt)
1:30 (EST)
We all had an interesting morning yesterday. After getting up and crossing the Nile on a small boat, we were brought to a large opening full of camels. At around 7:30 am the camel trek had begun. With every person on their own camel, we formed a large line that crossed a patch of desert and headed up to an old monastery. Once at the monastery everyone explored and got some great photos. After our time at there it was back to the camels, which led us down a trail and back to the Nile. I was surprised at how comfortable it was riding a camel (my camel's name was Beluna). At first I was hesitant because getting on and off of a camel can be slightly scary, but once the camel is standing it is a comfortable ride that can reach considerable speeds. The early morning camel trek was a great way to start our second day in Aswan.
After the camel trek our boat headed to a place by the name of Kitcheners Island. After reading about Kitcheners Island before the trip, I was planning on going there during my free day in Aswan; however, it was already part of our itinerary. It couldn't have worked out better. An island made into a large botanical garden is what makes this place so unique. Hundreds of plants found in all parts of Asia and Africa along with a variety of avian wildlife make Kitcheners Island a must see on the Nile. After returning on the boat to the mainland of Aswan, we had the rest of the day to do as we pleased. I spent my afternoon visiting the temple of Philae, which is located on an island between the low dam and the high dam. The large market, tons of restaurants, and multiple ancient sites and museums make free time in Aswan fly by.
Today was yet another early morning for most of us. Waking up to be on the bus at 3:15 am was all part of the optional trip to Abu Simbel temples. Located 3 hours south of Aswan, Abu Simbel sits staring at Lake Nasser. When we arrived at the temples we were expecting large crowds and long lines in the sun, but to all of our surprise we were some of the first people there. This of course means that there were several hundred people there but it still was not overwhelmingly crowded.
A popular place to visit from people all over the world, the pyramids is the one site in Egypt that stands out in everyone's mind. Abu Simbel made me question this for many reasons. Its size alone is the first thing that impresses you. Without setting foot in the temple you are already faced by 4 large statues of Ramses II. When you enter the temple the first thing you notice is the heat. The second thing you notice is the large columns and statues that make Abu Simbel a true place of wonder. Its location also adds to the experience. Unlike the pyramids, the temple is harder to access. This is because since the 1990's convoys of vans are the only legal way to cross the desert between towns in Upper Egypt for tourists. Abu Simbel was a place that I only thought I would see in books and on the internet. Having the opportunity to see the temple in real life was outstanding.
We depart on the felucca is tomorrow at 10:30 am. This means no internet access. I will do my best to get to a computer when possible.
Thanks for all the comments, I am happy to see people are reading and keeping up with us. Until then, no new is good news.- MP
A Brief Update
We had a really long day today. I thought I was going to have more time to update the site. We leave for Abu Simbel at 3:15 am. It is now 10:23 pm. We had an early morning camel trek, and I was able to get the pictures working. I will write all about it tomorrow. Sorry for the delay- MP
UPDATED ADVENTURES!
5-27-2010
1:22 PM (Egypt)
6:22 AM (EST)
The Red Sea got it's name not because the water is actually red, but because of the occasional and very rare red tides that occur. The sea is not even one color. It is a mixture of light blue, dark blue, and all shades in between. I know this because it is the first thing you notice upon arrival in Sharm el-Sheikh. The second thing you notice is big white resorts with bright blue pools. For us, we would not be staying in any of these big hotels because we had a strict schedule if we wanted to get to Mt. Sinai on time.
Although many of us would have liked to explore Sharm el-Sheikh we were still able to experience a little bit of paradise on the Red Sea. This little bit of paradise is a place called Dahab. Dahab is a small town just an hour or so north of Sharm el-Sheikh. I thought Dahab would be full of tourists but when I arrived, I found myself to be pleasantly surprised. With minimal foot traffic on the main street of the town, it was a relaxing getaway from Cario. Almost all of us decided to try and go snorkeling when we got there. Unfortunately, the low tide and strong winds prevented us to even get close to the reef. Many of us still were able to get in the water and swim around. I decided to eat at the same place I rented my snorkel equipment. There was good food at great prices but the thing that was most interesting about it was that the tables were all on the sand, and you sat on pillows under coverings while looking at the water. Dahab was also cool because you could see Saudi Arabia from the beach. I didn’t realize how thin the Red Sea was. I can safely say Dahab was the most beautiful beach I have been to in my life.
After a few hours in Dahab we were back on the bus and off to Mt. Sinai. It was an interesting ride to our hotel because it felt like we were driving to the middle of the mountains. Once we got there we had some dinner and were able to rest because we had an early morning. So early that a few hours after going to sleep I found myself half way up Mt. Sinai in the dark at 3:00 am.
I can safely say that difficulty of the hike up Mt. Sinai was severely underestimated by the majority of us. With the option to take the stairs or the camel trail the group split up and headed to the top. Both groups met up near the top to hike up the rest together. The stars at Mt Sinai were amazing. I never knew that many star existed (thanks NJ). With the lack of light pollution we were able to see the Milky Way. I can't even go into much about the sky because it is hard to explain. No picture or explanation will ever do it justice.
Once we got to the top, all of the York College people found a great place to watch the sunrise. Again, it is hard to describe a sunrise at Mt. Sinai so I will just say that everyone should see it at some point in their life. After Sinai it took us 2 hours to hike back down to our buses, we then drove us back to the Sharm el-Sheikh airport, and then we went back to Cario.
Straight from the Cairo Airport we drove to Giza. Everyone was so tired by this point. We arrived at our hotel and had dinner. Live entertainment was provided. Ask your traveler about it. For the most part it was a early night and rest was well deserved.
The pyramids happened the next day (5-26-10). The pyramids are a highlight of almost everyone's trip. We visited many pyramids, ending with the Great Pyramids of Giza. The day was super hot and I drank 12 bottles of water. It was serious that everyone kept hydrated. The other pyramids were cool but the Great Pyramids were insane. I had no idea they would be that huge. People that wanted to go inside could pay 100 LE. They could also pay to go in the second largest one for 30 LE. I spent 130 LE that day. The pyramids were very impressive and I can understand why they have been a symbol of Egypt for years.
The overnight train to Aswan arrived at 8:48 am. I know the exact date because whoever wanted to bet 5 LE ($ 1) on the time of the train arriving. We did this because arrival times are very inconsistent. I was 3 minutes off. We got on another bus that took us to see the Aswan High Dam. It was impressed by its size. It is 10 football fields thick, and 2 miles wide.
What am I doing right now?? – sitting at this computer at the nicest hotel we have been to. Everyone else is at the pool. I haven’t yet eaten lunch so it seems as though its time to say goodbye. But don’t worry because we are in the same hotel so internet access will not be an issue. Until then, no news is good news, and everyone is having an awesome time.- MP
PS> im trying really hard to upload a picture but this computer is being mean.
1:22 PM (Egypt)
6:22 AM (EST)
The Red Sea got it's name not because the water is actually red, but because of the occasional and very rare red tides that occur. The sea is not even one color. It is a mixture of light blue, dark blue, and all shades in between. I know this because it is the first thing you notice upon arrival in Sharm el-Sheikh. The second thing you notice is big white resorts with bright blue pools. For us, we would not be staying in any of these big hotels because we had a strict schedule if we wanted to get to Mt. Sinai on time.
Although many of us would have liked to explore Sharm el-Sheikh we were still able to experience a little bit of paradise on the Red Sea. This little bit of paradise is a place called Dahab. Dahab is a small town just an hour or so north of Sharm el-Sheikh. I thought Dahab would be full of tourists but when I arrived, I found myself to be pleasantly surprised. With minimal foot traffic on the main street of the town, it was a relaxing getaway from Cario. Almost all of us decided to try and go snorkeling when we got there. Unfortunately, the low tide and strong winds prevented us to even get close to the reef. Many of us still were able to get in the water and swim around. I decided to eat at the same place I rented my snorkel equipment. There was good food at great prices but the thing that was most interesting about it was that the tables were all on the sand, and you sat on pillows under coverings while looking at the water. Dahab was also cool because you could see Saudi Arabia from the beach. I didn’t realize how thin the Red Sea was. I can safely say Dahab was the most beautiful beach I have been to in my life.
After a few hours in Dahab we were back on the bus and off to Mt. Sinai. It was an interesting ride to our hotel because it felt like we were driving to the middle of the mountains. Once we got there we had some dinner and were able to rest because we had an early morning. So early that a few hours after going to sleep I found myself half way up Mt. Sinai in the dark at 3:00 am.
I can safely say that difficulty of the hike up Mt. Sinai was severely underestimated by the majority of us. With the option to take the stairs or the camel trail the group split up and headed to the top. Both groups met up near the top to hike up the rest together. The stars at Mt Sinai were amazing. I never knew that many star existed (thanks NJ). With the lack of light pollution we were able to see the Milky Way. I can't even go into much about the sky because it is hard to explain. No picture or explanation will ever do it justice.
Once we got to the top, all of the York College people found a great place to watch the sunrise. Again, it is hard to describe a sunrise at Mt. Sinai so I will just say that everyone should see it at some point in their life. After Sinai it took us 2 hours to hike back down to our buses, we then drove us back to the Sharm el-Sheikh airport, and then we went back to Cario.
Straight from the Cairo Airport we drove to Giza. Everyone was so tired by this point. We arrived at our hotel and had dinner. Live entertainment was provided. Ask your traveler about it. For the most part it was a early night and rest was well deserved.
The pyramids happened the next day (5-26-10). The pyramids are a highlight of almost everyone's trip. We visited many pyramids, ending with the Great Pyramids of Giza. The day was super hot and I drank 12 bottles of water. It was serious that everyone kept hydrated. The other pyramids were cool but the Great Pyramids were insane. I had no idea they would be that huge. People that wanted to go inside could pay 100 LE. They could also pay to go in the second largest one for 30 LE. I spent 130 LE that day. The pyramids were very impressive and I can understand why they have been a symbol of Egypt for years.
The overnight train to Aswan arrived at 8:48 am. I know the exact date because whoever wanted to bet 5 LE ($ 1) on the time of the train arriving. We did this because arrival times are very inconsistent. I was 3 minutes off. We got on another bus that took us to see the Aswan High Dam. It was impressed by its size. It is 10 football fields thick, and 2 miles wide.
What am I doing right now?? – sitting at this computer at the nicest hotel we have been to. Everyone else is at the pool. I haven’t yet eaten lunch so it seems as though its time to say goodbye. But don’t worry because we are in the same hotel so internet access will not be an issue. Until then, no news is good news, and everyone is having an awesome time.- MP
PS> im trying really hard to upload a picture but this computer is being mean.
Our first full day in Egypt
5-23-10
5:40 ( Egypt )
10:40 ( USA )
Breakfast was served at 7:00 am on the eleventh floor of our hotel. The breakfast was different than what many of us are used to. Mashed potatoes, bread, bean dip, cheese, tea and coffee was basically it. After breaskfast we headed off to the Alabaster Mosque (Turkish style), followed by an arab style mosque. The Alabaster Mosque had a beautiful roof. Consisting of 10 domes, the ceiling inside was full of intricate designs and lighting. Outside of the Alabaster Mosque, the view of Cairo was outstanding. In the background of the buildings of Cario, the pyramids were faintly in sight. I was shocked to finally see the pyramids in real life although they were miles away. Everyone outside of the mosque was more interested in seeing the pyramids from afar, than buying things from the vendors. We headed down to Coptic Cario and visted a few churches and the Jewish Synogogue. One of the churches we visited was in the middle of a mass and we had the opportunity to peak in and take a look at how it was conducted. It was interesting to see how different the architecture was in all of these places.
By 12:30 pm we were at Khan al-Khalili, the largest market in Cairo. We had 1 1/2 hours to eat and explore the hundreds of stands and vendors. When I entered the market I was overwhelmed not only by it's size, but by the hundreds of people trying to sell you everything they had. Many of the vendors offered things like spices, charms, jewlery, fruit, statues, shoes, clothing, water pipes, lanterns, hats and sunglasses. This list is only a fraction of what Khan al-Khalili had to offer. Many of us plan to return at a later point this week. After the market, the buses picked us up and dropped us back at the hotel. It is currently 5:40 in Cairo and we have some free time before dinner at 6:45.
We are all looking at another early night. This is becuase we have a flight to Sharm el-Sheikh at 5:45 am. This means that we need to leave our hotel at 3:30 am. A good rest can sometimes be hard to come by a times, but it is worth it to experience Egypt. Falling asleep in Central Cario can be challenging at times becuase the noise from the traffic lasts until late at night.
It was nice to see the comments left by family and friends, I'm glad they have given some comfort. I feel during the next two days it will be hard to gain internet access. Until then, I will try my best to keep you guys posted.
For now, no news is good news- MP
PS : The picture above was taken today at the Alabaster Mosque.
5:40 ( Egypt )
10:40 ( USA )
Breakfast was served at 7:00 am on the eleventh floor of our hotel. The breakfast was different than what many of us are used to. Mashed potatoes, bread, bean dip, cheese, tea and coffee was basically it. After breaskfast we headed off to the Alabaster Mosque (Turkish style), followed by an arab style mosque. The Alabaster Mosque had a beautiful roof. Consisting of 10 domes, the ceiling inside was full of intricate designs and lighting. Outside of the Alabaster Mosque, the view of Cairo was outstanding. In the background of the buildings of Cario, the pyramids were faintly in sight. I was shocked to finally see the pyramids in real life although they were miles away. Everyone outside of the mosque was more interested in seeing the pyramids from afar, than buying things from the vendors. We headed down to Coptic Cario and visted a few churches and the Jewish Synogogue. One of the churches we visited was in the middle of a mass and we had the opportunity to peak in and take a look at how it was conducted. It was interesting to see how different the architecture was in all of these places.
By 12:30 pm we were at Khan al-Khalili, the largest market in Cairo. We had 1 1/2 hours to eat and explore the hundreds of stands and vendors. When I entered the market I was overwhelmed not only by it's size, but by the hundreds of people trying to sell you everything they had. Many of the vendors offered things like spices, charms, jewlery, fruit, statues, shoes, clothing, water pipes, lanterns, hats and sunglasses. This list is only a fraction of what Khan al-Khalili had to offer. Many of us plan to return at a later point this week. After the market, the buses picked us up and dropped us back at the hotel. It is currently 5:40 in Cairo and we have some free time before dinner at 6:45.
We are all looking at another early night. This is becuase we have a flight to Sharm el-Sheikh at 5:45 am. This means that we need to leave our hotel at 3:30 am. A good rest can sometimes be hard to come by a times, but it is worth it to experience Egypt. Falling asleep in Central Cario can be challenging at times becuase the noise from the traffic lasts until late at night.
It was nice to see the comments left by family and friends, I'm glad they have given some comfort. I feel during the next two days it will be hard to gain internet access. Until then, I will try my best to keep you guys posted.
For now, no news is good news- MP
PS : The picture above was taken today at the Alabaster Mosque.
We are here and safe!
5-22-10
5:17 pm(Egypt)
10: 17 (USA)
After a long bus ride to JFK, and an even longer flight to Cairo, we are finally in Egypt. After checking into the Cairo Khan hotel, everyone had the opportunity to meet our guides for the trips ahead of us. Dinner is at a resturant downtown at 6pm tonight. Afterward, rest seems like a good option for most since we will be sightseeing around Cairo tomorrow. Finding internet access can be challenging but i am trying my best to keep all family and friends up to date. - MP
5:17 pm(Egypt)
10: 17 (USA)
After a long bus ride to JFK, and an even longer flight to Cairo, we are finally in Egypt. After checking into the Cairo Khan hotel, everyone had the opportunity to meet our guides for the trips ahead of us. Dinner is at a resturant downtown at 6pm tonight. Afterward, rest seems like a good option for most since we will be sightseeing around Cairo tomorrow. Finding internet access can be challenging but i am trying my best to keep all family and friends up to date. - MP
5-17-2010
Hi all, I hope everyone is ready to go to Egypt! I will be starting to post messages when we arrive in Egypt. I will try my best to get to a computer whenever possible. This will be a great way for our family and friends to keep track of what we have been doing. New flight times have been posted below. - MP
FOR: YORK COLLEGE/EGYPT
21 MAY 10 - FRIDAY
AIR EGYPTAIR FLT:986 ECONOMY MEALS
LV NEW YORK JFK 1830 EQP: BOEING 777
DEPART: TERMINAL 4 10HR 45MIN
22 MAY 10 - SATURDAY
AR CAIRO 1215 NON-STOP
ARRIVE: TERMINAL 3
07 JUN 10 - MONDAY
AIR EGYPTAIR FLT:985 ECONOMY MEALS
LV CAIRO 1020 EQP: BOEING 777
DEPART: TERMINAL 3 11HR 55MIN
AR NEW YORK JFK 1515 NON-STOP
ARRIVE: TERMINAL 4
Hi all, I hope everyone is ready to go to Egypt! I will be starting to post messages when we arrive in Egypt. I will try my best to get to a computer whenever possible. This will be a great way for our family and friends to keep track of what we have been doing. New flight times have been posted below. - MP
FOR: YORK COLLEGE/EGYPT
21 MAY 10 - FRIDAY
AIR EGYPTAIR FLT:986 ECONOMY MEALS
LV NEW YORK JFK 1830 EQP: BOEING 777
DEPART: TERMINAL 4 10HR 45MIN
22 MAY 10 - SATURDAY
AR CAIRO 1215 NON-STOP
ARRIVE: TERMINAL 3
07 JUN 10 - MONDAY
AIR EGYPTAIR FLT:985 ECONOMY MEALS
LV CAIRO 1020 EQP: BOEING 777
DEPART: TERMINAL 3 11HR 55MIN
AR NEW YORK JFK 1515 NON-STOP
ARRIVE: TERMINAL 4
Welcome to the 2010 YCP Egypt blog
Welcome to all of those who are looking forward to the 2010 Spring Mini-mester in Egypt. The purpose of this blog is to keep everyone updated on information, share links, and most importantly it is a place where everyone can ask questions and chat with one another. I will be posting any emails that Professor Fyfe or Adventures Abroad sends to our my.ycp emails. Please feel free to share any questions, comments, or links to anything interesting regarding are visit to Egypt. The two weeks we are all spending together in Egypt will certainly be an experience that will last a lifetime. - Matt Peterson
