Walk like an Egyptian

So I'm finally home from Egypt and what an experience it was. Top three rules when you travel to Egypt:

1. DO NOT EAT FRUIT OR VEGETABLES (avoid dairy products and just food in general if possible, sometimes you find ants crawling through your bread)

2. DO NOT DRINK THE WATER (unless it comes in a sealed bottle from Europe)

2 a. DO NOT JUMP IN THE NILE AND DRINK THE WATER (you will die)

3. BE VERY GRATEFUL FOR SOFT BEDS AND DRAMAMINE (the hotels we stayed at were BE-utiful and made being in Egypt actually livable. Ps. dramamine helps due to the lack of road rules in Egypt, especially when your bus driver decides to drive the wrong way on the freeway)

The trip began with traveling a few sites on the way to Egypt. We stopped at Beersheba (where Abraham lived) as well as this amazing fortress on the Spice route. We then went to a Kabutz where a small community of Jews live as agricultural leaders and farmers. It truly was a Zionistic society, and oh yeah they had basically the most amazing ice cream (oh yes better than the BYU creamery, I know, shocking).
We then traveled to Cairo. Honestly I have never seen such poverty in my entire life. We went to a very exciting light show at the pyramids/sphinx. When we drove around the corner and I saw the pyramids that day I basically screamed. Very exciting day my friends. The following day I even was able to go inside of the largest pyramid and man it was hot! No ventilation in there! But then again dead guys don't need much air as it is. I also was able to walk in and see King Tut's tomb (sorry no pictures allowed, apparently mummies just don't think they are very photogenic).

After two days in Cairo we took a plane to Luxor to see some wonderful ancient temples! The hotel was beautiful and I wish that I could have brought that bed home with me.....In Luxor I was able to ride a Falukah (I don't think I spelled that correctly) on the Nile and then went on a camel safari! I even made a new best friend/boyfriend (sorry Blake ;) ) His name is Usef and he is 4 years old. He was in charge of his very own donkey. We had a great conversation in Arabic and I even played a few hand games with him. I've realized that children are so alike all over the world. So willing to love and make new friends. If only everyone could keep that childlike humility.

(Usef, 4 years old, and his donkey)

Story of the week for Luxor. Dan (a rather daring and rebellious guy in our group) decided that it would be a wonderful experience to jump in the Nile even after being COMMANDED by our leaders to not do so. Oh yes, he's been sick for the past week. Moral of the story: don't jump in the Nile or you may die.

Following our stay in Luxor we took a night train back to Cairo. The bed was not as nice as the hotel but I lived. Being the klutz that I was, when I woke up in the morning to go to the bathroom, I shut my thumb in the door and received the largest blood blister on record. (I took a picture so ask me to see it when I get home, I didn't think that posting it on the internet was necessary.) Thank you, Thank you, I'll be here all week.

Once back at Cairo, we spent a few days shopping (oh yes a man offered 5 chickens for me as a wife) and then headed off to Sinai. We received our wake up call at 2 AM. Yes, I did say 2 AM. The hike took 2 and 1/2 hours to complete, 7 kilometers in all with the last 1/3 of the hike being 750 stairs (boulder like stairs). This was probably one of the hardest experiences of my life but I am so very grateful that I was able to complete it and see the amazing sunrise at the top.

(Emily and I at the top of Sinai at 5 AM, it was freezing!!)

After this we went swimming in the Red Sea. I chose to opt out on that one due to the 30 mosquito bites on my legs. But being able to tan on the beach was wonderful. We then went through the border (which took 2 1/2 hours). What a long day!!

Overall I am grateful that I was able to go but I'm not sure that I would ever want to go back. It was quite a unique experience that I will never forget.