Ask any Egyptian what the Nile River means to his people, and he will surely tell you that it is Life. For millennia, its waters, silt, and nutrients have nourished the lush farmlands that line its banks. The abundance of fish still provides a vital food source for Egyptians. Man has harnessed the power ofContinue reading “Finding God on the Nile”
Category Archives: Culture
Contemporary Egypt
On our trip through Egypt, we hit most major historical and architectural sites in Cairo, Alexandria and Luxor: the Pyramids of Giza, the new great library Biblioteka Alexandrina, the temples at Luxor and Karnak, and the tombs in the Valley of the Kings. Stunning and powerful, one and all. But equally fascinating to me wasContinue reading “Contemporary Egypt”
Women, Religion, and Politics in Egypt
As a woman, I cherish the hard-earned rights, freedom, and respect that my gender enjoys in America and throughout the Western World. We’ve come a long way in the last century, but we still face challenges and work diligently to hurdle them. And because we recognize the value and contributions of women, no matter whereContinue reading “Women, Religion, and Politics in Egypt”
Breaking News: Minds Blown in Cairo
Coming to Egypt, I packed way more than I should have: four pairs of pants, two skirts, eight tank tops, two short-sleeve shirts, four long-sleeve shirts, three super slim sweaters, a dress, a denim jacket, a light rain jacket, four pairs of shoes, and my entire bathroom drawer (note: I’m on a two-month trip toContinue reading “Breaking News: Minds Blown in Cairo”
Time-traveling in Egypt
By and large, I’m a visual learner–I need to see it to understand it. I’m not the kind of gal who’s skilled at just “imagining” something. While books, photos, and movies are helpful, traveling and seeing things with my own eyes is, for me, the best way to comprehend a culture’s history and contemporary realities.Continue reading “Time-traveling in Egypt”
Welcome in Cairo!
When Rick and I started telling people about our plans to visit Egypt, their first reaction was generally, “Wow, aren’t you scared?” followed by, “That’s on my Bucket List. I’d love to go there.” We’re on a scouting trip for two new TV shows that Rick will do on Egypt. While he’s been here twiceContinue reading “Welcome in Cairo!”
A Star-struck Traveler
In the previous article, I shared what it was like to be at a travel show. But I left out one really fun thing: meeting travel celebrities. I admit that I get star-struck pretty easily. Sometimes my neck gets sweaty, my heart feels like my body must be doing a 100-yard dash, and my earsContinue reading “A Star-struck Traveler”
Before You Travel, Why Not Check Out a Travel Show?
When you think of winter, you might imagine trees enveloped in velvety white snow, marshmallows slowly dissolving in molten hot chocolate, scarves wrapped twice around the neck in defiance of the wind, or the crackle of reds, yellows, and oranges in a just-what-I-needed fireplace. Lately, when I think of winter, I picture immense convention centerContinue reading “Before You Travel, Why Not Check Out a Travel Show?”
Iditarod: The Official Start
As Rick Steves’ sister, Jan Steves (with her team of sixteen canine companions) mushes her way through the snow-blanketed Alaskan wilderness of her second Iditarod Trail Race, I’m wrapping up my three-part series on my behind-the-scenes perspective on what it was like last year at her debut in the “Last Great Race on Earth.” TheContinue reading “Iditarod: The Official Start”
Iditarod: Ceremonial Start
As Rick Steves’ sister, Jan Steves, continues on her second Iditarod adventure, I’m continuing my three-part series on what it was like last year at her debut in the “Last Great Race on Earth.” The original article was posted on Jan’s blog on March 4, 2012. Snow dances its way onto the ground and ticklesContinue reading “Iditarod: Ceremonial Start”