My Egyptian Friend, Tarek From Cairo

In earlier posts, you learned about my travels throughout Egypt with Rick Steves.  The man who made our trip such a rewarding learning experience was our friend and guide from Cairo, Tarek.  We are so grateful to have met such a kind, professional, sincere man to teach us about such a beautiful country, its history,ContinueContinue reading “My Egyptian Friend, Tarek From Cairo”

Struggling With Israel

For the last month, I’ve been struggling over what I wanted to share regarding my experiences in Israel.  While impactful and moving moments made the travel experience rich at times, I sensed a persistent tension and distrust throughout the country.  It was a low-lying and lingering fog–cold, eerie, barely visible, yet permeating nearly every location,ContinueContinue reading “Struggling With Israel”

I Believe The Children Are Our Future

My newfound fondness of the Egyptian people manifests most profoundly in how I feel for their children.  In them, I see goodness, love, and hope.  Youth has kept them from being jaded.  The nurturing love of their families has helped them remain open and engaging.  Curiosity swims in their eyes.  Friendliness beams in their smiles. ContinueContinue reading “I Believe The Children Are Our Future”

Finding God on the Nile

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 ofContinueContinue reading “Finding God on the Nile”

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 wasContinueContinue 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 whereContinueContinue 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 toContinueContinue 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.ContinueContinue 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 twiceContinueContinue reading “Welcome in Cairo!”