Two days before embarking on the Princess Cruise Lines Emerald Princess, Rick Steves and I had a 36-hour mini-“vacation” in Copenhagen. I say “vacation” because even when Rick is trying to take it easy, his passion for his work tends to not stay dormant. So while this meant we would not be going at aContinue reading “36 Hours in Copenhagen”
Tag Archives: Rick Steves
On Set with Rick Steves
Typically, when Rick is on the road researching or filming, I’m either on the road with a tour group or guidebook researching in Europe, or I’m subbing at a private school near our home town. I’m sure most people can imagine that it’s hard to be apart from one’s partner for a two-month stretch, soContinue reading “On Set with Rick Steves”
A New Way to Travel
This summer, I escorted two Rick Steves’ My Way Tours–it’s a new kind of tour, geared towards independent travelers who want the freedom to customize their own itinerary but don’t want the hassle of figuring out how to get from point A to point B or where they’re going to stay. I escort the groupContinue reading “A New Way to Travel”
Is There a Doctor in l’Hôtel?
You know that tickle-throat, on-the-verge-of-a-festering-cold feeling? The one that tells you “If you ignore me, it can only go horribly wrong from here”? Yeah, it sucks. But you know what’s worse? Ignoring it while you’re traveling abroad. Such was my lot seven weeks into a nine-week stint on the road, earlier this year. I hadContinue reading “Is There a Doctor in l’Hôtel?”
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,Continue 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,Continue reading “Struggling With Israel”
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 ofContinue 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 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”