Egypt was the primary reason we chose this particular cruise. All of the other ports were great, but the big one for most people on the ship was Egypt. We stayed there for 2 days, even though the first day started out late being that we were supposed to dock at 7:00AM, but due to fog didn't make it in until 11:00. We had a tour booked with just our family, a driver, and a guide, that was supposed to be waiting for us at 7:00 AM to drive us to Cairo which is 3 hours away. We had already paid in full, and so we were a little nervous, but sure enough their was a man standing with a sign with our name on it when we finally got off the ship. I had not done too much research knowing that we had a driver and a guide, and my original thought (before we got there) was that Egypt was clean, possibly lots of marble, and wealth - DEFINTELY NOT THE CASE! They fool you a little when you pull into the port of Alexandria, because there is a beautiful Marble Port Building with landscaping of Palm Trees etc. As soon as you cross a very short bridge - the reality hits you right away! I think most of the people on the ship were shcoked at the reality. With the exception of the Mosques, picture the Movie Indiana Jones - but worse. Dust, litter, donkeys, old cars, horse and buggies, camels etc. It was shocking! The drive to Cairo was 3 hours and we didn't want to miss any of it. The highway was another shock. People were walking all over the highways, hitchhikers everywhere, 2 lanes would turn to 4 lanes - even though the road never widened (there were no lines). Bumps the entire way, 15 people standing in the back of a pick up truck going down the highway, donkeys on the highway etc.... Our driver and guide saw a truck with Oranges driving on the highway, and wanted to get some for us (even though we really didn't want any, because we were told not to eat produce or drink the water). They rolled down the window as we were both doing probably 50 miles an hour and wanted to grab the oranges as we were driving!!! Luckily it didn't work out, so we both pulled over to get the oranges. Everywhere people were trying to make a buck!!!
2 comments:
You did not mention any turmoil so I am guessing there was not any. I would have been so anxious of a robbery or kidnapping. Having a man present would be a must for me. (And loaded for bear)........ I am glad you had a safe trip. You all are so brave and out-there...... Good for you all...... I bet there will be time in the near future that the places you have toured will not be opened for foreign visitors. I liked some of the action you described. gp
totally different way of life, huh? Sounds like an adventure!
Post a Comment