Our trip to Egypt, Jordan and Israel

Last month we traveled to Egypt, Jordan and Israel with a group. About half of our group was from Canada and the other half from Australia. It was an amazing trip, we experienced so much in cultures that are so different from our own. Today in the news we again hear about the political upheaval in Cairo, where they are protesting against the military government. We pray for peace in Egypt.


Yes, the pyramids are a must to see! And they are grand, massive and ancient. We were struck by how close the pyramids are to the city. They were visible from the Grand Pyramid Hotel, where we were staying. As soon as you are out of the city there is sand and desert everywhere.
How was it to ride a camel? Well, make sure you hang on and lean back when he goes up and when he walks down a hill. No, we didn't ride it far. :)


What impressed us most on this first day in Cairo?
- The traffic. We were stuck in a traffic jam on the way from the airport to the hotel. The traffic is c-r-a-z-y! On a three-lane road there were five cars squeezed beside each other, with yet a horse and buggy going on the side in the opposite direction. No stop signs, no traffic lights, no rules - or the rule is, that the most aggressive driver moves ahead first.
- The persistent vendors. At the tourist places they are all over you. They cover your head with scarves. They ask where are your from? We answer: Canada (Australia), they say: my cousin lives there. They seem to have cousins all over the world. We will remember their bargaining (1 dollah!) for a long time. Overall, the souvenirs were not expensive.
- The garbage littered everywhere.
- The unfinished high-rise apartment buildings. Everyone seems to live in apartments.



The first full day in Egypt we ended with a boat cruise and dinner on the river Nile. It was typical Egyptian (I think), with loud music. Quite an experience. The weather was great and we enjoyed being upstairs on the deck where it was nice and quiet and were entertained by a 'sand artist'.