As I am Lounging on a Hammock Along the Shore of the Nile River…
I am currently lounging on a hammock along the shore of the Nile River in the evening here in Luxor, where I can see the Hatshibsut Temple alit across the water while the stars pierce through the blackness of the Egyptian sky, doing something I rarely get to do: have some down time…
…and I paused to reflect on the past few days I have spent in Egypt — and it was an interesting week where I:
- Experienced some of the worst turbulence I have endured aboard an airplane upon final descent into Cairo International Airport — enough to cause people to become sick where at least one poor female passenger vomited violently
- Exited the aircraft onto the tarmac in what felt like a blast furnace during an unusual heat wave
- Witnessed two men who became involved in what was almost a physical altercation at the overcrowded arrivals area of the airport
- Rented quite possibly one of the worst cars I have ever rented
- Became the Guest of the Day at one hotel property — simply by driving a car
- Was trapped in the toilet of my hotel room for at least a half hour
- Drove between Cairo, Hurghada and Luxor; and workers are currently working on a brand-new four-lane divided highway between Hurghada and Qena as this article was written — a small portion of it has already been completed — which should reduce travel time between the two cities
- Have already visited the Pyramids and Sphinx — as well as the Luxor and Karnak Temples
I intend to give more details of some of the items listed above in future articles; but for now, it is time for me to enjoy a few moments of doing absolutely nothing — so please pardon me and accept my apologies for not having an article with more substance for now…
Photograph ©2015 by Brian Cohen.
Enjoy! Did you feel safe enough driving around the country on your own? Egypt is near the top of my list of places to go but I’m always a little skeptical of safety in the region (UAE is the farthest I’ve ventured into the Middle East so far)
I have to say that I never felt unsafe anywhere here in Egypt, Kyle — and I have already been to Cairo, Hurghada and Luxor. There are checkpoints with armed police on the roads everywhere I drove although I was rarely stopped; but driving in Egypt is certainly not for the faint-hearted — especially in Cairo.
I intend to give more details in a future article…
I’d say stay in hammock, post much, much later. Enjoy!