Martin Luther King said “We are not makers of history. We are made by history.” I’m not sure about the first half of this quote coming from history-maker Martin Luther King, but I am good with the second half. And for me travel is one of the best ways to learn about what we are made of. Some places are especially good for understanding a little bit about world history, and feeling the past and how it has influenced our world today.
Egypt
What to Expect When You Are Expecting to Go to Egypt
The minarets of the mosque near Khan al Khalili
Egypt is a remarkable place, a window into human history that is unlike anyplace I have ever visited. Now is a great time to visit because you won’t be competing with a lot of other tourists and your Egyptian hosts will be more grateful than ever. Continue reading
A Couple of Days in Cairo
On my first morning back in Cairo, I declined my hotel’s offer to enjoy a $31 breakfast and hopped a cab to Zooba. Zooba is in the leafy Zamalek neighborhood of Cairo and features local produce, healthy updates to traditional dishes, and a communal table. Sounds like Oakland. Continue reading
Yalla Yalla Down the Nile
Yalla yalla is Arabic for “come on, let’s go!” and we did. Twenty miles north of Aswan, our falucca docked (maybe more like beached on a sand bar) and we boarded a van for the five hour drive north to Luxor, which provided a quick study of the communities and geography along the Nile. Continue reading
Tea in the Sahara
My dancing roomie, Emma, at Abu Simbel
On Saturday, I met my tour group in downtown Cairo. I am not crazy about organized tours partly because when 15 usually white English speakers get out of a van, it’s hard to blend in.
Giza and The Other Room with a View
My fight from Athens to Cairo signaled a change in cultures and provided a lesson in how deeply ingrained our prejudices can be. Continue reading
