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few months ago, I had the opportunity to check off a bucket list item by spending 13 days in Egypt. It was an absolutely life-changing expe-
rience.
The country is so rich with history that it’s impossible to process what you’re seeing and take it all in. It’s truly awe inspiring to stand in temples or see artifacts that are thousands of years old. Everything is so well-preserved given their age and new treasures are constantly being discovered. I know it sounds cliché, but seeing these things in books or on TV and experiencing them firsthand is so completely different. The entire trip was one amazing experience after another – I would think to myself that wherever I had been or what I had just done was the most amazing thing ever, and then something even more amazing would come along. It was truly just one ‘wow’ after another, after another. Before I left for my trip, I had all sorts of expectations about what I thought Egypt would be like and it was so much more in so many ways I didn’t expect. For one thing, Egypt is one of the most progressive predominantly Muslim countries. This means that head coverings are optional (even in mosques) and women are treated more equally than I expected. Egypt is still very traditional in many ways - alcohol is only sold to tourists, pork is not served anywhere, and women are expected to dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered at all times). I also felt incredibly safe the entire time I was in Egypt. I think there is a misconception that Egypt is unsafe, especially for women, but I never experienced that. We always had an armed police officer with us and while the idea of this gives some people pause, I found it to be reassuring. We also typically had an armed escort in front of our vehicle. One of the most fascinating aspects of the trip is that there are so many locations within Egypt that have importance to Islam, Christianity, and Judaism, and you really see how intertwined all three religions are. One of the most memorable parts of the trip was the bus ride to Alexandria. We talked with our guide, Suzie, for hours about the ways that our three faiths were so similar. It was such a wonderful experience having these women of various faiths having this in-depth conversation about our experiences and beliefs, and to be reminded how we are all much more similar than different. It was also surprising how many places within Egypt have such significance with Christianity. My favorite was Cavern Church which is where Jesus, Mary, and Joseph stayed for a time during their exile in Egypt. There are no words for what it felt like to be in this church where Jesus had been, to see the well the Holy Family drank from, and to stand in the cave under the church where they stayed for three months. I visited so many different places but still felt there was so much that I didn’t see and do. I visited Cairo, Aswan, Luxor, Edfu, Alexandria, Sharm el Sheikh. I saw Memphis and the oldest pyramid in the world at Saqqa-
Our Town
WALK LIKE AN
EGYPTIAN By Heather Meliski
ra (built in 2787 BC). I rode a camel at The Pyramids of Giza and blew a kiss to The Sphinx (because have you really been to Egypt if you don’t do this?). I drove across the High Dam and walked through Philae Temple. I gasped when I saw the massive size of Abu Simbel which is carved both inside and out from one single cliff. I saw the crocodile mummies at the Temple of Kom Ombo and rode in a horse-drawn carriage to see the Temple of Edfu. I walked as much as I could of the enormous Karnak Temple. I explored the underground tombs of the Valley of the Kings. I stood in awe of the absolutely stunning Mosque of Mohamed Ali and the most beautiful church in Cairo, The Hanging Church. I saw the mummies at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization – I was inches from them and could see their teeth and nails, and saw how a queen still had curls in her hair after thousands of years. I stood at the feet of the Colossi of Memnon. I saw the two miles of the Avenue of the Sphinxes between Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple. I explored the Catacombs of Kom ash-Shuqqafa and saw the Library at Alexandria. I soaked in the beauty of the Heavenly Cathedral which is most extravagant church I have ever seen. But there were a few experiences that stood out the most to me and what I will think of most when I reminisce about my trip to Egypt. The first was hearing the call to prayer. There is something so absolutely magical and mesmerizing about hearing this in person. The call to prayer is made five times daily and as the trip went on, I found myself looking forward to hearing it throughout the day. It was such a beautiful reminder to stop everything and take a moment to speak with God. Next would be the early morning hot air balloon ride over the Valley of the Kings and Luxor. For those that know me, I am very afraid of heights so being in a hot air balloon was way outside of my comfort zone. I’m so glad that I did it. To feel the peace as you float through the silence up in the air while still hearing the noises of life from the ground (dogs barking, birds chirping) and then seeing the sunrise over the Nile River, it was like nothing I had ever experienced. By far the most memorable experience I had in Egypt was hiking Mount Sinai – overnight, in the dark, with a full moon overhead. After a three-hour drive, we began our hike with our Bedouin guide at 1:45AM and reached the summit at 5:45AM. The hike is significant –it is three miles each way and the summit is 7,496 feet above sea level. The last part of the hike consists of ‘the 700 stairs’ which are rocky, uneven, and zigzagged straight up the mountain - and you ascend them in the dark. We arrived in time to watch the sunrise, and while I was cold, sore, and exhausted, I felt so blessed to stand at the top of one of the holiest places in all of Christianity. After the two-hour descent, we also saw the Burning Bush. This was a great day. Egypt isn’t a destination for everyone, but if you’re adventurous and well-traveled it should definitely be at the top of your travel list. I can’t wait to go back in a few years when my boys are older so they can experience it as well. Heather Meliski writes Our Town Travel keeping us in the “know”. Heather is a travel agent specializing in the Caribbean, Hawaii, Mexico, Europe, Australia, the South Pacific, cruises, theme parks, and more. She lives in Smyrna with her husband and two sons. Heather@yellowshoetravel.com FB @ heatheryellowshoetravel IG @yellowshoetravelheather
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