Before I Kick the Bucket - Part 2

Five years ago tomorrow I posted my “bucket list” blog. Today I was composing a “Top Priority Trips” list and was reminded of the post. I started this blog about six years ago. I was 23 years old and heading off to graduate school in London, England. I’d lived internationally before and knew what I was getting myself into but I never imagine London would become my home. At 23, I was full of dreams (not that I am not still a dreamer, but I think my dreams are a bit more realistic now), and convinced that I could tackle the world with one quick swoop!

I find myself five years later updating my plans, goals and ambitions. So, dear blog, here’s what is important in the world of travel to 29 year old me.

Europe

Visit Moscow & St. Petersburg, Russia.

Hop on the Tran Serbian railway if the opportunity presents itself

See the Tulip Field in The Netherlands

Visit Chernobyl in the Ukraine

See the Northern Lights

Complete a bike tour of the Cotswolds

Hike the Lake District

Do as many hikes as possible all over the UK!

Visit Isle of Skye in Scotland

The Rest of the World

This list is still being formulated, but here’s the beginning of the short list!

Climb Kilimanjaro. I no longer care how long it takes!

Trek the desert on camel back

Salt Fields

Take a picture with Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Ride through the Panama Canal

Road trip the USA & Canada!

Asia, Australia, South America – yup there too! 

For me, travel is where I determine value. I compare every expenditure to the cost of a trip. To me, I don't see a new iPhone; I see two weekends away, new countries visited, more friends made. And, judging from this list above, it might be a while before I have new clothes hanging in my closet or a new phone in my purse, but this life brings me joy and life is too short not to be lived!    

What I Learned in Egypt

I've always thought I was more opened minded, worked hard not to put people in stereotypical boxes and tried to understand how the other side might think. However coming to Egypt shook a lot of my preconceived perceptions up a little. Even boarding the plane I was suspicious of the Egyptians sitting around me. I found myself wondering if they knew someone in ISIS or maybe we're part of the organisation themselves. I assumed they were speaking about me, the lone "westerner", in hatred tones. While I didn't understand the language I could tell everyone was talking to everyone; strangers and friends. It unnerved me.

I landed and disembarked to find a smiling face holding a sign for me. "You are welcome" he blurted and proceeded to talk and walk me through the visa process with no issues at all. Each Egyptian greeting me with a smile and a big "You are welcome".

As the first few days past we began to relax a bit and it didn't take long before we felt very comfortable and safe in this country. I had gotten it wrong. The general population wants the same thing we do, to stop the people hurting innocent people. They don't understand the motives and don't desire the same goals. They want their country to be successful and prosper. They want to show off their fabulous history to willing intrigued tourists. They mean it when they say "you are welcome".

Even more than that I began to observe how they treated and interacted with each other. Each interaction is full of respect. Class levels appear to be void and while some have more than others there's a sense of genuine care and love for their people and mankind. Overall I found Egyptians to be fun loving and rather chill.

There are always ups and downs to travelling with a tour over figuring it out for yourself. While we chose a tour this time we did lose a bit of exploring the culture in the process, so my perceptions and experiences need to be offered with a disclaimer. I still stand by, we did the right thing in this case to go by tour. We have seen and done more than I ever imagined possible on a nine day trip. We've seen Cairo and the Pyramids, lower Egypt and upper Egypt, and even jumped on a police convey to Abu Simbel near the Sudanese boarder. We received more history and explanation than I ever expected and I wouldn't change a day of it. We still experienced intense bartering in the markets, continuous references to the Western colour of our skin and even a few requests for pictures with us.  Yet we always had our Egyptian guardian angel (aka tour guide) near by to step in if needed. I never once felt threatened or in potential danger. Even in the mist of the chaos I felt the Egyptians would protect me and anyone else from unnecessary evils.

So what's the main take away from my short time in Egypt? The Egyptian people are lovely and deserve no stereotyping. If you're worried about travelling to this land rich with ancient history and culture, don't be. I believe you will find your time here as eye opening as I did.

(For travel tips or recommendations drop me a line!)