Jordan & EgyptFebruary 12th, 2011

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Cairo teens hamming it up for the camera

Considering we were in Egypt during the demonstrations, our trip was very serene and peaceful. Yes, we had some anxious moments, most notably when all Internet access was shut off and we couldn’t use Skype to call home. Fortunately for us, Arab hospitality extends to sharing cell phones, and our ship’s captain, Samir, let us borrow his phone whenever we needed a taste of home. We were also traveling with a generous, friendly group through Abercrombie & Kent, and our fellow travelers also were kind enough to share their cell phones with us.

The Dead Sea and the Reflecting Pool at the Kempinski Hotel Ishtar

I never felt like we were ever in any danger and, in fact, our Egyptian hosts were so polite and their hospitality so genuine throughout our stay, it’s hard to believe there was anything going on at all.

On our second day in Cairo, two days after the first demonstration, our group toured the Egyptian Museum and I came face to face with King Tut’s Gold Mask, something I hadn’t seen since I was eight years old, and the spirit that created in me a lifelong passion to see Egypt, the land of this golden boy king.

Peaceful Demonstrations in Aswan, Friday, January 28th

Yesterday the revolts succeeded in their goal: Mubarak stepped down. I’m curious to see what the next few days and months bring to Egypt, and I hope they find their version of democracy and create a government that works for the people. My daughter is still a little young for international travel, but already she loves the thought of seeing the pyramids, riding camels and meeting the Egyptians (a word she’s mastered, that’s my wanderlust girl!).