We're two days into our trip to Egypt and I'm reminded, once again, of how easy it is to let media coverage choices dictate travel plans and incite fear. I fielded a lot of questions about why in the world we were going to Egypt "right now" and even I start to doubt my decisions under the weight of such scrutiny. But, like the topics we bandy about on this site these days about "safety" in traveling, at some point, too much fear causes inertia and inaction. Which is all to say that I'm so glad we've come. Tourism is definitely down here. There's not a ton of Americans but there's a very strong tourist infrastructure and we feel safe. There's security at hotels and at the sites we've been to. The people are friendly and extremely happy to see us and the uncrowded access to the sites is sad for the Egyptian economy but makes our sightseeing easy - especially compared to our recent trip to unbelievably crowded China.
If anyone's got any questions or wants to see my much-more-detailed blog, just let me know:)
Posted by
California USA
4100 posts
Glad you are enjoying Egypt. Thanks for stepping out!
Posted by
Orange Park, Fl
985 posts
Hi Valerie! I'd love to follow your blog.
Nance
Posted by
OP
Pacific Northwest
2679 posts
Nance - I emailed you a link! Way more fun detail in there to give you sense of touring over her right now.
Posted by
Brooklyn, NY
4259 posts
Would love to read more details, have people I work with from Egypt and definitely would like to visit.
Posted by
Florida
610 posts
I would be interested in reading for blog :)
Posted by
Wyoming, USA
114 posts
I would love to read your blog, please! I think Egypt sounds so exotic!
Posted by
Lewiston, Idaho, USA
2092 posts
Valerie, I'd love to read your blog too please!
Posted by
OP
Pacific Northwest
2679 posts
I am trying to repond to all your PM requests...be patient with me...my internet is slow:)
Posted by
Washington, DC
63 posts
Good to hear. Thanks for sharing this information.
Posted by
NH
212 posts
I'd love to read your blog
Posted by
Orange Park, Fl
985 posts
Great blog! You have an interesting way with words and I just kept reading and reading, moving right on through your trip to China. I'll continue to follow your trip. Thanks for the link, Valerie.
Posted by
Washington DC Region, USA
7054 posts
Hi Valerie,
I'd love a link to your blog also.
Thanks!
-Agnes
Posted by
franktown, colorado
2252 posts
I just finished reading your first post after your actual arrival in Egypt. It sounds like a fantastic trip and I really am enjoying your current (and previous China-hope that was ok?) postings. You are a terrific (and humorous!) writer!
Posted by
OP
Pacific Northwest
2679 posts
Thank you all for your kind words! I love writing about our trips. If you PM'd me for a link but I didn't respond, will you PM me again? Somehow they load weird on my phone and I don't see all of them.
Posted by
Tigard, OR, USA
1068 posts
Certainly sounds like my experience in Egypt a few years ago. People were friendly, even when off-the-beaten path (a bit) in some shisha bars. Were also repeatedly thanked for coming. When we went to Abu Simbel the guide asked his friend at the ticket window and they had about 200-300 visitors that day...... often it is 2,000 or more. I stood alone in the innermost sanctum of the Great Temple for about 5 minutes and when I came out, couldn't see anyone else in the temple. My fellow tour mate said there were a few people in there, but not many. It was an absolutely wonderful experience.
Posted by
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
2775 posts
I highly recommend Valerie's blog. (Not that my opinion counts for anything!) But it really is entertaining, so if you enjoy reading about travel, just do it!
Posted by
Washington, DC
2 posts
As Valerie's daughter (and therefore someone who's been subscribed to her travel updates since long before she was introduced to the blogosphere), I highly recommend checking her stuff out, simply because I don't really think there's much travel writing like hers out there. She has a nice blend of self-deprecating humor and actual travel/historical content. If she's not replying to messages in re: her site, I'm still at home base, so please feel free to PM me for her website!
Posted by
St. Louis, MO USA
1976 posts
Valerie or Grace, please PM me with a link to Valerie's blog. Thanks!
Posted by
Berkeley CA
1321 posts
Grace, your mom is a very entertaining writer. It would be fun to meet her in person some time.
Posted by
OP
Pacific Northwest
2679 posts
Hello from the Aswan airport! You are all so kind! @ Sarah....sending you a link. @SharYn....would be fun...Ron and I try to meet RS people when we're traveling. We've had success in Paris and Barcelona!
Posted by
Richmond, Virginia
2 posts
Would also like to read your blog. Thanks!
Posted by
OP
Pacific Northwest
2679 posts
@Frannie - I sent you a link via PM. I am back from my trip and we had an unbelievably good time. Apropos of other threads here that are active this weekend that will (surely???) get deleted tomorrow morning, it was an interesting time to be in Egypt and I feel a little glad we weren't transiting out of Cairo yesterday vs. last Sunday when we left.
Posted by
1 posts
I would also love a link to your blog. My husband desperately wants to make a trip to Egypt but I am a little (actually a lot) nervous about safety. So glad you had a great trip!
Posted by
OP
Pacific Northwest
2679 posts
Emily - I sent you a link in a private message:)
Posted by
Canada
36 posts
I'd be interested to read the blog as well if you could PM a link!