2011 – Egypt & Petra

I am so glad that we decided to return to Egypt, our visit in 2006 was one just to show the kids the pyramids, so this time I wanted to explore more of the country.  Firstly what a difference 5 years make, the new King and Queen have changed some of the rules for the better.  On our first visit we noted how many children were working in the fields now kids from 5 to 15 must go to school so all of a sudden the fields were replaced with older men and the women were working the knitting machines for rug making.  All kids must learn a second language in school so they have a choice of English, French or Mandarin our guide was amazing and we learnt so much more that we expected.  However there are still restrictions due to cultural grounds ie: our guide was a guide as she was unable to complete her education as an Archaeologist due to not being allowed to camp out as a female in a male orientated group, so her only way for pursue her passion was to be a guide and share her knowledge of egyptology.

A little unknown fact is that Egypt and in particular Cairo has an underground train system.  What takes an hour by car takes 5 minutes by train so all the tourists who take a cab to say the Cairo museum would spend $20 and an hour in traffic to get there but you can be there in 4 stops and $1 by using the train system.  They have women only carriages and when I sat myself down a young lady said to me “why are you using this train” and I said “why wouldn’t I”, she stated that “tourists don’t know about this system”.

The main tourist train that tourists use is a guarded train from Cario to Aswan it is an overnight train, however you can catch the normal train if you want to but they do not sell you tickets at the train station, you have to just jump on board (preferably first class), then when the conductor comes along you pay him.  If someone states you’re in their spot you just move along to another vacant chair.  The experience of travelling with the locals was great, although the train was slower and at times I could have walked quicker it was worth the experience.

 

From Cairo we headed to Amman Jordan and then a 4 hour drive to Petra to visit the treasury, again you marvel at the beauty and wonder how they achieved these results.  How they survived in the harsh conditions is amazing in its self.  Some of the construction is deteriorating due to earthquakes, but you still get to marvel at the sites.

If you have time a trip up to the Monastery is worth it due to the 800 steps to climb to get there the views are spectacular, my only suggestion is not to eat a local orange once there as there is no toilet options at the monastery.  I don’t think I have ever moved so quickly down 800 steps only to find the line to the ladies room was 50 meters long, so thought I could make it to the portaloo’s 150 meters away.  It was hitting 35 degree’s and I was wearing jeans, so it was around 60 degrees in the portaloo with my jeans sticking to my body, when all of a sudden I went claustrophobic, had to bust out of the loo still busting to go and groaning in pain.  Digby stated “I’ll get you a camel” which wasn’t helpful, so trudged another 150 m to the entrance of the Treasury where the horse and carts were.  By the time I got on the cart I was in agony so the guy was whipping the horse to go faster to the main entrance.  At the main entrance the toilets were closed for cleaning, so still in pain and knowing it’s not going to end well our taxi driver drove us back to the hotel advising me that I should drink ginger tea as it will help with my stomach cramps.  Finally in the motel and able to hit the loo (it was not a pretty sight, and thank god for shower hoses) I was able to sit back and reflect on the sights.