Introduction to Egypt

Trip Start Nov 22, 2010

Trip End Jan 11, 2011

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Flag of Egypt Dahab, Red Sea and Sinai, Egypt
Friday, December 24, 2010

Egypt does not make a good first impression. After a couple of hours by slow ferry, we arrive at the port of Nuweiba, a scene of utter chaos. There are no signs, no officials, no paths, nothing giving us even the slightest hint as to where we need to go for customs and immigration formalities. There are, however, hundreds of trucks, cars, vans, pushcarts, handcarts, and hand-carried packages bustling about in every which direction. Take away the motorized vehicles and this could be a scene from a medieval bazaar.

We finally navigate our way through the maze to freedom, where our guides and vans are waiting outside. An hour long drive to Dahab gets us to our hotel around 4:30. Our guides also make a bad first impression by suggesting we have a group dinner at a restaurant that offers a fixed menu for 100 Egyptian pounds, or nearly $20 U.S.! Absurd in a country where you can get a decent meal for a few dollars and a feast for $10. I strike out on my own and procure the meal you see pictured for $4 in a restaurant overrun with stray moggies (as was most of Dahab) but otherwise fine.

We leave the next day for a night time hike of Mt. Sinai!

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