Egypt: Let's try this again.
So as I embarked on my third voyage into the Middle East, our group got to make a trip through Egypt. This was my second time in the land of the pharos and I have to say, it was a much different experience this time. As such, I am making a list of the three most important things to keep in mind for anyone who decides to visit Egypt:
1. Don't go in July.
2. Don't go in July.
3. Don't go in July.
In my two visits to Egypt, the differences were like night and day. The first time I went in (you guessed it) July. This time, our group went through at the beginning of May. Although it is outside of my personal experience, in addition to the aforementioned advice, I would suggest avoiding the trip in June or August, either. It will be HOT HOT HOT. Especially in Luxor. Last time I was in Egypt, it was so hot, that people stopped taking pictures of the historical sites, and started photographing the steady stream of sweat pouring off of my nose because they were literally more amazed by my perspiration than by the ancient monumental architecture.
I was amazed at how nice the weather was there in May. But if you think I'm just a wuss and you can handle the heat, think again. I'm not just talking about heat here. The heat effects a lot of other things too. My students on this trip all thought I was a dirty liar after I had told them all of my horror stories about death marches through gauntlets of starving trinket salesmen who attach themselves to tourists like barnacles on sinking ships, and all they got were more like very tenacious post-it notes. Apparently, the tourist industry in Egypt becomes exceedingly desperate in the hotter months and if you want to be rid of the aforementioned "barnacles" you have to up the ante from "no, really, I'm not interested" to "Florgen zen fliggen zogen?" That's a language I made up last time I was in Egypt called "schwiedergugen."
Anyway, go sometime in the spring or the fall. It's lovely that time of year.
posted by Brian @ 5:58 PM
6 Comments:
It is oh so ironic that I'm reading this before embarking on my adventure to Egypt in, you guessed it... July.
Ha! That's ok. I liked Egypt the first time too, but just don't Judge Egypt by the way it is in July. You'll have to go again at a more favorable time of year.
But seriously, the stream of sweat dripping from your nose was fascinating. It was like your whole face had become a hose. And you refused to wipe your face... I do recall though that you had a little battery-powered fan.
We saw a special on tv last night about the karnak and luxor temples and I was totally amazed that the people were wearing sweaters and scarves. All I kept saying was, "man, that was a hot day." I even broke byu rules and shed down to a short sleeved shirt. And those people were probably taking pictures of your sweat to distract from their sweat. Right?
Haha! I just looked through my Egypt pictures. Sure enough I was one of those people who got took some pictures of your sweaty nose and fan. Nate is right...it was facinating.
Amazingly hot indeed. Melting away inside a mosque while an Egyptian kept spouting out facts in a foreign language I was supposed to understand. That's what I call fun! The best part was you pulling out your personal fan while the rest of us looked on in jealousy...good times. Oh yeah some Arab in Egypt still has my huta. If you see him, Brian, let him know he can keep it. I never really use the one he gave me anymore anyway:)
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