Some things never change! Most cars here are still manual transmission. It was almost impossible to find a rental company with automatic cars in Turkey!
Manual transmission is way more common in Europe than here - I personally knew only one person back there that drove an automatic, and it was because he had severe back problems and being stuck in traffic in a car with manual transmission just worsened his condition....Generally you have to make a speacial request for an automatic...well, at least about 5 years ago that's how it was, things probably changed since then!
Love the photos - I would love to go to Turkey...well, along with many other countries! :-))))
Hey, you're back! Wow, you certainly have an exciting life! Thanks for taking me along vicariously on your amazing adventures. Best wishes, Kathy et al
Bonjour Emilie! Hey Emilie! How are things? It sounds like traveling is going well! Speaking of travel, Chris just got back from Thailand and he had an amazing time - but he got out just in time! I'm so glad that he is home safe. Life is good - work and volunteer work is busy but good. I'm actually at Calgary Technologies for a bit as Sandra left to consult. It's nice to be back but I miss people like you! Anyway - pls stay in touch and take care. If I don't chat with you before - have a very Merry Christmas!!
Kelly
Hi Emilie! How nice to hear from you - I love hearing all about your travels and your thoughts. I think you're a travel writer in the making. Just imagine you can travel and write about all the places you've been too and get paid - something to consider I think.
It snowed here in Canmore today but just enough to put a light dust onto everything - it looks beautiful! Anyway - thanks for staying in touch - take care of yourself!
Kelly Hyde
tea Wow, beautiful photo's!!
Can you remember where exactly you drank tea in Coptic Cairo? The place looks so nice, and I'll be taking my niece to Cairo in a few weeks. Would love to have tea there!!
Greetz, Marian
Wooooooaaah.....What a crazy trip....Im glad you're having so much fun!! I just wish there were more pics of Juliette, Lionel and the boys! I miss them soo much!!!! Cant wait to hear all about this vacay in person! I miss you!!!
Keeeeep on truckin!
Love you xoxo
Ps. I was really sad to hear about your friend Robin...but im glad to know that you're dealing with it well...you're a pretty strong gal.
Be safe xo
As always - great pics! I'm always amazed at how you can pack so much info. on your adventures into your blog. The Zaloum side shows too - a description of food included in most entries! Love it. Great photos, too. Keep on enjoying.
Love, Mom
Wow - love the photos! HI Emilie!
The photos are unbelievable - eveyr time I see your photos I want to go traveling! Ireland looks so beautiful! Having said that now that I live in Canmore - I have learned to appreciate the beautiful mountains and what we have here in AB - but still - I need to get out there like you and see more of the world! Take care of yourself and I hope to see you soon :-)
Kelly H
Sounds like fun! Glad to hear you will not be changing your homecoming plans! I'm so looking forward to hearing all the details of your travels in person. Buena Vista Social Club concert in Ireland! How lucky can you get! Enjoy your stay in Scotland. Love Mom
Can't please everyone I regret that my sarcasm sometimes sounds too critical. I try to write my blogs light-heartedly and didn't mean to offend the Greeks! Surely the monuments are important and there are plenty of reasons to visit Greece rather than Egypt (cleanliness being a major one). This blog is my personal opinion, meant to convey my personal impressions about the places I visit and not to advise other travelers, which is why it's a blog and not a newspaper article!
I will say, Naxos was one of my favourite places in either Egypt or Greece...good, relaxing and friendly. Definitely a place I would revisit.
backpacking info??? Hi there, I found your blog while searching the web for info on backpacking in Japan. I will be in Hokkaido in Jan and Feb 2009 doing the same thing as you and if there are any tips or hints or any info at all that could be useful - I would appreciate anything you can send my way. BTW: your photos look awesome! Enjoy your trip! ; )
Hello Hello, I'm a Greek tourist agent, my name's Chris and I'm currently working on a project that has to do with what tourists think of holidays in Greece. As I've already read your previous blog entries, I've noticed that you are more of a cultrural type of tourist, Egypt has more important(?) / unspoilt cultural heritage, its likely to be more "traditional", "exotic" and has its own unique taste and historic importance, while Greece, with its numerous beach resorts, picturesque islands, natural beauty, great scenery and 9 k. miles of coastline can offer a relaxing vacation, some crazy nightlife , or some nice sightseeing. They are two totally diferrent countries so that's why you cant really compare Greece with Egypt, like you cannot do the same with the Pyramids and Acropolis (which by the way, may be a "crumbling, plain - no colour, just white marble (ho hum!) installation like you said, but it symbolizes the glory of ancient Greece, and Athens, which has been inhabited for 7,000 years and is considered the birthplace of Western civilization. I'm quite surprised to hear that you find Greece "fast-paced, impersonal, cranky" and Greeks "snobbish, unfriendly and "to blame", but I hope someday you'll come back, choose some more interesting and pleasant islands/places to visit but this time, with a bit more.. relaxing point of view, and here's a little secret, maybe you'll find out the reason why Greece gets way more tourists than Egypt. Take care! :)
Me again hey Emilie:
Again amazing photos! It's funny but I think places have energy and perhaps the energy in Egypt is much more positive than that in Athens - I do think it impacts us humans more than we know. I know that sounds strange but I think some of us our more in tune with it than others. Anyway had to say hi - have a great time and continue to be safe :-)
Luv,
Kelly H
Wow - what beautiful photos! Hi Emilie. thanks so much for sharing your amazing photos - you take incredible photos - perhaps you should become a travel writer.
Anyway take care and keep them coming - I love too see all these beautiful places.
Luv,
Kelly H
Nice to hear from you! Your travels are always amazing and I love what you share - thanks for being in touch Emilie - take care and I hope to hear from you again soon!
Kelly H
xoxox
Vive l'Égypte libre! Salut à vous trois,
Cela fait plaisir de voir le regard de la troisième génération d'Égyptiens, de retour au pays adopté il y longtemps par Edmond et Henriette. J'adore ton humour, Emilie, et Caitie est superbe en «paysanne». Je voudrais y être pour admirer tout ça, bien sûr, et pour entendre Rony jouer au pseudo faux Canadien. Vive l'Égypte libre!
Pierre
it's certainly not Japan! What a wonderful treat to hear from my favourite blogger again. Another great adventure you are having (with different mates this time), and the pictures are super. I have a picture of myself in front of that same museum 34 years ago in a bright yellow pant suit. (I was only 10, ha ha!). Have fun!
Emilie International
Emilie International
Some things never change!
Most cars here are still manual transmission. It was almost impossible to find a rental company with automatic cars in Turkey!