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Published: April 24th 2010
Hello everybody! I am currently sitting outside at my house in Boulder, CO...not anywhere near the Middle East...yet! This Summer's trip has come around thanks to NFTY for accepting me as a staff member for one of their 2010 NFTY in Israel Summer extravaganzas. The program is a 5-week tour comprised of 10th graders from throughout North America. We will start in Prague, visit concentration camps in Poland, and spend the remaining 4 weeks in Israel. At this point, I know that I will be going, but that's about it. My orientation will either be June 15 or June 22 (in Israel) and any travel I get in will have to be done before this orientation.
My immediate travel interest was Egypt...and it remains so. However, I am still unsure of how much time I will have and what I really want to see. The most recent development in my planning has been a realization that I have a real and fervent interest in SCUBA diving...requiring certification. After researching SCUBA possibilities here in Boulder, I believe that it will make the most sense to complete both my Open Water and Advanced Open Water certifications in Eilat on the Red Sea in Israel. A company I have been speaking with offers a 1-week course for about $500 that covers absolutely everything necessary for these certifications, including 6 open water dives at different depths. By the end of the week, I will be certified to dive up to 30 meters (100 feet)...thus shaping my main activity for the rest of my time exploring the Sinai penninsula. Here is where I get confused about what my trip is going to be all about...SCUBA adventure or ancient history lesson?
After this first week in Eilat (possibly May 28-June 4), I will either have 10 or 17 days to explore Egypt. I hope to have 17. These are my two possible itineraries for each situation:
10-Day itinerary:
*Maximum 4 days SCUBAing in Sinai (Taba, Dahab, Nuweiba, Sharm)
*Ferry to Hurghada & Bus to Luxor
*1.5 days in Luxor
*Bus to Cairo
*3 days in Cairo/Giza
17-Day itinerary:
*Maximum 6 days SCUBAing in Sinai
*Ferry to Hurghada & Bus to Luxor: 1 Day
*Head South via Nile to Aswan & Abu Simbel: 2 days
*Move North along Nile visiting various sites, spending time in Luxor: 5 days
*Cairo/Giza: 3 days
So...a much more structured (and planned) trip than my last adventure you all so graciously followed along with...but I cannot wait for everything it has in store for me. (If you recall, the trip I had my first few weeks in Argentina was based completely on what travelers I met said was incredible) As I am still in the 'What do I really want to see' phase, so PLEASE let me know if you have any input on my travel plans at this point. Most of you understand that I have a slightly different traveling style than other people you may know, so keep that in mind when assessing what might be an incredible addition to my trip. I couldn't be more excited and hope all of you are healthy and enjoying yourselves!
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Patti
non-member comment
back in the saddle
sounds pretty exciting! hope it all comes together. I was in Egypt so long ago, it is hard to remember what to tell you to do. Cairo is /was very hectic and noisy, full of taxis, pull carts, camels and big cars! Very colorful. The pyramids and all the area around there is amazing; you will not miss much, I am sure. I am going to forward you an interesting video..have a ball. xo