New Year's Eve spent on the computer
Trip Start
Jan 09, 2009
1
4
Trip End
Jan 21, 2009
St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Packing for this trip is a challenge. My usual packing trips consist of making sure the kids have all their pin lanyards for Disney, or that everyone has enough pairs of underwear. This one is easier in some ways, since I am only packing for myself, but a completely different kind of packing!
Trying to balance looking respectful and keeping covered up/dressing in layers for the weather/nicer dress for the cruise is challenging me.
I have begun throwing things into a suitcase, and packing my carry-all-the-time-on-my-person bag (you know, the one that holds the important stuff, like money, high definition camera, passport).
The list I've gathered so far of non clothes items and normal things like makeup and shampoo are:
Money bel
Binnoculars
small flashlights
scarf/wrap
sunscreen
insect repellent
Restroom kits
packs of kleenex
electrical outlet converter
I've also purchased all kinds of little fun things from Magellan, like little mesh bags. I'm sure they aren't necessary but they are cute, and they will help organize. I can always use help with that!
Sorry my thoughts are kind of random...but what can you expect, New Year's Eve, at 11:41 PM? I am actually thinking I may lose weight in Egypt...I love food, but exotic food isn't something I normally embrace...I love Asian food, but I am not really into Indian or the like...things like meat with cinnamon don't really appeal to me. I am going to make myself try new things, but I can seriously see me living mostly on granola bars...don't fear for me though, I certainly won't waste away. Perhaps it will kick start healthier eating at home with my newly shrunken stomach capacity. Wishful thinking? Probably.
Jumping around once again...there are certain things I am looking the most forward to. I am the kind of person that considers hotels much more than just a place to sleep, so I choose my resorts and hotels very carefully, after researching many hotels in each area. I chose the Oberoi Philae cruise ship for several reasons: 1. The rooms have balconies. 2. The ship docs by itself, not connected to other cruisers. 3. The reviews from other cruisers have been outstanding.
Right from the beginning, Rian and I chose Mena House. She found it online, and although I researched and checked out many more hotels before officially deciding, we stuck with Mena House in Cairo. I love that it is so old...and how could I ever beat seeing the ancient Pyramids of Giza from my own room? I would imagine the experience will be awe-inspiring.
As far as Jolie Ville, I chose that over much deliberation. Originally I liked Al Moudira, but it seemed isolated, too far outside of Luxor, and very expensive, even more than Mena House. I liked the thought of the Old Winter Palace; it is certainly gorgeous to look at. But Jolie Ville was a good price, and the reviews are outstanding for this resort. I liked the idea of the infinity pool also...appearing to merge into the Nile!
As far as sites go, the sites I am most looking forward to are:
1) obviously Nefertari tops the list, if I manage to get into that tomb.
2) Abu Simbel
3) Luxor Museum
4) Abydos
5) The Pyramids and Spinx, of course:)
I also can't wait to meet our guides. All were chosen very carefully, after research, reviews, and correspondance.
Our Luxor balloon ride is Hod Hod Solimon. Our Luxor guide was arranged through Casual Cairo tours, as was our Alexandria guide. Our Abydos/Dendera trip is through Real Life Egypt. Our Cairo guide was found through Trip Advisor, and I am really looking forward to meeting her! I think that having the right guide is very important, not only to learn about the sites, but also to be able to relax and trust that you are taken care of. So many reports I read are concerning rip offs. People agreeing to one price then changing it; people trying to get you into specific shops, like papyrus and perfume shops. Our Cairo guide specifically said no shops...although we requested she bring us into the ancient souk in Cairo. I think if I was dragged into a perfume shop I would gag...I can't stand them at the malls here!
Bargaining definitely is intimidating...I don't really care to haggle for everything I buy. I may let my brilliant sister take over in any situation that is making me jumpy. She speaks Romanian, I have a feeling that if she speaks it to a persistant seller of something, they may let us be, thinking perhaps we aren't American or British after all!
11:59...it is almost 2009 and I am on the computer...welcome to Motherhood. Not such exciting times on New Year's Eve anymore! I hear fireworks all around me...someone is partying, anyway!
Midnight...okay...time for me to sign off.
