Hurg(h)ada to Sharm-el-Sheikh to Dahab (stop).
That title sums up my last 24 hours, and I'll basically leave the tedious bits out and leave it at that.
I'm here in Dahab for the next week before heading on into Israel (finally, thank the Lord!). Dahab is known for beautiful scuba diving in the Red Sea reef--number one diving in the world (which allows them to rip off tourists), as well as--about four months ago--three bombings that killed a dozen and injured scores of tourists. The city is now nearly empty of tourists because it is also low season, and it's eerie walking around here. On the other hand, the place is also beautiful...the sea is very clear and warm (though salty), the weather warm, and the accommodation quite cheap (for the setting). Tomorrow night I will be trekking up Mt. Sinai at 2 a.m. in order to get to the top in time for the sunrise. We leave Dahab at about 11 p.m. and get back the next morning at 11 a.m. I think I'll be quite whiped out. The next day I will begin a PADI open water diving course that will go on for about fourish days. Then off to Tabah and Israel. That's the program.
Frankly, I cannot wait to get to Israel. Over here I am really watching my back. I've heard a lot of Israelis have been treated really badly here. No one knows anything about me or my true travel plans (when they ask I tell them I'm going to be going to Jordan later). I also lie flat out about my nationality. Though I know it's for safety's sake, it makes me quite sad. I'm proud of who I am and where I'm from. I hate the way things have become here.
Though Egypt is a beautiful country with lots of history, monuments and wonderful sights...I do not think I will be coming back.
Perhaps this is a mild case of homesickness talking--after all, lots of things are going on right now--or maybe it's just the case of traveling for a month in an area that many travelers have called "the hardest of the hardest" countries to travel in, in general, but especially as a woman alone.
The beautiful scenery only emphasizes the fact that I feel somewhat incomplete, like all this rings a bit false on the "happy meter"--yes, I should find all this completely fulfilling, but I cannot fully relax here and be myself.
I'm really banking on Israel--let's hope that works out alright. This summer and fall have already been ones of huge change--and while my friends and sister start school, I find it hard not getting back into the academic grind--I find myself missing the classroom, the wonderful life I did not truly appreciate in Berkeley until...now.
Just one of those days. I suppose. Life really is sinusoidal.
I'm here in Dahab for the next week before heading on into Israel (finally, thank the Lord!). Dahab is known for beautiful scuba diving in the Red Sea reef--number one diving in the world (which allows them to rip off tourists), as well as--about four months ago--three bombings that killed a dozen and injured scores of tourists. The city is now nearly empty of tourists because it is also low season, and it's eerie walking around here. On the other hand, the place is also beautiful...the sea is very clear and warm (though salty), the weather warm, and the accommodation quite cheap (for the setting). Tomorrow night I will be trekking up Mt. Sinai at 2 a.m. in order to get to the top in time for the sunrise. We leave Dahab at about 11 p.m. and get back the next morning at 11 a.m. I think I'll be quite whiped out. The next day I will begin a PADI open water diving course that will go on for about fourish days. Then off to Tabah and Israel. That's the program.
Frankly, I cannot wait to get to Israel. Over here I am really watching my back. I've heard a lot of Israelis have been treated really badly here. No one knows anything about me or my true travel plans (when they ask I tell them I'm going to be going to Jordan later). I also lie flat out about my nationality. Though I know it's for safety's sake, it makes me quite sad. I'm proud of who I am and where I'm from. I hate the way things have become here.
Though Egypt is a beautiful country with lots of history, monuments and wonderful sights...I do not think I will be coming back.
Perhaps this is a mild case of homesickness talking--after all, lots of things are going on right now--or maybe it's just the case of traveling for a month in an area that many travelers have called "the hardest of the hardest" countries to travel in, in general, but especially as a woman alone.
The beautiful scenery only emphasizes the fact that I feel somewhat incomplete, like all this rings a bit false on the "happy meter"--yes, I should find all this completely fulfilling, but I cannot fully relax here and be myself.
I'm really banking on Israel--let's hope that works out alright. This summer and fall have already been ones of huge change--and while my friends and sister start school, I find it hard not getting back into the academic grind--I find myself missing the classroom, the wonderful life I did not truly appreciate in Berkeley until...now.
Just one of those days. I suppose. Life really is sinusoidal.
posted by IJW at 1:10 AM
1 Comments:
Dear Tami,
It is not easy to travel alone especially in Egypt. I miss you very much also. Likewise, hope your trip to Israel is good and safe... I guess at least you will not need to lie about your true identity there :-)
Love, Mom
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