Ageless Travel
Traveling is such a wonderful way to expose yourself to other cultures of the world. At different ages we favor different types of vacations. So many countries and so much out there to see. Where have you been and where do you want to go next. Join me in this two-part article as I venture to EGYPT.
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Gail Gabriel
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Travel is one of my favorite pastimes. As I tell my friends, I work part time to travel. Now that I am semi-retired, I am really trying to plan for my upcoming travel. Age does affect how I determine where to go. At this point, I am thankful for my health and have decided to travel to places that are the longest distance in flight time and where I can still do lots of walking, and see my favorite sights. The list never seems to end….
My challenge on my adventure to EGYPT is to bring just one carry-on bag to last me for 14 days. This time around I am doing a rehearsal packing to see if I can accomplish this. Part of the challenge is liquids and sharp implements. Also, money is always a challenge. Do I get it before I go or wait until I get there. It has been recommended that we wait and get it in Egypt as the exchange rate is better and the U.S. Dollar is widely accepted and favored over the Egyptian Pound.
This trip will be aggressive in terms of how many sights will be seen on a daily basis. But since I only plan on going to EGYPT once, I want to get the most out of this trip.
14 Days and One Carry-on Bag
Is this even possible. It was my challenge and I couldn’t believe I did it. My process:
- Reviewed old packing lists.
- Laid out all clothing choices including shoes.
- Tried on some of the clothing articles I wasn’t sure I should pack.
- Grouped by color and cross coordinating.
- Started removing pieces that were not working with each other.
- Added the final misc. articles, i.e. underwear, sleepwear, toiletries, precautionary meds for trip,
adapters, etc.
Part of my consideration included:
- Comfortable walking shoes for hard and soft (sand) surfaces, and a different pair for evening.
- Cover up wraps for religious reasons.
- Layering for cooler nights and versatile for warmer days.
Brief Itinerary:
Cairo - Pyramids at Ginza, The Sphinx, and on to Memphis to see the Sakkara
Luxor - Temples of Denera and Abydos
4-day Nile Cruise with offshore excusions each day
Abu Simbel temples built for Ramses II and Queen Nefertiti
Aswan port and trip to Sohail Island to experience a typical Nubian village, including family gatherings
Alexandria - Lighthouse, Catacombs of Kom El Shokafa, Montazah Gardens/Palace
Cairo - Hanging Church, Citadel & Mohammed Ali Mosque
Smart Traveler Enrollment Program
A SERVICE OF THE BUREAU OF CONSULAR AFFAIRS
U.S. Department of State
For my February travel I decided to enroll in STEP since I am going to Egypt. STEP is a free service, to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling and living abroad, to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. I would definitely recommend enrolling with this service when you are traveling to areas where safety is questionable.
By enrolling you:
- Receive important information from the Embassy about safety conditions in the country you are traveling in so you can make informed decisions about your travel plans.
- Help the U.S. Embassy contact you in an emergency, whether natural disaster, civil unrest, or family emergency.
- Help family and friends get in touch with you in an emergency.
It takes time to enroll, but well worth the effort.
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