Vacation Part Due: Welcome to Tuscany

I only have 9 minutes left on my internet card! Time to type quickly while I sit here at the InternetTrain net cafe in Florence. Two days ago we took an Alitalia flight from Cairo to Milano and made our way without too much hassle on either continent. We had time before our flight from Cairo, so we were able to stop and buy some stuff camels as presents. We were honestly relieved to be leaving Egypt, it is an exhausting country when you visit as a tourist. But one you must see to believe and experience - just let me give you a few hundred tips we learned the hard way before you go!

The first night back in Italy we picked up our rental car and headed for the coast. We picked a random hotel right on the sea in Massa, a little Italian village. Our room, while very basic, was in a very hold house and had windows that opened up to a clear view of the Medditereanean, which was only about 100 feet away. Yesterday we jumped in the car and headed for our Villa, just outside of Greve in Chianti. As we entered the region, the natural scenic beauty hits you immediately - it really is just as perfect looking as every movie you have ever seen that takes place here. I am taking tons and tons of pictures, but I fear no amount of photography could do this place justice. Just make sure you add Tuscany to your must visit list as well.

Today we have walked all over Florence and stopped for an hour to sip a glass of wine beside an old palace just over the river. We climbed the bell tower at Il Duomo, which exhausted us and took every ounce of energy we had, but was well worth the amazing views and hopefully incredible pictures that came out of it.

Well I have one minute left and the lights are flashing at me, so I have to go! Will post more soon. Caio! (Enjoy this snap I took while we were enjoying a glass of vino!)

I Ask for Adventure, Cairo Delivers

We have been in Cairo for three days now. I am sitting in an internet cafe called "interland" in Central Cairo, taking care of a few things before we head back to grab our bags and then take a taxi (supposedly our new friend Wagghie is picking us up from the hotel) to the Giza train station. There we will board our 12 or 13 hour overnight sleeper train to Aswan.

The last couple of days are almost indescribable. I am no longer quite as overwhelmed as I have slightly settled into the culture and everyday experiences of wandering the city and the streets - at least a little. The combination of 20 million people in the Cairo area, along with it being one of the most polluted places on earth, as well as taking in an obviously completely different language in Arabic and trying to determine if the continuous stream of people that grab us and try to talk to us are "touts" trying to scam us or get us to give them money, or just overly friendly people who really are saying "Welcome to Egypt" with complete sincerity and no hidden motives. We have encountered many of both. Our first day included a highly stressful experience with getting a taxi at the airport - I suddenly had flashbacks from the Peruvian - Ecuadorian border. After our airport departure "fun", we were immediately scarred and on our highest level of scammer guard.

Since then, many Cairenes (the locals of Cairo) have asked us why we look scared or untrusting when they approach us. I would like to think that most of these people are really good people are actually trying to help us and want to let us know that we are very welcome in their country. Today, I believe many of them are. But the previous two days - not so much. It definitely depends on the area of the city you are in. Some people are so happy to meet an American that they want to give me their info so I can call them whenever I need help in the country or need advice on what to see or do. But of course, having traveled in my share of third-world countries, I am always incredibly careful and still not completely trusting regardless of how nice or sincere they are. The cab driver, that dropped us off in the scary little town in Peru that was no where near where we paid him to take us, looked pretty nice too. Just sayin'.

Yesterday we hired a guide and a little van to take us around to all the major sights in the area, including the famous pyramids at Giza. It was a great idea to do this, and very much worth the minimal cost. But after everything has set it today, we realize how much this recommended guide had really taken us for a ride at all of the "museums" she took us to that were really her friends stores pretty much. I realize I am fortunate enough to be able to pay higher prices than the locals - but don't rip me off and don't take advantage of me. Nothing pisses me off more. Anyway...the pyramids, let's talk about them.

We grow up hearing and seeing so much about the pyramids and the sphinx and all that stuff that, to be honest, walking up the great pyramid was not nearly the awe inspiring moment I had expected. Without a doubt, these are ingeniously designed and constructed buildings that are amazing to see. But the lack of organization and protection of these monuments and structures just sets a negative tone right off the bat for how you perceive them. We decided to pay the extra (relatively expensive) entrance fee to actually go inside of the Great Pyramid. It is only about a 10 min trip up and back for 100 EP per person, but you get to bend over and scurry up through the insides of pretty much the most famous structure on earth. The most exciting part for me was getting to stand up in the Queen's Chamber, where supposedly they pulled the giant blocks up through an internal ramp. I had just seen video of this chamber on a travel channel show before I came, so it was quite interesting. I could type a lot about the pyramids and the desert that surrounded them, but want I really want to talk about are my new favorite friends. Camels.

I love camels. You have no idea how crazy tall they are until you are sitting on the back of one and the owner instructs the camel stand up. Hold on tight! Because they are so big, they have to stand up with their front first, and then their back. It is a big process, and definitely throws you for a big jolt if you don't know what to expect. We went for a 20 minute camel ride through the desert with views of all 9 Giza pyramids - pretty amazing. The best part of the day in fact. I have so many pictures and even little videos of our camel safari to share. Even the unfamiliar gargling sounds that they make is hilarious - camels are so cool. I will try to bring one home if I can.

The thing I hate about my blogging is that I do it when I am in the middle of running between sights or taking a quick break before hitting the traveling trail once again. I wish I could write for hours at a time to really describe all of the amazing, phenomenal, interesting and sometimes downright frightening experiences that come together to compile these great adventures. Unfortunately, I must go yet again. But for good reason - we are off to get on the overnight sleeper train to Aswan where we will explore even more amazing sights. I can't wait for our day trip to Abu Simbel, only 40km from the Sudan border and home to some absolutely incredible statues and...well...stuff. OH crap, I completely left out the fact that we went to the Egyptian Museum today! Wow, so much to tell if I had the time. But let's just say I'm kinda a big deal - I got to stand beside King Tut's own, real chariot today. They didn't let me take it out for a spin though unfortunately.

I asked for adventure, and Cairo delivered.

Chokran for reading.

In Cairo

WOW, this is one crazy experience. Sensory overload and very overwhelmed right now. Going to the Pyramids tomorrow and will have tons to share as soon as I get more time to blog.

I am out here REALLY "getting some culture" right now. I can't even describe the experience that is Cairo...hopefully I get the time to describe it soon.

Karl - hoping to ride a camel tomorrow - Johnson