In the past 6 months, I have had many amazing and life-enriching moments throughout my travels around Europe. However, as much as I expected my trip to Egypt and Turkey to be full of surprises, new experiences and an eye-opener, it was certainly all of the above and yet, so much more.

I will now progress to attempt to share with you all those particular outstanding memories from the Egyptian side of things first - in 3 parts, for each city we visited. We commence with Cairo.

The first two emotions I recall having experienced would have been 1. Uncertainty, and 2. Fear.

1. Uncertainty

From Paris, we flew with Turkish Air to Cairo via a short 1h stop-over at Istanbul. However, much to our dismay due to snow in Paris, the first flight was delayed and what was supposed to be a 1h stop-over turned out to be a 15min seek-and-dash for the second flight to Cairo. Obviously, our luggage didn’t make it in time as we shortly flew after our boarding and thus, arrived in Cairo at 3am. We eventually realised we were sans bagages and went to report this to the desk where there was a short queue, which turned out to be a long wait. So when all was finally dealt with, it was 4.30am. Uncertainty as to when our luggage would arrive. Uncertainty as to if it ever would. And, uncertainty as to how we would get to our hostel at this time in the morning since our hostel pick-up guy had clearly left earlier that night due to our long delay.

2. Fear

Now having finally notified the airport of our missing luggage, we proceeded to exit the airport in hope of finding a taxi. Don’t forget the 4.30am time period we were dealing with. We of course needn’t have worried as not only was there a taxi driver, there was a whole crowd of them! And all shouting at us, ‘TAXI? TAXI? Where you go?’ After endless bantering and realisation that a) we had to get a taxi as there was no other option, and b) we were going to get completely ripped off since they also KNEW we had no other options…. we ultimately decided to go with one guy who agreed with our 75 Egyptian pounds taxi ride (as opposed to the 80 that everyone else was offering and refusing to budge with). Now having agreed with the transportation cost, we followed his way to his ‘taxi’. This entailed walking away from the lighted airport towards the other side of the road, going down stairs to a dark car park with no one else around. At this point A (our Canadian friend travelling with us) and I were scared sh*tless, until we made out the small dusty ‘TAXI’ sign at the top of his car that he had lead us to. Well at least it seemed legitimate we thought at that second… which was funnily counteracted by the moment we tried to open the taxi doors (which we couldn’t, as they were half-broken so the driver had to do it for us), and when we finally got in, realised that there were no need for seatbelts, because there weren’t any! Nonetheless, we had a ride and all that mattered between leaving the carpark and arriving at our hostel was that we got to the hostel all in one piece. This was a bit difficult during the ride as we were going at around 100km/hr sans seatbelts and winding roads. We soon learnt though, to NEVER underestimate an Egyptian driver, for they are certainly quite elite drivers given the circumstances they drive under: no seatbelts, no indicators (just honking) and not many traffic lights.

By the time we arrived safely at our hostel, we were dead tired and very much looking forward to what excitement we’d endure the following day.

This was simply the first experience once we landed in Egypt, and although frightening at first, proved to be the beginning of a very enlightening and adventurous two weeks.

    

    

On the inside of the castle of course, most remains the same except for some seasonal décor to give it the special touches throughout the year…

For those that know me, I did visit the Loire chateaux previously in around October last year during early-mid Autumn when the flowers were still in bloom. This time, we visited different chateaux except Chenonceaux, where we saw the huge seasonal contrast in scenery due to the gardens and it being the middle of a ferocious (and snowy!) winter.

During our stay at Avignon, we spent Christmas Day there and much to our relief, the weather was much milder compared to that of Paris and surrounds at the time. The town centre was very quaint, had an old wintery feel to it and still had intact, the old medieval walls which surrounded it.

The Christmas markets were still on and compared to those at the Champs Elysées in Paris (which were so touristy). Unfortunately, apparently the markets at La Défense according to some were quite good as well other ones around Paris, although I didn’t have the chance to visit them this time around.

The Palais des Papes, which is essentially the palace of the Popes is located here in Avignon. It is an enormous Gothic-looking building, which has the view of the water and the Avignon Bridge from certain look-out points in the building. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and as I recall, open on Christmas Day which is when we went to visit.

On Boxing Day (i.e. 26 Dec for those who don’t celebrate it), we took the train to nearby Arles, a very quaint and peaceful little medieval town - much like these chooks in one of the stores!

We visited several Roman ruins, including a theatre, the ampitheatre, and a cryptoporticus (covered passageway, which was the foundation for an old forum back in the days - amazing!). It occurred to me also that it was the same Arles that Van Gogh used as a base for many of his paintings, illustrated also by various checkpoints across the city centre featuring the specific artwork at the point of inspiration.

Finally back everyone from my month-hiatus due to travelling to wild faraway countries. It has been the most amazing trip yet that I’ve taken in the past few months so you will certainly hear all about it soon once I get everything back into order.

Just a quick update to ensure that I am not missing.

29/1: got back after approx. 10 hrs in transit, with the worst thing being a massive traffic jam on the French roads between the airport and home

30/1: went to local shopping centre “Les 3 Fontaines” to do grocery shopping and check out the last bit of Xmas sales left. Picked up on sale, classic black leather ballet flats (*finally!*) :]

31/1: lounged about at home… photo organisation which took ages! (and still is not complete)

1/2: hit up the sales in Paris, in the Opéra area and Montparnasse. Managed to get a grey woollen skirt that fitted perfectly, and 2 skivvies (1 for mother) @ Uniqlo; and at last, a new smaller and thinner brown leather wallet @ Printemps

Today, will be meeting up with a british friend for coffee (ie in less than 1/2hr) and then afterwards, off to IKEA and the Quai des Marques for some outlet-shopping (which thus will mark the end of my current shopping spree) with G.

Photos etc of Turkey and Egypt to come next - be excited mes cheries !