Life in my Egyptian Bubble

From a bus in Egypt

August 2023

From my air-conditioned tour bus I pressed my head against the window, eager to see glimpses of daily Egyptian life as it played out before me. I watched the men in their long robes and envied their comfort. Three kids rode by, bareback, on a single donkey, smiling and laughing, as the eldest kid controlled the reins with admirable confidence. A stray dog darted across the street.

Later that night from my hotel balcony I watched the street below; the horse and carriages were lined up and waiting for tourists to emerge. When a group of tourists arrived, the loud yelling of competing guides erupted in a frantic and chaotic cacophany. The street noise drifted up into the air-conditioned room as I lay down to sleep for the night.

The next morning I strolled through one of the many street markets. The armed private security detail walked casually behind us, interfering only when the vendors were too insistent.

When we needed bottled water our guide would negotiate for the Egyptian price (10x less than the tourist price). To be blunt, we were protected and cared after, and we experienced Egypt in a beautiful bubble.

Ah, life behind the tourist bubble;

a bubble which made me feel both appreciative and uncomfortably privileged. But most of all it left me with a craving for a follow-up authentic cultural experience.

As a full-time Nomad, I have lost much of my interest in tourism travel. In fact, I begrudgingly go on group tours only when it feels necessary for safety, financial or logistical reasons. And don't get me wrong. These are great reasons and I have had some exceptional group tours and experiences.

Yet still, my favorite travel moments are generally not at the tourist sites. Usually my favorite moments involve just "being" in a new country and interacting with locals who are simply living their lives.

In the world of social media, it seems that travel is often reduced to getting the most amazing photo. Yes, that can be part of the fun. But I have watched many an "influencer" take a photo of an experience they never had - perfectly staged illusions absent of connection and emotion. I too can appreciate a stunning photo, but I can tell you where the real experiences and meaning happens for me. It can't be photographed. It has to be felt in those moments of truly authentic experiences; an interaction with a local with a genuine heart. A home cooked meal. Local transportation and immersion into daily life. Even when it is hot and dirty and uncomfortable and REAL. That is where life is the juciest.

To be fair to this experience, taking a group tour through Egypt, with an Egyptologist, was no doubt the best way for me to see and experience Egypt, this time.

But maybe, just maybe... Next time.. A home stay?

Egypt, you are splendid. Thank you for this experience. Shukran. 🙏