Brotha from another Motha

Dubai

Dubai

Dubai

Who would have thought my trip to Dubai would have turned out the way it did. When planning my year away back in August 2008, I figured I wanted to go to Dubai but only spend a few nights since it was supposedly very expensive. It was. However, one could travel to Dubai and spend less money depending on the restaurants and accommodation chosen. I would say it’s no more expensive than Beirut.
What did I expect? Ahmed asked this question a few times and I really had to think about it. Buildings – tall buildings, desert, camels and large palaces for all the sheiks. Was I far off? Not really. Everything minus the camels – a desert safari trip is needed to see or ride the camels. There were more expensive cars in Dubai than I think I have seen in one city. It even beats out London. Beirut had a lot of nice cars but they were basically limited to Mercedes and BMWs. Dubai went above and beyond BMWs. Aston Martin and Bentley were both brands you would see daily.

I arrived late Saturday evening after almost missing my flight in Beirut. I owe Hamsa a lot for waking me up at noon. The Dubai airport is very nice! Probably one of the nicest airports I have been in. Free WIFI too! I caught a taxi from the airport to my hotel – The Dar Al Sondos Hotel Apartments by Le Méridien. It worked out to about 90CAD per night so I figured I could afford that for my 4 nights in Dubai. The hotel was recommended to me by Ahmed – someone I spoke with on couchsurfing.com. I asked him what areas are good, hotel recommendations. I chose this one since I get Starwood points. I ended up meeting Ahmed the following day. He picked me up in his Cadillac CTS and we went out for some food. We got along really well and decided to spend the following day together since he had the week off work.

We ate out what seemed like every 2 hours…either food, tea or both. I was taken to some amazing restaurants – probably some of the best in Dubai. For example, tea at the Intercontinental, overlooking the city would be enjoyed by everyone. We smoked some shee-shah – which definitely gave me a buzz. Ahmed and I had some really good conversations – I learnt a lot about Islam. Not the Islam you hear about on CNN – you know – how everyone in the Middle East is a terrorist and ready to destroy the West! I was informed of how similar Islam is to Christianity and Judaism for example, which I ignorantly did not know. Once again, we decided to hang out the following day.

I got to see the ‘Largest Mall in the World’ – the Mall of Dubai. It definitely lives up to the name. You honestly could spend the entire day there and still need to go back the next day to finish seeing the entire complex. From an indoor skating rink, to waterfalls, to a ‘movie theatre for kids – the mall has it all. For shops you have high end (LV, Channel, Armani, etc) as well as shops like Aldo, Pull and Bear, Adidas – which I ended up supporting by purchasing 2 pairs of runners. Having one backpack does not allow room to buy shoes and clothing but oh well, first time in Dubai so why not eh!?

It was suggested I sign up for a desert safari which ended up being so much fun. 4x4 through sand dunes, sandboarding (yes...SANDboarding y'all), watching belly dancing, camels, sheesha, food and drink - made for an awesome afternoon.

The departure time for my flight to India was at 21:40 on Wednesday. Ahmed graciously offered (more like insisted) he drive me to the airport. He met me at the hotel in the morning with a Khandora for me to wear all day. If you are not familiar with the word – google it or check out pictures on my blog and facebook. We ate again, met up with Mohammed for some dessert and tea, visited the Palm Island and said our goodbyes.

I’ve really come to realize that the best part of my trip has been the people I have met along the way.

Lebanon

more of Egypt

Egypt 2

Egypt

Close call

I'm at the airport in Bahrain, waiting for my connecting flight to Dubai to take off. However, I just about never made the flight this morning. Dubai - according to The New York Times is the number one place to visit in 2009. And there are a ton of reasons why I would agree with this. One of the reasons which plays a role in why I just about missed my flight - the nightlife. Getting in at 07:00 and having to wake up at 10:30 to pack, pick up laundry and catch a flight a few hours later is asking for trouble. I made my flight and that's the important part...if I forogt anything - time will tell.
If you have some bucks to spend and a couple people to hangout with, it's almost impossible not to have a good time in Beirut. Whether you fancy to enjoy the Mediterranean sun while hanging out on the beach, people watch while sipping an espresso in Place De E'toile or partying it up at some of the best nightclubs in the world, Beirut has it all!

Lebanon

In Beirut and lovin' it! Update to come

Beirut

I arrived on a flight from Cairo with what seemed like five hundred screaming kids onboard. The ratio between parent and child was easily 1:4. After getting my head rubbed and drooled on for two minutes by a two year old, I ran off the plane to safety. Customs was a lot less stressful than I expected. I was asked if it was my first time in Lebanon – “Yes, it is,” I answered, expecting to be interrogated. “Welcome, my friend, enjoy your visit!” Boo yah!!

Immediately after passing through the security doors I was approached by taxi drivers. Didn’t think I stood out in the crowd considering my tan keeps improving. Spending over a week in the HOT Egyptian desert sun would make anyone a few shades darker. Anyways, I added a few bucks to what I coined the, ‘welcoming take advantage of the tourist’ fund. (You always pay more from the airport than what you should)

The morning before my flight, I had some laundry washed at the hostel. They said it would be dry by 2pm (I was leaving at 3:30pm). I think everyone knows where this is going. When I threw my backpack on the bed in my hotel room I immediately unpacked all the damp clothing and sprawled it all over the room – on any hanger or corner I could find. I was in bed by 10pm, hoping to get an early fresh start to the morning.

The following day I ate the breakfast buffet that was included in my room at the Mayflower Hotel. Packed up all my, now, dry clothing and ventured out to find my next night’s accommodation. I moved my backpack to my new place and set off to find some food to cure my hunger pains. That’s where I am at now, sitting at a café down the street from Place de l'Etoile.

Egypt and the Pyramids

I can finally say that I have seen the Pyramids of Giza! Egypt has always been a place I have wanted to visit. When my trip was changed from Egypt to Greece and Italy in grade 12 - I knew that I would visit the Land of the Pharohs at some point in my life.

Arriving in Cairo for the first time is an experience in itself. The parking lot at the airport was a mess. Cars parked 3 deep, people pushing cars out of the way with their cars. It took about 15 minutes to back out of the parking stall.
My first 2 nights were spent in Cairo. I stayed at Brother's Hostel - decent place, located about 15 minutes walk from the Egyptian Museum (which is a must!)

I booked a private guide and driver for my visit to the Pyramids, Sphinx and Sacarra. Definitely pleased with that experience! My guide - Gab - has his degree in Egyptian Historical studies. He knew EVERYTHING! And his English was probably better than mine.

Opinion on Pyramids and Sphinx: a must see! The Sphinx is a lot smaller than expected. The pyramids live up to the stories and pictures. Although, there isn't much besides the structure itself. But to think how the people built such magnificent structures without any of the modern day technology - is quite astonishing!

Quick Fact: The Pyramids were not built by slaves like people think - they were built by the best workers of their trade - free men who worked for the Kings. It was a very respectful job building the tombs of a King.

The next day I spent just about 3 hours in the Egyptian Museum. What a place! The people do know how to jam pack statues, mummies, pottery and other artifacts into a museum. it's almost like when a sarcophagus is found, for example, they transport it to the museum and plop it down where ever tehre is room - and trust me - there are a TON of sarcophagus'!
I left for Aswan that evening. Decided to endulge in a sleeper cabin on the train ride. Was fed dinner and breakfast and had my own cabin with a bed. 15 hours - it was totally worth it!!!

Arrived to the heat in Aswan. Took a felucca ride (small sail boat) down the Nile River, stopping at Philae Temple and a really shitty Nubian museum. Met 2 cool guys from Montreal, Quebec. Had to hit the sack quite early since my tour of Abu Simbel started left at 3am. Abu Simbel was amazing! Quite the site. Met this British couple - Pal and Jaz. Very nice people - turns out that Pal comes to Calgary every once and a while to visit friends. Sounds like we'll go for a drink next time he's in town.
We all went our for dinner that evening (the ppl in the tour group). The first restaurant we stopped at I asked to see both the Arabic menu and the English menu. I asked Jaz to read the prices on the Arabic menu (since she can read some Arabic) and sure enough the prices were DRASTICALLY different! More than double for the same dish. We left there right away. Down the road we ended up eating at this little restaurant for 13 Egyptian Pounds for a 4 course meal. that works out to about $1.50

The following day I embarked on a 2 day Nile boat cruise. Instead of a cruise boat that we are use to, it was a felucca that I spent the next 2 days on. A sail boat with a bunch of pillows. I ate, slept, relaxed on this boat. There were 4 people on the boat with 3 crew members (and the captains girlfriend who slept the entire time).
We sang Nubian music, danced by the fire on the sand, played drums and relaxed for 2 days. Not to mention, I bathed and sawm in the Nile!!

After being on the water - it was nice to see land and drive to Luxor where I visited Luxor Temple and Karnak. Karnak was amazing! Luxor temple - I wasn't that impressed with. The Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens was next. The Valley consisted of tombs built into the ground for kings a well as the family of the kings.

An 18 hour bus ride (overnight) brought me to Dahab where I spent 2 more days. Dahab is on the Red Sea - more of a quiet beach town. Lots of kite surfers and divers. I snorkled in the "Blue Hole", saw some amazing fish and coral. The 2nd say I went out to the White and Colored Canyons. Hiking all day in the heat was quite - enjoyable (as strange as that sounds). Pictures don't do the place justice but it was quite a good experience. I had lunch cooked by Bedouins at an Oasis in the desert. That evening I smoked some Sheesha overlooking the moon on the water.

Today, there was a 9 hour bus ride back to Cairo. I met Mike, an American who has done quite a bit of traveling in the past. He had been to Lebanon and Syria last year. Got some very useful tips from him as well as some comfort about the politial situation in Lebanon. He is writing his thesis about the Lebanese political system.

I'm not lying in my room, listening to the wonderful sound of car horns. It's honestly, non-stop!! There literally isn't 5 seconds that goes by, actually 3 seconds without hearing a horn or numberous horns.

Tomorrow, I will meet George's mum for a walk around the Copitc area in Cairo and some lunch. I'm really lookng forward to that. My flight to Lebanon is at 18:30 Wednesday evening.

Currently, in Dahab, Egypt. Will be in this country for another few days and then have a flight to Beirut on June 10. Depending on how their federal elections turnout, I might have to re-route myt trip.

Egypt has been amazing! Some mixed feelings about the country but have had amazing experiences here so far.

Will write more later!