Four People. Four Cultures. Four Perspectives. And one unforgettable trip.

When four cultures (Armenian, Cuban, Irish and American) joined up for a whirlwind trip around Egypt—six cities in eight days—they discovered the legendary beauty and exclusivity of lands that have preserved their treasures and traditions since time immemorial. Here, they each share a cultural snapshot about the country and discover even more about themselves.

Soothing Stays
After spending the afternoon shopping for Egyptian cloth, there I was. It was unexpected and magical as I looked at the pyramids
towering above me from the terrace of this converted palace (the Mena House Oberoi—originally a royal lodge used by Khedive
Ismail, the king of Egypt). The scent of the
jasmine gardens, the luxurious antiques, handcrafted furniture and even the horse stables, just set you back in time. I couldn’t imagine a better place to begin my exploration of Egypt.

“Sitting at this palace, looking at the pyrmaids, it momentarily put me in a trance.”

The Country Escape
Luxor is where the energy is. The best preserved temples and sites of ancient times are here: Karnak and Luxor, the Hatshetsup temple, the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens.

But the place to land at the end of the day is a beautiful tranquil oasis called the Al Moudira, which feels more like being in a resort palace than what you’d expect in Upper Egypt. Relaxation is at a maximum, and you could spend all day admiring its own archeological artifacts.

Egypt is much more than a destination for a photo opportunity or to check off your bucket list. It is a place to stand spiritually naked and be ever present, and as a sea sponge, take in the energy of the dynasties before you. I, for one, returned to America with a full heart.

“Here you connect with all of the energy present and around you.”

The Pride of Alexandria
To me, a library has always been a sacred place. I went there in search of silence and reflection, much as others seek the dim solace of a church. I went there to find the answers to my questions, much as others seek a priest for comfort in times of distress. I went there simply for the atmosphere—the smell of the books, the soft tread of shoes on worn green carpet, the weight of the silence. The smell of the books takes me back to those places just as the smell of incense and candle wax is immediately calming.

And so, to visit the modern reincarnation of the Library of Alexandria, once the font and seat of all knowledge, was a form of Hajj.

“It is our collective consciousness and the record of our deeds, hopes and dreams.”

Journeys
Not even the grandeur of the pyramids can outweigh the size of your heart when you connect with the people of the lands you visit there.
We were a multicultural envoy that was ready to change the world, but we found out that we needed their guidence and affection to complete our mission. What we found was an abundance of it, and you don’t need to be able to read hieroglyphics to realize that.

“On any journey in life, the first thing we pack is ourselves, and, if you wish that journey to inspire altruism at its best, pack your heart.”

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