{"id":33,"date":"2014-05-19T08:52:51","date_gmt":"2014-05-19T12:52:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ustoa.com\/blog\/?p=33"},"modified":"2014-05-19T16:23:15","modified_gmt":"2014-05-19T20:23:15","slug":"living-like-a-local-in-egypt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ustoa.com\/blog\/living-like-a-local-in-egypt\/","title":{"rendered":"Living Like a Local In Egypt"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Alison Cornford-Matheson, AFAR Ambassador<\/em><\/p>\n

There is a myth that group travel sets you apart from local experiences. Tucked away in air-conditioned buses and luxury hotels, travellers are distanced from the country they are visiting. However, on my recent tour of Egypt<\/a> with Abercrombie & Kent<\/a>, coming in contact with passionate locals was one of the highlights of my trip.<\/p>\n

The local experience began as soon as I set foot in Cairo Airport. Three members of Abercrombie & Kent greeted me at the gate and immediately welcomed me \u2018home.\u2019 The legendary Egyptian hospitality was in full force as they whisked me through customs to the waiting car.<\/p>\n

While many tour operators hire internationally, the A&K team in Egypt are all Egyptian, and all of them are happy to offer perspectives on their country. Their local knowledge is vast and no topic ever felt off limits.<\/p>\n

\"Karnak<\/a>
Karnak Temple<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Egypt\u2019s rich and timeless history is one of the main reasons it tops many travellers\u2019 \u2018must visit\u2019 list. There are countless sites to explore, from temples to tombs, to the vast collections of the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities. While they are all fascinating, it can be easy to lose sight of their importance and local context, without the help of a trained Egyptologist.<\/p>\n

\"Egyptian<\/a>
Egyptian Museum Collection<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Abercrombie & Kent\u2019s guides have an encyclopedic knowledge of Egyptian history. But, unlike some guides, who spew facts and figures without context, A&K\u2019s Egyptologists share their passion for history and bring it to life.<\/p>\n

\"Mohamed<\/a>
A&K guide, Mohamed Osama at the Pyramids<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I was fortunate to have Mohamed Osama as my A&K guide in Egypt. Mohamed\u2019s face lit up each time he told us a story about a particular tomb or temple. His anecdotes about the past kings and queens, and his passion for the artistry and ingenuity of the artisans, who built these masterpieces, transported me back in time and gave me a deeper understanding of Egypt\u2019s fascinating history.<\/p>\n

\"Mohamed<\/a>
Mohamed in Karnak<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The A&K team members certainly weren\u2019t the only locals I encountered in Egypt. I had the chance to interact with people from dramatically different spheres of society.<\/p>\n

During my tour, A&K organised a dinner with guest speaker, Mona Makram-Ebeid, one of Egypt\u2019s most influential women. Despite her established career in politics and academia, she answered our questions with patience, candor and a touch of humor, helping us to understand the complex political situation in Egypt today.<\/p>\n

\"Mona<\/a>
Mona Makram-Ebeid<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A powerful advocate of women\u2019s rights in Egypt, Makram-Ebeid explained how young people and particularly women fueled the revolution. \u201cWomen are ready to resist,\u201d she told us. \u201cAnd I believe that in the next elections they will participate, forcefully so, and they will not sit back and wait to be given that right; they will take it.\u201d<\/p>\n

She also explained how dramatically Egypt has changed over the past 40 years. People used to be afraid to speak out in public, she told us. Now everyone is ready to share his or her opinion. Indeed, after her talk, the Egyptians at our table immediately began to discuss their thoughts on what Makram-Ebeid had to say. By the evening, I had a deeper understanding and respect for what the people of Egypt have experienced over the past few years, and what their hopes are for the future.<\/p>\n

At the other end of the spectrum, our group had the opportunity to interact with the young students of a carpet school in Sakkara.<\/p>\n

\"Egyptian<\/a>
Egyptian carpet detail<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In addition to learning to read and write, children here learn the ancient art of carpet making, for several hours each day. Their education gives them the opportunity to stay in their town and earn a good wage for a skilled trade, or continue their schooling elsewhere.<\/p>\n

\"Carpet<\/a>
Carpet School<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

They were all smiles when showing us how they create these beautiful carpets from delicate silk thread. The speed and precision of their fingers as they knot the colourful carpets is hard to believe and mesmerising to watch.<\/p>\n

These types of experiences would be difficult to have in Egypt, as a solo traveller. Touring with Abercrombie & Kent offers visitors the unique opportunity to experience Egypt in comfort, while engaging with locals who are excited to share their country with visitors. I can\u2019t wait to be welcomed \u2018home\u2019 in Egypt again.<\/p>\n

Alison Cornford-Matheson is a Canadian freelance writer and\u00a0travel photographer<\/a>\u00a0and the founder of\u00a0Cheeseweb.eu<\/a>, a resource for expats, locals, and travellers in Belgium. She landed in Belgium in 2005 and became passionate about this quirky little country. She is an\u00a0AFAR Ambassador<\/a>\u00a0and founding member of the\u00a0PTBA<\/a>. She is obsessed with travel, food, and local experiences. You can follow her on\u00a0Google+<\/a>, on Twitter as\u00a0@Acornn<\/a>, on\u00a0Pintrest\u00a0<\/a>or check out her\u00a0Facebook Page<\/a>. See more highlights from Alison’s trip at AFAR.com<\/a>.
\n<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by Alison Cornford-Matheson, AFAR Ambassador There is a myth that group travel sets you apart from local experiences. Tucked away in air-conditioned buses and luxury hotels, travellers are distanced from the country they are visiting. 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