Madter's Travel Adventures: Athens, Rome, Egypt

After Turkey, Marica, Jill and I split from the group and made an impromptu stopover in Athens! Our flight to Rome was via Athens, so we decided 3 hours before departure that we would add Athens to our adventure. Greece had always been a place that I told myself I would visit again. Summer of 2008 I traveled around Western Europe, but had only visited Corfu, a Western Island. Greece struck me as a place that mixed so many wonderful things together: History, Beaches, Great Food and Charm. Of course this can be said about most all European cities, but I favoured Greece. Athens was amazing, and the Acropolis (City on the hill –circa 6th century BC) and Parthenon (Temple built for the Goddess Athena 427 BC) were of the highlights. We also got to see the first official Olympic Stadium (1896). Our hotel was in a great location, a stone’s throw from the Acropolis, and right next to cute cafes and restaurants. Athens filled my brain with ancient archeological history and filled my belly with Tzatziki and pita bread! We took a cable car up to the top of a hill to overlook Athens and the Acropolis, stunning. After a few days of basking in the sun, beach and ancient columns, we hit the road for Rome.

Having been my second journey to Rome, I found that the allure it gives is the same time and time again. The ancient Colosseum is an unbelievably large structure that leaves you awestruck as you stand inside, looking down at the once arena floor, and picturing gladiators and beasts fighting and executions, while royalty and others cheer on a bloody death. The first word that comes to mind is barbaric, but somehow that’s not the feeling you get when you stand inside and gaze around. Instead you find yourself wanting to be a spectator from the past, while keeping in mind that sometimes they reenacted land battles or mocked sea battles. I chalk it up to our present day movie cinemas or theatres. Then of course the Roman Forum is large area filled with old residencies, government, library, temples and stores. Again, while in there it’s important to try to envision daily events of Caesar, Augustus and men of their liking. Visits to the Pantheon (Temple built for Roman Gods), Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps were reminiscent for me because 2 summers prior I had walked the same streets with a different set of friends. I am lucky to have made two trips to this awesome city. What made Rome even better, was Italian Football! We went to this park, set up for the FIFA world cup games with a large TV screen, beer, food and eager fans. As the saying goes…When in Rome… “Waka Waka Hey Hey! This Time For Africa” ~Shakira

Change of countries, continents and pace. Next stop? Egypt? To date, I still cannot believe I was there. It’s not something that everyone puts on their ‘must see’ list, but I was fortunate enough this summer to add it to my travel bucket list. Cairo is a busy, hot and cluttered city. We felt safe when we were with our tour guide and in our hotel, but I wouldn’t recommend touring around at your own leisure, especially as a foreign female. So many guards in white suits with guns the length of their leg, and always with a stern or disgruntled face. The ambiance, I guess you could say, wasn’t as warm and welcoming as Europe. Perhaps the blonde hair did not help, haha. But I didn’t go to Cairo to smack talk it, I went to experience the Ancient Pyramids and I’m delighted to relay the awe that goes along with it. I remember my first glimpse of them, as we drove south towards Giza (30 minutes from Cairo). I felt like a kid in a candy store, but instead it was like an ancient history/holy awesomeness store. We went to a horse/camel stable and were given the option of 3 tours, each of varying lengths. We chose the longest camel tour, for 3 hours. Bartered a bit, but really, weren’t too concerned about a few dollars since we were so anxious to see what we’ve read about since elementary school. Trot, trot, trot on the camels, if you can call it that. It wasn’t so smooth, but I don’t think anything could have gotten in my way of excitement. Except of course a few giggles at Marcia who was scared of falling off! Hot, is an understatement. Africa, desert, camel. Enough said. The camel journey was a once in a lifetime experience, and we stopped to take some fantastic photos. But every great story has a twist. And ours involves a gun and the mafia. While exploring the base of the pyramids, a man approached us, questioning how much we paid to visit the pyramids. Having been instructed by our guide not to speak with anyone, we mumbled we weren’t sure, or couldn’t remember. His persistence included a flash of his gun on his belt, and expressing his position, that being the Egyptian Mafia. Luckily the cat didn’t get Jill’s tongue, as she blurted out that we paid $80 each and $5 for her hat! Satisfied with our answer but dissatisfied with our response, he yelled in discontent that we paid too much, as it should cost $10, not $80. We were dismissed back to our camels, as he and our guide went off in Arabic. The result? A loss of our guide’s horse for collateral, until he brought back money to get it back. A funny story to tell, while NOT still in the desert with no one around. But, I’ll tell you, I’d pay $80again to see the pyramids for the first time. Experience is priceless. While back in Cairo we visited some mosques and took a cruise on the Nile! Next, stop? India!