It is difficult to select what photo I will share each day and from what place and what year. I have spent an hour or two reliving my trip to Egypt this evening and selecting this shot was a difficult decision.
In December 2003 I achieved a dream, I went to Egypt to see the pyramids.
In Islamabad I hosted a visit for a colleague from Cairo and mentioned I wanted to see Cairo and the pyramids, next thing you know she had decided I'd visit for Christmas and we'd go to the Red Sea for New Years Eve. I am not good at imposing on people's hospitality, but her invitation was so heartfelt I relented on my own personal hangup and accepted her kind invitation. I think her email advising that I'd be able to see the pyramids (on a good day) from my bedroom window. That is how she phrased it - not her spare room but "your window". I was won over.
Being in a different time-zone I woke up very early and sat on the little balcony watching the city and straining my eyes across the horizon trying to see the sight she had promised. I gradually was able to make out a large triangular shape across the city, I thought it was not possible that I was seeing the pyramids, so large, but as the morning light came across the city, I knew that I was indeed seeing the pyramids (or at least one of them).
I know this is not a spectacular or impressive shot, but it is one that means so much to me, brings back fabulous memories, and isn't that one of the reasons we take photos?
wow......this must have been so surreal for you, when you realised what you were seeing, staring past all of the city buildings only to see a pyramid, what an experience!! I think it's a great shot, although it is clearly along way from you it is still obvious how huge it must be....faving this for the incredible view!!!
What a wonderful sight to see, how magical to think of it slowly coming into view like that! I loved Cairo, busy, noisy, messy, and my first experience of life outside Europe! I couldn't believe how close the pyramids were to the city centre... this is really atmospheric, love it!
Remember you have 365+ chances to post your wonderful photos, don't agonise too much keep throwing them at us!! :)
What a beautiful and memorable shot. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us.The stories behind the photos make the photos that much more meaningful to your audience!
I love the jagged forground of the city against the hazy sand in the background. I like this shot and that fact that it brings back such good memories for you is a bonus.
@bobfoto the main reason it takes so long to select a shot is I am enjoying seeing all the shots again, I have a few enlarged and framed and up on my walls. Looking at the photos lets me relive my trip
How funny - I've just said almost exactly your closing sentence on your shot today of Petra..!
When Ed and I were married in 1988 we had a honeymoon in Cyprus from where you could take what they whimsically called 'a mini-cruise' to either Egypt or Israel. We decided to go to Egypt and what a trip it was! Waking up the view from the porthole was definitely not European! We were whizzed by coach from Port Said to Cairo where we saw the Tutankhamun exhibits, went to a bazaar (actually it was a shop rather than Indiana-Jones-style market), and of course the pyramids where we went up inside one, wandered around and sat with a long drink gazing at the sphinx. I remember looking at the desert and thinking wistfully that it was beautiful, and seemed to go on forever.
Years later we agreed to travel wherever we could go with the kids - but sadly Ed left us and now it's just me and them. I decided that I'd just have to do what I could, and what finances could allow - and in the last few years we've done Amsterdam, Bruges, Paris, Scotland (!) and the Grand Canyon via Vegas. Where next?! I'm not quite brave enough to take them into Africa by myself, and have sighed and said there are places they will want to explore with their own partners one day....
Gosh what a tome... you see what your wonderful shots do to me?! I really should be ironing! Thanks :)
@filsie65 thanks for your comments and support. I think you have done wonderfully, I have done pretty much all my travel alone (not exactly how I planned it, but until Mr Right appears I have no other choice) and it can be daunting. It was affordable (sort of) when I was working in our embassies abroad, I don't seem to be able to save enough money when I am working within Australia.
Pity they didn't take you to a bazaar, I went to several marvellous ones in Cairo, I was taken by colleagues from the Australian Embassy Cairo, they were wonderful guides and discouraged me from doing anything solo in Egypt.
I often find almost anything else to do when I should be doing my ironing
January 5th, 2013
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Remember you have 365+ chances to post your wonderful photos, don't agonise too much keep throwing them at us!! :)
When Ed and I were married in 1988 we had a honeymoon in Cyprus from where you could take what they whimsically called 'a mini-cruise' to either Egypt or Israel. We decided to go to Egypt and what a trip it was! Waking up the view from the porthole was definitely not European! We were whizzed by coach from Port Said to Cairo where we saw the Tutankhamun exhibits, went to a bazaar (actually it was a shop rather than Indiana-Jones-style market), and of course the pyramids where we went up inside one, wandered around and sat with a long drink gazing at the sphinx. I remember looking at the desert and thinking wistfully that it was beautiful, and seemed to go on forever.
Years later we agreed to travel wherever we could go with the kids - but sadly Ed left us and now it's just me and them. I decided that I'd just have to do what I could, and what finances could allow - and in the last few years we've done Amsterdam, Bruges, Paris, Scotland (!) and the Grand Canyon via Vegas. Where next?! I'm not quite brave enough to take them into Africa by myself, and have sighed and said there are places they will want to explore with their own partners one day....
Gosh what a tome... you see what your wonderful shots do to me?! I really should be ironing! Thanks :)
Pity they didn't take you to a bazaar, I went to several marvellous ones in Cairo, I was taken by colleagues from the Australian Embassy Cairo, they were wonderful guides and discouraged me from doing anything solo in Egypt.
I often find almost anything else to do when I should be doing my ironing