Needless to say, I am very excited about our upcoming trek to Egypt. Things I know; I did not think that we could ever go to Egypt considering our last the name. But, it is real, we are off soon. The long reach back into the history is monumental, breaching on differentiating actual historical events from myths and conjecture. Since we Jews all met at Sinai having fled Egypt, I hope we do not have to part a sea to depart again. I will savor every day of the 3 week adventure and assume we will be allowed to depart on time via airplane, not through the mud of the seabed. I am sure I will be reluctant to have the adventure end.
What do I anticipate and what will be realities of life in modern Egypt? My preconceptions of most of our destinations have always been a bit off base, incorrect and out of date. How I learn each visit, modernity has that global reach and country has its delicious,unique and indigenous flavor. That is, big bustling cities, too many high rises, too many Western world chain shoppes, crime, social dilemmas, too much traffic (whether cars, trucks and buses or motor scooters, bikes and goat carts). There are people hurrying to their destinations, and yet those people are continually friendly, willing to help a stranger, informative and will stop and chat, often at length. We get to know each other, take photos and depart good friends. What a joy is travel.
I wish to learn and will become supersaturated with the adventures, only to be sorted out in the months and years following the trip. About the long history, I will try to absorb so much in the museums, galleries, Monuments, Pyramids and 
floating on the Nile.
Guides always ask us to state our goals for the trip; I wish to learn about the school curriculum broaching the vast, perhaps overwhelming history of the country, about present realities of their politics, religion, economics, social treatment of citizens and services available and try to understand the current political currants of our times. I hope to interact with Egyptians of all ages, view the art world, music world, the workings of the government, treatment of women, addictions and savor and taste the foods of Egypt, in my case from the vegetarian end, which I understand is very vegan and veggie friendly. Nothing new in the above list but I will try not to anticipate or preconceive the facts and learn, learn, learn. I also know I will shoot TOO MANY PHOTOS, but try hard not to see Egypt only through the view finder. A hard task, but I am ready to take off, check off another bucket list entry and spend weeks contemplating the experience.