Cairo- accomodations and cuisine concerns

I have learned that travel to Egypt is not easy, even for the intrepid adventurer. I feel that Egypt almost requires that you visit via a group experience for the first time- so that you can get a feel for the country and her people. Otherwise it can be daunting. I have also discovered that, in order to secure "culinary safety", a group trip should be all inclusive when it comes to room and board. Although "the names are changed to protect the innocent", Mummy tummy, the Curse of the Pharaoh, Shishak's Revenge, can all be debilitating, devastating, when a journey like this may be your once in a lifetime shot. As a result, a five-star journey can allow you to focus on your goal; the glory of Egypt, past and present.

So, how about a hotel where every room has a view? The Sofitel Gezira is the place to be. Centrally located, it is in the heart of the Cairo/Giza Metropolis on Gezira Island. A circular hotel refurbished in 2007, it is located on the island's southern tip. There's nothing like it to get settled in, get a good night's sleep, in preparation for the adventure to begin in earnest. We stay one night at first, only to return to the hotel at the end of the journey for two more nights and Cairo touring before returning back to the States. What a way to unwind from the trip over!

In addition to comfortable accommodations, food can also become an issue that is debilitating to say the least. A very good friend and colleague, who had been to the Middle East dozens of times, was a case in point. We both had groups of students in Egypt several years ago, and discovered that we would be "overlapping" our journeys at the Giza train station- he was going south and I was returning north. So, we looked for each other on the platform. It was a warm welcome, even for just a few moments. As I got off the train, there he was, smiling, with a felafel in pita in his hand. If you are unaware, felafel is the ubiquitous Middle East fast food sandwich. A mixture of chickpeas, cumin, cracked wheat, garlic, salt, pepper, parsley, egg and olive oil that is deep fried, it then can be served "on the go" in a pita, with salad and harif, or hot sauce. I looked at him, he grinned sheepishly...." I know, I know," he said. "But it smelled soooo good I couldn't resist." I looked at the can of oil adjacent to the fryer. It's label said, " Expiration date: Ramses II". OK, so I'm kidding. The fact is, no matter how good something smells, you just can't take the risk in Egypt. He ended up with the kind of usually non-lethal yet stays in your body forever Hepatitis C. The moral, watch where and what you eat, regardless of your experience and global acumen.

This takes me to another concern..........nature's most perfect food.......... water. The water supply in Egypt, as is the case for most nations, is ok to drink- if you are going to live, study, there for a couple of months! The filtration system is alien to what we are used to. For that matter, the filtration system of Boston or New York is alien to what someone from Minnesota is used to as well. Drinking it will cause discomfort and the necessity for being in close proximity to King Tut's Throne for a few days. But after that, you will be fine. BUT ON A 12 DAY JOURNEY......... it makes absolutely NO SENSE to run the risk. At $1/day for 1 1/2 litre bottle of water, drink it enthusiastically with no worries. However, if you are staying away from local tap water to save discomfort, remember that this needs to be extended to both ice and toothbrushing. STAY AWAY from iced beverages- you never know where the water comes from to make the cubes. RINSE the toothbrush and your mouth with bottled water as well. I had a student come down with Mummy Tummy. She swore that she drank bottled water and had only refrigerator chilled drinks. So I asked if she brushed her teeth every night. The "light bulb" went off! And she kicked herself for "spacing out" toothbrushing. It happens to the best of travelers though. (I'm in the process of inventing a "Travel Toothbrush" that's built into the cap of a water bottle!)

Stay tuned for the first full day of touring- Giza, here we come!

Departure and arrival

Cairo is the gateway to Egypt, whether you like it or not. Flying to anywhere in the Middle East can be an arduous task. The vast majority of carriers from the US usually fly into a hub in Europe- NWA/KLM to Amsterdam, United/Lufthansa to Frankfurt, etc. However, a few "national" carriers over the past few years have taken advantage of modern technology to fly non-stop from the eastern seaboard to their destinations- Cairo, Tel Aviv, Amman to name a few. Egyptair has become prefered due to its nonstop flights. The overnite flight, on a newer 777, is only 9 hrs or so. With the time change of 7 hrs, this places arrival into Cairo in mid-afternoon. Its a far cry from suffering through 5 or 6 hr layovers in Europe and an late evening Egypt arrival. After all, we're up and running first thing the next morning!

In addition, a daylight arrival in Egypt means the following- the captain usually makes a swing around the Giza Complex as an incredible introduction to this land and her people.

One thing that you learn immediately is something that I call "controlled chaos". One is never quite prepared for the cacaphony of sound, the overwhelming sight of the throngs of people, the faintest sense that you can "smell the antiquity" of this ancient land almost immediately after touchdown in Heliopolis. If it weren't for professional contacts in Egypt, it could be a daunting experience (with expletives deleted!)

As you leave the Heliopolis International Airport, the 40+ minute ride into the heart of Cairo begins to give you the sense of a land where the 20th/21st centuries seem to be thrust upon it, almost as a footnote to Egypt's endless history. Cairo is a city that is "becoming". Whether it is becoming built up or becoming decayed.... its layout and architecture seems to have found a tentative medium, settling in at that uneasy middle ground of "middle age". One can never know exactly which direction its heading. Orginally built as a city that could accomodate a couple of million, today Cairo has a population of 18 million during the day- but an overnight population of 16 million. Over 2 million commute to work daily. It is a city where one gets a medal for successfully crossing the street without getting bumped by traffic.

Traffic is non-stop. I have seen a lull in it.... around 2 am. This is a land where the brakes are optional and the horn is standard equipment. But once past the shock, it is a metropolis where you can feel tremendously safe if you venture out to explore.. but watch out for the cars!

Greetings, and welcome to this new site, Educational Resources, Inc. My name is Steven Derfler, a university professor involved in art and archaeology, intercultural, interfaith and interdisciplinary work that attempts to help us to understand the present and future, as we rediscover our past.

The first leg of this journey will focus on an upcoming journey, a Journey to Egypt, that will take place Jan 6-18, 2009. It is an incredible study tour that no one should miss.

No other civilization has captured as many hearts and minds of the world as ancient Egypt. Participants will by touched by the glory, mystery and mystique of ancient Egypt while visiting a modern civilization that has been created by the mighty Nile River. For an itinerary, costs and basic information, visit the following website.

http://friendlyplanet.com/sponsored/pharaohs-09.html

This will be my 38th journey to this extraordinary land. Over the many years, I have "learned all the mistakes" on the way to putting together an wonderful adventure for the scholar/traveler. This all inclusive program includes much more than the typical "on-the-bus off-the-bus" itinerary. We give it all. It actually is reminiscent of the John Candy movie, but in this instance we use planes, trains, Nile cruisers, felucca sailboats, horse-drawn carriages and........... yes, camels!

So, we will go on this journey together, giving you daily glimpses of what takes place on a day to day basis.

Welcome

Who is Steven Derfler, PhD?

An international educational consultant, public speaker, archaeologist, historian, researcher, teacher and writer, Dr. Derfler has been uncovering the histories of Ancient Civilizations for 35 years. Tracing the development of western religions from their roots in the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean countries, Dr. Derfler brings insight to current political and social events, bridging the past with the future to promote greater understanding between people from different faiths and walks of life.

Throughout his career, Dr. Derfler has worked aggressively to bring the community together for education and celebration of ethnic and cultural diversity. He has worked with many agencies; including the Councils of Churches, Moral Re-Armament Twin Cities, Catholic Conference, Minnesota Islamic center, and Bridges for Peace. Dr. Derfler has been associated with institutions both in the Midwest and Israel. International Institutions include Tel Aviv University's Institute of Archaeology, the Israeli Antiquities Authority, The Negev Museum of Beersheva and the Arad Archaeological Center.In the Upper Midwest, he teaches at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. He also lectures in the University of Minnesota Continuing Education and Compleat Scholar Program, The Dawn Schuman Institute of Jewish Learning in Chicago and the Sarasota County Adult and Community Education Program. He has also taught at Hamline University, where he served as Director of Jewish Studies.

In addition to his teaching, Dr. Derfler also served at the Area Executive Director of the American Jewish Committee, the oldest human rights advocacy agency in the United States.
His commentaries can be found in such publications as the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Minneapolis Star Tribune, The American Jewish World, and The Ohio Chronicle. His research has been published by the Israel Exploration Journal, Tel Aviv Journal of Archaeology, Hadashot Archaologiot, 'Atiqot, the Middle East Review, The ARAM Journal of Oxford University, The University of Minnesota Press and the Edwin Mellen Press.

As part of his commitment to diversity and international awareness, Dr. Derfler directs academic study tours to Israel and Jordan, Egypt, Morocco, Greece and Turkey. For interested parties, these journeys may also be tailored to Jewish constituencies. Please visit the Study and Travel Page for further details.