Who has been to the Pyramids?

[biffvernon]

I'll never see them.

 

[Flyfisher]

Try Google Streetview for low-carbon sightseeing. :wink:

Actually, that reminds me of the very first time I visited New York City. I vividly remember standing on a corner at Times Square and thinking it was exactly as I had imagined it would be from all the TV and films of the place. It was a very weird feeling and one that I haven't felt in the other places I've visited, perhaps with the exception of Washington DC - again, a very familiar TV and film sight.

I wonder if people visiting London for the first time have a similar feeling?

 

[LadyArowana]

There are quite a lot of nice things to look at within the British Isles. And they don't involve air travel. :wink:

They do for some of us :lol:

 

[Pford75]

Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts.  Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.  ~Mark Twain

 

[JoceAndChris]

That Twain quotation is fabulous.

I'm shocked, to the core, at the racist, bigoted, homophobic, sexist, intolerant, views I've heard expressed in the town where I'm currently living - often by people who've never really left it.

Travelling is an immense privilege and a hugely important part of self-development.

Having said all that, you can sit on the sofa and travel to new worlds - via televison and books - and I'd never throw those accusations, above, at a person like Biff. I suppose, ultimately, it's all about having the wit to try to make the best of your little lot and the compassion to try to understand things outside of your own sphere, something that George Eliot did to perfection - and did she ever leave the UK? :?

 

[JoceAndChris]

Try Google Streetview for low-carbon sightseeing. :wink:

Actually, that reminds me of the very first time I visited New York City. I vividly remember standing on a corner at Times Square and thinking it was exactly as I had imagined it would be from all the TV and films of the place. It was a very weird feeling and one that I haven't felt in the other places I've visited, perhaps with the exception of Washington DC - again, a very familiar TV and film sight.

I wonder if people visiting London for the first time have a similar feeling?

I felt just the same in Times Square! Perhaps people visiting London gasp with delight at the recognition of it all, but when I used to teach Japanese families they couldn't believe how different London was from their expectation - I won't say in what ways, as it isn't polite.

 

[Penners]

Joce - speaking as one who has never had the opportunity to visit Egypt, I'm very jealous! However, I have a number of friends who have been there, and based on their comments I am able to pass on the following advice.

1. Don't drink the water.

2. Don't eat the food.

Have a wonderful trip!

xxx

 

[Carol]

Penners said:

1. Don't drink the water.

2. Don't eat the food.

Agree with Penners about the water, but would suggest you do try the frequently delicious food, but wash hands with anti-bacterial handwash first, especially after handling money. Must admit I couldn't face the Pigeon Pitta we were offered (whole with head and feet). from a market stall An intrepid member of our group loved it and was absolutely fine.
Enjoy!

 

[JoceAndChris]

Thanks for all the lovely advice, much of which I followed. It was just breathtaking, and wonderfully restorative.

I can really see the lure of Egyptology.

 

[Gareth Hughes]

Exclusive footage of the scene at Cairo airport yesterday, as Joce arranged to get the souvenirs home (I particularly like the eggcup, but she may need her Dad to put up a bigger shelf for it)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWarwgTOZ6A

 

[JoceAndChris]

:lol: I love that clip, it just sums it up perfectly.

And yes, there's a war of stone going on now in the Belvedere room, with the reasonably proportioned Georgian fossil marble mantlepiece groaning under the weight of great chunks of carved Egyptian granite!

I really wanted the full size sarcophagus but Chris said no.