DAHAB.
Alright, so the full story of my absurdly wonderful weekend in Dahab begins on Thursday night. When, while hanging out with friends, an INSANELY last minute decision (1am-ish?) to go somewhere awesome for our 4 day weekend....like oh, you know, the Red Sea. So, we book a hostel, figure out transportation, tell everyone to meet in the lobby at 11:30am, and that's that. The 7 of us (4 guys, 3 girls) are headed to Dahab. What's that? That sounds insane? How can I take a 4 day weekend in a beach town 9 hours away having planned it so absolutely last minute? Good question. But it happened and it was by far one of the BEST spur of the moment decisions I've ever made.
We finally got on our 1pm bus at 2pm (...typical Cairo) and were off! 8 hours and 2-3 pit stops later we've made it to Dahab. We got taken by a truck (4 in back 3 in front) to a sketchy alleyway, where our favorite half Korean decided he'd be willing to sacrifice himself to make sure we wouldn't get KBB (kidnapped by Bedouins) if we followed the guide down. Luckily, our driver had indeed brought us to the proper destination, and this simply was the only drive-able road to get to it. For the sake of all my family reading this, I want to assure you that the hostel we stayed at was actually PHENOMENAL. Furthermore, the cost of the ride to and from Dahab and housing for 3 nights cost us a total of $50. Great Success.
The more I attempt to explain to people back in Zamalek what I did over this past weekend, the more I realize that this may have been one of the best weekends i've had to date. So here's a quick summary:
1. 60-80LE Dinner--> AWESOME. The perfect first night after an 8 hour bus ride.
2. Shisha and the Sea
This isn't really a one time activity. Smoking shisha is pretty much like going to Starbucks in the States. You chill, talk and simply enjoy spending time together. Maybe grab a cup of Bedouin tea (when you're in Sinai anyways) and when in Dahab, enjoy the surrounding sea. We spent the majority of our first afternoon wither shopping, snorkeling or chilling in our official favorite place in Dahab Same Same but Different smoking Shisha, playing with the stray cats everywhere and simply enjoying listening to the sounds of Hippie-esque Dahab.
3. Snorkeling Blue Hole
So, the picture of this will have to come in the future...so check back! But on Saturday, the first FULL day we decided to go Snorkel at Blue Hole, which is a SUPER well known diving spot in the Red Sea. I cannot begin to explain how beautiful it was. I've been snorkeling before, but never on the reefs and it was INCREDIBLE. The stark contrast of the desolate mountains in the background and the rainbow of colors underneath the water was mind blowing. Schools of fish we're swimming just inches from us. I saw a real life school of Dory fish (Regal Tang), finding Nemos (Clownfish) and tons of others that I couldn't name if I tried. It was SURREAL. And, we almost didn't even go because while it was warm out, it was extremely windy. Not the best beach weather. Luckily, the ladies of the group were on top of things and forced the gents and I off our bums and into the water for the afternoon. We'll be forever grateful. But really. We will.
4. Camelling in the mountains
So, by the time we decided to go ride camels in the mountains I'd pretty much run out of money. Due to the unfortunate fact that NOWHERE takes cards in Egypt, cash is a necessity. Luckily I have wonderful friends who were willing to spot me the extra needed for the camel and ride home. Now, let me backtrack and say that while i am unsure as to the reality of the word camelling, I will be using it as if it is common knowledge. So accept that now. Now here's what happened: So 6 of us head meet our guide for the tour and then take a sweet truck ride into the more Bedouin-populated portion of town. Here we were given the chance to sit down and have some Bedouin tea and get to know our guide Samer. He was FANTASTIC. He explained to us how schooling works amongst Bedouins and just generally joked around with us as we got to know him. Then, we hopped up on our camels and they tied us the camels together. Then, the owners of the camels, two boys about 12-13 years old, led us up the mountain. We got to a midway point, hopped down, then climbed up a ways until we got the complete top of one of the mountains. It was BEAUTIFUL.
That morning I had read Psalm 67 and I couldn't stop thinking about it. "Beautiful Things" by Gungor was on repeat in my head. While there is an undeniable beauty about the Alps, for me, these mountains have them beat. There is simply some unshakable strength and majesty about them. They are not the biggest mountains in the world, but they are tough, stark and hold within them the ability to have an indelible impact on one's senses. The colors echo that of the rising and setting sun, and at the same time draw out the beauty of the sea with intensity as one contrasts the lush to the desolate. It's something I truly believe EVERYONE should see. My pictures do not do it justice. It is beautiful beyond belief.
Afterwards, we headed back down the mountain and to a camp our Bedouin guides had set up. they had made tea and were making Naan as we got there. So we sat and chatted and Samer told us everything one would ever need to know about camels. I am now able to tell you: there are 5 different kinds, what not to do when a baby is born (go anywhere near it with perfume/chemicals/etc), how long they live (28-32 years), how to tell if a camel wants to mate (it's tongue blows up like bubble gum---we unfortunately experienced this first hand hahah), and where and when to find camel races should we ever want to go to one (Jan 10th in a valley in the midst of the mountain---talk to a Bedouin for further details). Finally, we got back on the camels and headed back to the Hostel. Solid Day.
5. 30LE Dinner
Oh, and to top it all off....we ate a delicious 3 course meal for 30 LE. Yeah, that's $5. WHADDUPP EGYPT! A wonderful way to finish off our weekend.
This morning we got on a bus at 9am, and at 7pm we finally were back in Zamalek.
So why was this such an amazingly perfect weekend? It's everything I love in life all rolled into one. New places, new friends, adventure, spontaneity, relaxation, the beach, the mountains and God. There's a wonderful country song that goes..."God is great, beer is good, and people are crazy." What they don't mention is that's the recipe for the PERFECT weekend.
Alright, so the full story of my absurdly wonderful weekend in Dahab begins on Thursday night. When, while hanging out with friends, an INSANELY last minute decision (1am-ish?) to go somewhere awesome for our 4 day weekend....like oh, you know, the Red Sea. So, we book a hostel, figure out transportation, tell everyone to meet in the lobby at 11:30am, and that's that. The 7 of us (4 guys, 3 girls) are headed to Dahab. What's that? That sounds insane? How can I take a 4 day weekend in a beach town 9 hours away having planned it so absolutely last minute? Good question. But it happened and it was by far one of the BEST spur of the moment decisions I've ever made.
We finally got on our 1pm bus at 2pm (...typical Cairo) and were off! 8 hours and 2-3 pit stops later we've made it to Dahab. We got taken by a truck (4 in back 3 in front) to a sketchy alleyway, where our favorite half Korean decided he'd be willing to sacrifice himself to make sure we wouldn't get KBB (kidnapped by Bedouins) if we followed the guide down. Luckily, our driver had indeed brought us to the proper destination, and this simply was the only drive-able road to get to it. For the sake of all my family reading this, I want to assure you that the hostel we stayed at was actually PHENOMENAL. Furthermore, the cost of the ride to and from Dahab and housing for 3 nights cost us a total of $50. Great Success.
The more I attempt to explain to people back in Zamalek what I did over this past weekend, the more I realize that this may have been one of the best weekends i've had to date. So here's a quick summary:
1. 60-80LE Dinner--> AWESOME. The perfect first night after an 8 hour bus ride.
This isn't really a one time activity. Smoking shisha is pretty much like going to Starbucks in the States. You chill, talk and simply enjoy spending time together. Maybe grab a cup of Bedouin tea (when you're in Sinai anyways) and when in Dahab, enjoy the surrounding sea. We spent the majority of our first afternoon wither shopping, snorkeling or chilling in our official favorite place in Dahab Same Same but Different smoking Shisha, playing with the stray cats everywhere and simply enjoying listening to the sounds of Hippie-esque Dahab.
3. Snorkeling Blue Hole
So, the picture of this will have to come in the future...so check back! But on Saturday, the first FULL day we decided to go Snorkel at Blue Hole, which is a SUPER well known diving spot in the Red Sea. I cannot begin to explain how beautiful it was. I've been snorkeling before, but never on the reefs and it was INCREDIBLE. The stark contrast of the desolate mountains in the background and the rainbow of colors underneath the water was mind blowing. Schools of fish we're swimming just inches from us. I saw a real life school of Dory fish (Regal Tang), finding Nemos (Clownfish) and tons of others that I couldn't name if I tried. It was SURREAL. And, we almost didn't even go because while it was warm out, it was extremely windy. Not the best beach weather. Luckily, the ladies of the group were on top of things and forced the gents and I off our bums and into the water for the afternoon. We'll be forever grateful. But really. We will.4. Camelling in the mountains
So, by the time we decided to go ride camels in the mountains I'd pretty much run out of money. Due to the unfortunate fact that NOWHERE takes cards in Egypt, cash is a necessity. Luckily I have wonderful friends who were willing to spot me the extra needed for the camel and ride home. Now, let me backtrack and say that while i am unsure as to the reality of the word camelling, I will be using it as if it is common knowledge. So accept that now. Now here's what happened: So 6 of us head meet our guide for the tour and then take a sweet truck ride into the more Bedouin-populated portion of town. Here we were given the chance to sit down and have some Bedouin tea and get to know our guide Samer. He was FANTASTIC. He explained to us how schooling works amongst Bedouins and just generally joked around with us as we got to know him. Then, we hopped up on our camels and they tied 
That morning I had read Psalm 67 and I couldn't stop thinking about it. "Beautiful Things" by Gungor was on repeat in my head. While there is an undeniable beauty about the Alps, for me, these mountains have them beat. There is simply some unshakable strength and majesty about them. They are not the biggest mountains in the world, but they are tough, stark and hold within them the ability to have an indelible impact on one's senses. The colors echo that of the rising and setting sun, and at the same time draw out the beauty of the sea with intensity as one contrasts the lush to the desolate. It's something I truly believe EVERYONE should see. My pictures do not do it justice. It is beautiful beyond belief.
Afterwards, we headed back down the mountain and to a camp our Bedouin guides had set up. they had made tea and were making Naan as we got there. So we sat and chatted and Samer told us everything one would ever need to know about camels. I am now able to tell you: there are 5 different kinds, what not to do when a baby is born (go anywhere near it with perfume/chemicals/etc), how long they live (28-32 years), how to tell if a camel wants to mate (it's tongue blows up like bubble gum---we unfortunately experienced this first hand hahah), and where and when to find camel races should we ever want to go to one (Jan 10th in a valley in the midst of the mountain---talk to a Bedouin for further details). Finally, we got back on the camels and headed back to the Hostel. Solid Day.
5. 30LE Dinner
Oh, and to top it all off....we ate a delicious 3 course meal for 30 LE. Yeah, that's $5. WHADDUPP EGYPT! A wonderful way to finish off our weekend.
This morning we got on a bus at 9am, and at 7pm we finally were back in Zamalek.
So why was this such an amazingly perfect weekend? It's everything I love in life all rolled into one. New places, new friends, adventure, spontaneity, relaxation, the beach, the mountains and God. There's a wonderful country song that goes..."God is great, beer is good, and people are crazy." What they don't mention is that's the recipe for the PERFECT weekend.
