To the Capital

And on to Cairo. We’ve traveled down the Nile almost the entire length of Egypt, starting from the south at Lake Nasser, and will finish in the capital, close to the delta that flows into the Mediterranean Sea. It’s been a fascinating experience to see the country change as we’ve traveled north. The Nubian culture of the south has faded into the Arabic culture of Luxor and Cairo in the north. The cities have become larger and more developed. The sites have become more concentrated. And yet the Nile goes on. We have crossed it several times, in all three of our previous stops, and will again in Cairo. To the final disembarkment on our adventure in this mesmerizing country.

Old and New Egypt

Not far outside of Luxor, as you cross the transition between fertile “black land” near the Nile river to the desert, you’ll see locals heating mud bricks, boys and men riding donkeys through empty land, and young children herding goats. People live as they have for hundreds, if not thousands of years. This is all visible not far from the shrines of Karnak and Luxor Temples, just 30 minutes north. Karnak of course, representing the pinnacle of Egyptian civilization during the New Kingdom, could not be a more impressive site. Its grandeur and sheer size starkly contrast with the simple life of the modern local just 15 miles north. This is Egypt. It is a country of totality, one that astounds in every way. It’s been an adventure.

Egyptian Tombs

It’s difficult to fathom how much effort went into the Egyptian tombs. The societies that existed thousands of years ago produced art that looks freshly created, and there are innumerable lingering mysteries. Even with today’s technology and our current understanding of the world, we can’t explain all they produced. It’s truly awe-inspiring. Every trip to Africa has changed my life; this time, in this way, it’s different.

Vast Egypt

There is so much to see in this vast country of Egypt. At this point, if I had to describe it in one word, that’s the one I’d choose: vast. The desert that surrounds every single urban area is vast. Our entire journey thus far has taken us down the vast Nile river, the longest in the world. Temples and tombs litter the Nile valley, monuments and relics of a vast ancient history. The one hundred million-plus people within the country today, warm and welcoming, represent a vast population. Egypt continues to wow, its power to defy belief vast and omnipotent. Let’s continue the ride.

Learning in 2023

We witness these ancient belief systems from the art and architecture of civilizations long past, and we compare them to our current understanding of the universe. How sure the Egyptian pharaonic societies were of their many gods and their determination of daily life. How confident we are now in our edification of science. There is always so much unknown. We must learn to respect it as we continue to learn. The first day of the year always feels like a clean slate; another opportunity to understand and experience the universe better. Here’s to 2023 serving as our best chance yet.

New Years on the Nile

It’s surreal to spend New Year’s Eve sailing on the Nile river. I hope it portends further adventure in 2023, as the journey in 2022 has been full of it. I’ve been so fortunate to see so much of the world this past year. We truly live on an amazing planet, bursting with incredible life, diverse cultures and peoples, and mesmerizing natural geography. Egypt has been no exception: there’s something ethereal about the desert, and the cities evoke the timelessness of the civilization that’s been here for the past 7,000 years. I couldn’t imagine a more fitting place to reflect on the passage of time, express gratitude for all we enjoy on Earth, and to wonder about the future.

The People of Egypt

We have been pleasantly surprised by the friendliness of the Egyptian people, especially the Nubians. You read horror stories about the touts in Cairo, and the obsessive push for haggling, tipping, etc. There has been all of the above, but those things have been greatly outshined by the warmth and genuineness of the people here. We have enjoyed tea with locals, made polite conversation with guards who are simply curious, and built connections with many of the people with whom we’ve interacted multiple times. Aswan may be an ancient marketplace, the crossroads for much of Africa on the Nile, between ancient Egypt and the other regions. Perhaps that boisterous social nature has passed down through the millennia. Whatever the reason, Aswan serves as a reminder that we all want the same things: to enjoy nice meals with our family, watch our children grow up, and rejoice in this paradise that is the Earth.

Ancient Aswan

There’s an eternal feeling while floating across the Nile in Aswan. People have been here for thousands of years, relying on the river for everything. The Nubians here especially give the sense of connection to the ancient. Through the chaos, the tourism, and the sightseeing, the slow pace of life, that has always existed here, dominates the atmosphere. We didn’t see everything, not nearly, but I feel we experienced an authentic snapshot of the epicenter of Aswan. One day I hope to return.

Egyptian Adventure

Gliding along above the infinite desert below, traveling in Egypt feels like passing through a mythical place. The people here are quick to smile and strike up conversation, curious about where you are from and how you like the country. Ancient civilization remnants permeate even the larger cities, coexisting alongside the modern Muslim calls to prayer. History soaks up the walks along the road, the hello’s with passerby, and yes, with the incredible sights. Egypt is a fascinating place, and I’m so glad we started our adventure in Abu Simbel, within the old region of Nubia. I can’t wait to see more.

Up in the Air

I feel I’ve reverted back to the plane sequence in the Indiana Jones movies; flying just ain’t what it used to be. That being said, it’s still easy to hold onto the excitement of going someplace new. You take off on one continent and touch down onto another. It’s a big ol’ world out there, and worth exploring!

Off to Egypt

My wife and I embark on an adventure to Egypt today. I’m so excited to return to this type of travel, a trip in which we will explore and learn and discover. It will be my fifth time to Africa; every journey previously has transformed my life. Here’s to learning about new cultures, new history, and new geography… on the same old beautiful Earth we all know and love.

Happy Christmas

I absolutely love the tribal gathering on Christmas. Nothing can compare within the culture that I grew up in. I especially love that my family has only gotten better over the years, throughout my lifetime, in making this special day an ode to our love for each other. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

The Night Before Christmas

Sure, it’s the epitome of anticipation: it’s the day before the big day, the build up to ecstasy, supposedly. Christmas Eve, the longer it continues, generates a rapture. Because it’s the most sought night of the year for billions of people. Christmas Eve has always been special for me, and I miss my Granny tonight. We uphold the spirit, and will keep forward the traditions.

Openness and Tradition

I’m not sure if we diminish the importance of tradition too much in today’s world, but I do feel strongly about respecting tradition. Respecting doesn’t equivocate to blind acceptance; rather it infers appreciation, or at least an honest attempt to understand. There are so many traditions across the globe, across cultures, that hold deep meaning to children, elders, and all in between. Let us provide the space to explore within this sandbox, without tiptoe or ignorance. We can thread the needle, and we can change the world.

Together in Moments

I feel we come together when perspective rears its face. At work when the deadline is near or just passed, we see each other differently. The same is true for tribal holidays. It’s as if we have access to another dimension when pressed in time, while operating in the units of moments. Is there a way for us to see this more often?

Feeling Good for Doing Good

It feels good to do something nice for another person. Hell it feels good to watch someone else do something nice for another person. I feel it’s hardwired into our DNA. We’re social animals that form tribes to survive and thrive. Treating each other well not only serves us well biologically, it changes the world, one small kind act at a time.

Christmas Spirit

I had the privilege to enjoy a family Christmas dinner tonight, watching children unwrap presents and make gingerbread houses while visiting with distant tribal members. It was the epitome of a Christmas spirit movie, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. We can be incredibly grateful for such simple gatherings as this, for how wonderful they are, and the Christmas season presents the opportunity to partake. Dare I say, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas?

Attention Awareness

Recently, maybe because I’ve spent too much of my time on the internet, I’ve just gotten the sense that we’re at an information and attention saturation point. There is so much going on in the world all the time, and there are innumerable entities constantly vying for our attention. The news cycle shifts suddenly and dramatically daily, from one global affair to another. It feels difficult to keep up.

And perhaps that’s the greatest detriment to our global society that we face. Our economic model of ad revenue, clicks, and platform time has jolted capitalism into hyperdrive. There appears to be little accountability to corporations, governments, or industries. To a single individual, it feels insurmountable.

But I truly believe we can persevere. I truly believe we are more similar than we are different, that what works for most of us can be flexible enough to accommodate everyone, and that we can overcome the onslaught against our attention, to reach a place in which we all thrive. But it requires recognition; we can’t begin without awareness.

Configuration Contribution

Standing at the cusp of the plunge back into it, it’s kind of exciting. After a week off I’m ready to dive back in. We’re meant to contribute to the configuration of the universe, and work, broadly defined, enables us to do that. What can we create together tomorrow?

Returning Home Again

Even if tired or miserable for any reason, the ride home is always sweet. Traveling breaks down barriers and offers a path toward education and understanding. We can learn about other cultures and the world itself. But nothing can replace the plane ride back, knowing you’ll sleep in your own bed that night. Home might be more than just a place, but when you return to where you grew up, you feel it.