Travel Tips for You

Now that my wings are clipped while I'm saving for the next trip, it is a good time to share a few travel tips that may make your next trip even easier. I highly recommend a computer product called GoToMyPC. In every country that I travelled, I was able to use a local computer to update my blog and check my messages. The beauty of GoToMyPC is that it brings up the exact computer screen that you have at home when you go online and it allows you to perform all of the functions that you would if you were at home, including accessing your phone book and files, replying easily to emails, printing, etc. It made all the difference for me. If you're interested, log on to gotomypc.com. Customer service is outstanding, the entire process and company is very savvy about international travel, and it costs only $20 a month. Also, you are not locked into a contract. I've stopped the service and will start again whenever I travel........Second recommendation - a product called Everglades Outdoor Protective Clothing Treatment Insect Repellent. You use it to make any clothes that you have bugproof. This is especially important to avoid malaria carrying mosquitos. I almost bought BuzzOff clothing that has a built in repellent but they are outrageously expensive. Everglades treated clothes have the exact same protection that BuzzOff advertises. Also Everglades works and it stays on your clothes through five washings!!! I was the only tourist that I saw in Peru who wasn't covered in bug bites. I found mine over the internet.........Third, don't hug! Being a southerner I want to hug everyone. In Africa I was sadly saying goodby to my guides and hugged one of them. He responded by grabbing my butt. Hugs, just don't translate as well......Finally, this last idea is from my Virginia friend Bill - instead of bringing candy to give away to kids, bring children's flavored vitamins to hand out. There is so much malnutrition in some countries that even this small effort helps.....That's all for now - and happy trails from Ramblin Me

Egypt on Hold for Now

Sadly the trip to Egypt is on hold until the Muslim political situation calms down. Even though I received word from the Egyptian consulate that everything is fine there, the news is telling me the opposite. All the furor over the cartoon of Mohamed in a Danish newspaper seems to be escalating. I think Sue's advice to wait 6 months is sound. Thanks to all who helped me research this!!
In the meantime, I'll be hiding out on Valentine's Day to stay away from all of the reminders that I don't have a valentine. It's a tough holiday for single folks. For those of you who are coupled - enjoy! Eat lots of chocolate. It's wonderful that scientists are finally acknowledging that chocolate is good for you.
See you next trip. Marion aka RamblinMe

Some of the Gorgeous Carved Statues in Abu Simbel

 

Back to Egypt

The entire time that I travelled through Egypt, people were telling me that it's too bad that I won't be there for the Feb festival at Abu Simbel. Twice a year the sunrise is in perfect alignment with the massive statues cut into the rock - Feb 22 and a day in Oct. Feb is the best because of the cooler temperatures. The alignment is coupled with a huge fair and festival at the site. With the frequent flyer miles I earned from my trip around the world I have purchased tickets to fly back to Egypt, leaving Feb 14. It's a valentines gift to moi! How did you know? It's just what I wanted!
Abu Simbel is in the southernmost part of Egypt - almost at the border with the Sudan. It is far away from any of the other typical tourist sites, so it actually requires a separate trip, at least for me. I currently have tickets for JAX to Cairo and back and also hotel reservations in Abu Simbel. Now I just need to find some way to get from Cairo to Abu Simbel and back. This part seems impossible from the US and may have to wait until I'm actually in Egypt
You are invited to come along for the adventure. Marion