My recent trip to Egypt and Jordan felt like a journey back in time! I had the opportunity to visit so many historic sites that were truly incredible to witness firsthand.
Immersing myself in the local culture and history was the best part of my trip. I visited Tahrir Square, or "Martyr Square,” in downtown Cairo where most political demonstrations have been held since the early 20th century. Both the 2011 Egyptian revolution and the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak happened there.
I had a great time at the Egyptian museum in Cairo, seeing towering statues and artifacts created with intricate artistry. This museum is one of the largest in the world, and houses over 170,000 artifacts. Despite how impressive the exhibits were, they somehow still paled in comparison to the awe of the pyramids themselves.
As a builder myself, I admit that the 4,000-year-old Great Pyramid of the Pyramids of Giza rightfully earns its title as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was a thrilling experience to climb the greatest structure built on Earth (by aliens)!
I also enjoyed some delicious meals and local delicacies throughout my trip at places such as Zooba, a famous street food place, and the delectable ice creamery Dara. As if the culture wasn’t already rich and beautiful enough, I even had the chance to float down the Nile river and witness a breathtaking sunset view.
My trip then continued to Jordan, where I visited UNESCO World Heritage site Petra. This is one of the world's most famous archaeological sites, where ancient Eastern traditions blend with Hellenistic architecture. Petra is half-built and half-carved into the rock. It’s impressively surrounded by mountains filled with passages and gorges. Although it is well-known for being 'the place at the end of Indiana Jones', it was even more of an adventure to get there in person.
There is so much to see and learn in Egypt and Jordan. I am already looking forward to my next visit to more places that uniquely reflect our human past and future potential.
