“Land of the Pharos” Turboguy & VWRW

[Turboguy]

Neither VWRW nor I had ever been to Egypt.  Rather than be huddled in an apartment in Siberia freezing our tail off we decided to go to warm, sunny Egypt for our next meeting in Early December.

Our trip did not have a good beginning.  We both had a long journey and planned to leave about the same time from opposite sides of the world to get there.   The weather report I heard was not encouraging.   High winds and heavy rains, gusts of 50 miles an hour or more.   I sent a message to VWRW.   I told her that I hoped for the best but there was a chance I could have trouble flying.  My son was flying to Ukraine about 6 hours before my flight.  He called and said they were sitting in the Pittsburgh airport with delays that kept moving back the departure time.    I checked the internet and was disappointed to see my flight was officially cancelled.   I went to the airport anyway.    At the ticket counter I asked if I could get on the flight that was still there and delayed.  She said no way.  I mentioned that my son was on the flight.   She checked and found they could really squeeze one person on and sent me back to the gate.   It did no good.  4 or 5 hours later that flight was officially cancelled too.   I was re-booked for the next day but flying through Atlanta instead of JFK.

To try and let VWRW know I would be a day late I sent an e-Mail to the hotel and asked them to give her a message.   Of course they never did.  For those of you who read her “Help” trip report you know she was very worried.   She did not know if I was coming or when.  Some of the guys here were very helpful and word finally got through to her that I would be there one day later than planned.

My flight the next day was smooth.  Good weather had returned and I arrived in Cairo about 7 PM one day late.   I found the visa process confusing.   Since Egypt is a popular place for meeting I will explain it in the hopes it may make it less confusing for someone who follows me in the future.  When you get to the customs area you see a bank window.  You hand him $ 15.00.  He gives you two stamps that you glue in any blank page in your passport.  You then go through the customs line.   I cleared customs and headed for the hotel.

VWRW was almost jumping for joy to see me and I was just as happy and excited about seeing her.  We had a long round of mixed kissing, hugging and talking.   The hotel we stayed at was the Sofitel, La Sphinx and it was ½ mile from the pyramids and the sphinx.  The hotel was recommended to me by PeeWee and based on the hotel recommendation I can say if PeeWee says it is good. It is good.   We shared a nice dinner in the Italian restaurant in the hotel, went to our room and crashed, well crashed at some point in the evening anyway.

[Turboguy]

Day 1 Scammer’s Heaven.  

Our first full day in Cairo started with a trip to one of the most famous attractions in the world, the Pyramids and the Sphinx.    They are both quite awesome in real life.  

The international dating scene is fraught with scammers.   I have to say Cairo has it’s share as well.  Everywhere people were trying to sell you something you did not want.  We were taking some photos near the pyramids.  One of the guys said, here come over here and take a photo with my camel and as soon as we got over by the camel, he said why don’t you go ahead and get up on it.  It’s ok, go ahead.  Next thing we know we are on the camel and he is leading us to various spots for photos.  After about 5 minutes of photos we got off the camel and he says, pay me now for the camel ride.   I said how much do you want.   He said $ 150.00.  I told him it was ridiculous and gave him $ 40 along with $ 5.00 for the guy who had taken the photos.   I found out later the going rate for a camel ride is $ 4.00 for an hour.   We walked around the Pyramids, went down into a few of the chambers which were not the easiest things to enter.  It was really to interesting to be in such and ancient site though and if I have to be in a tomb, there is no one I would rather be with.  Going down into one of the tombs is a real challenge.   It was neat though if you didn’t kill yourself getting down the ladders or didn’t give yourself a concussion on the low ceilings.  .   It was still a great experience.  

After that it was off to see the Sphinx.   VWRW really loved the sphinx.  I think for many there is a mystery and a lore that really makes these sites special.  

We went back to our hotel and just enjoyed some time relaxing, talking about everything under the sun and being together.   Again we had dinner at the Italian Restaurant and turned in early.  Our first full day in Cairo was over

[Turboguy]

On our next day in Cairo we headed for the Royal Museum, home to the finest display of Egyptology in the world.   The grounds there are beautiful and there is a never ending display of historical Egyptian artifacts.   Our two favorite rooms were King Tut’s and the mummy room.   From there we went to the Coptic Village which is an old part of Cairo with buildings dating back over 400 years and a few older.  

If anyone wants a vacation jam packed with activities Egypt is the place to go.  For us, that was not our desire.   Most of our days were more filled with being together, talking about our plans for our life.   Discussing the difficulties we would face and talking about how we would deal with them.  Talking about our ideas, our dreams our thoughts, our plans, our worries even talking about things like wedding dresses and the size of the wedding we would want.

One night we took a dinner dance cruise on the Nile.  The trip was two hours and was complete with entertainment.   I think we hit on a bad night and the dinner was a little chaotic but it was still nice.  

[Turboguy]

Some days we did nothing except take a long walk down some of the streets near our hotel, looking at how Egyptians live.  The memories I have of Cairo itself are the endless number of papyrus shops and perfume shops.  I have been in some cities that seemed dirty.  Cairo was the worst I have ever seen.  It was not uncommon to see trash piled 4 feet high and stretching for a thousand feet.  I am posting a few photos from Cairo.   Some places reminded me more like a scene from a war ravaged area.

I am also posting a photo from one of the market areas.   I heard a rumor that since fruit is sold by the pound they would use a syringe and inject Nile water into the fruit.   If it was true we noticed no adverse effect in the Mangos VWRW bought.   Hopefully that is just a rumor.

The people in Cairo are the friendliest I have ever seen in my life.  Everyone talks to you.  Everyone makes a fuss over you.  They went crazy over VWRW.   She is both very beautiful and very striking with her jet black hair and light complexion.  Everyone took her to be a Russian.  We would walk down the street and they look at her and call out , Are you Russian?  Kak de la?   With me, they would just say, Where are you from? 

We wanted to do the light show at the Sphinx one evening.  We walked from our hotel to the pyramid/sphinx area the previous day to see where the entrance was.  Our plans for the next evening were to take a ride in a horse drawn cart, then go to the night time light show at the Sphinx.  As we walked up to the entrance for the Pyramids every 5 feet someone was hitting us up to take a horse ride, camel ride or cart ride.   We told them all no, maybe later, tomorrow.  A few gave us their cards and asked what time we would be there.  The price for a cart ride or any of the rides was $ 4.00 for an hour. 

The following day we went to the area of the Pyramids and the Sphinx.   The plan was to take the cart ride and to have him drop us off in the area of the Sphinx for the light show.   When we got close we saw a cart pull over to a stop.   We asked about a ride.  We agreed on the standard price of $ 4.00 for the hour ride.  Before we went far one of the guys who had approached us the day before was there yelling and screaming at our driver that he had talked to us the day before and had given us his card and we were his customer.   I thought he was going to hit our driver he was so upset.  All this was over a $ 4.00 ride.  To me it showed the desperation of some of the people there to make a living.

After the cart ride we had some time to kill before the light show so we shopped in the stores near the sphinx.   VWRW bought me a very beautiful crystal and silver sphinx as an early birthday present.   She was a very conservative shopper except when it came to me.  I would have been happy with a plastic coffee mug but what she bought me with her own money was very beautiful   She also bought me a beautiful pewter photo frame and decided wherever we would go in the future we would try and collect photo frames.   The light show was very well done. 

The next day we walked back to Feizel Street and looked for some Mangos for VWRW.  We took a few photos, went back to the hotel and took some more photos.  We just spent the day together enjoying each others company.

Perhaps I have not spent years getting to know VWRW but I have spent enough time with her to know who she is and what she is like.   I have never met anyone I enjoyed being with so much.  We can spend a day, or day after day alone together and loving every minute of the conversation and every minute of being together.  I totally respect her and trust her. Our personalities and sense of humor blend perfectly.   I really feel she is the most special person I have ever met.  I really have never met anyone I was so comfortable with and so happy to be with.  At the end of the trip I proposed.  She accepted and we have started the K-1 paperwork.   I have never been surer of anything in my life and I think she feels the same.   

Our flights were early.   We turned in at 6 in the evening and got up at 2 AM.  It was good we were early.   Our driver dropped us off at the wrong terminal and one Egyptian hoping for a big tip pushed us onto the wrong bus to get to the right terminal.  We said a hurried goodbye and off she went back to Russia. 

In reality, we probably did less sightseeing then most anyone in the history of Egypt.  I think in our last 4 days we spent no more than a total of 4 or 5 hours of sightseeing.  We were both more interesting in being together and sharing time with each other than in seeing some sights or sharing an adventure.   Just being with VWRW was a wonderful adventure.  For me, it was the best vacation of my life. 

[PeeWee]

Turbodude, in the photo of the two of you and the tree, which was taken in the garden of the Le Sphinx Hotel...my room was straight left of your shoulder and up one floor. Seems that you did most of what Lena and I did last August. I tended to overlook the dirtyness while very much enjoyed the warmth of the Egyptian people. I will return to Egypt. I have yet to see Luxor, Karnak, and Alexanderia. There is a resort on the Red Sea that I heard was very nice as well.

Nice trip report Turbolad. Married? Hmmm...I told Lena about that. I told her that you can lead the way...I will be watching and learning.

Glad you enjoyed my hotel.

Peevee

[catzenmouse]

Perhaps I have not spent years getting to know VWRW but I have spent enough time with her to know who she is and what she is like.   I have never met anyone I enjoyed being with so much.  We can spend a day, or day after day alone together and loving every minute of the conversation and every minute of being together.  I totally respect her and trust her. Our personalities and sense of humor blend perfectly.   I really feel she is the most special person I have ever met.  I really have never met anyone I was so comfortable with and so happy to be with.  At the end of the trip I proposed.  She accepted and we have started the K-1 paperwork.   I have never been surer of anything in my life and I think she feels the same.

TG (and VWRW),

 Condradulations on your engagement!!! I wish the very best of luck with USCIS and hope to hear of a very long lasting and bright future for both of you!

Ken

P.S. That's right PeeVee... you're next...

[Bruce]

Congratulations!  Best of luck to you both.  Now, how is Turbodue doing?  Best of luck with the BCINS.  Unfortunately, based on my experience you'll need it.

[Mir]

TG

Nice photos, beautiful lady. Hold on to her tight.
You know there is one saying (I can’t remember in which language!) that when two people live together for a long time they start looking like each other. Most likely because they unintentionally mimic each other’s facial expressions. Maybe it is just me but in some photos I thought you two had a facial resemblance (and you were only together for a week)!!

[Turboguy]

Congratulations!  Best of luck to you both.  Now, how is Turbodue doing?  Best of luck with the BCINS.  Unfortunately, based on my experience you'll need it.

I will post an update on Turbodude in this thread in a few days.  For now I will just say his trip was OK but not as good as mine. 

Just for the record the K-1 paperwork went off to Vermont yesterday afternoon.   When I posted earlier that I had some paperwork to finish up before I did a trip report, that was the paperwork.  I hope it goes well.  I had to do a waver request for multiple filings within a 2 year period.  That part worries me but so far the waver requests seem to be getting approved.  It is sort of a grey area for a lot of people because there is not a lot of information to go on such as format and the examples they give are rather extreme.  So Bruce, thanks for wishing me luck, yes, I know I will need it.

Ken,  Thank you very much.  I agree, PeeVee, listen to Ken, your turn is next. 

PeeVee,   I loved the hotel.  It was great.  Our room was on the first floor and we could go out into the gardens through the patio which we did a lot.  We spent a lot of time strolling around in the gardens, talking, arm in arm and loved that.   Everything about the hotel was great.   We both really liked the Italian restaurant there.  We did try some Egyptian cuisine and it really was pretty good.  I actually made a trip without hitting a McDonald's too.   I really can't think of anywhere I have been in the world that I liked the hotel any better.   It was perfect.  I also liked that there were so many places you could walk to from there including of course the pyramids and the sphinx.  We are both walkers so that was great.

TG

Nice photos, beautiful lady. Hold on to her tight.
You know there is one saying (I can’t remember in which language!) that when two people live together for a long time they start looking like each other. Most likely because they unintentionally mimic each other’s facial expressions. Maybe it is just me but in some photos I thought you two had a facial resemblance (and you were only together for a week)!!

Now you are really making me feel sorry for VWRW.  She commented that we had the same nose.  Perhaps it starts there and spreads.

[IAmZon]

Good for your Turbo! 

As I have expressed in separate threads, I admire your gentleman-like manner and persistence.  It certainly appears that has paid off for you!

VWRW is a beautiful lady ... and seems to have a clear and mature mind to match.

[Gator]

Congratulations Turbo and VWRW.   :clapping:The two of you are very happy with each other.

Great photos. 

T/G,
Her biggest smile came when she has ahold and full control of the wheel of the river boat.  Are you receiving the message  – it is more than needing to buy her a boat in America!  

[Gator]

EGYPT IS BETTER THAN YOUR DESCRIPTION

I am happy that you found the Egyptian people very friendly.  They are indeed.  Thai people are even friendlier – Thailand is called “Land of Smiles”.

You seem unimpressed by the rest of your trip (other than being together of course).  Such views of Egypt mirror the vast majority of Americans who suffer  culture shock rather than grasp the wonders of one of the world’s birthplaces of civilization. I hope it does not deter other possible AM-RW visits.  There is much to marvel when visiting Egypt and experiencing that over 5000 years ago Egyptians developed a great culture with national government, writings, mathematics, and medical advancement (Luxor drawings depict chiropractic manipulations). 

I visited Cairo and Alexandria a few times in 1976 and was one of a handful of visitors to enter the Cairo museum then (now it is packed with tourists like sardines in a can).  Cairo has the pyramids and the museum.  Luxor was even more interesting to me and cleaner – IMO the Temple of Karnak is the best of Egypt.   

Yes, I agree Cairo is not clean.  One has to overlook much (or hold one’s nose) - yet not as much as when visiting nearby Ethiopia.

Arab Culture 

You remarked about the Egyptian people swindling you.  Two years ago I was buying a good belly dancing belt from a merchant.  After two cups of tea and endless haggling I relented and paid more than what it was worth.  I paid with a combination of dollars and Egyptian currency and walked out.  Moments later the merchant came chasing after me.  This concerned me until he said, “Here is $3 - you paid too much.  I am Muslim, not thief.”  So all you did was fall prey to the spiel of Egyptian hawkers – something they first learned 5000 years ago, and maybe Americans will learn someday if we are to interact with this troubling culture. 

It is not just Americans.  That same trip we were queued at the airport in front of three airline agents to get boarding passes for our all-Russian flight to Moscow.  Suddenly one of the stations closed.  Indescribable bedlam - worse than chaos.  The Russians complained vehemently to the all-Egyptian agents about closing the one station.  The Egyptians replied that the problem was “Russian mentality”.

The important point is that you and VWRW had a wonderful week together and became engaged.  Again, my congratulations.

[Voyageur]

Ray and VWRW,

Victoria and I are so very happy for both of you and that everything is working out for you both. We enjoyed the pictures you posted and wish you nothing but luck and happiness in your future life.

We both started our K1 process together last time and shared our experiences, hopes and anxieties together, and have always felt a bond because of this. With your second K1 you know what to expect, but it is still sometimes brings anxious and trying times.  We look forward to the opportunity to meet with you someday, Pennsylvania seems larger than Russia sometimes with this daily life we lead  .

Tom

[vwrw]

Guys, thank you very much for your kind wishes!
Gator, I agreed with you Egypt is better than it seemed to us and T/G described. There was only one thing we really did not like in Egypt: TOO much attention towards to us. We wanted to enjoy our own little world but we could do that only when we are in hotel or in our room. As only we got out of the hotel people did not let us to be alone. For example we were walking on a street and had interesting discussions but each 4 –5 minutes someone came to us and asked us about something like – where are you from?  Is it the first time you are here? Do you want…? And so on. It irritated us a little.     
I traveled before, for example I was in France and Italy and everywhere I felt comfortable. Egypt was the first place where I felt uneasily because of men looked at me as though they undress me. It was unpleasant. When we were out of hotel I always was dressed modestly and had not opened parts of my body. I did not like I could not wear what I wanted. And still, I many times heard men said that I am a bell – dancer. I did not understand why ???? Although, I guessed why…and I was ashamed that women who look like Russian automatically become the bell – dancers.   
As a conclusion: Egypt is WONDERFUL place if you want a lot of adventures and need new impressions!!! But if you want to have an opportunity to be alone with your liked person to explore each other I would not advise you to go to Egypt.                         

[Gator]

VWRW,

You describe the the ways of the Middle East, particularly in an impoverished country.  Their sense of space and privacy is much different.  They are natural hustlers.  In addition you are beautiful woman. 

Morocco was like that in the 1980s, yet when I returned in 2006 it had improved tremendously. 

You should love Thailand, especially if you go to remote areas.  Thai and all SE Asia, even Muslim Malays, are much more serene yet productive.  Vietnam is the best; one word desribes them - harmony.

I suggest that you avoid in the future much of India.

[Turboguy]

Rivardco,  Thank you for your nice comments.

Gator.  I did not mean to create negative impressions of Egypt at all, perhaps to make people aware of both the plusses and minuses of touring there.   We laughed about getting ripped off on the camel deal.   We got some great pics and even if the going rate should have been $ 4.00 it was worth the $ 45.00 to us. 

Perhaps had we gone there for our 20th wedding anaversary we would have been more interested in exploring egypt.   At this point in time we were more interested in exporing each others ideas and mind.   We really almost quit sightseeing after the pyramids and museam to concentrate on just being together and sharing our thoughts.   Our last 5 days there or whatever it was our sightseeing was a 2 hour dinner cruise, a one hour light show and a one hour buggy ride.   The rest of the time was spent talking.  Well maybe not all of it. 

The only thing that really bothered us both is we would have liked to be hastled a little less but otherwise it was a great place and even with that it was a good choice in destinations.   There are a lot of fun things to do that we did not choose to do.

Voyager,  Thank you.  I always felt the same thing and hope that VWRW and I can get to gether with you and Victoria in the future.   We will be traveling enough that I am sure it is possible.   I can remember all the worries we shared during the K-1 process before.  As I remember it you were flying into Moscow the day I was flying back.   

[catzenmouse]

Now you are really making me feel sorry for VWRW.  She commented that we had the same nose.  Perhaps it starts there and spreads.

Or perhaps in a few years TG will turn into a slim sexy RW...

[Mir]

I have a patient who changed from a man to a very sexy young woman!! Had his op in Thialand (as NHS wouldn't do it). So TG be careful when you are in Thailand 

[jinx13]

 Congratulations Turbo and VWRW, I hope everything works out for you guys, you both seem like good people, and of the same mindset. From the beginning Turbo wanted this to work, even forgetting about all his tour girls    You seem to have some connection with each other, and a strong foundation for a good relationship, good luck to you!

 About Egypt, I think there are far more Russians in the Sharm El Sheik resort area, maybe you wouldn't be hassled so much there, and Cairo is just a day trip away. Just a thought for anyone thinking about going there in the future.

[wiz]

Turbo

Congradulations to you and VWRW.
I WISH YOU AL THE BEST and I hope the K-1 goes fine .........and we see the wedding photos too.

Best wishes
Yannis

[SANDRO43]

We both really liked the Italian restaurant there...  I actually made a trip without hitting a McDonald's too.

TG, VWRW is influencing you positively in more ways than expected .

[SANDRO43]

And still, I many times heard men said that I am a bell – dancer. I did not understand why ? Although, I guessed why…and I was ashamed that women who look like Russian automatically become the bell – dancers.

VWRW, I posted some time ago that many RW seem fascinated by belly-dancing and take lessons to learn it, and that the last time I was at a Red sea resort the weekly belly-dancing evening show was performed by a tall, blond, blue-eyed Russian girl of whom the Egyptian guests seemed very appreciative (probably not mainly for her dancing abilities ).

Therefore, you might consider their remarks as an oblique sort of compliment .

[Patrick]

Turboguy and VWRW,

It is Son of Clyde at Patrick's house.
Pat and I both want to congratulate and wish you the best.
I have not even started to read the trip report Patrick told me the good news just minutes ago. I plan to read the entire trip report when I am home.
Nice pictures, you both look very happy.

[DKMM]

I'd like to add to the list of well wishers on here.  Nicely done TG, you are envied.

Be glad you took her to Egypt 1st, because Thailand will seem like a paradise to her compared.

[Turboguy]

Ken,   :hairraising:

Mir,  Thanks for the warning.  Sounds like I had better keep my pants on.  Well on second thought.........

Jinx,  Yes, my mind was on VWRW more than the gals I met on the tour and I had not even met her yet at that time.

Yannis,  Thanks.  I hope so too.  She is going to look beautiful in a wedding dress but she always looks beautiful anyway.  Even without makeup.  

Sandro,  Fortunately she likes Italian food!   The belly dancer on the boat looked more Russian than Egyptian.  I don't think she was though.  If she was she would have been better at it.

SOC,  Thanks and thanks to Pat as well.  We were as happy as we looked.  For me even a smile could not convey how happy I am when I am with her.  

DKMM,  Thanks.  I am sure we both would be happy where ever we go or where ever we are.   We didn't even need pyramids and sphinx's to be happy.  I am sure we will love Thailand.