Egypt Grand Circle provided meals
Nov 21st, 2008, 11:22 AM
#41
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Continuation of GCT trip 10-21-08 with Jordan extension returning home 11-10-08
After luggage was collected by GCT at airport we were told to identify our bags to be sure they were there; which color-coded group we would be on and given ribbons to attach to each piece so they would know which bus to load them onto. This seemed to work well.
We were then taken by bus to the hotel and met our individual program directors/Egyptologist guides. At that time we did not know that almost everyone in our group were those who had also booked the post-trip to Jordan. Of all three program directors, we were fortunate to get one of the best that we have ever had in our 35+ years of foreign travel. His name is Hesham Meniawy and he was truly exceptional. He studied Egyptology and ancient civilizations at the university and was both knowledgeable and passionate about his country and it's antiquities. The other P.D.'s were good but judging from the talks and lectures given by all three we felt very fortunate to be part of Hesham's group.
We arrived at the hotel around 12:30 PM and were informed that our rooms wouldn't be ready till 2:30-3:30. We could sit in the lobby or one of the lounges till then and our guide would keep an eye on our hand luggage. This was not what we wanted to hear after a very long, tiring flight. Our room was ready at 3:30...a few others shortly before or after that. Before we were given our keys we were told that GCT was giving us, as an extra bonus, dinner that evening in one of the hotel ballrooms, preceded by a short talk regarding optional tours and the general itinerary. Should have suspected that GCT or any other tour company doesn't usually give "bonuses" unless they are trying to compensate for something else that is not
After luggage was collected by GCT at airport we were told to identify our bags to be sure they were there; which color-coded group we would be on and given ribbons to attach to each piece so they would know which bus to load them onto. This seemed to work well.
We were then taken by bus to the hotel and met our individual program directors/Egyptologist guides. At that time we did not know that almost everyone in our group were those who had also booked the post-trip to Jordan. Of all three program directors, we were fortunate to get one of the best that we have ever had in our 35+ years of foreign travel. His name is Hesham Meniawy and he was truly exceptional. He studied Egyptology and ancient civilizations at the university and was both knowledgeable and passionate about his country and it's antiquities. The other P.D.'s were good but judging from the talks and lectures given by all three we felt very fortunate to be part of Hesham's group.
We arrived at the hotel around 12:30 PM and were informed that our rooms wouldn't be ready till 2:30-3:30. We could sit in the lobby or one of the lounges till then and our guide would keep an eye on our hand luggage. This was not what we wanted to hear after a very long, tiring flight. Our room was ready at 3:30...a few others shortly before or after that. Before we were given our keys we were told that GCT was giving us, as an extra bonus, dinner that evening in one of the hotel ballrooms, preceded by a short talk regarding optional tours and the general itinerary. Should have suspected that GCT or any other tour company doesn't usually give "bonuses" unless they are trying to compensate for something else that is not
Nov 21st, 2008, 12:15 PM
#42
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<i>Crossing the street sounds really perilous - I have heard other people mention this too. I hope I sleep on the flight, but am not expecting to as I usually sleep horribly on planes. Looking foward to the continuation of your report.</i>
Itchyfeet, you slept for most of the 11 hour flight? Were you in business class? (More power to you if you weren't
) We flew to Cairo from San Francisco in August (admittedly, many more than 11 hours), and we were so zonked when we arrived, we slept ALL of the next day (25 hours, no exaggeration). Luckily, we had built that into our plans.
Regarding the traffic, it's one of our enduring memories of Cairo - how to cross the street. As one of the Cairo denizens who hangs out here has said, cross with the nearest old person. Not because driver are more deferential to old people, but because they didn't get old by being stupid LOL!
Itchyfeet, you slept for most of the 11 hour flight? Were you in business class? (More power to you if you weren't
) We flew to Cairo from San Francisco in August (admittedly, many more than 11 hours), and we were so zonked when we arrived, we slept ALL of the next day (25 hours, no exaggeration). Luckily, we had built that into our plans.Regarding the traffic, it's one of our enduring memories of Cairo - how to cross the street. As one of the Cairo denizens who hangs out here has said, cross with the nearest old person. Not because driver are more deferential to old people, but because they didn't get old by being stupid LOL!
Nov 21st, 2008, 01:35 PM
#44
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Flew coach with air provided by GCT. My "secret" is to take 1-2 25 mg.of Benadryl, put on a sleep mask and wait for the pill to work. It's a mild antihistamine whose side effects is drowsiness...also helps with stuffed or painful ears when descending. Puts me out all the time...I was able to sleep for about 6-7 hrs. To help with jet lag, don't go to sleep after you arrive. Get out into the sunshine and walk around for a while. This helps to adjust your body to the new time zone. Hold off going to sleep until after dinner, even if it is earlier than your usual bedtime. I take a Benadryl before sleep for the first few nights and then I am fine. This helps me sleep through without middle-of-the-night awakenings.
Nov 21st, 2008, 01:44 PM
#45
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itchyfeet5 - that would be great if we got your program director. My in laws and son are taking the Israel pretrip. Did anyone in your group do this? Maybe the pre and post trippers are grouped together.
If I am not totally zonked out we were hoping to walk around when we get to hotel, although with the traffic problem I don't know.
Again thanks and looking foward to more of your report.
If I am not totally zonked out we were hoping to walk around when we get to hotel, although with the traffic problem I don't know.
Again thanks and looking foward to more of your report.
Nov 21st, 2008, 02:11 PM
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<i>To help with jet lag, don't go to sleep after you arrive. Get out into the sunshine and walk around for a while</i>
Oh, I agree, and we do that whenever we arrive in the a.m. or early afternoon. The problem is we arrived at 9:30 p.m. (having missed our connection in Frankfurt). So we went to bed around midnight on Saturday, and got up around 4 a.m. on Monday! We woke up from time to time, watched TV for a half hour, and fell back to sleep. Good thing there's plenty of English-language TV on in Cairo!
P.S. I know all about Benadryl, never tried it for a plane ride, though.
Oh, I agree, and we do that whenever we arrive in the a.m. or early afternoon. The problem is we arrived at 9:30 p.m. (having missed our connection in Frankfurt). So we went to bed around midnight on Saturday, and got up around 4 a.m. on Monday! We woke up from time to time, watched TV for a half hour, and fell back to sleep. Good thing there's plenty of English-language TV on in Cairo!
P.S. I know all about Benadryl, never tried it for a plane ride, though.
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