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First Days in the Land of Pharaohs
Ep 027: Hurghada and the Red Sea
Because appearances can be deceiving, I decided to explore Egypt firsthand to see how it suits digital nomads.
Photo by Omar Elsharawy on Unsplash
One of the major issues in today's world stems from our proclivity to form a variety of opinions about others, of which I admit to being guilty. We take things for granted, including what people say about others without evidence.
I was so incredibly ignorant about Egypt before coming here and I couldn’t be more positively surprised.
Three things I learned about Egypt in less than 3 days
Egypt is the land of the pharaohs, pyramids, and ancient civilization. I had always dreamed of going to see the famous pyramids and the desert dunes, but i was pretty clueless regarding everything else.
Here are a few facts you also might not know:
The cheapest country I ever traveled to: For example, two big falafel kebabs cost just 30 US cents, and you can find hotel rooms or Airbnb’s with pools and A/C for less than 5 to 12 USD a night. Don’t believe me?
Check this
Street food is delicious and plentiful. The variety and flavor of the street food in Egypt are incredible. You can find everything, from falafel to koshari.
I had this incredible street food experience for a whopping 80 cents! 😱😂
Egypt is a Muslim country but also has a big Christian community, with almost 20 million, or 20% of the population and they live peacefully alongside each other.
I had the pleasure of getting a city tour by Lily, who, as a Christian, showed me the local cathedral in Hurghada
The Red Sea is actually blue (no shit😂).
And the people here are super friendly and open. Let me introduce you to my new buddies.
@romanlbinder My news Egyptian buddys #friends #egyptian_tik_tok #egyptian #egypt🇪🇬 #hurgada #beachvibes #makingfriends #egyptiantiktok #travelvlog #tra... See more
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Hurghada: A Deeper Dive
Hurghada is a prominent beach town in Egypt, known for its stunning beaches and diverse aquatic life.
Hurghada is the ideal site to learn scuba diving, with year-round sunshine, warm waters teaming with marine life, and a wide range of water and land sports. Hurghada is located on Egypt's southeast coast and runs for approximately 36 kilometers along the Red Sea. The main town has a variety of hotels, beachside resorts, restaurants, and other amenities, and the marina is home to several boat and dive companies. El Gouna is 20 kilometres north, Sahl Hasheesh is 20 kilometres south, Makadi Bay is 30 kilometres south, and Safaga is 50 kilometers south.
There is a lot to see and do in Hurghada, so here are some of the top attractions.
Hurghada Basics
Language: Arabic; English is commonly spoken.
Currency: Egyptian Pound (EGP).
Best Time to Visit: Hurghada has beautiful weather all year. The prime seasons are March–May and September–November. During these months, average temperatures vary between 24°C and 29°C, with highs reaching 33°C in the warmest months. The sea temperature is consistently warm, making it ideal for diving and snorkeling all year.
Getting Around: The most convenient way to get around Hurghada is to take an Uber.
Warm Welcomes
Another standout aspect of my time in Egypt was the warmth and friendliness of the people. Despite the country’s conservative Muslim culture, I found the locals to be incredibly open and welcoming.
They were eager to share their stories and traditions, often going out of their way to make me feel at home.
Azuma: Odd to Westerners
Egyptian hospitality is renowned, and one odd yet fascinating aspect is "Azuma," a form of politeness where people may initially decline offers out of courtesy. For example, if you offer food or a gift, an Egyptian might refuse several times before accepting, and it’s considered polite to insist
Let me explain here
@romanlbinder Egyptians are very generous #egyptian_tik_tok #egyptian #egypt #egyptiantiktok #egypt🇪🇬 #hospitality #peopleareawesome #azuma #polite #cul... See more
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"Egypt is the gift of the Nile."
Herodotus
Reflections on Respect and Understanding
Traveling through Egypt is a reminder about the power of first-hand experience and keeping an open mind.
It's so easy to get caught up in second-hand stories or the way the media paints a picture, but those are often just shadows of the truth. Diving into the local scene and talking to the people, I got a grasp of Egypt that no guidebook or Netflix special could ever give me.
This trip hammered home the idea that travel is a killer way to break down barriers and build mutual respect.
Sure, customs and beliefs vary, but deep down, we all crave the same human connections and dreams.
As I keep wandering as a digital nomad, I’m taking Egypt's lessons and memories with me, ready for whatever wild and eye-opening experiences come next.
Follow me on YouTube for a more in-depth travel vlog experience. I am uploading 1 or 2 videos per week.
Thanks and see you next week from Luxor!
Roman
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