[TaureanBull]

Guys, Its official now. Finally Mubarak steps down. New chapter in the middle-east history. Closely watch the events in middle east which ensues...

Well done..Egyptians! Could not have been more peaceful. The great thing is that Egyptians lead it themselves..no single leader.

[TaureanBull]

I happen to chat with a well to do Egyptian friend of mine. We were discussing about the recent revolution in Egypt. Two major points emerged out of the conversation:-

1. The Egyptians are enjoying their new found freedom slightly too much. Now a days people go and start protesting about just anything in Maidan-Tahrir. I am sure these protests wont find a place in Indian Media as the focus now has shifted to several other Gulf countries going through the same process. The protests are STILL on here, though at a miniscule scale and IMHO on petty issues.

2. We also talked about how peaceful the protests were inspite of a gathering of several million people. The guy told me that this reminded him of GANDHI and the Egyptians adopted the GANDHIAN WAY of non-violence for their freedom. I was shocked! When all Indians have seemed to forgotten their Father of Nation, there are people around the world deriving inspiration from him. At the same time, I felt proud too. I am not sure how many Egyptians connect this to Gandhi but whatever small the number it may be; it made me proud.

I am doing some soul searching. IMO if such a protest at this scale was to take place in India for two weeks; it wont remain peaceful. What do ya guys think?

[prince_pervez]

Originally Posted by TaureanBull

The guy told me that this reminded him of GANDHI and the Egyptians adopted the GANDHIAN WAY of non-violence for their freedom. I was shocked! When all Indians have seemed to forgotten their Father of Nation, there are people around the world deriving inspiration from him. At the same time, I felt proud too. I am not sure how many Egyptians connect this to Gandhi but whatever small the number it may be; it made me proud.

Felt nice to hear that. I felt proud too.

I am doing some soul searching. IMO if such a protest at this scale was to take place in India for two weeks; it wont remain peaceful. What do ya guys think?

Only if we were united. Then 2 days are enough. Politicos create divisions on the basis of religion and people buy that in wholesale and join the hate band wagon. Result ? Swiss banks flooded with cash and people fight and hate each other.

In Egypt there were no divisions. Miniscule if any. It was a united effort. In India so many events have occured amongst different communities that to get them united is a herculean task. One will say you did event one, the other will say you too did event 2 , why should we support you ?

The other thing is, people in some pockets, geographically or personally are satisfied. E.g In Gujarat people are satisfied generally with the development, infrastructure. Where as in Karnataka there could be a different story. So people in Gujarat might take little interest, as an example.
Next, we have a very populous middle class, who are least bothered about who is running the nation. 'Sheikh apna dekh' attitude.

So unless each and everyone gets the pinch and water rises to the neck level, it is difficult to say.

About the Gandhian way, it happened in Egypt. But Libya and Bahrain are not that lucky. People here in contact with their relatives say the number are very high as projected in the media and police and army are using killing their own people. There was a special prayer held for people who died while fighting puppet governments.

[TaureanBull]

Very well said.

You wont believe the kind of patriotism which has risen among the Egyptians. Young man/woman are cleaning streets and painting the road sides in their free time and other such social services. That too with a pride.

There was only one day during protests when the looters were active (supposedly people who scoot free from prisons). Thereafter, all the males in their localities setup check posts and assisted army in checking vehicles.

In other countries too, it is the regime which is targetting the innocent people. Although there have been reactions from protesters.

I wish we Indians could have same feelings and emotions for our nation.

[TaureanBull]

Hi guys. Updating after a long time. While the Egypt struggles to find a political stability, let me complete my St Monastery visit.Here are balance of the pics from the monastery...

Route to climb Mt Sinai



Joseph's Well (It had been source of water for the monks for a long time)



Pictures around the Joseph's Well depicting various event from the life of Moses













The Burning Bush

[lloydofcochin]

TaureanBull,

Nice update there. I guess you are back in India now, right?

I was unlucky to miss out on the St' Catherine Monastery. We reached there by around 4pm but were denied entry inside due to a cracked wall which they deemed was too dangerous for the visitors



Our group waiting patiently to enter the Monastery.



Our Parish priest venturing inside to talk to the authorities



And I was whiling time clicking pictures of all these designer lampposts



A tour manager animatedly explaining to the group on why they are not permitted to enter the monastery.

[TaureanBull]

Originally Posted by lloydofcochin

Nice update there. I guess you are back in India now, right?

No buddy I am very much in Cairo. Cairo is live and kicking.

Its so sad that you could not make it inside. So close, yet so far. Did you go to museum? Its awesome with some very rare scripts. Second largest collection after Vatican City!

[lloydofcochin]

Originally Posted by TaureanBull

No buddy I am very much in Cairo. Cairo is live and kicking.

Its so sad that you could not make it inside. So close, yet so far. Did you go to museum? Its awesome with some very rare scripts. Second largest collection after Vatican City!

Good to hear that you are still in Cairo. So how are things there? Hope that the promised elections in September will see Egypt take giant strides to become a true democratic nation.

Nope, unfortunately we did not visit the museum also. The group was a bit tired after a day long journey from Bethlehem and preferred to check in to the hotel real quick.

But there's always next time!

I am planning a visit sometime next year

[TaureanBull]

Originally Posted by lloydofcochin

Good to hear that you are still in Cairo. So how are things there? Hope that the promised elections in September will see Egypt take giant strides to become a true democratic nation.

Nope, unfortunately we did not visit the museum also. The group was a bit tired after a day long journey from Bethlehem and preferred to check in to the hotel real quick.

But there's always next time!

I am planning a visit sometime next year

Things are fine here. Normal life is on with political tensions. Tourists are definitely not turning up. Its a very dry season. At the same time some very mouth watering deals on tours.

I am not sure if the elections are going to be scheduled in Sep. It may be before or after it. Those were elections for previous regime. Now there would be a constitutional change before the democracy is adopted.

Lets hope that you amke it here next year!

[lloydofcochin]

Originally Posted by TaureanBull

Things are fine here. Normal life is on with political tensions. Tourists are definitely not turning up. Its a very dry season. At the same time some very mouth watering deals on tours.

I am not sure if the elections are going to be scheduled in Sep. It may be before or after it. Those were elections for previous regime. Now there would be a constitutional change before the democracy is adopted.

Lets hope that you amke it here next year!

Good to hear that things are returning to normal. But I happened to read some disturbing news about some clashes between Muslims & Coptic Christians, that was quite unfortunate and I feel that Egyptian public should zealously guard against any religious/sectarian violence which is not good for the country and will only lead to unwanted bloodletting. Hope better sense will prevail.

Yeah I would love to visit Egypt again and hopefully I will get to see Alexandria & Luxor as well

[TaureanBull]

Originally Posted by lloydofcochin

Good to hear that things are returning to normal. But I happened to read some disturbing news about some clashes between Muslims & Coptic Christians, that was quite unfortunate and I feel that Egyptian public should zealously guard against any religious/sectarian violence which is not good for the country and will only lead to unwanted bloodletting. Hope better sense will prevail.

Yeah I would love to visit Egypt again and hopefully I will get to see Alexandria & Luxor as well

When I said that things are better it was a relative term. Things are not exactly the way they were before 25 Jan. There are some kind of protests on at Tehrir everyday. Protesters have put up tents there. But traffic does flow there. There were religious tensions previously too in Egypt. Things are not exactly safe in night and isolated places. Tourism is better avoided during this period.

[TaureanBull]

Sorry guys. It has been really hectic in last six months. I have not been able to update the thread. There are several pics to be posted which I will do with time.

Anyone who needs help in visiting Egypt is most welcome to ask me anything. My younger daughter was planned, conceived and born in Egypt so I will always have a special corner for Egypt.

I am back to my motherland and I am presently in Manipur at an another beautiful place. Working on some photographs to capture the beauty of the place which I shall post on new thread.

[TaureanBull]

When a fellow member asked me about Egypt Trip,I went back over my thread. I realised that I had left with a promise to post the balance of the pics. I have decided to fulfill that promise, even though its an year late. So here it goes...

After the visit to St Catherine, we went to Taba. More about Taba in next post. We had hired a taxi which took to Taba. It was a desert road with excellent road without traffic. Average speed was 120kph plus. . 185km odd distance was covered in about 2 hrs(including halts and check post times).

Passing through the Desert





The Sand Mountains



Check Post



Road Signs







Road Turns and Runs along the Red Sea, Desert & Sea



Nuweiba Port Ferries run from here to Jordan.

[TaureanBull]

Taba (Arabic: طابا‎) is a small Egyptian town near the northern tip of the Gulf of Aqaba. Taba is the location of Egypt's busiest border crossing with neighboring Israel. Little more than a bus depot and a luxury hotel (complete with casino), Taba is a frequent vacation spot for Egyptians and tourists, especially those from Israel on their way to other destinations in Egypt or as a weekend getaway. It is the northernmost resort of Egypt's Red Sea Riviera. (Source : Wikipedia)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taba,_Egypt

Taba Map



http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/iipcache/146699.jpg

Taba Heights









Saudi Arabia & Jordan Across the Waters



Our grand plan was to catch a ferry and sail to Gulf of Aqaba and celebrate the new year in Petra. Visa endorsed, ferry booked, hotel booked and all set. But it was not meant to be. The stormy weather did not clear up for two days and no ferries plied. Booking amount returned as we had to go back to Cairo by flight we had booked earlier. Hence, a very sad end to this portion of the trip.

Note : Persons desirous of visiting Petra (World Heritage Site) from Egypt must take this route as it is very convenient and cost effective.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petra

[MohsinRoadster]

TaureanBull, Thanks for rolling up the thread once again. This thread is defenetly unique and I used to be a constant follower of this thread. Glad its back.