Egypt Preparations

Posted on February 6th, 2007 by GracyBee.
Categories: Places.

I went to Egypt this April with my housemate XC. This is how it come about.

FLASHBACK: LATE FEB

XC: shall we go on hols to Egypt this coming Easter hols?
ME: (jumping with joy) really? You wanna go?
XC: yeah, heard from my friend is really a nice place
ME: OK!


It turned out that XC’s good friend just came back from Egypt and told him about the trip that got XC’s interest. As for me, I have always wanted to go, but can’t find anyone to go with me. Finally there is a chance. YIPPEE!!

For the next one month, I embarked on the mission to plan the itinerary. Since it is our own trip, I planned from the possible transportation to the hotels to the attractions to the time needed for each. Gosh never knew it can be such a tiring process since it is a country so different from us and a total alien to me. Perhaps I am one big worrier and hence the ‘tiredness’. I turn to the Rough Guide, Egypt, the travellerpoint and my cousin for help since he has been there before. (Thanks, SY).

 

FLASHBACK: MARCH

Condition of the country: A desert, dry weather, HOT, no clean water

Bearing that in mind, now I have to prepare to buy the stuffs needed for the trip.

So I started to get what the books recommended: dehydration salts, sunblock, adaptor plugs, hats, sunglasses etc. Also get some new clothings (what I wear in England not suitable for Egypt leh – what a good excuse to go shopping!!) Just a bit kiasu precautious about it. :)

We look around to find the cheapest air fare possible, since under tight budget. In the end we ended up with STA travel. The airfare at the time was £285 each. So expensive! Heard that if travel from Europe, is nearly 30% cheaper, Geez. XC need to apply for visa, and thank god it went on smoothly.

Date set: 4th April 2006.

Flashback: Last 2nd week of March

Looking forward for the holiday break. Guess what? I got a flu, not juz a cold. A FLU that come down with fever!! Aaaah…that is the last thing I want to have! aaaargggh!!!!!I just pray and hope I would get well fast so that I’m fit to go on hols!!! Water, water, herbal teas, medication, cooling pad for fever etc etc…anything will do to keep my illness at bay.

At last, fever subsided after 3 agonizing days but with still a blocked nose and sore throat, ah :( . J is kind enough to give me his pills to eat, something to gain my antibodies and health before I went to Egypt. (Thanks, J.)

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Yet another

Posted on February 6th, 2007 by GracyBee.
Categories: Everyday life.

Having written about my culture shocks in the previous 2 posts, I can’t believe I have more to write about!

1. I’m surprised to find out that the same banks of the different branches are not, hm…how should I say, united? I mean for the current account for eg, I can only take out money from my respective bank branch and not the other of the same bank! OK~~~ That is strange. While overseas, even if I opened a bank account in X, I can still withdrawal/ deposit in branch Y hundred miles away!

2. Some people I noticed, don’t like to queue and would jump whenever possible. What is first come first serve? They don’t seem to understand

3. Some people working in certain companies just can’t be bothered with their work. C’mon, don’t you know that after sales service is just as important? Is not for you to play around. If you wanna play,  go to Disney land.

4.  Some people, I’m afraid, don’t take seriously about what they say. I mean they say it only and DON’T MEAN IT! dung, because of that, my plans are ruined not 1 time BUT 3 times.  Talking about promises? Neh, you need to read their underlying messages. Why make it so complicated?!

5. I’m rather dismayed with the lack of choice of travel guide books. I mean why only 97% Lonely Planet guides books? and they cost nearly whopping RM 95!!  ok la….is about the same if you convert back to £, BUT think about it. For £20, I need to pay £12.50 and able to get some changes. Here for the same RM20, is not even enough that you need to fork out extra RM75! Cheaper eh?

Ok ok…enough of it…ARGH

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