As a world traveler, I spend quite a large amount of time seated on airplanes. Some flights, such as that from New York to Cairo, Egypt, take almost twelve hours. And others, such as one from the US to Vietnam, can take nearly a full day, usually clocking in around 20 hours. So, of course, it goes without saying that by now, I’ve learned what staples I like to travel with. I always have my neck pillow, eye drops and chapstick, some snacks and chewing gum, and a good book to read. Another trick I’ve leaned is to pack my wristwatch in my carry on instead of wearing it. Constantly checking the time can make a long flight seem even longer!
Now something else that I’ve learned from the many, many flights I’ve taken is that while seated that close to so many other people, you can’t help but overhear the conversations going on around you. Sure, we’ve all been taught that eavesdropping is a bad manner, but sometimes between putting your tray table down and your seatback up, you simply can’t help but overhear some of the interesting conversations going on around you.
For example, on the flight home from Cairo this summer, I overheard a fellow traveler talking about his visit to the Camel Market. He said that he woke up early on Friday morning, and hailed a cab down to Birqash, which is just about 40 minutes north of Cairo. Here, my fellow traveler explained, he witnessed something quite unlike anything he had ever seen. Hundreds and hundreds of camels were all lined up along a dirt path. Each one was painted on its back with a number, and each camel’s front legs were tied together in order to prevent them all from running away. As the camel selling proceeded, men poked and prodded at the animals, made their purchases, and then tugged at the camels to load them into the back of pick up trucks. “It’s a scene that would probably cause an animal rights activist to go bonkers,” my traveling companion explained to the man seated next to him. But, it was what he said next that really stuck in my mind. This trip to the Camel Market at Birqash was one of the things that stayed with him most from his trip to Egypt. This was because it was an event he heard about from a Cairo native- something a bit off the beaten path, and by no means a tourist attraction. By attending the Camel Market, he was able to immerse himself completely in a tradition that has occurred here for hundreds of years. This experience was what made him feel most immersed in Egyptian humanity.
To me, this is the most memorable and amazing travel experience- when you are able to abandon your role as a tourist and simply be a part of the local culture. I strive to provide this opportunity on each tour that Deluxe Kosher Tours organizes and executes. This, I have learned from both my own experiences and the shared stories of those around me on planes, is how the most authentic travel experiences are created.
