After the meal, I grabbed the opportunity to rehearse my contest speech at the waiting area in front of the elevator. I am grateful to our group members for their time and immediate visual response. As soon as I arrived home, I rewrote my contest speech as follows:
In January, I ventured to Egypt for the first time. Why Egypt? The Great Pyramid? River Cruise on the Nile? Red Sea Villa? I had them all. On top of that, I ran into a sudden sandstorm, all outdoor group activities were cancelled. What? It took me almost 20 hours to fly from Taipei to Cairo, with 6 hour time difference!
We are Toastmasters, we have plan B in our pocket. In the sand storm, I chartered a taxi to visit the Hotel Old Cataract Aswan where famed Agatha Christie wrote her popular detective story “Death on the Nile”. I visited the main bazaar with goods of the past and of the present, bought palm dates, spice herb tea, and I smoked shisha, the water pipe, for the first time. Yes, Toastmasters turn adversity into opportunity.
The Great Pyramid at Giza, the only exiting one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world, the stunning feat of engineering and human accomplishment. Three grandiose pyramids of King Khufu, his son, and his grandson. King Khufu built the biggest pyramid 4,500 years ago, but left no paintings, no statues of himself for people to remember. I saw the humility of humanity.
River Cruise on the Nile from Aswan to Luxor, four days and three nights. River Nile, the longest river in the world, 7,088 kilometers, is the life line for old and modern Egyptians. We hopped on and off the River Cruise to visit historical monuments. Being a party animal, I prefered meeting strangers to visiting holy temples and seeing breathtaking sceneary. On river cruise, I made friends with 5 Russians, 4 Tunisians, more than two dozens Spanish, 40 plus Chinese, 2 Koreans, 1 English, Irish, French, and Colombian, not to mention the Egyptian staff, everyone is a precious walking dictionary.
Red Sea Villa at Hurghada, three days and two nights, according to the Bible, the place where the sun shone on the earth only once, Where? Yes! God parted for Moses, the Red Sea. The water of the open swimming pool had a temperature more than 20 degree Celsius. People enjoyed free icecream by the pool side. What a destination of choice for winter vacation at the Red Sea Villa.
Riding the Land Cruiser at the world biggest Sahara Desert was thrilling. At a Bedouin Arab tribe, I met a petite woman fully covered in black veil, surrounded by many of her young kids. She invited me for tea sitting by the fire on the sand. She was so dark and small, I couldn't forget her sweet smile. In her, I saw my distant evolutionary ancestors from Africa. In her, I saw the legacy of humanity.
Egypt has a lot more to offer. You must try Koshary, a spicy Egyptian noddles, with UNESCO recognition. I loved it at the first bite, It cost 60 NT dollars for a big plate. There were many beautiful women on the street, like Cleopatra, Nefertiti, handsome man like Omar Sharif in the movie of Lawrence of Arabia.
Fellow Toastmasters, with the communication and leadership skills I honed at District 67, I enjoyed the venture to Egypt twice as much as other 30 Taiwanese tour group members. I encourage you to make Egypt your next travel destination. Go explore Egypt with your very own eyes. Share your Toastmasters spirit with Egyptians, young and old, men and women.
The world is a big classroom. The more people we meet, the more places we visit, the bigger and wider global perspective we have to make the world a better place for all. Yes, Habibi Toastmasters in Egypt, I shall return! Contest Chair!
