We are Jasper and Barbara. This website is out little window on the world and the countries we have visited. The unpretentious café where we had lunch, antique shops, a cute dog, beautifully tiled floors. Small things that are generally thought to be commonplace.
A mountainscape is where we find our inner peace and a city with brutalist architecture, book shops and a foodmarket is where we come alive again.
about us
1 week
26.02.2022 ---- 04.03.2022
OUR SHORT TRIP to Egypt was fast paced to say the least. We were able to visit different parts of the country: from Cairo to Luxor, the Black and White Desert and back.
In Cairo and some parts of Luxor everyone has something to offer and everything comes at a price. Along the way we learned to verbally arm ourselves against the charming street vendors. Outside of the touristy spots people were just genuinely happy to welcome us to their country. Even children fresh out of the womb screamed “Welcome to Egypt”.
egypt
2 days
Cairo
2 days
Luxor
2 days
Black and White desert
itinerary
01
Capital
Cairo
02
Population
113 million
03
Location
Northern Africa
04
Area
1 million km²
highlights
Nour El Balad
Staying at this gorgeous family run guesthouse on the west bank in Luxor meant that instead of being harrassed by touts when we went on the street we saw friendly faces welcoming us to Egypt. The property is quiet and the home cooked meals are delicious. One of the brothers is a taxi driver with a gorgeous Peugeot from the seventies. They arranged for us to rent local bicycles at sunset which is a memory which can match the balloon ride over the valley.
Overnight in the black and white desert
We opted for an overnight tour of the black and white desert. Although the views were beautiful, we most enjoyed a delicious dinner under the Egyptian stars with company we still call friends to this day.
Strolling through Zamalek
Zamalek is an oasis of calm in otherwise sooooo busy Cairo. It is wonderful to take a break and wander the green streets of the diplomatic quarter. Besides museums and bookstores, the island is home to plenty of beautiful homes and buildings for those who love architecture.
Ramses Wissa Wassef Arts Center
When this art centre was opened in Harrania, close to the Giza pyramids, in 1951, the mudbrick buildings were still nestled in between fertile green fields. Now it is a quiet green oasis in the busy city. Architect Ramses Wissa Wassef created the centre to teach the art of tapestry weaving to young children. Thus empowering their creative abilities and their community. The artists, who are now grown ups, still weave the most Marcellis tableaus directly from their imagination onto the loom. Tours are available and the art works are for sale.
food
Stuffed pigeon: a delicacy in Cairo. You can see the beautiful mud-brick pigeontowers on the outskirts of the city
Koshary: carbs on carbs but this pasta, rice, lentil, chickpea, tomato sauce combination is really comforting. I regret not eating this more often
Home made tahini: our hotel in Luxor offered home made tahini with every meal. No need to say it tasted ten times better than the store-bought version
Sugar cane juice: the perfect break when walking the city
architecture
Ramses Wissa Wassef Art Center - Ramses Wissa Wassef
analog
