April 3, 2004
Dear Zaki:
Re: Egypt Tour Mar 20-30, 2004
It was a pleasure to talk with you this past Wednesday. As you requested, here are my written comments regarding our Egypt Tour...
In one word: Unforgettable. Add to that, Magical. I had never been on such a tour before (in terms of number of people and total days), so I don't have anything like it to compare it to, but it is my feeling that everything went very smoothly. All personnel involved--from tour representatives to baggage handlers to bus drivers and security personnel--were very helpful and efficient, and I felt very well taken care of at all times.
But this trip for me was much more than just a tour of Egypt, for the following key reasons:
- Foremost, the "concept"--a spiritual journey with a deep purpose carried out through specific rituals and meditations--was key to the experience. The connections we could make with the spirit of the places we visited were rendered much more profound than if we had just been led from chamber to chamber in any particular temple or historical site (which, in and of itself would have been a very fine experience, indeed!). For this, I owe much appreciation to Jay's and Kat's and Noha's planning and guidance, and to Noha's choice of chambers for our activities...I am thoroughly grateful to the special access we had to certain chambers, and to the time allotted to us within these chambers. The timeless spiritual/energy treasures of these places touched us deeply, in a way that may not otherwise have been; and, in turn, we had the space and time to also "give back." I can speak only for myself, but I know that this was not only my experience. Though this was technically a "vacation," we worked earnestly, and with love, in this spiritual endeavor, and it was beautiful work indeed--possible only because of the detailed and careful planning that had been carried out.
- The highest praise must be accorded to Noha, our tour guide. She went beyond the call of duty in a way that touched everyone in our group. Her knowledge, her patience, her wisdom, her strength and stamina, her caring and love, her sensitivity...to mention just a few qualitites...made this trip unlike any other. I felt like I was traveling with somenone I'd known for much more than just a few days. We were all family. And...her love of Egypt transferred to us!
Thank you, all, again and again, for an unforgettable journey!
With all my best regards,
Consuelo Ribes
Brooklyn, NY