Dream Trip 2009

Great Travel Moment

This was my first visit to the Middle East or Africa (which Egypt is variously described as being in both) which, for an African-American, had some special significance. I had the sense of being less of an outsider here than the differences in language, religion, and custom would initially suggest I would be. This was my first opportunity to experience a predominately Islamic Arabic culture first hand and it made me challenge many of my preconceptions about Arabs, Muslims and the world in general. I was struck by the unique beauty of the mosque, the warmth, beauty and intelligence of the Egyptian people and the special significance that the mosque had to Muslims from Egypt and elsewhere. The mosque, and the various experiences at the Citadel, symbolized for me an awakening to and an appreciation of a new world. This was the first stop of a journey that would change me forever.