In Cairo itself, there was a constant array of places and things to explore. From the Egyptian Museum that holds ancient remains of the Pharaohs, to Khan Halili, the major market place in the old part of the city, one could never get bored. You can shop 'til you drop for Egyptian cotton, gold, spices and sweet smelling incense, take a break to enjoy a fresh mint tea or smoke apple tobacco on a shesha shared with your friends.

The call of prayer that resonates around every corner of the city five times a day is a constant reminder to Muslims of their connection to Allah. The intensity with which Egyptians practiced their religious and cultural beliefs was astounding. Behind counters, and on the dividers in the middle of the streets, men and women bowed their heads and fell on their knees to pay respect - loyalty to a higher power is ever-present and all-powerful.

On weekends, a favorite pastime is to visit a popular and trendy club where you can hear hip-hop, reggae and Egyptian pop music all night long. On nights when the full moon is out, my classmates and I would all take a cab to Giza and rent Arabian horses to ride along side the Sphinx and great pyramids. The full moon shone brightly, illuminating the desert as though it was guiding us on our path. We galloped the horses as fast as we knew how and raced each other until the morning sun rose to greet us on a new day. But before retiring, famished and tired, we would go back to the Zamalek Marriott to enjoy a wonderful breakfast buffet.

On longer weekend vacations, we took bus trips from Cairo to Sinai.The rides were hot and uncomfortable and I quickly found out it was not very acceptable for groups of young women to travel by themselves, unaccompanied by male guardians or family members. This made us susceptible to hard looks from disapproving adults, but no one bothered us otherwise.

Crossing through such historic grounds rendered me awestruck. Mt. Sinai was the location where, according to biblical references, Moses received the Ten Commandments. The Red Sea that we swam in was at one point in time parted by Moses for the exile of Jews from Egypt into the Holy Land.

Once in Sharm El Shiek we could let our hair down. It's a major resort with lots of tourists, and we were happy to leave the rigid rules of the city behind, if only temporarily. The Red Sea is a striking contrast to the vast, harsh desert it merged with. Camels lined the beaches offering rides and chic restaurants with exquisite seafood and four-and-five-star hotels filled the rest of the area. After a couple of days we took off on a pick-up truck to the more remote town of Dahab. This was more of a back-packer's haven with younger crowds seeking to enjoy simple relaxation.

Beyond the northern part of Egypt, there was Aswan and Luxor to explore. Four of us decided to take a train from Cairo to Aswan and to return sailing on a faluka to Luxor. We bargained our way into renting falukas from two Nubians for $10 per day. The plan was to head up the Nile towards the Nubian village of Cowombo, then Ed Fu and finally to Luxor. Once the sail began, I imagined how it might have been like three thousand years ago when the ancient Egyptians used falukas as a main mode of transportation. The air was light, the sun gentle and I whispered to the spirits of Kemit to protect us on our trip.

At the first Nubian village we visited we were welcomed by a group of excited children who took us to their homes. We met families who welcomed us and treated us to olives, hummus and stuffed grape leaves and warm pita bread. They taught us how to play dominoes, and sold us beautiful cloth and beads. I had never encountered such gentle hospitality and I left with tears in my eyes, wishing I could thank them more generously.

Our final stop was Luxor, from were we planned to take the train back to Cairo, but not before visiting all the wonderful tombs and temples that made the city so grandiose. The temple of Hathor, the keeper of the gates of death and other great ancient remains seemed overwhelming in their size. It is almost beyond belief that these structures were built without machinery in ancient times, but I was most amazed that they remain intact to this day.

Back in Cairo the semester is ending and another trip is in store. The choices are many: Sudan, Ethiopia, or Israel? Where to go? But before I decide I'll study hard for finals and make plans to leave this part of the world with every memory engraved in my soul.