A Day’s Journey

Egypt — September 2022

Egypt is a country every traveler should have on their list. A perfect mixture of ancient history, breathtaking architecture, and incredible nature. Home to one of the oldest civilizations, you can marvel at the old contrasting the new set against a brilliant desert, Nile, Red Sea, or Mediterranean Sea backdrop. Everyday in Egypt was an adventure and each day I found myself saying “Wow,” out loud. I am reminded of how important it is to have awe-inspiring moments in our lives and to live in the present.

Ancient Egyptians spent their lives preparing for the Afterlife – a facet I find fascinating. Not totally different than contemporary religions preparing for each one’s version of eternal life. It is fascinating to prepare for something unknown rather than enjoying the known, present living moments. The most well-known text, the Egyptian Book of the Dead dates back to 1,500 BC and contains finery texts to assist a person in their afterlife.

I’ve never been left in so much wonder as I have when traveling Egypt. It’s a reminder of how important it is to savor moments. It is no easy feat to forget the past, quit dwelling on future possibilities, and truly focus the five senses on my surroundings. Walking through history in ancient temples covered floor to ceiling in hieroglyphics dedicated to pleasing the gods makes me wonder – did they get what they wanted? Was their time on Earth fruitful, worth every second? Ancient Egypt probably seemed like the center of the Earth during those times- but learning about the history today, those lives were barely the blink of an eye in the total history. Life is so short and precious. Thinking about the future only detracts from the present.

I believe in collecting experiences over material items. I am reminded that my year of travel should be more than a checklist and more than a vacation. More than just experiences- Moments that leave us awestruck – are the most important thing we obtain in life. When life gets monotonous or stressful, we need moments like this. Awe-inspiring moments that leave us curious, inspired, and reinvigorated to live life. Where we feel so present, that nothing else in the past or future matters. We are enveloped by the sights, sounds, smells, and feelings of a place. Life is lived in the present moment.

Take the dream trip or simply take the solitude time to live more presently.