How Solo Traveling to Egypt helped with my Depression
It was mid-Feburary, I dedicated this month to Self Love. Although I was doing different acts of self-care something in me just couldn’t take it anymore. I knew it was seasonal depression. I had to do something so brave and different to take me out of this deep hole.
I had this idea of traveling to Egypt in my mind for the longest time but never thought I would actually go. I searched high and low for places to say, how will I get transported around, what will I eat, what else will I go aside from the pyramids.
I came across an Airbnb that had the most beautiful view of the pyramids. As I continued on reading I realized the host offered private tours! THAT WAS IT! THIS WAS MY SIGN! I booked it!
I packed my bags and headed to JFK. An 8-hour red-eye flight to Istanbul Airport. I had a layover and had a taste of Turkish decor and treasures. I looked for my gate and to Cairo, I went.
I was picked up by my own driver provided by my Airbnb host. I thought to myself “Girl look at you all VIP” from there we crossed the Nile on my 30-minute drive. I was so proud of how I had control of all the emotions that stopped me from reaching my goals. I was cool and calm. All my daily mental training paid off.
Here is my AIR BNB - $20 NIGHT
NIGHT 0/DAY1
I was greeted by the host on the balcony with the beautiful view of the GREAT PYRAMIDS something I always dreamt of seeing. My father (God rest his soul) always called me Cleopatra. We would watch documentaries together and I knew this was the place I had to be. After the wonderful greet, I headed to bed.
DAY2 I took an easy morning it was cold for Cairo. I took an Uber and met with my guide at the Egyptian Museum. My guide Yasser would soon be my friend for the next couple of days. He has a Ph.D. in Egyptology I was so glad because I learned so much! We spent the day in the museum and then headed to the streets of Cairo and stopped by the bridge to admire the longest river in the world, the Nile River.
DAY3
I went to Khan el-Khalili which is a bazaar filled with beautiful treasures. This is where my business mind tends to kick in. I love visiting different countries in hopes to meet artisans who create beautifully designed cultural masterpieces. My travels are the main reason I started my business. It brings me joy to see other designers from across the globe. After that, I went Al-Azhar Mosque .
A beautiful mosque that I felt complete serenity, I prayed in it and thank God for allowing me to take this trip alone.
DAY4
The Mosque of Muhammad Ali is a beautiful mosque that made me feel like I stepped into somewhere magical. We then visited the Coptic Museum. The beautiful church where Jesus and Mary hid from the Romans. I loved seeing the mixture of Islamic Art with a Christian twist.
After that, I finally went to Giza Pyramids and Sphinx! So many mysteries it holds. I went inside and it was honestly not what I expected. A small tunnel leading up to a tomb. It was just that. No holographic, no magical colors just a big room and a tomb. I know that there’s a lot more to it but for some reason, that is what we were allowed to see. However, something magical did happen there! As I went up the steep tunnel, I met a woman who saw me and said “You mediate right” As I am going up heavily breathing I was surprised “yes I do.” She smiled and continued to up the tunnel. I asked her as we reached the top how she knew, and she told me I could tell. We got talking and I told her how I hoped to do retreats here. And by surprise, she was creating a space just for that! It honestly made my trip so magical and I felt like it was meant to me.
Day5
Memphis and Hidden Tombs
I got to see Memphis which had old statues. After that Yasser took me to hidden tombs an exclusive place only archeologists go. It was pretty and magical. I was happy to end my trip there and get ready to head back home. (Or so I thought)
I ended up needing to stay another 2 days because I had to take a PCR test that costs me $160! I was crying in the airport not sure where to go. Luckily I made an amazing friend, and she made the last two days the most memorable.
DAY6-7
Marriot Mena House Restaurant
This ended up being a blessing I made a Russian friend who gave me more joy in my last 48 hours. We ran around the streets of Cairo visiting malls, eating in pretty places, and finally came across the Marriot Mena House Restaurant. That was a place I wanted to go to and I didn’t know it was in Cairo! Later that night I was ready to go home…for real this time.
IN CONCLUSION,
I was so happy I did this. I am sure the warm weather and getting proper Vitamin D helped with my seasonal depression. Now I know it isn’t ideal for everyone to travel whenever they feel down but I strongly suggest you change the scenery. Simple things you can do are take a scenic drive somewhere local, discover a new restaurant, go to a new park, change something in your home. Changing your scenery is very important for your mental health. Our ancestors didn’t have this problem because they had to hunt and gather for food, every day was different for them. They had to work hard to get the basic needs that we have easily accessible today. Every day is now starting to look the same. We go to the same stores, eat the same food, see the same people, watch the same shows, and although it might not be to that extent it can still drive you mad.
That is why it is important to disturb the routine and do something that your mind, body, and soul aren’t expecting
Traveling Tips:
Get a student ID- You get 50% off the visits.
Wear comfortable shoes when visiting the pyramids. (Your legs will thank you)
WATCH IT
SHOP THE NEW PRINTS
