• By: RIYANKA
• Jan 28, 2025
• (0) Comments

An Open Letter to The People I Met in Egypt

To the people I met in Egypt,

It’s been nearly a month since we returned from Egypt, but I’m still suffering from post-trip blues. Even now, I wake up thinking about those slow mornings in Zamalek, sipping pistachio lattes from the cozy coffee shop next door, strolling through quiet streets that eventually spilled into the chaos of honking cars and bustling life.

To most of you, I was just another traveler, another face blending into the backdrop of your everyday lives. But to me, you were the heart of my trip, who added beautiful stories to my journey, and opened up a world beyond what others see in Egypt.

I remember you all – some by your names, some by your faces, and some by the way you made me feel.

To the curly-haired barista at Social Cafe in Zamalek. Thank you for adding a perfect dose of sweetness and caffeine to my mornings with the most delicious pistachio and peanut butter lattes I’ve ever had. Watching you pour your heart into each cup, with that quiet patience, felt like witnessing art. I wish I could tell you that I even tried to recreate your peanut butter latte at home. It wasn’t the same, but I smiled thinking of you.

To the cabbie who drove us from the Grand Egyptian Museum to the Giza Pyramids. Thank you for shattering the stereotypes we’d heard about scams and shady drivers. You were warm, chatty, and genuine, so much so that it took us a moment to trust it was real. Thank you for telling us that students with an international ID card can purchase tickets for half price. You helped us save a lot throughout the trip and gave us a little more faith in the kindness of strangers.

To the elderly man with the happiest face, playing the rabab at El Fishawy that night – your music was soul-stirring. I’d read about the magical jam sessions that happen there, but you brought them to life. I’ll always scroll back to my galley, to listen to you playing the rabab melodiously, with a smile on your face.

And Merna, I wish we’d met earlier. Exploring Saqqara, Memphis, and Dashur with you felt like walking through history with a storyteller who truly loves her craft. I’ll never forget how you and Sourav sang Arijit Singh songs while climbing the pyramid in Dashur. “My boyfriend is jealous of Ramses II,” you joked, and we laughed every time. But in those laughs, I saw your deep connection to Egypt’s history, the dynasties that reigned 3500 years ago, and the ancient pharaohs. You turned our trip into something unforgettable. I wish that someday I can also show you my country with the same passion and pride with which you showed me yours. Also, thanks for sharing your favorite Egyptian song with us – it’s my favorite song too!

To Kamal, who told us about Cairo’s colonial history while we walked down Qasr El Nil Bridge. You opened my eyes to stories I’d never have found in any book. Thank you for taking me beyond the surface of this city and showing me the weight of its past.

To Ahmad, who guided us around the Valley of the Kings in Luxor. You didn’t just show us the grandeur of ancient Egypt; you gave it meaning. I’ll never forget how you explained the significance of the East Bank and the West Bank, why temples rose with the sun in the East while the necropolis grew in the shadow of the West. You brought the history of Luxor alive in ways I’ll carry with me forever.

To the young staff member at Sofitel Old Cataract. Thank you for taking the time to show us Agatha Christie’s suite and weaving the hotel’s history into our experience. Standing there, imagining her writing “Death on the Nile” while residing in that hotel, was almost like stepping into a chapter of her story.

To the boy steering a speedboat on the Nile at Aswan, playing an eclectic mix of Arabic and Reggae music – you caught Sourav’s attention in the best way possible. I guess we would have never known how Jamaicans (especially Bob Marley) are so popular in Aswan, if it wasn’t for you!

To the cheerful cabbie who drove us from Aswan Airport to Hapi Hotel, your car may have looked like it wouldn’t survive the journey, but your spirit could have carried us across deserts. “You like music?” you asked, and just like that, the rugged roads of Aswan felt less endless. When I asked if you were from Aswan, your pride shone through when you replied, “No, I’m Nubian.” We tried calling you a couple of times while we were there in Aswan, but it seemed that we got your number wrong. I guess we were only supposed to meet for a short while, but I still remember you.

To the sweet old man who took us to Philae Temple, even though we couldn’t understand a word of each other’s languages, you became ‘Dadu’ (grandfather) to us in no time! Thank you for being so patient with us, waiting an hour longer while we enjoyed the Light & Sound Show at Philae, and then dropping us at the market without asking for anything extra. We joked about your car, calling it ‘a relic from medieval times,’ but perhaps that’s all you have, and you make the most of it.

And Yusuf, how could I ever forget you? That sunset felucca ride on the Nile, with the soft lapping of water and your stories weaving Luxor into something even more magical, was one of the highlights of my trip. I wrote about you afterward, and now so many people in my world know about you. I hope someday someone among them finds you, and I hope they find you happy, healthy, and still sailing on the Nile with your quiet wisdom.

To the one who served us at the Winter Palace, I regret not asking your name. But how could I forget your enthusiasm as you helped me pull off the perfect birthday surprise for Sourav? You were more excited about the cake and song than I was, and your infectious energy made the evening so much more special. Thank you for executing everything with such perfection, and making that moment unforgettable for both of us.

Looking back, I feel that Egypt wasn’t just about its ancient ruins, the incredible museums and monuments, or the grandeur of the Nile. It was about all of you – the people who gave the country its soul, who reminded me that the best stories aren’t written in guidebooks but in human connections.

Thank you, each one of you, for making Egypt feel like so much more than another destination on my bucket list. 

From,

A traveler who left with a heart brimming with gratitude and unforgettable memories.