Day 7 and 8: Alexandria, Egypt

Coming into the harbor of Alexandria was a very different sight than any of the other harbors we visited in the Mediterranean. First off the harbor was huge, it served the 6 million people of Alexandria and upwards of 30 million more people in the other cities nearby. It was smoggy and hot, which could be expected of a city in the desert, but it took most of us by surprise when they told us the average temperature is 45 degrees Celsius.

Our first day in Egypt was packed, we were off the boat and on our way to Cairo at 7:30 am. I had no idea what to expect during our three-hour trek through the desert, but I’m glad I wasn’t expecting much. Every now and then you would see a restaurant on the side of the road for those making the journey to Cairo, but for the most part it was wide-open dessert with a few farms and private houses.

Entering the city outskirts of Cairo I could already see the outline of the massive 4,500 year old pyramids miles away. The pyramids of Giza lie just outside the city limits and can be seen for miles in all directions. Although they have discovered 138 pyramids in Egypt, only about 19 of them remain to be seen. The rest have all been destroyed by the elements.

I felt small walking towards the giant pyramids, it was as if each stone grew before my eyes. As we began circling the first pyramid I noticed a tall, broad, dark suited man following our family everywhere we went. At first I thought nothing of it and continued towards the burial site of the pharaohs wife. We descended deep into the small pyramid where we entered the empty room that had long since been plundered by grave robbers.

After returning to the surface I noticed the dark suited stranger was still watching us, I asked one of the guides that was with us what who he was and he explained to me that every guided group in Egypt is given a special forces bodyguard. Although he was with us the entire day, I never really saw a need for his protection.

We then rode camels out in to the Sahara for a final panoramic view of the 3 Giza pyramids. From this view it was much easier to see how the elements had slowly eroded the smooth limestone casing stones that had originally covered the entire pyramid.

Our guides then took us around the outskirts of the city 22 million people call home. I saw huge red brick apartment buildings that were in the process of being built across the street from houses that were falling apart. The streets were lined with trash; the canal built for the farmers was brown and full of trash. We drove past farmers on donkeys pulling carts full of grain and children would smile as they ran along side.

The greatest lesson learned from the Egyptians was that life is not all about who can acquire the latest expensive toy, it is about the life we build for ourselves. It is our perception on life, it is making the most of the life given to us. The people of Egypt are happy with their best friends around them. They are happy when they stay close to their family. They were happy despite the lack of modern conveniences. They were happy serving others. They have filled their lives with the most priceless items available to all. Love.

Day 5: Rhodes, Greece

Day 5: Rhodes, Greece
The island of Rhodes is positioned in the middle of the busiest trading routes of the Mediterranean. Because of its valuable location its history is rich but extremely complicated. Throughout its history Goths, Romans, Byzantines, Cursaders, Turks, and Italians all controlled the island at one point or another over the centuries. After World War II Greece took control of the island from the Germans.
If you were on a ship entering the harbor of Mandraki nearly 2,300 years ago, you would enter the harbor underneath the Colossus of Rhodes. It took 12 years to complete the massive 30-meter tall statue of the Greek God Helios, which is about the same size as the Statue of Liberty. Although the statue eventually collapsed from an earthquake in 227 BC, it was famed throughout the Mediterranean for nearly 56 years and eventually became one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World.
As we entered the bay the 13th century city wall was magnificent. As we began touring the island we were fascinated at the remains each empire had left behind. The most evident was the remains of the Knights Templar from 1312. The Knights built magnificent castles all over the island, one of which was in the ancient city of Lindos. A small tourist town settled at the base of an acropolis of the biggest castle on the island. The white walled city stands alone next a bright blue bay.
From the bottom of the hill is a 10-minute donkey ride that leads to the entrance of the enormous castle. The architecture of the castle made it evident that many empires had made their own additions.
After returning to the port city of Mandraki we spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the ancient city. After all these centuries the city walls still surround a vibrant yet ancient city. After entering the walls of the ancient city you can still find many of the same buildings built by the Knights Templar more than 700 years ago.
I met amazing people that only enhanced my experience of Greece. Just as in Athens they were friendly and welcoming, but they still feared the future and what come next for Greece. Although they were worried it was hard to see, they showed great enthusiasm everywhere we went.
Oh and the original Gyro from Greece will be a memory I will cherish fondly for years to come. It isn’t messy and awkward to eat like here it the states, it is a classy meal with a much better taste.

Day 4: Kusadasi, Turkey

As we arrived in the port of Kusadasi I knew I wasn’t quite prepared for the experience I was about to have. Immediately upon disembarking I found a Starbucks and a Burger King. I quickly found out that Kusadasi is a resort town for the rich of Europe to spend their summers. Off in the distance you can see the island Samos where Pythagoras lived and discovered the Pythagorean theorem. The city was well kept and many salesmen stand on the street corners hoping to cut a deal with you on some obscure souvenir. Kusadasi has been a popular tourist destination for many because of its close proximity to religious sites such as the ancient city of Ephesus visited by the apostles Paul and John, St. John’s Basilica, the religious shrine of the Virgin Mary, and the last remaining column of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
After joining our guide we set off for St. John’s Basilica. As we arrived at the remains of the Basilica your imagination created a 6th century three-story church with massive pillars at each entry and a huge dome above the chapel. In the area where the dome would have been is the original burial place of the Apostle John. Also found in this church was a baptismal font about 5 feet deep into the ground and could be entered from both sides.
Our next destination was the famed Ephesus. Most of us would only know them as the Ephesians visited by Paul the Apostle. Today only ruins can be found where a city of over 200,000 people once lived. As I walked through the streets of Ephesus I felt an overwhelming excitement - as we entered the marketplace, the theaters, and houses- knowing this city received instruction and guidance from prophet of God regarding the Atonement, gospel principals, and guidance for the family. I know we have the same ability today, but the idea of going to the local 25,000-seat theatre to personally hear an Apostle teach me is exciting to imagine.
Also near the remains of Ephesus is the remains of the first church dedicated to the Virgin Mary where the Third Ecumenical Council was held in 431 AD. What was most intriguing to me was the fact that in the room behind the chapel was a rather large granite tub built about five feet high. The reason this was so intriguing to me was the fact that only four centuries after the death of Jesus Christ his followers already misunderstood the baptismal method and meaning.
We then made our way to what is claimed to be the house where Mary the mother of Christ spent her final days. In 1896 Pope Leo XIII said the probability of the house being the final home of Mary was very high, later in 1950 Pope Pius XII established it as a Holy Place. Therefore it has retained the title of the home of Mary, although they stated that no factual information has been presented to prove its authenticity.
The people of Kusadasi were extremely welcoming and were accustomed to sharing their culture and customs with the many tourists. At lunch they served us an interesting drink they love that is basically salty milk, needless to say it took a few gulps to get used to it. They Turks are well known for their handmade rugs and intricately designed ceramics. The people were welcoming and friendly and they certainly made our time in Turkey one of the greatest experiences of the Mediterranean.