#3: The Great Pyramids of Giza (pg 345; 2nd Ed pg 378)

I had a very memorable 21st birthday. I spent the day climbing the inside the largest of the Giza Pyramids - Cheops. But prior to the pyramids, we went to The Sphinx. I spent my Spring term after my Junior year (May and June of 1997) on a Study Abroad to Jerusalem. We spent most of our time in Israel, but we also spent some time in Jordan and Egypt. In fact, we ended the study abroad by spending a week in Egypt. Cairo, Egypt is hands-down, one of the most fascinating, amazing cities I have ever seen or experienced.

And no trip to Egypt is complete without a camel ride!



Here is our group in front of Cheops, the largest and oldest (built circa 2500 B.C.) of the Pyramids. You can get an idea from this picture of the immense size of these beautiful creations. Many of the pyramids are closed to the public because of safety hazards. However, at least in 1997, you were able to go inside the pyramid and climb all the way to the top!

We made it! I am second from right in the front row. I wrote in my journal, "It was a long, steep HOT and SWEATY climb up there in a crouched position, but how neat!"

The Sphinx, a short distance from the pyramids.

I even still have my ticket stub! I am currently reading Jehan Sadat's autobiography, "A Woman of Egypt." Jehan Sadat is the widow of Anwar Sadat, former President of Egypt that was ultimately assassinated at the hands of his own Army for trying to make peace with Israel. As I have been reading her book, I have reflected on my time in Egypt, and must agree with Ms. Schultz on this one; it is indeed a "must see" before you die! (Page 345 of 1000 Places to See Before You Die).

#2 - The Alhambra (pg 257, 2nd Ed pg 246)

On November 21, 2004, I visited the unbelievably amazing La Alhambra in Granada, Spain.  Granada is located in the southern Andalusia region of Spain.  We stayed in Marbella, but La Alhambra was just a 2 hour drive from Marbella.  At the time I went, admission was 10 Euros and the Audio tour (which I highly recommend) was 3 Euros.  Here I am at the entrance with my sister, Maret.

Maret enjoying the beautiful gardens.

"1001 Places to See Before You Die" recommends La Alhambra (pg 257) and I couldn't agree more.  The book quotes an inscription within the walls of the Alhambra that "Nothing in life could be more cruel than to be blind in Granada."  It truly is a sight to behold!  Most of this beautiful fortress was built in the 1300's and the ornate nature of everything has been very well preserved.

The View

You can get an idea of the intricate designs.

My sister and I sitting on one of the fortress walls within La Alhambra. Beautiful!

#1: Olympics!

As I have been watching the Olympics over the past couple of weeks, I have reflected on the incredible experience I had attending the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City.  And then it hit me.... this is definitely an experience everyone should have at least once in their life!  And because the Olympics occurs every 2 years and travels from country to country, it is an experience that is available to many.  At the time I attended the SLC games, I was living in Las Vegas, so it was just a 5-6 hour drive away.  I couldn't pass it up!  And I'm so glad I didn't!  Here is a copy of the 3 tickets I was able to get a hold of (note:  tickets are hard to come by and very expensive!).  I was able to attend 2 medal ceremonies (at the SLC games, they awarded the medals at night, along with a concert - a different group performed every night) and an ice hocky game.  Fabulous fun!  The feeling in the air is incredible - one of patriotism, love of country, inspiration, pride.  It is just so cool to be surrounded by the world's greatest athletes. 

This is clearly pre-digital age, but here I am in front of the banner - proof I was actually there :)

Introduction

Several years ago, a friend introduced me to the New York Times Bestseller 1,000 Places to See Before You Die: A Traveler's Life List by Patricia Schultz.  I'm a big list person and I love, love, love traveling.  So, this book instantly appealed to me.... and I've been making checkmarks in it ever since!

Then.... along came Julie & Julia.  I was watching this movie recently, thinking how cool it was that she blogged about her adventure through Julia Child's book.  Shortly thereafter, it hit me!  I could do the same thing with "1000 Places To See Before You Die!"  But obviously a recipe is much easier to do than, say a balloon safari over Masai Mara, so I would need to make some adjustments.  Further, I must admit, I was a bit disappointed when I first realized that Patricia Schultz hasn't actually done all the things in her book that she says you have to do before you die!  What?  And then, after I started doing them, I would go somewhere and think to myself, "What in the heck was she thinking by putting this in there?  I definitely could have died without doing this."  Likewise, I would experience something and excitedly go to my book to check it off, thinking undoubtedly this MUST be in the book..... when it was nowhere to be found.  But as Ms. Schultz says in her introduction, "In the seven years it took me to research and write this formidable project, I was reminded time and again that travel is always personal, and that no two people walk away from the same experience with the same memories." 

So, with all of this in mind, I have decided to start my own personal checklist of things I have actually experienced.  As of today, I have done 96 of the 1000 Places in Patricia Schultz's book.  So, I will write about those experiences, but I will intermix them with things that I would add to my own personal book.  I will make a blog not of "Places To See", but of Places I Have Seen.  I hope travelers out there will add some of these experiences to their travel lists and I hope to create a checklist to pass on to my children.  So..... here goes!