Memories of Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt

Sometimes the best memories are from the most random places. The places we never dreamed we would end up. That's how Sharm el-Sheikh was for me.

So how did a country raised Midwestern girl like me end up on the coast of the Red Sea less than 2 months after moving abroad?

I was simply looking for an exotic beach upon which I could sunbath and celebrate my newly gained emancipation from a job that had slowly been killing me for four years. Yep, this place will do quite nicely.

On a less selfish note, I wanted to surprise E with a Valentine's gift to beat all previously gifted from prior girlfriends. He married me, so I guess it did the trick.

E still doesn't understand it (probably because he's been around the world twice), but out of all the wonderful places I've played tourist, Sharm was one of my absolute favorites.

It probably had something to do with the fact that I felt like I was really starting to find myself in this place so far from home.

Situated on the shores (or mini-cliffs) of the Red Sea, Sharm is a contradiction of travel terms. The beauty and luxury of sea side resorts clashes with the slums and dust covered markets of Egyptian street life.

Rather than ramble on and on about every minute (as in small--not 60 seconds--because I definitely can't tell this story that fast) detail of this lovely trip. I'll condense it into my list of Memories to Make in Sharm-el-Sheikh (I'm a poet and I didn't know it...).

// 4x4 Tour of the Desert // Who would pass up the opportunity to look this awesome?

Just don't end up with a 'Sinai Souvenir' like E. Doing high speed donuts on a 4x4 in the desert = upside down 4x4 and scars. Boys...

// Parasailing // No pesky foreigners blocking your view up here.

// Snorkeling the Red Sea // Scratch that. A woman was attacked by a shark less than a mile from this spot about a month after we left. You may want to skip this one.

// Sunbathing // A much safer option.

// Cairo Fly-by // This is a blog post in itself, Cairo & the pyramids in 6 hours. Yep, 6 hours.

Now, you may be wondering if Egypt is safe for tourists in 2014. We were lucky to have visited a few months before civil unrest of recent years broke out. No one can guarantee what will happen in this fragile and often hostile country so always check with your home country's Department of State or Transportation for updates and advisories.

Here is a recent article from Conde Nast on their opinion of traveling to Egypt in the current climate. Perhaps wait another year or two.

I know I'd love to go back someday.

What has been one of your favorite vacations?