Sandboarding

Last weekend, Nathan and I decided to take a trip into the desert to go sandboarding.  We went with a group that the previous interns had gone with.

 The drive to the dune where we sandboarded included and hour or so drive to 6th of October City, then another hour or so drive on a two lane desert road and then a half hour drive in the desert.  This ambulance stop was our last stop before the dune and one of the only buildings on the desert road.  The complete lack of water reminded me of Jordan.

When we got to the dune, the guide told us to leave everything in the van, and then we grabbed a snowboard and hiked up to the top of the sand dune with him.  At the top of the dune, he gave us minimal instruction and then told us to go ahead and try it.  I was the first newb to go down.  The first run, I got going pretty fast and then my weight got a little out front and I wiped out hard, rolling head over heels a few times.  Luckily the sand was soft, so no injury.  The above picture is a few of us at the top of the dune waiting to go down with the sun setting behind us.

After a few runs, I got the hang of it, but still didn't make it the entire way down without falling, which was a little disappointing.

The most amazing part of the trip though was the time spent at the top of the dune.  There was no signs of any life as far as you could see in every direction.  It was just such a peaceful time and such a nice break from the streets of Cairo.  It was amazing to be able to watch the sun set over the desert from the top of the dune.  This quiet time on top of the dune was probably the best experience in Egypt so far for me.

On the way home in the middle of the desert still, one of the cars began overheating.  They threw some water on the engine and we were on our way.