Egypt

Egypt is the country of my mother’s family, and it’s a place I’ve always felt deeply connected to. Growing up, my grandmother, Omnia, spent half the year with us in San Diego and the other half in Cairo. As I began traveling the world, I found myself returning to Egypt time and time again to visit her and spend time with my extended family. Each visit gave me a deeper appreciation not only for where my family came from, but also for the culture and traditions that shaped them. Living in the United States, where so many families trace their roots to different parts of the world, I’ve come to appreciate how important it is to understand where your own story began. No matter how much time passes, arriving in Cairo still feels like coming home.

I’ve always been fascinated by Egypt’s extraordinary history. While most visitors come to Cairo for the pyramids, I’ve loved exploring the country’s other remarkable cities. Alexandria, stretched along the Mediterranean coast, reflects centuries of Greek, Roman, and Egyptian influence. In Aswan, life moves at a slower pace along the Nile, while Luxor is home to some of the most extraordinary ancient temples and tombs anywhere in the world. Standing among the monuments of ancient Egypt, it’s impossible not to feel connected to something far greater than yourself. Few civilizations have left such a lasting mark on human history. Egypt has always been an important part of my identity, and I know it always will be.