ACCOMMODATIONS LIST
[note that changes have occured at Luxor, Cairo and Selcuk since the itinerary was published.]
Aug 6: Overnight train from Cairo to Aswan
Contact Info: Via Hotel Berlin, 2 El-Shawarby St., 4th-Floor, 11111-Cairo, Egypt. Tel & Fax: 011-20-2-395-7502. Mobile [also used for urgent SMS]: 011-20-10-104-8205.
E.Mail: berlinhotelcairo@hotmail.com, or berlinhotelcairo@usa.net .
Description: The initial arrival contact info is for the hotel manager who purchased first class train seats for us, Hisham Youssif, General Director of the Hotel Berlin. We will not stay there on arrival night but they are providing transportation to get us from the airport to the train station.

Aug 7-8: NILE RIVER, Egypt: Sailing on Falucca

Aug 9: LUXOR, Egypt: Windsor Hotel
Contact Info: Tel: 011-20-95-375-547, Fax 011-20-95-373-447.
Description: 120 room hotel, the biggest 3 star establishment in Luxor, located in a small alley just off Sharia Nefertiti. It’s particular boast is its pool. This hotel is a change from the earlier itinerary.

Aug 10: Night Train to Cairo
Contact Info: Arranged by first listing above.

Aug 11: CAIRO, Egypt: Hotel Berlin
Contact Info: Hisham Houssif, 2 El-Shawarby St., 4th-Floor, 11111-Cairo, Egypt. Tel & Fax: 011-20-2-395-7502. Mobile [also used for urgent SMS]: 011-20-10-104-8205.
E.Mail: berlinhotelcairo@hotmail.com, or berlinhotelcairo@usa.net .
Description: This pension is located very near the main central pedestrian street of Cairo. All rooms have hardwood floors, high ceilings, large windows and balconies. - And features:
“Best Downtown Location, Room Service, Television In All Rooms, Central Satellite Connection. Private Shower Cabins [American Standard Brand].Air Conditioned Rooms, Local and International Telephone Service + The net 2 Phone. Laundry Service, Sauna and Health Club.” – from their website: http://berlinhotelcairo.freeservers.com/homepage.Index.html. This hotel is a change from the earlier itinerary.

Aug 12: SINAI, Egypt: Night Climb of Mt. Sinai
Contact Info: Arranged by first listing above

Aug 13: WADI RUM, Jordan (Bedouin campout, care of Qutaish & Sons)
Contact Info: Quteish & Sons, contacts are brothers Hassan or Mohammad Quteish. Tel: 011-962-3-201-4679, Fax 011-962-3-201-3882. PO Box 168 Aqaba, Jordan. E-Fax to USA fax number: 1-240-282-5828. Email: goldencr@go.com.jo or wadirumsafari@yahoo.com, or aqaba-sort-center@usedclothes.com
Description: Qutaish & Sons runs their own camping setup in Wadi Rum. Their office is in Aqaba. From Lonely Planet: “Although conveniently and collectively known as ‘Bedouin’, the major tribe of Wadi Rum is the Huweitat, who claim to be descended from the Prophet Mohammed. Villagers and desert nomads throughout the Wadi Rum area number about 5000. Despite the onset of full-scale tourism, the local people maintain traditional lifestyles, and many still live in tents in the desert and travel on camels. The local people are incredibly friendly, particularly to foreigners who make the effort to get out into the desert … In the hot season daytime temperatures soar past 40 degress Celcius…thought night time temperatures can often plummet to 0 degrees Celsius. Bring insent repellent…

Aug 14: WADI MOUSA, Jordan: Al-Anbat or El-Rashid Hotels
This is the village outside the passageway to the hidden ancient city of Petra.
El-Rashid Hotel Contact Info: Tel: 001-962-3-215-6800, Fax 011-962-3-215-6801. Email: rashid@joinnet.com.jo.
El-Rashid Hotel Description: central in village and quiet – some rooms with satellite TV.
Al-Anbat Hotel II Contact Info: Tel: 001-962-3-215-7200, Fax 011-962-3-215-6888.
Al-Anbat Hotel II Description: Al-Anbat Hotel II is new and all rooms are well-furnished with satellite TV, some with views.

Aug 15: AMMAN, Jordan: ACOR’s “Corner House”
Contact Info: PO Box 2470, Amman 11181. Tel: 001-962-6-534-6117, Fax: 001-962-6-534-4181. Email: ACOR@go.com.jo. Website: www.bu.edu/acor .
Description: This is the hostel for the American Center of Oriental Research (ACOR) whose archeological headquarters and well-publicized discoveries (e.g. Petra Papyri) we will visit in Amman. The Director and Associate Director are Pierre and Patricia Bakai of Albany California. We will sleep early in the evening in preparation for a 2am departure to the Amman Airport and a 5am flight to Athens. Website: www.bu.edu/acor

Aug 16: ATHENS, Greece: Athens International Youth Hostel
Contact Info: c/o Akis Dafalias, Mgr., 16 Victor Hugo St, Athens 10438, Tel: 011-30-1-523-4170, Fax: 011-30-1-523-4015. Email: wngs@otenet.gr or info@athenshostel.com .
Description: Five minute walk to metro subway. Lonely planet: “…excellent HI-affiliated…almost too good to be true. The spotless rooms, each with private bathroom, sleep 2-4 people. Inexpensive meals provided across the street, with internet access. Website: www.athenshostel.com/ .

Aug 17: “Express Aris” Night Ferry Cabins to Santorini
Contact Info: Ticketing agent in Athens: Patricia Webber, Argonaut Travel, Tel: 011-30-1-323-2256, Fax: 011-30-1-323-7364. Email: reservations@argonautravel.gr or Argonaut@netplan.gr
Description: Our inside cabins have 2 bunk beds (4 single beds) each.

Aug 18: SANTORINI, Greece: Youth Hostel Anna (Perissa Beach)
Contact Info: Tel: 011-30-286-82182, or 011-30-286-81943.
Description: 100 meters from the beach (beautiful black, volcanic sand). Located in Perissa, where you will be close to many sites and attractions, Walking distance to Thira and a short bus ride to Akrotiri (famous for the Minoan Village buried by the volcano that erupted hundreds of years ago). 20 minute bus ride to Thira (Capital city of Santorini). For picture of hostel: www.envision2000.com/anna/. For picture of area: www.envision2000.com/anna/html/highlights.html.

Aug 19: IRAKLION, Crete, Greece: Heraklio Youth Hostel
Contact Info: Yiannis Koukoulakis, Warden. 5. L. Vironos St. 71202 Iraclion, Crete. Tel: 011-30-81-286-281. Fax: 011-30-81-222-947. Email: hostel@her.forthnet.gr.
Description: Located an easy walk from the port where we arrive, to the center of the town of Iraklion (capital of Crete) and to the bus stop for the Palace of Knossos. This will make a convenient base for our brief stopover to seek the Palace (www.daedalus.gr/DAEI/THEME/Knossos.htm ).

Aug 20-21: MYKONOS, Greece: Paradise Beach
Contact Info: PO Box 61, 846 00 Mykonos. Tel: 011-30-289-22852, -22129, & -22025. Fax: 011-30-289-24350.
Description: They offer clean rooms, bungalows (beach cabins), and shaded areas for camping. Also available are various restaurants, a boutique, beach bar, mini market and numerous summer sports. In operation since 1969, Paradise's popularity is renowned throughout the world. http://holidays-in-greece.com/camping/paradise/paradise1.htm

Aug 22: “Express Olympia” Night Ferry Cabins to Samos
Contact Info: Ticketing agent in Athens: Patricia Webber, Argonaut Travel, Tel: 011-30-1-323-2256, Fax: 011-30-1-323-7364. Email: reservations@argonautravel.gr or Argonaut@netplan.gr
Description: Our inside cabins have 3 single beds each.

Aug 23: SELCUK, Turkey: ANZ Pension
Contact Info: 1064 Sk #12, Selcuk, Izmir 35920 Turkey. Tel: 011-90-232-892-6050, Fax: 011-90-232-892-1594. E-mail: oznzpension@superonline.com
Description: The ANZ Pension is located just 3 km away from Ephesus. This ancient city is one of the best (the say “the best”) example of classic ruins in the world. The pension website: www.anzturkishguesthouse.com. This guesthouse is a change from the earlier itinerary.

Aug 24: Over Night Bus to Istanbul
Contact Info: Via the ANZ Pension above.

Aug 25-26: ISTANBUL, Turkey: InterYouth Hostel
Contact Info: Caferiye Sok. No 6/1 34400 Sultanahmet, Istanbul. Tel: 001-90-212-513-6150, -513-6151, -522-9501, Fax: 011-90-212-512-7628. Email: info@yucelthostel.com
Description: The only accredited hostel of the IYHF in Turkey offering quality rooms most overlooking the St. Sophia cathedral of the Eastern Roman Empire (now called a Museum), across the street from Topkapi Palace of the Ottomon Empire and a five minute walk to the famous Blue Mosque. Their website: www.yucelthostel.com/.

Aug 27-28: VENICE, Italy: Ostello Per La Gioventu “Venezia” (Venice Hostel)
Contact Info: Fta. Zitelle 86 Giudecca 30133 Venezia Italia. Tel: 011-39-041-523-8211, Fax 011-39-04-523-5689.
Description: This hostel is on the island of Giudecca, just across the water from the famous main plaza of Venice, and “offers dormitories of 10/16 beds each. The rooms are divided in women and men (showers and wc in common), the sheets all given from the hostel (the leader will sleep in the same room as the group). Each bed of the dormitory has its wardrobe with personal key the lines is include in the price, but you most bring you own towel. 260 beds, restaurant, phone boxes” from their website: www.hostel-venice.com

Aug 29-30-31: ROME, Italy: Alessandro Hostel
Contact Info: Alessandro Palace Hostel: Via Vicenza, 42, 00185 Roma. Tel: 011-39-6-446-1958, Fax: 011-39-6-49380534. Email: palace@hostelsalessandro.com. Alessandro Downtown Hostel: Via C. Cattaneo, 23, 00185 Roma. Tel: 011-39-6-44340147, Fax: 011-39-6-49380534. Email: downtown@hostelsalessandro.com .
Description: Both of their hostels are right near center of Rome, located right next to Termini, the Central Train Station. They offer: “Free use of the kitchen, 24 hour reception, no curfew and no lockout, lockers, hot showers, free baggage storage, free sheets included in the price, free maps of the city, information rack, internet access” says their website: www.hostelsalessandro.com/

end

 
Bob here. I have heard from most parents about my question concerning a parent gathering. It doesn't seem a high priority for most, but perhaps it will be by Saturday afternoon. Perhaps we could try a brief get-together then for final questions and info distribution. Shall we say 3pm? No time was good for everybody - but that time might enable Sam Mass's mom to join us (she and Sam arrive Friday afternoon). I don't think Brad can make it and perhaps not Janine and Tyler Band - but no one else specifically ruled out Saturday afternoon according to my notes. It is not mandatory - I will pass along any info to those who can not make it.

 
Bob here. I just decided to upgrade our hostel in Selcuk (near the Roman ruins of Ephesus Turkey). Pension Baykal, where I stayed in March, had a researcher/writer running the place but his English was very hard to understand. I have switched to ANZ Guesthouse: www.anzturkishguesthouse.com. Check it out on line. They will pick us up at the port and we can eat right at the guesthouse roof garden.

 
This is Bob Meyer. A parent left me a message with 3 good questions - so I will respond in this public way:
How much SPENDING MONEY should each student have access to? Most lunchs are self-pay, so start with about $125 there. Internet cafes depend on how wordy everyone is, lets guess $50 there. Replenishing water, toiletries, sunscreen, etc might be $25. Souvenirs might be anything, but lets say $50. That would be about $250 total - but I bet it will vary widely from student to student ($200 to $400??).
What about GIFTS to give out along the way? Keep this light, small, simple and inexpensive. We are traveling at a speed that makes deep bonding unlikely. Perhaps a half dozen persons along the way might be fun to give gifts to. Perhaps something that say "California" on it, even a pencil, postcard or pennant - maybe one t-shirt for that special someone? Postcards could have an email address written on them which makes them an informal business card. I personally am not comfortable handing out candy to small children.
What kind of SUNSCREEN? I know nothing except to go for high SPF and take maybe 4 easy to carry plastic squeeze bottles. If that is not enough they could be replenished along the way.
Bob

 
This is Bob Meyer. As of this evening (Monday) everyone is fully paid up according to my records. Correct me if I'm wrong. Thank you all for your trust in me (and parents for their trust in the students). Bob

 
This is Shelly Fox Rinaldi, testing to see if I can easily do this. Bob I think this is a great idea, I know I will enjoy following the trip and feel calmer and less worried that my son is so far away for so long, I know I have to get used to this! Anyway thanks for all the work , I know I will follow what's going on as well Jacobs two grandmothers and his grandfather, maybe even an uncle,an aunt and a cousin! Thanks again!

 
WELCOME to our little site for current information on the August 2001 Ancient Eastern Mediterranean trip!>

Individual travelers will, of course, be sending and receiving personal emails whenever we stop at an internet cafe.

IN ADDITION, the travelers will now be able to quickly and easily place general updates on our adventures on this site from any internet cafe in the world. Friends and family back home can share this web address with significant others (cyber-granny, cyber-cousins) and anyone else who might be interested - and anyone can address a question or suggestion to the whole group via this channel.

This trip is a "seminar" - my chosen word for a lively, focused conversation - traveling friends learning to make the most of conversations with trusted fellow travelers - drawing out each others best thoughts and ideas, with little need for a teacher or lecturer. And now cyber friends and family back home are able to sit around the same table and eavesdrop or join in. I doubt if the travelers will choose to be too wordy in an internet cafe when a fascinating world awaits just outside the cafe - but readers at home will get some nuggets from us and you can throw some nuggets our way if you want.

We may experiment with the time-consuming uploading of a photo now and then, but it may require putting a bit of software on an internet cafe computer - which any cautious cafe manager would disallow.

We can thank fellow traveler BB Said for setting this up for us - he volunteered his time when normally he is a valuable free-lancer (available for hire by the way: bbsaid@pacbell.net).

INSTRUCTIONS:

- To read only, simply go to www.globalseminars.com and click on the top of the first page where it says "Click here for current Mediterranean trip information."

- To publish your own comment to the rest of us (and the world) - go to:
www.blogger.com
enter user name "bobmeyer"
enter password "albany"
click on "current trip info" (to the center right of the page)
key in any comment or question
click on "Post and Publish"
click on "Sign Out"
Incredibly easy.
Please do not edit anyone else's comments or change any settings.
Because we are all sharing my username, every comment will say "posted by Bob Meyer" - so please identify yourself within your comment.

Notices over a week old are archived, but the archive is accessible by a link to the left of the postings.

You will see that our itinerary is also on the Global Seminars website and is also accessible by a link to the left of the postings. Next project is to link all the place names on the itinerary to websites that tell you more about the destination.

Welcome to the conversation.

Bob

 
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