I just got back from a week in Egypt, and I spent 2 days in Siwa, a Western oasis. It was absolutely amazing, by far the highlight of my trip. It is a beautiful traditional village in an oasis in the middle of the Sahara desert. Tourists have been only going there for part of this century, and while it has a few hotels, restaurants, and outings for tourists, it hasn’t been spoiled by tourism at all (with a big “yet!!” in there!!). It is a surreal place--it feels more like a Survivor set than a real place. It’s beautiful, relaxing, serene. Taxis are donkey carts, people wear traditional clothing, things are extremely cheap. We went on a half-day safari into the desert, visiting hot springs, cold lakes, and sand dunes, and watched the sun set over the Sahara. We rented a bicycle for a trip to Fatnas Island, a beautiful islance of solace where we didn’t see a single person for hours. The people of Siwa are so nice an amazing—-100% different from the rudeness and madness of Cairo. The Siwan people treat tourists like friends, not tourists. Instead of begging for money and jacking up prices, they invite you for tea and dinner. We had a dozen tea invitations in our short time there, and met some wonderful, friendly people. Go to Siwa before it becomes ruined by increasing tourism!!!