3 Countries in 1 Day

After discussing our options with several people, we found most agreed that traveling to Egypt from Jordan was best done via land. It was supposedly easy to do and hassle free; plus, it was cheaper than purchasing a plane ticket.

Our route:

1. From Aqaba in Jordan, we purchased our Egyptian visas, which were stamped into our passports.

2. Already stuffed into the borrowed truck, we picked up a friend along the way who could drop us at the border and return our vehicle to its owner. We packed 7 people into a 5 passenger truck.

3. Upon arriving at the Jordan/Israel border we were met by several armed border patrolmen who inquired about the number of passengers in our truck and why the ratio was 1 man to 6 women—a red flag in the Middle East. Some quick smooth talking momentarily confused the patrolmen and we continued on our way.

4. From inside the checkpoint we unloaded from the truck with our luggage and made our way to the border office where we paid the exit tax to leave Jordan.

5. Then we walked across the border.

6. Welcome to Israel! We were immediately lined up so our bags could be x-rayed just like at the security gate in the airport. At this point I wondered if it would be a problem to bring the souvenir knife I bought for my dad into the country. The sign clearly said, No Weapons. After passing my bag through the x-ray machine, a woman met me at the conveyor belt and asked me to unpack.... She inspected a few things and re-ran my bag back through the machine before allowing me to pass. My knife, secure in the second bag, was apparently not a concern.

7. After security, we paid our Israeli entrance fee and hopped into a taxi bound for the Israel/Egypt border.

8. Our Israeli driver was happy to take us on our way and sang loudly along with the radio. The view out the taxi window offered little insight into the country's culture and within twenty minutes we arrived at the next border crossing.

9. Again, we were dropped off outside the gate where we paid a fee to leave Israel and then walked on through to Egypt.

10. Welcome to Egypt! We filled out a health form, checked no for swine flu, and dumped our bags on the conveyor belt for another security screening. Once again, I hoped the knife wasn't a problem. No one said a word.

11. Everything went through without problems and we continued on to the visa checkpoint, where we paid another entrance fee, before exiting out into the not-so-fresh Egyptian air.

Unlike the Israeli border, Egypt does not provide a service for calling taxis. There was no woman in uniform ready to request a driver for six girls. No, we had to fend for ourselves against the pack of chaotic drivers hungry for business. With no other option but to attempt negotiations with the aggressive men, we made our way to their noisy corner. But, within seconds we realized they had the upper hand. The nearest busy road was who knows how far away and our only option was to go with one of them—despite how much they were prepared to overcharge. We attempted negotiation, but they didn't budge. We even did the walk away, but they knew we had nowhere to walk so they just watched us huddle alongside the curb. Luckily, Kacy contacted the hotel and was notified they had sent a driver to pick us up. His name was Mousafa.

Us: Where is Mousafa?

All of them: I'm Mousafa! No, I'm Mousafa! Come with me!

Us: ???????

After several chaotic moments and a lot of arguing, we identified the real Mousafa and he led us to his van; which caused a small riot among the other drivers as they watched their business walk away. Twenty intense minutes and one or two police officers later, we were on our way....