Egyptian mythology is a rich tapestry woven from the threads of the ancient culture's deepest fears and most profound desires. At the heart of their beliefs was the importance of the Nile, the life-giving force that sustained their civilization. But the Egyptians didn't just venerate the aspects of life that they loved - they also created deities around the things that they feared, from the ferocious jackal-headed god Anubis to the menacing crocodile god Sobek. By honoring these fearsome entities, the Egyptians sought to gain their favor and protection, and to understand and control the forces of nature that could threaten their existence.

The Valley of the Kings, nestled on the west bank of the Nile in Luxor, is a testament to the ambition and foresight of the pharaohs of ancient Egypt. Here, the rulers of one of the world's greatest civilizations built their own tombs, working on them for years, even decades, while they were yet still alive. The elaborate structures, adorned with intricate carvings and colorful paintings, were designed to be the final resting place of the pharaohs' mortal remains, as well as a gateway to the afterlife. But beyond their religious significance, the tombs of the Valley of the Kings also serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of building a legacy that will endure long after we are gone. The pharaohs knew that their time on earth was finite, and they took action to ensure that their memory and achievements would live on. We can all learn from their example and recognize that the time to start building our own legacies is now. We cannot rely on others to do it for us after we are gone. Instead, we must take charge of our own destinies and strive to leave a lasting impact on the world that will be remembered for generations to come.

Modern sales processes in Egypt are deeply rooted in the country's culture of hospitality and generosity. One common tactic used by salespeople is to offer free educational demonstrations to potential customers, often accompanied by a complimentary drink or snack such as delicious hibiscus tea or a bite of sweet basbousa. These demonstrations are designed to showcase the benefits of the product or service being sold, while also establishing a sense of rapport and goodwill between the seller and the buyer. By providing something of value upfront and showing genuine interest in the customer's needs and concerns, salespeople in Egypt are able to build trust and credibility, making it more likely that the customer will make a purchase. This approach underscores the importance of building relationships and prioritizing hospitality and customer service in the sales process, which can be effective not only in Egypt but in other cultures as well.

Likewise, Egyptians have learned the value of involving customers in the planning, designing, and building processes. In ancient times, the pharaohs would often consult with their subjects and involve them in the construction of their grand monuments and temples. Similarly, in modern-day Egypt, businesses will involve tourists in the creation of their artwork. When we visited an alabaster factory, my kids got to participate in the different steps that the artisans take in refining the alabaster for making vases. When customers lend a hand in the creation of a product or service, they feel a sense of ownership and pride in the end result. This translates into a deeper connection to the brand and a greater willingness to promote it to others. By engaging customers in the design and planning stages, businesses can tap into their creativity and insights, leading to more innovative and customer-focused solutions that can ultimately drive growth and success.

Traffic in Egypt is something so completely foreign to me. You’ll be driving on a 10-lane super highway that may or may not have lane lines painted on, and if they do they are merely suggestions on about how many cars could fit across, but even then it’s more of a challenge than a suggestion. You’re just inches away from the cars all around you, weaving in and out, all honking their horns. Then you realize you’re also sharing the freeway with motorcycles, mopeds with giant loads on the back, carts pulled by donkeys, and even pedestrians just taking a nice afternoon stroll in heavy traffic. This all terrified me. The crazy thing is, it works for them. We didn’t see a single accident the entire time we were there, and I can hardly drive my kids a mile and a half to school without passing at least one other accident here, with all of our rules and regulations and personal space. Our driver confirmed that serious accidents with injuries are actually pretty rare there. Everyone is just so much more aware of both themselves and everyone else around them, creating this beautiful chaos that blew me away.

The thing I learned about the road chaos with pedestrians and cars all over the place is that everyone there has a different sense of personal responsibility than what we are used to in the States. They each know that they have to get from Point A to Point B, and to do so as quickly and efficiently as possible, but they realize that everyone around them has the exact same goal, no matter what their methods are for travel. No one person feels that their journey is more important than another. So they confidently focus on their goals while simultaneously allowing others to reach their goals as well. And at the end of the day, everyone gets to where they want to be, and all in one piece. The funny thing is, to suggest that it could be otherwise is foreign to them. They don’t even understand why we would need so many rules and regulations and massive amounts of space to live our lives.

I really wanted to learn Arabic before heading to Egypt. I knew it was a sign of respect when traveling to assimilate myself to their language and customs rather than having them accommodate mine. And while I did manage to learn a fair amount of French, Hebrew, and Greek, I could not get my brain to wrap itself around Arabic in any meaningful way. And when I got there, I learned that the language in Egypt is so much more than just what is spoken. There are so many physical and visual customs that play a huge roll into the cultural language. And our driver explained that there is even a whole other language there that revolves just around the way you honk your horn while driving. There are always cars constantly honking their horns at all hours of the night and day, and not just to tell other drivers to get out of the way, but it has evolved into an entire form of communication for them. So to truly serve a group of people, you have to learn how to speak their language, not just verbally, and understand and appreciate their customs.

One thing I noticed while driving in Egypt is that many of the buildings look like they had their sides sheared straight off, as if when the freeway needed to be expanded, the buildings were in the way, so they just cut off whatever was in the way and kept going. I realized it’s kind of a metaphor for life. So often when something isn’t working in life, we try to tear it all down and start over, when we could just cut off the part that isn’t working and keep the rest in tact.

The other thing about buildings in Egypt was that many of them were fully in use, but they weren’t even finished. From the looks of it, maybe they never would be finished. Something I struggle with in my own life is feeling like I need to have everything perfect before I can start. I need to see the entire pathway before I am willing to even take the first step. But in reality, building codes and safety aside, sometimes it is better to just start building something and see where it takes you. Maybe you don’t actually have to build it as big or elaborate as you originally think before it fulfills your goal, or maybe the act of building starts pulling you in a different direction. If you wait until the plans are complete, you waste precious time and energy that are better spent on creating momentum through movement.