Page 28 - Dispatches - Winter 2022
P. 28

Match Made in Heaven
              Setting Sail


              By Bonnie Hartley

              5-time traveler from             Perfectly paired roommates in Egypt
              Sandwich, MA


                                                                                                          interests. We were up for
                                                                                                          whatever presented itself. We
              Right: Bonnie and                                                                           were enthralled with all the
              Sandra lounge                                                                               information about Egyptian
              on the pool                                                                                 life and history provided

              deck a er being                                                                             by our outstanding Trip
              serendipitously                                                                             Experience Leader, Walid.
              matched as                                                                                  On the Nile boat portion of
              roommates.                                                                                  the trip, we felt comfortable
                                                                                                          venturing on our own into
                                                                                                          the souks to experience the
                                                                                                          local vibe. We relished the
                                                                                                          time amidst the ancient
              Carol and Judy’s                                                                            temples, soaking in the
              Experience in Egypt                                                                         history and art. After our
                                                                                                          daily adventures, we eagerly

                                              here is a quote attributed to Mark Twain                    headed for the onboard
                                              that goes something like this: “Why        swimming pool, cooling off while watching the
                                       Tnot go out on a limb? That’s where the           scenes of the Nile drift by. During the evening
                                       fruit is.” Taking this to heart I signed up for   entertainment, we both jumped right in to party
                                       Ancient Egypt & the Eternal Nile River “seeking   with our fellow travelers and the amazing boat
              Watch longtime           a roommate.” While there is no single supple-     staff.
              friends explore the      ment for most O.A.T. adventures, I thought why    I’m glad I went out on the limb for this one.
              ancient wonders and      not take a chance, it could work out well, and if   Through O.A.T., I found not only a roommate but
              traditions of Egypt.     not, how bad could it be for two weeks?           a kindred spirit and a new friend.

                  Watch  Video         Call it serendipity or luck, my roommate
                                       Sandra was a fabulous match! I’m from
                                       Massachusetts and Sandra lives in California.
                                       We exchanged a few emails and phone calls
                                       before the trip and settled a most important
              Explore Egypt with       item: neither of us snored!
              a friend—or make
              a new one in your        We met at our hotel in Cairo and began
              roommate—during          conversing. We found we had a surprising
              our Ancient Egypt        number of things in common. We were both
              & the Nile River         of a certain age and retired. We were both
              adventure.               daughters of first-generation immigrant
                                       Polish mothers. We each had one daughter
                   Learn More          and a grandchild with some medical issues of
                                       concern. We even each had a “beauty mark” on
                                       one cheek.

                                       Off on our Egyptian adventure, we were of
                                       a similar mind when it came to pacing and


                   DISPATCHES • WINTER
                   DISPATCHES • WINTER




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