Page 57 - Egypt & the Eternal Nile by Private, Classic River-Yacht

ABOUT YOUR DESTINATIONS

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During your adventure you’ll be accompanied by one of our local, expert Trip Leaders. All
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an enriching adventure. As locals of the regions you’ll explore with them, our Trip Leaders
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wildlife come alive. Coupled with their unbridled enthusiasm, caring personalities, and ability
to bring diverse groups of travelers together, our Trip Leaders ensure that your experience
with O.A.T. is one you’ll remember for a lifetime.

Please Note: To ensure you get as much exposure to local culture as possible, you’ll enjoy the services of
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Jerusalem extension.

Culture & Points to Know

Religion
Religion plays an important part of daily life in Egypt, Jordan, and Israel, so an understanding
of the two most prominent religions (Islam and Judaism) will assist you in your discoveries.

Judaism

Considered the oldest of the monotheistic religions, Judaism has its roots in ancient times,
with more than 3,000 years of history. Although there are three main branches (Orthodox,
Conservative, and Reform) the fundamentals remain the same. A practicing Jew is expected to
follow the holy commandments as revealed to Moses, follow Jewish law, attend synagogue,
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on Saturday. While the most holy of writings in the Jewish tradition are collectively known as
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Tanakh, or to commentaries by learned rabbinical scholars such as the Talmud or Midrash.

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observance of the Sabbath. And during Jewish holidays, many sites will be closed or operating
on reduced hours—but on the plus side, there may be special services or festivities you can
join! (If you’re interested in checking what holidays might fall during your trip, an online
holiday calendar like www.timeanddate.com/holidays is a great resource.) Also, some
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Lastly, a few words about the Western Wall—aka the Wailing Wall—in Jerusalem: As the last
remains of the Second Temple, many see this as one of the most sacred places in Judaism, and
as a result, its popularity cannot be underestimated. Be prepared for crowds.

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