The solar eclipse hunt for the ages is on! March 25th 2005, I am leaving from Austin on a journey to see a total solar eclipse, visit the egyptian pyramids, and then knock off for a night in Madrid, Spain before heading home. The ticket has entered the booking process - contact me for more details. There's a lot of think about for this trip; but here is the jist of it.

The Eclipse will take place at 10:40am Wednesday March 29, 2006 (http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/SEmono/TSE2006/TSE2006.html) The pyramids and all the good stuff is in the 'Nile Valley' which is quite accessible from Cairo. Looks like travel from Cairo to Saloum would be via car or bus -- no other airports that are closer. There are some oases nearby that would be really neat. Some of the pictures seemed like they were out of Star Wars desert scenes or something... sadly, the best online info I could fine was on this cheesy tour: http://www.farhorizon.com/Africa/oases-of-egypt-eclipse.htm. I also here there are some amazing beaches both on the mediterranean coast and red sea (though it might be a bit chilly).

Then on the way back from Cairo, I'm catching a red-eye flight to Madrid; where I'll try to find a market, some churros and hot chocolate, or maybe a disco. (advice here) Then experience a fantastic saturday night in the legendary Madrid nightlife. Ah, this is gonna be good.

"Henceforth I whimper no more, postpone no more, need nothing,
Done with indoor complaints, libraries, querulous criticisms,
Strong and content I travel the open road."
- Walt Whitman

UPDATE (10/28/05) Now there's a live wiki page to hold all the info on this egypt trip! Check it out: http://www.jumphook.com/wiki/Travel/Egypt