Hospitality Club host: Alaa Taiea
I first toyed with the idea of seeking accommodation with local hosts because I had a layover in Rome on the way home from my Middle East trip. Since I had only one night to pack in some good eating, wanted to make the most of my time regarding sightseeing, and didn't want to break the bank after the glorious affordability of the Middle East, I thought having a host in Rome would be like having a friendly, personal tour guide and dining companion. I envisioned great conversations over delicious wine and the security of strolling the streets at night with a local. It was a slightly unnerving to consider meeting up with a total stranger online, but the possible end result was a very appealing idea.
Well, it never worked out, and I was stuck paying 20€ for a room and eating alone in a restaurant full of couples on romantic Roman holidays. However, once I'd checked out the concept on the Hospitality Club website, I realized it would be a great way to meet some locals during the actual Middle East journey, not just for one night in Italy. I was feeling somewhat insecure, as this was my longest trip alone; was nervous about the hassle I'd receive as a woman; and knew how much I'd appreciate a place to call home for a few days.
I approached Alaa Taiea through Hospitality Club, and he generously offered me my own room in his Luxor apartment. We exchanged a few emails, during which he gave me loads of advice on places to visit in Egypt besides Luxor and tips on getting around. I, unfortunately, didn't have time to talk to him on the phone before I left.
When I was in Aswan, I realized I had lost interest in taking the 3-day felucca trip down the Nile to Luxor and thus would arrive ahead of schedule by train. I called Alaa and was so happy to hear his voice for the first time! He was more than accommodating to my change in plans.
I arrived in Luxor and stepped into the heart of the hassle. Alaa picked me up at the station and shooed away the touts, guided me in the ways of Egyptian lines when I bought my onward ticket to Cairo, and took me back to his apartment in a taxi so I wouldn't be struggling with my backpack in the heat.
After graciously showing me the apartment—not only nicer than the hotels I'd stayed in so far, but nicer than my own apartment at home—he actually cooked me dinner, let me use his little laundry machine to wash my disgusting clothes, and asked me what I wanted to do for the next couple days so he could help me plan.
Alaa was friendly and kind, and as a former tour guide, very knowledgeable about the area. He is a Luxor native and has recently started investing back into his town by designing and managing a beautiful luxury home on the West Bank for people a bit beyond their backpacking days to rent! He was intelligent and thoughtful and eager to have conversations about politics, travel, and technology, as I am a former web designer and it was a field that interested him.
Many of my friends were nervous that I chose to stay with someone I'd only spoken to online, and a Middle-Eastern man at that. But I realized from my research that there were two main schools of thought on Middle-Eastern men. 1) That they were dangerous, being repressed and desperate for female contact and convinced that Western women were loose, and 2) that they were safe because their deep respect for women's virtue meant the mere thought a women suspected their motives would shame them. I chose to subscribe to the second school (it's all generalization anyway) and hope for the best. Besides, no women responded to my request.
Alaa was a complete gentleman. He lived in a building with his family, although he had the apartment to himself. He always seemed genuinely interested in getting to know me better and would have done anything possible to help me enjoy Luxor. He was unable to find a spare key in time for my arrival, so he was basically on call and would rush home to let me into the apartment whenever I was ready.
I am so glad I met Alaa and feel very lucky to have a new friend in Luxor. We are still in touch, and I was so pleased to hear about his upcoming wedding in Alexandria. Through my comments about him on the website and further emails, I directed a young first-time traveler to Alaa and heard later they had a wonderful time, as Alaa adopted a big-brother role and helped him arrange tours and a cruise down the Nile.
I cannot say enough about the wonderful service this organization provides. You can contact hosts while maintaining your privacy, read comments from former guests, and see photos and other profile info to determine whether this host is a good match. I think Hospitality Club is a better-maintained site, and I like that you can see a member's last login in his or her profile, so you know how likely someone is to respond quickly. It's a great opportunity to really get to understand locals and share experiences of differing cultures. In Egypt, it was hardly a financial issue, as I probably could have gotten a hotel room for $3. It was a lovely experience that I hope more people will try.