Through the Crowd: Danika’s Giza Adventure

In this episode, Andrew sits down with Danika Duarte Smith, a dancer, educator, and travel writer, to talk about her unforgettable first trip to Egypt during Eid. While living and teaching in Iraqi Kurdistan, Danika took a week off to explore Cairo, including a chaotic and crowded day at the Giza pyramid complex. From refusing overpriced horse carriage rides to navigating mayhem at the ticket booth, Danika shares how a random act of kindness and a stroke of luck got her and her travel companions through the chaos—and into one of the most iconic ancient sites on Earth.

Guest: Danika Duarte Smith

• Author of One Year and a One Way Ticket, a debut travel memoir
• Founder of danikaduartesmith.com
• Former ballet teacher and language instructor
• Spent three years living and working in Kurdistan, Iraq

Topics Covered:

1. Introduction to Danika and her travel background
2. Living and working in Kurdistan
3. First impressions of Egypt during Eid
4. Navigating scams and chaos at the Giza pyramid complex
5. Finding help from a stranger in an overwhelming crowd
6. Quiet moments of awe behind the Great Pyramid
7. A side trip to Luxor and reflections on ancient civilizations
8. Teaching ballet and surviving earthquakes in northern Iraq
9. The story behind Danika’s first book—and what’s next

Resources and Links:

• Danika’s website: danikaduartesmith.com
• Her debut travel memoir: One Year and a One Way Ticket (Find it here)

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