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I am calmly drifting far above the hustle below. Luxor The dusty streets were silent, broken only by the sporadic bursts from the burners of the hot air balloons. Our pilot, captain Mahmoud, gently turns us around so we get an unbeatable God’s eye view reaching from the lush green corridor of the Nile To the craggy hills where the renowned Valley of the Kings lies hidden. I spin around to confront a mesmerizing display of a dozen balloons outlined against the glowing amber hue of the sunrise, glistening as it ascends above the skyline. When Mahmoud brings the balloon down toward the earth again, the support team springs into motion, grabbing onto the basket to facilitate a smooth landing. They call out to one another as they gather the fabric during its deflation, ensuring it doesn’t sustain damage from the uneven terrain of the arid landscape below. Read more: The top activities to enjoy in Luxor The captain says to me, "Observe the Egyptians at w...