The story of an obsession
Maybe it was because of my father. He was once a cotton buyer at the cotton exchange in Bremen. He traveled to Egypt and Sudan in the sixties. From there he brought various souvenirs to us in little Ochtrup. There were three ebony elephants in the house, a wooden box with mother-of-pearl inlays, a vase and a bowl made of alabaster ...
Tom Otte 
Impressions 
Sailing on the Nile like in Pharaonic times.
Egypt - my exam topic
My teacher training in history and art led me to Professor Metzler and the history of ancient Egypt. He knew better than anyone else how to show the diverse connections between our culture and the Orient. A group of students with reform pedagogical aspirations came together and an excursion followed. This was my first visit to Egypt in 1979. Ancient Egypt became my examination topic with a focus on the art of the ancient Egyptians. That was at the turn of the year 1981/82.
In 1985, I had my state examination in the bag. I wasn't needed as a teacher. There was a huge glut of teachers at the time. So I worked my way through life and applied to Dr. Tigges Studienfahrten as a study tour guide. After an exam in which I had to prove my knowledge of Islam, Coptic Christianity and modern Egypt, I got the job. I first shadowed an experienced colleague and then became an independent tour guide at Dr. Tigges Studienfahrten.
Egypt won't let me go
Between 1986 and 1992, I traveled to the land of the pharaohs more than thirty times, by boat, bus, train, plane or Land Rover. I never had any problems. I was completely happy and enjoyed my job. My aluminum suitcase, which I still take with me on my trips to Egypt today, dates back to that time. Towards the end, things became more difficult. I got married and started a family. My wife insisted on secure conditions. New commitments tied me down. Egypt had a break. Later, when my daughters were grown up, I divorced my wife and a new love entered my life ...