I recently returned from a week in the Dominican Republic, where I was invited by President Fernandez. I attended a Film Festival with my friend Omar Sharif and also received an honorary doctorate degree from the Catholic University.

I was invited to the Dominican Republic by President Leonel Fernandez, Maria Gabriella Bonetti, the Ambassador of the Dominican Republic in Egypt, and Kathleen Martinez, the Dominican Republic’s cultural attaché. They worked very hard to make this invitation happen, especially in trying to convince Omar Sharif to make this trip. He always complains that he is an old man of 78 and he can’t travel this much, but in fact he is only 77, and is in very good shape. He goes to the gym every day and keeps up his strength. Luckily, his son Tarek convinced him to come to the Dominican Republic, so he left the week before me with his son Tarek and his grandson Omar. They arrived at the Cap Cana beach resort in Punta Cana, and I joined them three days later.

I have to say, this place is a little piece of paradise on earth. The villas are beautiful, the architecture is unique, and the water is like a place of gold. It is a quiet place, each guest has their own space and no one can bother you. I spent probably the best three days of my life. I would get up late, eat breakfast in my room, watch TV, and just do nothing, for three whole days. This was the first time in my life I just relaxed and did nothing, and I think it was a good rest, because occasionally the body needs a vacation. Omar would get up late all the time, he would wake up at 2, then walk down the beach and go swimming, and then we would eat dinner at different restaurants on the island.

On our last day at the resort, Omar held a press conference saying that he would attend the 3^rd Annual Dominican Republic Global Film Festival. He held the conference in Spanish, and answered questions in that language. The press conference and the film festival were also attended by Michael Madsen, and American actor who has appeared in over 100 films and is known for his roles in action movies.

After the press conference, we travelled by helicopter to the city of Santo Domingo, and stayed in a nice hotel there. The next day we attended the film festival. They decided to have Omar arrive in a chariot, like his character in Lawrence of Arabia. He walked down the red carpet smiling and waving to the thousands of cameras, TVs, and screaming fans. Very few actors of his age still receive such honors, but Omar has charisma. I turned my head and saw Omar dancing Merengue, one of the most popular Dominican dances. He was so happy, and he was sitting with President Fernandez and his beautiful wife Margarita. It was announced that Omar was the guest of honor, and they showed a 15 minute film about his career.

I gave a public lecture at the foundation of the President, and I was happy Omar was able to attend and sit in the front row. The hall was crowded with people, and the most important thing I spoke about was the cooperation between Egypt and the Dominican Republic in searching for the tomb of Cleopatra and Mark Antony.

The next day, one of the most wonderful things happened. I was received in the morning at the Catholic University by Father Ramon Olonso, the Dean of the University and also Carlos Morales, the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Carlos had visited Egypt twice and we became friends, and he worked to grant me the honorary doctorate from the University. I was very impressed by the ceremony that the University held. When the national anthems of the Dominican Republic and Egypt began, I had tears in my eyes. After that they began to introduce all the professors, entering into the hall in their University robes with the students, who filled the hall. What impressed me the most was that Father Alonso gathered unique information about me and gave a beautiful speech about why they are giving me the honorary degree. I asked Gabriella and Kathleen to bring a copy to me, so that I can post it on my website, because he really spoke from his heart.

After the speech, I was presented with my honorary degree- a certificate, a medal and a ring, and I became a member of the University. I am very proud to have a degree from this University, the oldest in the Americas. I gave my speech about how science is important to connect scholars from different countries, and how conservation efforts serve humanity. When I received my degree, the First Lady, Margarita Fernandez, who is very well educated and friendly, invited me to speak at a school for children. She introduced me to them and left me to have a dialogue with them for one hour. It was a fascinating hour, talking with the kids about the curse of the pharaohs, Cleopatra and Nefertiti, pyramids, and mummies. It was a very unique and enjoyable experience.

After this I met the President and spoke with him and found that he is a very nice man, and very sincere. I was very impressed when I found out that he came from a very poor family and worked hard to get where his is now. I learned the story of how he worked his way up to being a successful lawyer and then President of his country. I think his story should be written in a book, so that young people may read it and be inspired, and learn how to be like him.