Egypt Recap

Egypt... there is so much to say about Egypt....

I could begin with an expected commentary on how rich and vast the history of the country is.

I could attempt to explain the bizarre feeling of standing in front of a tangible relic of that rich and vast history.

I could delve into the intense topic of the ever-growing gap between excess of possessions and the lack of items necessary for life that Egyptians have.

I could write about my shocked reaction of entering a beautiful park in the middle of Cairo that was filled with young (and mostly Muslim) couples openly expressing their affection towards one another through holding hands, or sitting closely on the grass... something unlike anything I have seen in Amman where the topic of dating around or hanging out with someone of the opposite sex in a possibly affectionate manner before marriage is discussed very quietly and not often seen in the streets or parks.

There is also the comparison between my experience in the dry, water scarce country of Jordan that I have been living in for the past two months, and the green and lush fertile Nile delta that Cairo is placed.

There is that amazing fresh seafood meal that I ate while on a short excursion to Alexandria.

There is the experience of trying Egypt's national dish called Koshary, a bizarre but surprisingly tasty mix of macaroni noodles, tomato sauce, fried onions, rice and garbanzo beans...

Okay, enough of that. Bottom line is that Egypt exceeded all of my expectations. It is difficult for me to even begin to explain what my brief but packed seven day adventure consisted of. My senses were often bombarded by the heat that was still lingering in late October, the pollution that nearly every day inhibited a clear view of the city, the honks and yells and songs blaring from car windows and pedestrians... you all probably get the idea.

One thing I can say with confidence is that I am so grateful for the opportunity to travel to another country within the region of the Middle East. It is so important to expand your idea of what one culture may be like, rather than simply assuming that your first impressions, or even final impressions of one area, are the final say. One thing I learn more and more every day is that this region that is often clumped into one solid idea (especially from the view point of Americans), whether is be titled as the Arab World, the Muslim World, the Middle East, or any other generalized label, is in fact an enormously complicated and interesting jumble of separate worlds, identities and realities that has more differences within itself than similarities.

A lecturer a few weeks back made a brief comment on the fact that many people visit this region and find themselves "addicted to the problems." Although I do not particularly like to view individual's interests in the region as an addiction, I understand the point that he was trying to make through this statement. This area, that is so frequently described somehow as one big cluster with some unifying title, is a very complex and interesting area that never ceases to surprise people who were raised from within it, or others like me who are only beginning to explore the surface of these complexities.

The trip to Egypt brought all of what I have stated above to my personal attention as I am beginning to explore outside of Amman or the entire country of Jordan... I cannot wait to travel further in the region and continue to reflect on all of these experiences.

This entry was not as fun as I had hoped so I will attach some pictures to make up for that serious diary style ramble that I just went on...

Katherine displaying part of the delicious fresh seafood meal in Alexandria

Fisherman on the Mediterranean Sea in Alexandria

preparing for the Felucca boat ride on the Nile

Shop keeper in the small alleyways of Coptic Cairo

Some man trying to snap secret pics of our group... so my friend Christina snapped a little picture of him.

Does this picture really need an explanation?

from left to right, Christina, Victoria, Great Pyramid, Sphinx, Myself, Katherine

Cemetery in Coptic Cairo

A group of Egyptian teeny boppers that literally ran up to me like I was a movie star, took a picture with me, and then ran away screaming "OH MY GODDDD, OH MY GODDD"... pretty hilariously unexpected.

Laurentina and I at the Mohamed Ali Mosque and Citadel in Cairo

Camels near the Pyramids

Camel ride!