It's been a long time

So I don't know who reads this any more due to my lack of maintence. I was getting a bit down on writing things because...well sitting in one place doesn't provide a lot of things to write about...until recently. A few weeks back, as i mentioned, I went to Amsterdam after dealing with the wonderful people at Egypt Air and the Cairo airport. Day two was sucsessful and I met up with my parents at the airport. It was so good to see them after being away for 7 months or so. We enjoyed our time quite a bit. We had a good dinner the first night and then the second day I tried to find them at a flower park which was huge! Finding Older people at a Older people tourist attraction is like finding a flower with four pedals instead of five amongst 1000 flowers with five pedals. But alas...we found each other and enjoyed the day together looking at flowers and eating soup. I actually liked taking pictures of the flowers and landscapes. It was quite different from the rugged terrain of the desert.

I then met up with My sister There and her partner Jen while my parents finished their cruise. We did quite a bit of shopping and seeing the more urban side of Amsterdam. I really enjoyed their company as well. We said goodbye to the folks at the airport and then ate lots of frites and watched wolverine and had some real nice north African food. We also stayed in the original Harlem which was pretty cool as well. I realized that I must be Dutch somewhere in the blood line because everyone thought I was dutch and automatically spoke to me in the language. We took a tour of the red light district as well which I have to say is a really strange thing after being in Muslim countries for the past half of the year. I couldn't figure out whether to be happy that the women were in safer environments or be upset that prostitution exists at all. Ah well..I made it through all the pot smoke and peep shows and moved on to part two of my European side trip.

I hadn't told many people...but I met someone back in early February. Her name is Shaista. She currently lives in Sweden. She's Pakastani, speaks perfect American English, teaches, has a degree in Comparative religions and is very active in the Swedish community in dealing with interactions and awareness of the Islamic community. Man what a score! So as things move very quickly in Islam I decided to visit her in Sweden since I would be pretty close in Amsterdam. I should say more like visit her family as they have the biggest say so ... after her of course. But if Mom and Dad don't like you...it's a no go. Her brother and I hit it off well as we are both into music and such. And So did Shasita and I for that matter. That was the first time we actually saw each other. Things are done so differently in Islamic culture compared to the West. I am confident in how they are done now that i have been around the religion and culutre so much but it really is hard for the western mind to wrap around commiting yourself to some one you don't really know. I was so used to dating and the long process it takes for two people to be ready to commit to each other. But it doesn't work that way in Islam. Sure you'll find the spectrum of people and how they go about their lives but most Muslim sisters I know don't want to mess around with the potential for heart break. It can be a loaded gun as the man isn't always the dream the women thought he was going to be. But what I've found is that what Muslim sisters want most is commitment...and I think any woman really. Not just commitment but loyalty and devotion in the worldly sense of the word. To make a long story short...you all are invited to the wedding : )

Talk about a life changing journey huh?

blllaaaahhhhahaaarrrrggghhhh!!!!!!

In case you were wondering, this is the written form of the sound of frustration. Indeed frustration has set in today in dealing with the wonderful "system" that is the Cairiean airport and Egypt Air. But I suppose frustration is a good thing in this case because it got me off my butt to write this blog entery.

So I was headed to Amsterdam today to visit with my parents for a few days and then my sister Therese after that. I get to the airport this morning after the usual haggle with the cab driver and am welcomed by a swarming airport that has no apparent system whatso ever. There are a few different security entery points and screens to tell you which flights are to which entery point. Amsterdam was not on there. So I just entered after some Egyptian lady brought me to the front of the line just to as for a tip. I went through security and then saw the madness wich is the line for Egypt Air...ok no problem. Then I hear a man yelling Amsterdam. Ok so I follow him to the check out desk to spped things up. Apparently I didn't have my ever important e-ticket # which is different than a confirmation #. "Go to desk 23 and get your number and then come back." Fine. Desk 23: "YOur ticket has been voided" WHAT? "Voided" It was voided right after the purchase. I searched what's left of my brain these days and couldn't remember reading or recieving anyemail describing this event...and i just checked last night! He says to go to the Egypt Air Ticket agency tantalizingly placed on the other side of the security points to talk to them about getting a new ticket for the flight but to hurry! I go to the security entrance nearest to the office and the officer says "go to gate one to exit" There are only entrances and no exits. I had this problem in Jordan when I entered the wrond terminal by mistake...they have t clear you to leave and all this garbage. Ok I went to gate one. "Talk to the main officer" Talked to the main officer. "You must have an Egypt Air employee with you." Back to desk #23 I need someone to help me leave i plead. He said ok but buy now the check in was closing. Why he didn't get some one to exit with me the first time? The System. So this guy leads us out through two more security checkpoints...both insited on seeing the passport...and then through customs...yes customs, to the outside just to have to walk around the buliding to the main entrance and then all the way to the office.

In the office: I asked the woman about my situation. She said " oh but you are confirmed!" WHAT?! "Oh but you've been voided" Oh ok. How? "Maybe in the computer or something." Ah yes...ok. She was nice though and got me a new ticket and told me t rush. So I rushed. Through security...through the lines to the counter. Amsterdam! I yell. You have to yell in Egypt to get anyone to notice you...it is quite regular. "When does it leave," he says to his partner. He tells me to wait in the line. Line is taking way to long. Amsterdam! I yell. I'm sorry sir Amsterdam is closed now...there is a half hour till the departure. I was dizzy by this point with anxitey. Back to desk 23. "I told you it was closed" But she said....ah nevermind any flights open today. Not today....another day. "Talk to the Office again" Yeah right ok...On the way out the gaurds made fun of me because I knew the "system" of exiting.

BAck in the office: "Did you tell him your story?" It's closed story or not. Can I go tommorow "Oh yeah sure but it will be 890 egyptian pounds more beacuse the 2nd class is full." But I didn't caus any of this! Oh yeah I forgot to tell you...It's no one's fault but yours in Egypt. I then checked with other airlines but no flights today...so i went with the 890 pound upgrade.

I had bargined hard for a bag in the Egyptian market. I was real proud of the bargining skills. Yeah it broke today amongst the madness...just one of those days. Al humdulillah.

gettin hot here!

summer is upon is in Egypt and here it all the way into April! For this entry I'll let you have a peek into my personal journal:

April 6 2009

I am still in Sairo. I have been presented with both the thought and oppurtunity to work here which is somewhat appealing. the most appealing part right now is living in a Muslim land and learning Arabic continously. There is still a lot left to be desired in Cairo however.

I had some nice experiences yesterday which once again revived my drive to continue this trip. A friend of Jamie's who owns a store is deaf or just mute (I couldn't tell) and has to be one of the most loving creatures. He was using his hands to tell a story that had to do with Sadam Hussien I believe. What a feeling...I can understand Arabic and yet here he was communicating in a completly different means. He wouldn't take our money for some bottles of water either. These types of experiences revive my love for humanity espically after the friday prayer.

We (all the students) gathered in front of the center after the prayer and a bit of lunch for a visitation to many of the graves of the great Awliya (saints if you will) in Cairo. It was very nice to be with the brothers and sisters outside of class and all of us with the intection to visit the various holy sights. We visited names like Suyuti and Ibn Atta Allah. It was so nice to be with my teacher Sayeed in his full Sufi form. (He keeps it hidden a bit in the center : )) After leaving Ibn Atta Allah's grave we came across a game of soccer in the street and we ended up running over the ball with our van! We were all very sad so I told the driver to stop and I ran out to give the boys money for a new ball, but they wouldn't take it. I'm not sure if it was good manners or pride, but I lean toward the first...I was astonished they refused since it was a very poor part of town.

So that wraps up this entry...more to come!

Ping Pong!

So I found something to distract me from learnig arabic...ping pong! One of my roommates bought a set we set up on the kitchen table and our syrian roommate who is a very serious student turns out to be a competitive monster! Well, the good kind of monster but he is totally addicted to ping pong and the ball hitting the table can be heard late into the night. We also have a rice or grean bean in play rule...if the ball hits a grain of rice or a green bean it is still in play! Quite frustrating if your side of the table had the messy eaters for dinner.

We've also been getting out of the nieghborhood for friday prayers and that has been enjoyable as well. I bought a camera last week and so I'm looking forward to getting back to taking pics again.

Still having a bit of anxiety about continuing the trip but I have gone into planning mode and and am preparing to push off in a month or so...looking forward to India and malasia espically! But Thursday nights help with the anxiety because all of the american brothers get together and eat together and then play basketball. It is a nice touch of home. But I have made a lot of good friends here and at the language center so I am not looking forward to breaking away from them but...the show must go on. But a few more thursdays first!

Stuck between a rock and a loud place

So I have some decsion making to do. I'n trying to decide if I want to go to Jerusalem next weekend and risk the Isralie stamp which would block me from visiting other places in the Middle East. I'm also trying to decide whether or not to go to Yemen next or later in the summer when there is a gathering which includes a lot of western Muslims learnig about sufism. But it is a forty day deal and that would put me into august...Ramadaan will be starting up in the end of August and it is really hard to travel and fast. So...I'm not sure. I'm looking forward to seeing India and the rest of the east but it is a bit intimidating because of the language thing once again and I'll have to go back to my akwardness of calling strangers for help and...well I'm just tired of that. But once again, the benifits of seeing these places while I am so close is winning right now. I'm in the middle now and I have to go one way or the other to get home....might as well see some new stuff is my thinking!

I had an experience in the cab the other night that reinstated my faith in people and the reasons for visiting places like this. The driver was an old man...hard of hearing. I bargined hard but felt bad because he didn't seem like he was hustling but needed the money more. When he found out that me and my friend were American Muslims he almost crashed the car in delight! ok...that was a bit scary but the beam in his grin was all worth it. He wished on me 10 babies! Wow...what a gift! ha ha ha. But he was so nice and sweet I gave him some extra money and left the cab feeling really good about meeting him as he drove off hanging out of the window (not watching in front of him) yelling his salaams and well wishes half way down the road. He would have givin us the ride for free I am quite sure...but I insited he took more than the fare.

My Egyptian friend Muhammed has invited me back to his home as well to visit with his kids who call me uncle! Home cooked meals and good family fun...I need to get married soon ha ha ha. But not with 10 babies.

So admist the horns honking, stomach ills, sinus issues, arabic struggles and planning anxiety I find myself still enjoying the whole experience so far...that's a good sign.

The stomach chronicles

Well folks, I have officially turned 32 in Cairo the other day. I went to watch a movie and get a burger from "Fudruckers" in reemberence of the day. It was nice. There is a really big, craziely over the top mall here called city stars. It really puts most of the US malls to shame if you are into the over the top materielest thing. But still it is a sniff of home and I couldn't help enjoy the familiarity of it all even if the clothes are way more expensive than our US ccounterparts. I have been pretty busy with school and extra curricular classes that I have even been to tired to focus on planning the next part of the trip. I still have doubts about continuing on but moreso because of the unfamiliarity of the eastern half of the world. And I will have to go back to calling people I don't know and being in unfamilar places everyday....but i do know the benifit of this so...

But first thing first...I have to heal my stomach. It has been messed up for about a month now...which I am glad in a way, that it waited until I am settled a bit. But yeah uncomfortable. I went to the doctors the other night but nto with out pulling a popular Thomas move and going all the way in just to turn around and leave because I just didn't want to go to the doctor. But it was al good and I have some meds...so I hope this clears up soon. I have to stay away from junk food though : (

Stuffed to the brim!

So I just left the downstairs neighbors house who stuffed my flatmates and I clear to the top! Homemade Egyptian food is the bomb! (good stuff: )) In fact I hadn't had any yet and it reminded me of Turkey which was a month and a half ago now. Where does the time go?!? I went to the Pharm. and got some meds I don't know...but I took them and the tummy is a bit better now. Just in time for the feast! Still digesting funny but there are doctors who specialize in stomach stuff right around the corner. I still can't believe that the meds were only 30cents! It is amazing.

I realized that I am very homesick these last few days but after seeing everyone...I don't know what I would be doing so I am content with studying Arabic. By the way the craziest product I have ever seen belongs to the Egyptians...or Arabs in general. "Be White" It is a cream that acctually lightens the skin! The picture is of a woman with olive skin and then an after pic with white skin! SubhanAllah! Very sad. There are these guys that come around the neighborhood and yell "bakiya" out really loud all the time too. They pick up recycles (anything including a kitchen sink) and the cotton candy man has an air horn and the gas can guys bang on the empty tanks. My point...Cairo can never and should never be called a quite place! ha ha.

Still haven't made around Egypt very much...I think I need to at some point...I am also having troubles deciding when to push off. I think I know that the middle east section of my journey is coming to a close (at some point) and therefor don't really want to leave yet. I'm quite sure I'll enjoy the rest but...I really do like it here.