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.