As with every travel to a land whose identity is far different from our own, the mind gets so overwhelmed with visual, audio and other sense’s impressions that memory soon fills up and starts to filter only pieces of what has actually happened. It conserves only the most spiced up crumbs from what has been a satiating experience into the unknown. Two weeks in Egypt might seem like plenty of time to sightsee and even get a local camel ride but in truth it does give you the time just to dash across a million attractions among which the unexpected is certainly the most savored one just like a camel kiss!
Cairo
With its 18 million official inhabitants, which more likely amount to an estimate of 22 million, Cairo is the heaven of chaos, dirt and pollution. The roads feature everything form luxury cars to rundown carts but most of all irresponsible kamikaze taxi drivers. It hosts one of the largest miracle sites in the world: the Giza pyramids, which are a challenge to explore inside. It also features a rich national museum where the mask of Tutankhamen looks straight at your face (just like the millennia old cynical Sphinx!). the city is wonderfully diverse where wonderful Islamic architecture blends in easy with some of the oldest churches around. The mosque and museum of Mohamed Ali, the founder of the Egyptian state, and to the delight of all us, an Albanian by origin, are other must-sees in the metropolis. And to connect it all, there is the cradle of life, the source of all organic energy, the vast dark-green Nile sidelined by lush gardens, old boats and panoramic bridges.
The 22 million people do not make Cairo a city of hasty, cold and rude hosts. On the contrary, in a night walk it is easy to find a bank guard who will offer you tea in exchange for a few words, a souvenir seller who will playfully compliment your fair complexion without trying to sell you anything, neighborhood crowds who will get up from their relaxing shisha and try to show you the way though they don’t speak a word of English, a math’s teacher who will do the bargaining with your taxi driver just because he thinks everybody should be treated fairly.
Alexandria
In Alexandria one feels at home, because of the Mediterranean sea breeze (that smell of sea that is unparalleled anywhere else!) that opens the nostrils. A magnificent library that towers in the distance and dignifiedly replaces the ancient wonder of the antique world, the whitewashed glare of the castle the overlooks the magnificent waters and the enchanting fountains that add a dab of artful color to the city streets are unique features of the 7-million Mediterranean jewel.
The red sea and the rainbow fish
Why would they call a deep sapphire colored blue heaven red sea will always remain a mystery for me. Perhaps the clue lies in the red coral barriers that lined the costs. A weekend in Sharm el Sheik is rarely a usual treat given the luxury of the place but above the imposingly wealthy resorts, the true magic of the place lies in its rainbow colored fish swimming next to you. To reach Sharm el Sheik one has to go through a six-seven hour drive in the desert and see the oasis spring up in the middle of the dunes while the imposing Sinai Mountain looms large in the horizon. Strings of palms line up the coast while a wonderful orange sunset paints the skyline.
Egyptian media
If I was asked to describe the media world in Egypt after having met several journalists, news speakers, editors and employees of radio and television channels I would summarize it in one sentence: Diverse and rich in content, limited in editorial freedom. And unfortunately with a flare of Anti-Jewish and anti-Israeli sentiment that mirrored the graffiti on the streets. No intention on my part to judge history, yet the fact that the media has been always a factoring fueling up dangerous situations should be a reason of promoting and not avoiding discreteness. All Egyptian TV channels are owned by the state and there is considerable amount of control from the associated Ministries. On the other side, Egypt sits as the headquarter base of the Arab league and coordination of information is a large part of the control agenda.
Daily miracles and Egyptian people
Egypt for me was the land of surprises and nothing surprised more than a personal little accident which informed me a lot about Muslim societies. Trying to take a picture, I must have slipped my wallet somewhere in the street carrying my personal documents and a considerable amount of US dollars, lucrative for every lucky passer-by. When I returned to my hotel depressed and lost though I received a message of my found wallet which was UNTOUCHED! This little incident which turned out to be a joyful memory made me respect the 22 million Cairo people. The chances for this to happen even in my small provincial home-town when everybody knows everyone are pretty slim. Complemented with the hospitability, the respectable faith and the warmth of Egyptian people, I must say there is something admirable in the soul of the country.
