This is like someone stumbling across a treasure buried in the most unknown areas of the Earth. This is one of the essays I wrote for a rhetoric class in my first semester, while studying in Egypt - the first place I travel and live in alone. I did not edit it, it is as it was. This is before I began developing my writing.
On my way to the pyramids, or just passing them to get somewhere else. Not sure, Haha!
November 13, 2009
And into Egypt
I’m off to Egypt to acquire higher education. See you in four years.
I have no idea what to expect from Egypt. Is it going to be sandy, dusty, modernized, civilized, like the mummy movies? Will I adapt? What do I expect? I received the good news of my acceptance. But what do I do next? How do I start a completely new life in a completely new place all on my own? It reminds me of getting on a fresh page for the purpose of writing a new story. Well, this is my story.
The three hour long flight was shared by a friend who discussed with me possibilities and expectations; ways to prepare. Prepared for what?—the Egyptian life or should I say, an outsider in the Egyptian world. He was an Egyptian and at that time an important asset—my personal guide. It was a pleasant flight followed with lots of small talk and laughter. There was not much you could do in three hours except for a short nap if you ever felt the need for it or perhaps a movie, if any were available.
The first sight of Egypt was within the airports—the baggage claim: that’s where I started taking in everything around me as ‘Egypt’. When travelling to a new country how do we take in the immense newness of everything or the intensity of being in a new environment? How do we accept that we are in a country different than ours? It would normally be from the first sight of land from high above through the airplane windows but I didn’t get the opportunity to sit by one and thereon my impression of Egypt starts from the baggage claim, within the airport walls where people just walk up to you offering help for everything and anything, expecting a tip. So this was Egypt. Not bad.
The forty minute ride in the congested vehicle that contained 5 luggages, me, my friend and the driver was bearable; at least for me. I looked out the window and tried to take in everything. Everything—from the empty roads of New Cairo to the crowded areas where the malls reside.
I’ve been in Egypt for over a month and it’s safe to say that I like it. But then again, the very idea of being in a completely new place all alone taking on some of the responsibilities of life in the hopes that it would shape me into a better person. And for now I am here, in Egypt.
Within the span of one month, I have done quite a lot. Apart from picking up a bit of the accent, I started bargaining like I’ve never before. And it’s surprising the range you were at and range you have reached which tells a lot about the product and vendor. I’ve visited various places. On the day of my arrival we were taken straight to the Nile which I did not expect to see so early. I visited the pyramids later on, took a walk in the crazy tourist markets, had a look at Old Cairo and plenty more of places. Is this enough? Not really. There are still a lot of places I haven’t been to, a lot of people to meet, a lot of things to see and a lot of things to experience.
I’m not sure what to say about Egypt. Should I talk about the culture, people, environment, the country itself, and the food perhaps? To be honest, I don’t have any idea what to say about them. I still did not hit the stage of culture shock. I’ve been debating with myself about this for a long time. Will I get it later or is it just that I’m coping really well? Maybe it’s because Egypt and where I’m from have some similarities …
From what I have seen in the past month I developed this impression that Egypt has a very mixed culture. It is not looked on like other Arab nations as a Muslim or Christian country. This has been the first time I come across a country that contains an Arab image with the diversity of two different religions. But what I also observed is the enmity between them. If only the country removed the line between those two commodities then the country would be a perfect place for inter-religious societies.
I came across a number of different people, all the way from private university students to the low class vendor. What everyone seems to be pointing out is the Egyptian humor that the people possess. I only came across a couple of them and so far they have been very kind and friendly, given you treat them the same way. As the saying goes, “give respect, take respect”.
I have to admit the environment is kind of nasty, depending on where you are going. What I would like to mention is the discrimination that can be plainly seen from class to class. We can see that those of higher class live in expensive compounds or those places known as ‘Gated Communities’. I find this utterly ridiculous. Maybe I am wrong. But to be a unified nation, shouldn’t the communities of different backgrounds and classes fuse together and be represented as one? Or maybe I am not investigating all aspects of the situation and should do a little more research.
And into Egypt
I’m off to Egypt to acquire higher education. See you in four years.
I have no idea what to expect from Egypt. Is it going to be sandy, dusty, modernized, civilized, like the mummy movies? Will I adapt? What do I expect? I received the good news of my acceptance. But what do I do next? How do I start a completely new life in a completely new place all on my own? It reminds me of getting on a fresh page for the purpose of writing a new story. Well, this is my story.
The three hour long flight was shared by a friend who discussed with me possibilities and expectations; ways to prepare. Prepared for what?—the Egyptian life or should I say, an outsider in the Egyptian world. He was an Egyptian and at that time an important asset—my personal guide. It was a pleasant flight followed with lots of small talk and laughter. There was not much you could do in three hours except for a short nap if you ever felt the need for it or perhaps a movie, if any were available.
The first sight of Egypt was within the airports—the baggage claim: that’s where I started taking in everything around me as ‘Egypt’. When travelling to a new country how do we take in the immense newness of everything or the intensity of being in a new environment? How do we accept that we are in a country different than ours? It would normally be from the first sight of land from high above through the airplane windows but I didn’t get the opportunity to sit by one and thereon my impression of Egypt starts from the baggage claim, within the airport walls where people just walk up to you offering help for everything and anything, expecting a tip. So this was Egypt. Not bad.
The forty minute ride in the congested vehicle that contained 5 luggages, me, my friend and the driver was bearable; at least for me. I looked out the window and tried to take in everything. Everything—from the empty roads of New Cairo to the crowded areas where the malls reside.
I’ve been in Egypt for over a month and it’s safe to say that I like it. But then again, the very idea of being in a completely new place all alone taking on some of the responsibilities of life in the hopes that it would shape me into a better person. And for now I am here, in Egypt.
Within the span of one month, I have done quite a lot. Apart from picking up a bit of the accent, I started bargaining like I’ve never before. And it’s surprising the range you were at and range you have reached which tells a lot about the product and vendor. I’ve visited various places. On the day of my arrival we were taken straight to the Nile which I did not expect to see so early. I visited the pyramids later on, took a walk in the crazy tourist markets, had a look at Old Cairo and plenty more of places. Is this enough? Not really. There are still a lot of places I haven’t been to, a lot of people to meet, a lot of things to see and a lot of things to experience.
I’m not sure what to say about Egypt. Should I talk about the culture, people, environment, the country itself, and the food perhaps? To be honest, I don’t have any idea what to say about them. I still did not hit the stage of culture shock. I’ve been debating with myself about this for a long time. Will I get it later or is it just that I’m coping really well? Maybe it’s because Egypt and where I’m from have some similarities …
From what I have seen in the past month I developed this impression that Egypt has a very mixed culture. It is not looked on like other Arab nations as a Muslim or Christian country. This has been the first time I come across a country that contains an Arab image with the diversity of two different religions. But what I also observed is the enmity between them. If only the country removed the line between those two commodities then the country would be a perfect place for inter-religious societies.
I came across a number of different people, all the way from private university students to the low class vendor. What everyone seems to be pointing out is the Egyptian humor that the people possess. I only came across a couple of them and so far they have been very kind and friendly, given you treat them the same way. As the saying goes, “give respect, take respect”.
I have to admit the environment is kind of nasty, depending on where you are going. What I would like to mention is the discrimination that can be plainly seen from class to class. We can see that those of higher class live in expensive compounds or those places known as ‘Gated Communities’. I find this utterly ridiculous. Maybe I am wrong. But to be a unified nation, shouldn’t the communities of different backgrounds and classes fuse together and be represented as one? Or maybe I am not investigating all aspects of the situation and should do a little more research.
The only sure thing I have to say is that Egypt is huge! And I hope I get to see at least some of it. I haven’t really been to the ‘real parts’ of Egypt but so far it seems like a country worth living in … which country isn’t? I like the history of ancient Egypt. It’s probably the most fascinating to read about.
People told me that I will be picked pocketed, harassed, ripped off … Well, so far nothing happened and I hope never will but I doubt my broken Arabic accent got me anywhere near to a fair price.
If I had to say something about Egypt, from a foreigner’s point of view after being here for a month or in better terms, a foreigner from the middle east, I would say ‘not a bad place’. It may have its ups and downs but overall I really enjoyed it.
The most common thing that comes to mind whenever one visits Egypt is the pyramids! I did visit it. I enjoyed the ‘experience’ but not the state I was in: sleepless hours, hot sun all day long and fasting during Ramadan … not a good combo. But it’s not something I regret. The pyramid experience was amazing. The moment I caught a glimpse of the pyramid from a distance, my body started building up with excitement.
We stood by the entrance to one of the pyramids, all ready. We ducked down, passed the entrance and into Egypt we go. That was one of the most serious travelling I have done. Travelling?—the physical and mental effect. Ducking that low and moving beneath for minutes and minutes hoping to reach the other end only to be followed by another passage was totally worth it. No, that wasn’t sarcasm. ‘I was inside the pyramid’. This very thought along with the current environment added to the realness of the situation, which I very much enjoyed—to have actually done what one would only talk about if they lived away from Egypt.
The Nile is like any ordinary water body but then again, I enjoyed the experience. Sleepless hours and the long felucca ride, well … not important.
Learning new things about Old Cairo was interesting. Visiting all the old churches where the Holy Family once came to; the thought of them being there before, to have actually been inside these very walls was the most exciting and intense feeling I came across during that trip. Don’t ask me why because I wouldn’t know too. It’s just one of those things you genuinely enjoy.
Besides all the sightseeing, the one thing that had an effect on me was the sight of poverty. I do not say it had more effect because of pity or common sense of humanity but because it was the first time I had to see with my own eyes the real downside to life. I do appreciate the life I have but this sight makes you appreciate it a little more—the little ounce that we are too lazy to grab.
Egypt, so far, is a really good place for people who have not lived in the Middle East to learn something about it. It will completely change their whole perspective on the different forms of lives that walk this earth every day.
One of the strongest impressions Egypt left on me is traffic! No, I do not mean heavy crowded non-moving traffic but the way the vehicles actually operate on the roads. Back home, each car would reside to a lane, there were always traffic lights and no one in their right mind would cross a busy road. What was crazy was the moving of the other vehicles in the same lane but opposite (wrong) direction. That was fine. I calmed down. There’s nothing to worry about. People are probably professionals in this. They’ve probably had a lifelong experience in driving and know how to handle the roads. This is how I calm myself down. I don’t really get worried but we all need reassurance.
I forgot to mention about the weather—pleasant. Where I come from, is very hot and humid. In Egypt, days are hot and nights are cold. So people who like different climates can at least enjoy the weather for one part of the day. I enjoy both.
What more is there to say about Egypt? If you want to start a new adventure, just dig a hole somewhere in the desert and you’ll end up finding a national treasure. But you don’t have to do that. All you need to do is visit the country … as Egypt in itself is a national treasure.
People told me that I will be picked pocketed, harassed, ripped off … Well, so far nothing happened and I hope never will but I doubt my broken Arabic accent got me anywhere near to a fair price.
If I had to say something about Egypt, from a foreigner’s point of view after being here for a month or in better terms, a foreigner from the middle east, I would say ‘not a bad place’. It may have its ups and downs but overall I really enjoyed it.
The most common thing that comes to mind whenever one visits Egypt is the pyramids! I did visit it. I enjoyed the ‘experience’ but not the state I was in: sleepless hours, hot sun all day long and fasting during Ramadan … not a good combo. But it’s not something I regret. The pyramid experience was amazing. The moment I caught a glimpse of the pyramid from a distance, my body started building up with excitement.
We stood by the entrance to one of the pyramids, all ready. We ducked down, passed the entrance and into Egypt we go. That was one of the most serious travelling I have done. Travelling?—the physical and mental effect. Ducking that low and moving beneath for minutes and minutes hoping to reach the other end only to be followed by another passage was totally worth it. No, that wasn’t sarcasm. ‘I was inside the pyramid’. This very thought along with the current environment added to the realness of the situation, which I very much enjoyed—to have actually done what one would only talk about if they lived away from Egypt.
The Nile is like any ordinary water body but then again, I enjoyed the experience. Sleepless hours and the long felucca ride, well … not important.
Learning new things about Old Cairo was interesting. Visiting all the old churches where the Holy Family once came to; the thought of them being there before, to have actually been inside these very walls was the most exciting and intense feeling I came across during that trip. Don’t ask me why because I wouldn’t know too. It’s just one of those things you genuinely enjoy.
Besides all the sightseeing, the one thing that had an effect on me was the sight of poverty. I do not say it had more effect because of pity or common sense of humanity but because it was the first time I had to see with my own eyes the real downside to life. I do appreciate the life I have but this sight makes you appreciate it a little more—the little ounce that we are too lazy to grab.
Egypt, so far, is a really good place for people who have not lived in the Middle East to learn something about it. It will completely change their whole perspective on the different forms of lives that walk this earth every day.
One of the strongest impressions Egypt left on me is traffic! No, I do not mean heavy crowded non-moving traffic but the way the vehicles actually operate on the roads. Back home, each car would reside to a lane, there were always traffic lights and no one in their right mind would cross a busy road. What was crazy was the moving of the other vehicles in the same lane but opposite (wrong) direction. That was fine. I calmed down. There’s nothing to worry about. People are probably professionals in this. They’ve probably had a lifelong experience in driving and know how to handle the roads. This is how I calm myself down. I don’t really get worried but we all need reassurance.
I forgot to mention about the weather—pleasant. Where I come from, is very hot and humid. In Egypt, days are hot and nights are cold. So people who like different climates can at least enjoy the weather for one part of the day. I enjoy both.
What more is there to say about Egypt? If you want to start a new adventure, just dig a hole somewhere in the desert and you’ll end up finding a national treasure. But you don’t have to do that. All you need to do is visit the country … as Egypt in itself is a national treasure.
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