Islamic Cairo

It is hard to believe but I am starting to grasp the tiniest bit of Arabic.  It has been extremely helpful and I am planning on getting an Arabic workbook to continue learning more.  However, the past 2 days have been easter holidays- who woulda thought?- so I have been slacking off on my development.  Everything is still going well- especially now that I am over my Egyptian tummy.  I must admit my face in the toilet of this hostel was not pleasant- but it could have been worse.  Just a short episode and I am good as new for a while ensha allah- god willing :)  I have spent more time touring the city the past 3 days, mainly in Islamic Cairo aka Old Cairo.  I attended a free performance of Sufi musicians and dancers.  I was blown away.  The musical talent was insane and the dancing was hypnotic.  The best thing I have done in Egypt so far.  I thought I had filmed a few minutes to post but apparently I can't work that function of my camera yet ;)  I saw a few more sights in the area too, below are some pics.  I have finally committed to leaving Egypt for a few weeks.  On May 2 I will fly to Amman and visit the sights in Jordan, head over to Israel and Palestine, then fly back to Cairo.

I have been wanting to give a breif update on the political vibe in Egypt for a while but obviously hadn't gotten around to it.  It appears the people of Egypt have won their battle now that the most corrupt have been put in jail including Mumbaric and his family.  If the stolen money is ever returned I think the people here will have a party like no other.  In the meantime, Egypt is exploding with ideas of how the New Egypt should look.  People have such enthusiasm for the future and take great pride in themselves for creating this opportunity.  "It's the revolution baby!" my Egyptian friend Gaser tells me time and time again...
 
On a serious note, the events in Syria are painfully real over here.  I meet people all the time from Syria who tell me about their past, the present and their hopes for the future.  I can't imagine having to fight so hard for basic rights and freedoms.  Egyptians believe the Syrians can do what they did.  I hope so, and I hope it happens soon.  Please do what you can to support the Syrian people in their protest for change.  I know it seems a world away but it is so important.

I hope all is well with each and every one of you.  Thinking of home but happy abroad,

Carrie

Cairo at night

As some of you know I do not take alot of photos, so last night I forced myself into tourist mode and took some shots of cairo at night.  They are kinda cool, but not sure why they all turned out this way.  The shots below are all at about 11pm on Mon night- just steps away from my hostel (Midan Talaat Harb, Nile River, Egyptian Museum).  As you can see, Cairo is really the city that never sleeps and I am in the middle of it all...Also below is some info on the arabic alphabet- which I can read and write (not words yet, just the individual letters when they come at the beginning of the word which is on the right side....its complicated).  I can also read and write the numbers too- helpful when shopping.  Arabic is not easy, especially the pronounciation since there are 3 sounds (i think) we do not use in the english language, but I am committed.  I will spend the rest of this week with my "private teacher" then I may finally go somewhere....Thinking of home but happy abroad.

Carrie

The Arabic Alphabet
Introduction to the Alphabet
• Arabic is read from right to left
• Almost all the letters in an Arabic word are joined together like hand writing
• Some letters can’t join because of their shape, but we’ll see them as they come
• There are 29 letters in the Arabic alphabet
• There is no such thing as capital letters versus small letters
• There is no such thing as printing versus hand writing , Arabic is all hand writing
• All the letters in the alphabet are consonants
• Vowels are separate marks that go on top or underneath these letters
• The letters are shown below
ج
Jeem (J)
ث
Thaa (TH)
ت
Taa (T)
ب
Baa (B)
ا
Aleph (A)
ر
Raa (R)
ذ
Dhaal (DH)
د
Daal (D)
خ
Khaa (KH)
ح
Haa (H)
ض
Daad (D)
ص
Saad (S)
ش
Sheen (SH)
س
Seen (S)
ز
Zaa (Z)
ف
Faa (F)
غ
Ghein (GH)
ع
Ein (?)
ظ
Zaa (Z)
ط
Taa (T)
ن
Noon (N)
م
Meem (M)
ل
Laam (L)
ك
Kaaf (K)
ق
Qaaf (Q)
ي
Yaa (Y)
ء
Hamza (A)
ه
Haa (H)
و
Waw (W)
• Each letter has 4 forms (which look very similar to each other)
o when you write the letter by itself
o when it comes in the beginning of a word
o when it comes in the middle of a word
o when it comes at the end of a word

Charming Cairo

After over a week in Cairo I have finally decided on some rough plans.  I will be staying in Cairo at least another week- surprise!  As you can gather from previous posts I have been really enjoying myself here.  So much so that I have extended my visa and have multi-entry status.  Now, I can come and go from Egypt as often as I like over the next 6 months- meaning Cairo will be my home base in the middle east.  But before I go anywhere I have committed to 1 week of arabic lessons with a guy here at the hostel.  Starting on Sat we will meet every day for a few hours and he will teach me.  I am starting to pick up a few phrases but arabic is really tough.  I think I will enjoy my visits to other countries more if I can get a basic understanding of the language :)  Yes, many people speak english- thank Allah- but if they don't things get pretty challenging.  So nothing really new to tell you about.  Hopefully more travel stories when I take off (possibly to Beruit) in a week or so.  Thinking of home but happy abroad.

Carrie     

A few things about Egyptians

After nearly a week in Cairo I can honestly say I am falling in love with this city.  I have not visitied many of the tourist attractions, but I have walked around, met some locals, and talked endlessly about The Revolution.  I feel like I am really learning about the spirit of Egyptians.  Stereotypes I didn't even know I had are being dissolved.  Couple things you may want to know: 

• In my last post I said I was coming home at 5am.  Do not read anything into this, it is normal.  The day ends late.  Lunch could be at 4pm and dinner at 9pm.  Typically I have been going back to the hostel at 2am but that particular night was the weekend :)
• Egyptians are some of the most friendly and hospitable people I have met.  Sure, there may be some unwanted attention or persistant sales techniques at times, but it is not a problem.  In fact, I am almost overwhelmed by the generosity and kindness of the people here. 
• I have never felt unsafe and it is fine to go out at night- even alone.  Evenings are my favorite time in Cairo, the city is stunning and the streets are alive.  
• At the protest last Fri there were men, women, children, foreigners and then some.  As I walked around with Ayman people would ask him for a drink of his water- which he would provide without hesitation.  The people take care of one another.
• Egyptians are very proud.  Their patriotism is contageous- I even have my own ``I love Egypt`` shirt now.
• Traffic is crazy, but I am getting the hang of it.  I think it adds to the uniqueness of Cairo.

This is only the surface of what makes Cairo so charming.  I am having such an increadible time here, it is difficult to think of going anywhere else- but I will eventually.  Below is a link to some more Egyptian music, this time more classic and some photos from The Revolution care of Gaser.  Thinking of home but happy abroad,

Carrie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7tvGuw7tCw

History in the making...

This is something I wrote yesterday but could not post due to internet problems. Enjoy.

It is 5am and I am returning to the hostel.  Because there is curfew between 2am and 5am waiting until 5am is the smarter option.  Unexpectedly, there is a military blockade preventing my friend from driving directly to the hostel which is steps away from Tahrir Square.  As we drive around the back we see multiple army trucks, the army on the street and protestors in the street.  When we arrive at the entrance to the hostel the door is closed with a chain around it which is unusual (security lets me in).  In my room I listen to alot of commotion on the street below before falling asleep... 

Earlier that day I attended the protest in Tahrir Square which had been planned for a number of days.  I was accompanied by my friend Ayman and was able to learn the purpose of the demonstration.  The protest was large- apparently nothing compared to The Revolution- but tens of thousands of people were there showing outrage for the current situation.  Here are the problems as I understand them:

·    Mumbark has commited a terrible crime against his people including years of corruption and the recent murders of innocent civilians.  The demonstration was filled with pictures of family and friends who were killed in The Revolution, people who were injured and lives forever changed.  Egyptians want justice brought to the ousted president who now hides in Sharm El Sheik.

·    Egyptians want real change to the constitution and sweeping change to the people who are in the government.  The previous referendum was a joke- not for real change only for superficial appeasement.  But the Egyptians are far too intelligent and they have a momentum of patriotism in their favour to create a New Egypt.

·    The protestors are saying if there is no move to meet their requests this week they will hold another demonstration on Friday April 15.  At that point the people will stay and protest until they get what they want.

Listening to the Egyptians and seeing the demonstration first hand I am truly inspired.  Here are real people who want to see great things for their country and all others who are in a similar state of oppression.  Amoungst the huundreds of Egyptian flags are also Palestinian flags and Lybian flags.  The demonstration is peaceful but very energetic.  I am moved by their passion and determination- never before have I experienced anything like it.  What you see on TV and read in the newspaper could never do justice to the real thing...   

As I write this I learn that people were killed and injured during the night.  It is a sad day and the hope I felt yesterday is replaced by fear that the current regime will use violence instead of diplomacy. Many of you are reading this in Canada.  I encourage you to join demonstrations and speak up about what is happening in Egypt, Africa and the middle east.  It may seem a world away but the people here are no different than you or I.  

I will be in Cairo at least another week.  I now have a mobile (thanks Ayman!) so if you feel like calling please do:  002-017-593-8501.  Also, check out the link below as well as some random pics.  Thinking of home but happily abroad,

Carrie   

http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=EG&v=3AXZ8dFvkFk

If this is any indication of my travels...

Wow, what a whirlwind arrival!  Although I have arrived safe and sound it wasn't without some excitment.  When I arrived at the Calgary airport dutifully 3hrs in advance I learned my flight had been cancelled.  Mechanical problems.  However, I was wisked onto a flight to Vancouver (thanks Kelsey and Kym for running with my bag!) to catch a flight to London from there.  I made that flight by the skin of my teeth too.  From there, I had to run (literally) to catch my flight to Cairo.  It is no wonder my bag did not make it :(  However, in Cairo everyone was very helpful and I am confident I will recieve my backpack soon.  The hostel is decent- I have my own room with a fan which is all I really need.  However, without my hostel sheet and shower sandles it is a precarious situation :)  So although the past 24hrs have been an adventure in themselves, everything has worked out really well.  Will write more soon!