Saturday, 24 March 2012

The Ann Wigmore Institute

Getting from Egypt to Puerto Rico was an experience.  I managed to trade my Egyptian mobile to the cabbie in exchange for a ride to the airport.  From Cairo I landed in Madrid and slept (on the floor) in the quietest airport I have ever been to.  I accidently tried to get on a flight to San Jose instead of San Juan, and finished the journey via an 8-seater prop plane.  With a big sigh of relief, I finally arrive at the Ann Wigmore Institute.
 
But the sigh of relief turned to panic the next morning when reality set in.  At 6:00am I was awaken by the dreaded bell which summons us for classes and meals.  At 9:00am I was faced with my first meal- Energy Soup.  Energy Soup is best described as green slop-some say you haven’t lived until you’ve tried it (sarcasm gets us through the day here).  But in all seriousness, the AWI is turning out to be the best thing I have ever done for myself.

At the AWI we have a set schedule including yoga, drinking wheatgrass juice, lectures, food preparation classes, planting and growing classes, and nightly enemas (no joke).  The meals are all made of live (sprouted) and raw foods.  And although the Energy Soup is always accompanied by expletives, I know it is the healthiest meal I have ever eaten.  

The institute is steps away from the ocean, the air is fresh, the weather is a perfect mix of sunny and stormy, and there are people here who are weirder than me.  Ahhhh, this is paradise.  Thinking of home but happily abroad,

Carrie





Wheatgrass!





Wheatgrass juice facial 



Saturday, 10 March 2012

Goodbye Egypt


As I write this I am aware reality has not hit me yet- I am leaving Egypt for good.  I have mixed emotions but overall I am happy.  I am happy because I am on my way home- eventually.

Living and working in Egypt has been interesting to say the least.  My flat was gorgeous but came with 99 problems.  Our slimy landlord was infuriating.  My roommates brought out the worst in each other.   And what were beautiful, tree-lined, quiet streets during the day became dark, secluded and dangerous territory at night.  I started to dread my shifts at Gold’s- it is disappointing an American company would adopt the poor working standards of Egypt.  But as frustrating as Egypt can be it will always have a spot in my heart. 

Since I have been slaving away the past month you can’t blame me for wanting a proper vacation before returning home, hehe.   I will be spending the next month in Puerto Rico.  Don’t hate.  On Sunday I will have my feet ``safely`` planted on American soil.  I will be headed to the Ann Wigmore Institute for some detoxification, rejuvenation and re-Westernization.  I will also be learning about sprouting, indoor gardening, indoor composting and more.  I have wanted to visit the AWI for the past 10 years, so I am very excited to end my travels there.   Thinking of home but happily abroad,

Carrie

Revolution Graffiti




My gigantic Egyptian apartment