Alexandria…

Just Breathe – Pearl Jam

Yes I understand that every life must end, aw huh,.. 
As we sit alone, I know someday we must go, aw huh,.. 
I’m a lucky man to count on both hands 
The ones I love…

Some folks just have one, 
Others they got none, aw huh,.. 

Stay with me,.. 
Let’s just breathe. 

Practiced are my sins, 
Never gonna let me win, aw huh,.. 
Under everything, just another human being, aw huh,.. 
Yeh, I don’t wanna hurt, there’s so much in this world 
To make me bleed. 

Stay with me,.. 
You’re all I see. 

This is the first post / update I’ve made since leaving Cairo and returning home. It’s a strange feeling. Not quite home. A transition place. Waiting for the next step or phase to reveal itself. I’m catching up with friends, scouring for jobs, and spending a lot of time thinking over the last few years. It’s all still processing.

“If people bring so much courage to this world the world has to kill them to break them, so of course it kills them. The world breaks every one and afterward many are strong at the broken places. But those that will not break it kills. It kills the very good, and the very gentle, and the very brave impartially. If you are none of these you can be sure it will kill you too, but there will be no special hurry.”

- Ernest Hemingway

I had this Hemingway quote in mind while reading the headlines earlier from North Africa. My heart and thoughts continue to go out to all those still struggling to overthrow tyrants and dictators. To those hoping for a better future. And to those trying to build one.

Below are some pictures from our trip out to Alexandria. From Cairo, it’s only a few hour train ride. Quite pleasant compared to some of the other travel options I’ve tried over the last few years (Yes, India. I’m thinking of you).

After a few long hard months in Cairo, a trip to the ocean was amazing. The smell of salt in the air, the city itself had a more cosmopolitan feel (yes, this is code for western, i’ll admit it). The seafood was amazing. At one point K, myself, and some friends just sat on the wave breakers and watched the ocean. Cathartic fails to encompass everything I was experiencing.

Regrettably, some friends went out there after the recent revolution. Many of the restaurants and stores had been looted and destroyed, the police presence was almost nonexistent, and the harassment was staggering.

I think that, more than anything, describes the impression I leave Egypt with. It truly is a mixed bag. the high’s with the low’s. The lovely moments and experiences running alongside the anger and aggressiveness necessary to battle daily harassment and assaults. And I’m not a woman.

Many people continue to argue that the harassment is blown out of proportion or doesn’t really occur. Many that I have heard don’t want that to be the image of Egypt the rest of the world sees. That’s understandable. So do something about it.  A recent report I came across states over 93% of foreign women in Egypt experience harassment and assault. If that’s not the Egypt you want… if that’s not the Middle East / North Africa you want…

Alexandria pictures

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