Egypt - my affection
Part II - My affection
My trip to Egypt has confirmed to me that I do not belong to the developed world. Too much order makes me feel living in a clean and organized jail. However, Egypt (esp. Cairo) is the other end of the spectrum.
I developed my affection to Egypt is largely due to the contrast between Dahab and Cairo. One is extremely calm and peaceful. The other is chaotic and full of energy. Speaking of contrast, Cairo is the king of it:
I am still amazed by how rushed the traffic is. Drivers drive like being chased by cops. Padestrians have no patience to wait for the green lights. Even the green light is one, it does not mean the cars will let you pass! (No point of waiting then!) Meanwhile, when I saw business men sitting down in a cafe with their bags next to them (obviously in the middle of running erands), ordering a tea and a shisha, I could not help smiling - this is the way of life! How cool it is to have the mood to chill in such a crazy town! =)
In Cairo, you can see a bit of everything: buildings built when the country was economically strong 50 years ago, traces of French colony, Arabic architectures, English billboards, modern skyscrapers, even Pyramids and Sphinx! It is a muslim country but it is also midterranean. Educated people speak English today but French used to be the posh language. (So you see French signs from time to time.) There are quite some fancy shiny cars as well as poor old ladies sitting on the floor selling packages of tissues. Fancy restaurants are as filled as street side tables. There are hot Arabic chicks with western apperance driving a car as well as men with black marks (due to praying 5 times/day for many years) and fully vailed women walking around. Most interestingly, it is a dictatorship country (it always means strict censorship) but you can go with a landing visa!!!
This really amazed and made me wonder - where is this country heading? How it will look like in another 50 years time? Will it grow strong economically? Will it be less religious? Will it be more westernized? Why the oldest countries are not economic super powers today? How can we capitalize on the old wisdom and heritage?
Anyhow, I was stunned by Egypt. I wish I can go back again to check out Alexandria and a bit more of Cairo since it was such a rush this time. Being a shopping maniac, I still feel a pity that I did not get a good souvenior shopping tour by Gara. It seems there are reasons to go back. =)
My trip to Egypt has confirmed to me that I do not belong to the developed world. Too much order makes me feel living in a clean and organized jail. However, Egypt (esp. Cairo) is the other end of the spectrum.
I developed my affection to Egypt is largely due to the contrast between Dahab and Cairo. One is extremely calm and peaceful. The other is chaotic and full of energy. Speaking of contrast, Cairo is the king of it:
I am still amazed by how rushed the traffic is. Drivers drive like being chased by cops. Padestrians have no patience to wait for the green lights. Even the green light is one, it does not mean the cars will let you pass! (No point of waiting then!) Meanwhile, when I saw business men sitting down in a cafe with their bags next to them (obviously in the middle of running erands), ordering a tea and a shisha, I could not help smiling - this is the way of life! How cool it is to have the mood to chill in such a crazy town! =)
In Cairo, you can see a bit of everything: buildings built when the country was economically strong 50 years ago, traces of French colony, Arabic architectures, English billboards, modern skyscrapers, even Pyramids and Sphinx! It is a muslim country but it is also midterranean. Educated people speak English today but French used to be the posh language. (So you see French signs from time to time.) There are quite some fancy shiny cars as well as poor old ladies sitting on the floor selling packages of tissues. Fancy restaurants are as filled as street side tables. There are hot Arabic chicks with western apperance driving a car as well as men with black marks (due to praying 5 times/day for many years) and fully vailed women walking around. Most interestingly, it is a dictatorship country (it always means strict censorship) but you can go with a landing visa!!!
This really amazed and made me wonder - where is this country heading? How it will look like in another 50 years time? Will it grow strong economically? Will it be less religious? Will it be more westernized? Why the oldest countries are not economic super powers today? How can we capitalize on the old wisdom and heritage?
Anyhow, I was stunned by Egypt. I wish I can go back again to check out Alexandria and a bit more of Cairo since it was such a rush this time. Being a shopping maniac, I still feel a pity that I did not get a good souvenior shopping tour by Gara. It seems there are reasons to go back. =)
posted by Jingwei @ 7:45 PM
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