Dear Paw Paw, Mom, and Jordan,
Sometimes you walk off of an airplane, and feel like you are where you belong. It happened to me yesterday afternoon when I stepped on to the Alexandrian airport tarmac. That was until I realized there was no ATM between me and the customs official. There is ALWAYS an ATM between you and the Passport official, but this time I had landed in an airport that had one gate... Moreover, contrary to what you start believing while you live in Bahrain, not everyone speaks English. The customs guy was really nice though and shuffled me around to several different people that each spoke progressively better English. At some point, it became clear that I needed to leave the airport if I was going to get any money from the ATM. So, the very official police guy walked me out of the airport and we found Simi, who gave me enough for a visa....and proceeded to ask me if I was a terrorist.
I am a nerd, and I think the visa stamp is beautiful....much like I think this entire place is beautiful. Last night after I made friends with Customs, Simi took me to get Koshari, which is the traditional Egyptian meal. It is like an Egyptian Chili made up of pasta, rice, lentil, chick peas, onions and garlic and adding to this chili sauce. The onions are fried and slightly caramelized. Delicious.
From there we met up with the AIESECers in Alexandria at a place called Montaza, it was the last king of Egypt's beach palace. All around us were beautiful gardens and it is cool enough to walk around. People where everywhere enjoying the weather and walking around. Kids played soccer while some folks were picnicking. In one ear rang the sound of the Mediterranean lapping against the shore and in the other the buzz of a place alive with people.
One of the women I am staying with is from San Jose, the other from Holland but spent a year in Cuba, Missouri of all places. She said it was the best year of her life....and she wasn't kidding.... We are living in the nicest area of Alexandria...though it doesn't feel that way from the apartment. But I love the place. No AC is needed we keep the windows open, and I don't miss hot water here. I hear students practicing violin, people chattering, dogs barking....and car accidents.
Egypt...well, there are lines on the road, but no one pays attention to those. Simi described it as a "herd of cars" You just move with the herd, and indeed herds don't move in straight lines...so why should cars? I have yet to see a car without a dent or scratch....so I won't be driving here like I did in Bahrain (where I already thought the driving was crazy).
I don't know what I will be doing today, but I am looking forward to my two weeks in Egypt.
Much love. I have attached a photo of Koshari, the Montaza palace, and my visa stamp....cause I think it is all pretty awesome.
Send my love to the rest of the family, and Henrietta.
Elizabeth
