Nothing to See Here, Move Along

Interesting day. I've of course put together a draft to talk about the protest and getting held by the police and making it out fine. But as of a few minutes ago I was informed I should erase anything and everything having to do with my attempted journalistic piece. The Egyptian National Security contacted my uncle and will be meeting with all of the men of the family here in the home tonight. Pray that nothing of interest happens. 

I'm going to go dye my hair now.

Peace.

Protest Breaks Out

I don't know if should be afraid or not to be a journalist in a country so near to war and so torn by political struggle. But I'm not. I only post this before I go so that everyone knows what I saw in case I'm not back to tell it. I also need to compose myself.

Women dressed in all black and covering their faces so that they can not be recognized took to the street today. It must have been at least 40 of them standing in front of the two semis. We went by slowly in the taxi but the police motioned for us and other cars to keep moving. I'm going back to see what happened.

What I saw were angry women bearing home-made signs and chanting. One sat cross-legged on the ground in front of the truck; and the truck blared its horn in return. She wagged her finger gently to say "no." The barrels that filled the trucks all had "Electrol" written on them. We speculated that it was some sort of petrol or olive oil or other supply in transit to Israel. 

Whatever it was, the locals were angry enough to risk their lives. Although I am genuinely not afraid of local military police, I do know that I am interested enough to risk mine. 

Be back soon.

Teen Shoka (Cactus Fruit)

My uncle has a farm where you can literally get lost. I know this because I got lost yesterday on it. I was in a state of panic because my family has ways of pranking each other. I was pretty sure that they left me behind. It was getting dark and the rows and rows of olive trees looked the same and so I wandered. I also had little hair-like thorns all over my hands and face and somehow on my tongue. I'm the silly bum who thought you could bite them off.

We were so careful when we pulled the thorny fruit off of its large cactus. Poking it with a stick and keeping a distance from the large thorns that protruded from the plants we thought we would have a nice little treat. So much for that idea. Apparently the little teeny tiny thorns aren't really visible to the human eye until they have gotten all over your clothes. 

Growing up in the midwest I definitely got to spend time on some farms and get lost picking apples at Stephenson's Apple Orchard. But this is a first. I actually did the thing you see in cartoons and old westerns. I got beat by a plant. I green thorny cactus plant that was angry I stole its fruit.

My family didn't leave me. They were waiting by the car and laughed hysterically at my painful mistake and the fact that I got lost. I guess it was a funny sight to see. Victoriously I showed off the fruit wrapped in paper. At the moment I was sure I wanted to eat it just to prove that I won. But, I probably won't even look at it again. Now that I have finally gotten all of the thorns out of my fingertips I am a little fearful of getting hurt again.

An apology

After 3 weeks of being too happy with life and busy to publish an update I am moved to blog. I have to first say that there are a million things I have wanted to write about but instead just made rough drafts. Now I really regret not publishing all the happy things that have happened because this blog is a very sad one.
Today I found myself crying again. A few weeks back I cried because I visited the graveyard where most of my family has been burried for generations. I was sad because I felt so distant from my grandfather. I wished that I had been around to absorb his personality and ethics. But the sadness was mixed with so much happiness. I was part of a family of revolutionaries. Each individual had a story of fighting for freedom or against colonization or oppression. Each one was religious and political and was a leader in their own way. I was part of a dynasty perhaps. Death is the only things that really moves me to tears. Today again I think about those who have been lost over the years.
Today I cried because another family friend passed away. I was unhappy with myself for not being there by Sarah's side at the Jinaza (funeral). Hassan was young and did not live up to his dream. I can't blame Allah (God) because ofcourse we all come from him and we all will return to him. Allah has plans that we don't know and so we all must put out trust in him.
But I can blame myself for not being a better friend to Sarah. I wish I could be there for her right now to mourn the loss of her youngest brother. Sometimes people let stupid things get in the way of the big picture. I always thought I looked at the big picture, that I wanted to be a leader and to leave a positive impact in this world. Right now I don't feel as though I have lived up to my expectations.
I am on the other side of the world right now. But I hope all my friends can forgive me if I ever wronged them. I know its a sad way to look at things... but at this point two people have died while I was travelling. So if I didn't say goodbye to you, if I ever offended you or if maybe I owe you 5 dollars, please forgive me. A lot of the time we take eachother for granted and expect things to be the same next time we meet.
I am not planning on going anywhere if you need me. So please don't go anywhere. And please take care of yourselves and eachother.

Egypt Smoothie

Imagine for just one moment that you have an extremely large blender. If you were to put the traffic, smog, old buildings, history and pride of Cairo into a blender you would create something tinted gray. I think the nutrional value may be high but the taste bitter and so uninviting to someone who hasn't experienced it before. Making the same cocktail of Leawood, Overland Park and the greater Kansas City area would provide a greener, fruitier taste. The manicured lawns and well-paved streets would perhaps make this drink more thirst-quenching. But the best smoothie of all would have to come from Al Arish. The old city, the salty Sea, the simple life of fishing or farming would make the most colorful, tasteful and coveted drink of all.

I haven't invented the super-sized blender yet. Instead I take in each part of the experience separately and allow them to mix in my head. I grew up on the Leawood/OP/KC cocktail and never felt thirsty because I had what I needed. Going to Cairo gave me too much big city in one sip.

I think I always longed for the simpler life. I can go almost anywhere and close my eyes and hear the waves hitting the coast. A 5 minute jaunt can take me to Reesa beach or an outdoor cinema or to the shopping district. And 5 minutes later I can be back in my grandmother's living room listening to her sing or pray.

I guess the point of this posting was that I was sorry for not posting more frequently because I don't want any one memory to fade. I just wish everyone I knew could have a chance to live in Al Arish, for one week even. Changing your surroundings really is the karmic gatorade you need to jump start your life.

Every suburban kid needs to take a breather in a small city so that they can really appreciate the things they take for granted. I am beginning to see what life is really all about.