I thought I would faithfully update this blog but alas I haven't had much enthusiasm with it.
I've been spending my time apartment hunting still, I found a great one but the paperwork fell through so the hunt will resume later this week or next because this weekend is Eid and nothing will be done at this time.
The week before last I celebrated my 30th birthday, it was okay definitely not a memorable one. Its weird being pregnant and a bit lonely on your birthday in another country. Ahmeds family was very sweet and surprised me with a cake which was thoughtful but I just wished to be able to spend this day with my love.
I have periodic love/hate days towards Egypt. I don't think it will ever truly feel like my home. I am too different from the culture to meld with it in the long term. In truth my nature is a bit on the quiet side, I love relaxation and no stress. I love feeling free and giggly also but I haven't had very many of those moments. I'm sure pregnancy adds to this also.
I'm ready to settle with a flat and begin the moving process. 6th Oct is a significantly quieter and cleaner satellite city of Cairo so its a great start for us. Ahmed won't be returning till Mid Oct so he's staying an addition month, three in total. I am both happy and incredibly sad for this. It's a great experience for him definitely but I wish he was here to experience our first child together, to feel her kicks or see her move in my belly. To talk with her and read to her. I wish for this so much.
Today has been a quiet day of reflection for me, not bad nor sad just quiet. I'm ready for the next level to begin in my life. I'm ready for it to build and for us to create the life we dream of. That wanderlust is still there.
I will keep positive and focus on the sunny side.
peace.
Sunday, September 4, 2016
Thursday, August 18, 2016
One Wedding and an Engagement!
Things have been really hectic lately, Ahmeds middle sister Rehab just got married to her fiance a couple weeks ago and the whole family trekked down to Upper Egypt...my oh my that place is a trip. It's like stepping back in time. Everything seems unchanged merely upgraded with things like running water an electric. I enjoy exploring it, the first morning I woke up and went out onto the balcony. It overlooked a field of corn and sunflowers growing it was so peaceful and very quiet unlike Cairo. I headed downstairs to check out some goats I saw meandering ( I like goats!) and Rehabs future mother in law saw me and took me arm in arm with her on a stroll through the village. We stopped at visited the local one room school house. It was so quaint and humbling something I haven't experienced before. The children were so sweet and curious about me and I was made the best cup of tea i've had in Egypt so far. After we finished I headed to her house where she game me a demonstration on preparing Egyptian bread called Aish...let me tell you it is not as easy as it may seam. They take the dough which is quite gelatinous and place it on a wooden perforated paddle then begin to hit it in a slight upward circular motion allowing it to flatten out to a large perfect circle...that is the most difficult thing in the world. I tried it and within one second i caused it to deform and clump in a large ball, apparently this skill takes years to acquire...maybe one day ;)
my view to the right
the aish before being paddled
Date palms, sunflowers and corn.
River separating two villages
Goat on a fence. I am supremely happy
I must say Egyptian weddings are quite comparable to an American wedding in the south. A week long celebration, dancing, shooting guns, loud raucous party the only notable difference is an American Southern wedding would have copious amounts of beer and liquor hahah but essentially the same energy. I was pretty partied out, there was something happening each night until wee hours.
The wedding itself was held in a city in Upper Egypt called Magagah. We left the village early in the day to have time to prepare for the nights festivities.
We stopped to enjoy an Egyptian favorite called Qasab (sugarcane juice) It's pretty good, I expected to be overly sugary but it wasn't, very refreshing
Quickly taken bad photo of me drinking it...but hey one its juice in a bag and two I was about 5 days in to village life when this was captured.
In Cairo the Tuk Tuk is a common cheap means of transport, in Upper Egypt horse drawn carriages are the equivalent.
The wedding hall they booked was quite lovely, I was impressed by the quality. I've been to two weddings so far and something I've noticed with them both they are very disorganized. Tables and chairs are usually clumped together very closely. No focus on the fine details such as center pieces. The music tends to be put to an epic limit that the chosen DJ who occasionally says something is unheard because there's no way they would turn down the music and by the end of the evening the grounds look like the finish of Bonnaroo or Coachella, lots of rubbish and odds and ends everywhere.
Rehab and Mohamed
Rehabs wedding was my favorite thus far because they had fantastic entertainment with whirling dervishes....oh how I love love love that so much, it was great to see everyone dancing...men women and children in a celebration of love. Once the wedding finished the bride and groom rode away on a convertible decorated with bows and flowers (common Egyptian car decor for these types of events) and a loud parade ensues behind them honking, yelling out...occasionally stopping to get out and dance. The procession follows them all the way to where they will be staying for the night, the bride and the groom leave the car and essentially the entire family and im many cases village send them off to their wedding night with well wishing, clapping and gleeful shouting...then the night is finished. The next morning the close family will cook them breakfast and check on them.
For me I thank God I didn't have this with Ahmed...I find the experience to be much to much and not classy but again this is their culture and not mine. I'm just here to observe and learn about it.
A few days later Rehabs husbands brother contacted the family and requested to engage Ahmeds other sister Rania....my illusion of quite bliss was shattered. I know this sounds bad but after over a month of having so many people in and out of the house and their being a constant tizzy I was anxiously awaiting the end of wedding season but here we are again. He came from Upper Egypt met with Rania and family, eventually skyped Ahmed to state his intentions. Rania accepted his proposal for engagement and marriage after two years and planning for the party was underway. It was had in the house here. The engagement party was nice as far as Egyptian parties go. Her friends decorated the room very beautifully. While the house was being prepped we went to a local park and I took engagement pictures of the couple, the sunset was a great time for the pictures and we we returned to the house about 100 or so people had already arrived (small by Egyptian standards hahah) there was lots of dancing and expressions of happiness, cake and soda and the evening wrapped up at a fairly good time. Her fiance will return to Qatar where he works in a few days and they wont see each other for the two years prior to their wedding.
From a western standpoint its still a concept I have difficulty understanding, granted it's more open then what I've seen from some Indian weddings requiring the acceptance of an arranged marriage.The engagement period is equal to normal boyfriend and girlfriend dating and there is the option to break it off prior. I do feel there's a underlying stigma if you break it off but I still have much to learn with this area.
Overall I'm very happy for them both, as long as they are happy I am happy and I wish them the best of luck in their new endeavors :D
I must say Egyptian weddings are quite comparable to an American wedding in the south. A week long celebration, dancing, shooting guns, loud raucous party the only notable difference is an American Southern wedding would have copious amounts of beer and liquor hahah but essentially the same energy. I was pretty partied out, there was something happening each night until wee hours.
Henna party in the village
The wedding hall they booked was quite lovely, I was impressed by the quality. I've been to two weddings so far and something I've noticed with them both they are very disorganized. Tables and chairs are usually clumped together very closely. No focus on the fine details such as center pieces. The music tends to be put to an epic limit that the chosen DJ who occasionally says something is unheard because there's no way they would turn down the music and by the end of the evening the grounds look like the finish of Bonnaroo or Coachella, lots of rubbish and odds and ends everywhere.
Rehabs wedding was my favorite thus far because they had fantastic entertainment with whirling dervishes....oh how I love love love that so much, it was great to see everyone dancing...men women and children in a celebration of love. Once the wedding finished the bride and groom rode away on a convertible decorated with bows and flowers (common Egyptian car decor for these types of events) and a loud parade ensues behind them honking, yelling out...occasionally stopping to get out and dance. The procession follows them all the way to where they will be staying for the night, the bride and the groom leave the car and essentially the entire family and im many cases village send them off to their wedding night with well wishing, clapping and gleeful shouting...then the night is finished. The next morning the close family will cook them breakfast and check on them.
For me I thank God I didn't have this with Ahmed...I find the experience to be much to much and not classy but again this is their culture and not mine. I'm just here to observe and learn about it.
A few days later Rehabs husbands brother contacted the family and requested to engage Ahmeds other sister Rania....my illusion of quite bliss was shattered. I know this sounds bad but after over a month of having so many people in and out of the house and their being a constant tizzy I was anxiously awaiting the end of wedding season but here we are again. He came from Upper Egypt met with Rania and family, eventually skyped Ahmed to state his intentions. Rania accepted his proposal for engagement and marriage after two years and planning for the party was underway. It was had in the house here. The engagement party was nice as far as Egyptian parties go. Her friends decorated the room very beautifully. While the house was being prepped we went to a local park and I took engagement pictures of the couple, the sunset was a great time for the pictures and we we returned to the house about 100 or so people had already arrived (small by Egyptian standards hahah) there was lots of dancing and expressions of happiness, cake and soda and the evening wrapped up at a fairly good time. Her fiance will return to Qatar where he works in a few days and they wont see each other for the two years prior to their wedding.
From a western standpoint its still a concept I have difficulty understanding, granted it's more open then what I've seen from some Indian weddings requiring the acceptance of an arranged marriage.The engagement period is equal to normal boyfriend and girlfriend dating and there is the option to break it off prior. I do feel there's a underlying stigma if you break it off but I still have much to learn with this area.
Overall I'm very happy for them both, as long as they are happy I am happy and I wish them the best of luck in their new endeavors :D
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
Dubai
Ahmed has been in Dubai over a week now, I'm so so so happy for this opportunity for him. It makes me happy that he can see another way of life now and know the world outside of Egypt, he finally understands my comparisons to American quality and standards as well as what its like to be in a place that spoils you hehe.
He really loves it there so perhaps one day we will move, I know the future holds lots of travel and new places for us so maybe it will be one place we experience.
His days are so hard early morning gym sessions, tanning by the pool and skiing all day hahaha really though the skiing is physically taxing but he takes it like a pro. When he returns to Egypt he will be an instructor as well as on Ski Patrol providing medical help during an emergency. I love that for him because it suits his nature he loves healing and helping people. I miss him terribly but 50 more days until he returns.
He really loves it there so perhaps one day we will move, I know the future holds lots of travel and new places for us so maybe it will be one place we experience.
His days are so hard early morning gym sessions, tanning by the pool and skiing all day hahaha really though the skiing is physically taxing but he takes it like a pro. When he returns to Egypt he will be an instructor as well as on Ski Patrol providing medical help during an emergency. I love that for him because it suits his nature he loves healing and helping people. I miss him terribly but 50 more days until he returns.
Tuesday, July 19, 2016
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
We went to the ministry so I can obtain my three year residence stamp, by 8:30 am it was busy and hectic as usual. I love walking through there and seeing the cultural fusion. Africans like Sudanese, Asians, Europeans, Americans, Various middle eastern countries represented like Syria (political refugees) Palestine (political refugees) Lebanon, Algeria, Morocco and more. So many different languages and varying fashion dashikis, kufi caps and Yoruba hats galore. After visiting several various windows and getting stamps we have to visit another government branch in our local area to complete the residence stamp so we will resume once the weekend is finished.
While waiting I starting chatting with a certainly nervous and out of place girl from America named Delta, it turned out shes married and in the process of getting her residence stamp. She just flew in yesterday from Oklahoma and Egypt has her on edge and unsure. They will be living in Alex. I spent sometime advising her and giving her words of wisdom regarding Egypt. Little tips and tricks that have helped me and explained that her feelings are typical for the west to east lifestyle adjustment. I gave her my email to keep in touch.
After we finished we walked behind the Egyptian museum to the microbus station and took a ride down the Nile Corniche. I love riding along this route because you are directly next to the Nile and you see lovely old architecture from the days of King Farouk as well as parts of the Nile that allow me to imagine what the days of the Pharaohs looked like, how wild--lush and green the land was.
The reason for this route is because we were heading to the Chalet that Rehaims husband was gifted for the day from the factory he works for. It was a really love two story place, spiral staircase two bedrooms with a balcony that looks directly at the Nile river. There's a large community pool for everyone to swim in, and swim we did for hours. Ahmed doing his random flips and tricks into the water. He ran into an old student from the PKE giza branch while there. I was happy to swim and lazy in the water. I have missed swimming so much. One thing I noticed though was most of the people in the pool could not swim, the pool edges and shallow side were crowded with bodies of woman, children and a few men splashing about, laughing, being silly and genuinely having a good time!
Me lol
View from the balcony
Zoro still napping lol
My favorite part after swimming, laying in the lovely air conditioned room, looking out at the Nile as we drifted off to a nap. We woke up had a bit to eat, went and sat outside on the edge other river watching fireworks and party boats zoom by.It was a great day overall!
While waiting I starting chatting with a certainly nervous and out of place girl from America named Delta, it turned out shes married and in the process of getting her residence stamp. She just flew in yesterday from Oklahoma and Egypt has her on edge and unsure. They will be living in Alex. I spent sometime advising her and giving her words of wisdom regarding Egypt. Little tips and tricks that have helped me and explained that her feelings are typical for the west to east lifestyle adjustment. I gave her my email to keep in touch.
After we finished we walked behind the Egyptian museum to the microbus station and took a ride down the Nile Corniche. I love riding along this route because you are directly next to the Nile and you see lovely old architecture from the days of King Farouk as well as parts of the Nile that allow me to imagine what the days of the Pharaohs looked like, how wild--lush and green the land was.
The reason for this route is because we were heading to the Chalet that Rehaims husband was gifted for the day from the factory he works for. It was a really love two story place, spiral staircase two bedrooms with a balcony that looks directly at the Nile river. There's a large community pool for everyone to swim in, and swim we did for hours. Ahmed doing his random flips and tricks into the water. He ran into an old student from the PKE giza branch while there. I was happy to swim and lazy in the water. I have missed swimming so much. One thing I noticed though was most of the people in the pool could not swim, the pool edges and shallow side were crowded with bodies of woman, children and a few men splashing about, laughing, being silly and genuinely having a good time!
My favorite part after swimming, laying in the lovely air conditioned room, looking out at the Nile as we drifted off to a nap. We woke up had a bit to eat, went and sat outside on the edge other river watching fireworks and party boats zoom by.It was a great day overall!
Friday, July 8, 2016
Nana
Today is one of those days of nostalgia, I miss my grandmother something terrible. She passed away a little over three years ago. She was in her early 70's seemingly good health and was attending college for early childhood education. She raised me, the only mother I ever truly know. The only comfort in a (pardon my language) fucked up family situation.
I wish she could have seen what has happened in the last three years, see the person that i've evolved into. I hope she would be proud. I lost 60lbs, I became motivated and disciplined, I found love, I move abroad (a long time dream of mine) and now a baby on the way. I wish so much for her to be able to meet our child and hold them like her other grandchildren and great grandchild before.
I wish to hear her voice and listen to her words of advice on giving birth and childrearing and be able to ask her details about my birth story. Everything happens as it's meant to, I know this. I just miss you Nana and I'm thinking about you. I hope you are at peace <3
I wish she could have seen what has happened in the last three years, see the person that i've evolved into. I hope she would be proud. I lost 60lbs, I became motivated and disciplined, I found love, I move abroad (a long time dream of mine) and now a baby on the way. I wish so much for her to be able to meet our child and hold them like her other grandchildren and great grandchild before.
I wish to hear her voice and listen to her words of advice on giving birth and childrearing and be able to ask her details about my birth story. Everything happens as it's meant to, I know this. I just miss you Nana and I'm thinking about you. I hope you are at peace <3
Tuesday, July 5, 2016
Our little bellpepper!
Sooo, it's finally time to announce our biggest surprise of 2016 for my lovely husband and I.
I'm pregnant!!
This is from our 11th week visit
Today marks my 18th week, we are both excited and I'm so scared! Being first time parents and in a foreign country has definitely added to it but I've realized I must be open to the experience. Babies are big business here. Egypt has one of the fastest growing populations and woman have been birthing since the beginning of time so this gives me confidence. I have Ahmed as my rock, he's so easy with all of this trusting and knowing everything will be great.
I visited my OBGYN last week in the hopes the sonogram would tell us the sex but alas the babies legs were close and he or she refused to show us so hopefully our next visit will reveal the gender....but I still might keep it a secret for people and do a baby pool.
It's such an amazing thing to see the baby moving around in the sonogram. My first visit at 9 weeks I cried when I saw it...like everything became so so real. It's amazing what the human body is capable of and how this process happens with little to no intervention from people like no matter what it will happen as it wants, It's humbling and inspiring.
wish us luck! <3
I'm pregnant!!
Today marks my 18th week, we are both excited and I'm so scared! Being first time parents and in a foreign country has definitely added to it but I've realized I must be open to the experience. Babies are big business here. Egypt has one of the fastest growing populations and woman have been birthing since the beginning of time so this gives me confidence. I have Ahmed as my rock, he's so easy with all of this trusting and knowing everything will be great.
I visited my OBGYN last week in the hopes the sonogram would tell us the sex but alas the babies legs were close and he or she refused to show us so hopefully our next visit will reveal the gender....but I still might keep it a secret for people and do a baby pool.
It's such an amazing thing to see the baby moving around in the sonogram. My first visit at 9 weeks I cried when I saw it...like everything became so so real. It's amazing what the human body is capable of and how this process happens with little to no intervention from people like no matter what it will happen as it wants, It's humbling and inspiring.
wish us luck! <3
Monday, July 4, 2016
Busy Busy!
We've
spent the past 4 days in Giza at Mohammad Tareks (DH's cousin), looking
at flats in 6th October, exploring the city and eating lots of
delicious food. We have picked our flat, the first one we looked at
with the open view. Ahmed called the real estate company and asked them
to hold it for us, so he can go in and sign the paperwork for it. I'm
super excited but also know the work begins once we sign the papers.
Ahmed will be in Dubai soon so while he is gone I will start painting
the bedrooms and accent wall in the living room. I want it to be so cozy
for Ahmed when he returns because I know he will be launched into his
work immediately. The Mall opens the beginning of September and I know
it will be nonstop through the next few months.
We took Rania (DH's sister) to have her first hookah session, she asked about doing it a few days before and 6th October has a really lovely outdoor hookah lounge with comfy seats, dancing lights and great juices/ice creams. They shared peach shisha and smelled oh so delightful. She liked it and was getting spacey and hilarious but she smoked too much and didn't love it anymore. I don't think she will be doing it again. It was a good time though!
I love the downtown area there are lots of shops and cafes, its super easy to walk and there's a beautiful grand Mosque. It was so vibrant while we were there, Ramadan puts people in such a happy mood and lots of good energy. Families and friends out walking, talking, laughing and just enjoying the beauty of life.
I had my first driving experience! I've been super nervous about doing it here because traffic is insane but I've been studying the ebb and flow for the 5 months I've been here. I feel much more confident with highway driving verses the city because of the level of congestion and tight spaces. I drove from the outskirts of the downtown to the highway. It was pretty natural feeling, I have to get used to the feeling of always paying attention for speed bumps. They are all over the roads and not colored to be visible. It was easy and I had no problems, we will see what city driving brings 0_0 lol
MT directed me where to go and we ended up at a random patch of desert just outside of the city. I parked and we headed into the desert where a lone random mini mountain was. We climbed to the top and were provided with a beautiful view of the city lights. I loved it the air was so clean, the view perfect and the energy was relaxing. Ahmed and I sat talking about our future and making plans. We are both excited for what is to come...its been a heck of a ride the past two years and 2016 has brought the biggest of surprises ;)
After 30 or 40 minutes a random man in a galabya arrived mysteriously in the desert and walked up the mountain where we were. Ahmed told me he is an Arabian bedouin and he makes his home anywhere he wishes. He can happily live at this place with ease and comfort. I love that so much. We headed out to leave him to his peace and headed back to Giza.I love driving back into Giza and seeing the pyramids, they loom out where ever you go. Megaliths to the ancient world, mysterious and powerful.
At some point during our time we headed to The Mall of Arabia and walked around it. Ahmed needed to get some things to prepare for his trip and I had a little slice of home while there. Cold Stone Creamery...my love! it makes me happy to share these experiences with him. The man who prepared my ice cream put on quite a show tossing the ice cream ball into the air, flipping it around, catching it with different scoops. I haven't had a show like that in the states every so 5 stars sir!
Through exploring we were able to find some really great affordable home good stores to furnish our flat with. I need to make a list soon to start preparing. I'm so ready and excited to move! I just need an internet job please God send me the right one. I need that cash flow to build up savings and prepare for the future. It's okay I know everything will come together as its supposed to and the right job will manifest.
Trust, Focus, Patience and then reward.
<3
We took Rania (DH's sister) to have her first hookah session, she asked about doing it a few days before and 6th October has a really lovely outdoor hookah lounge with comfy seats, dancing lights and great juices/ice creams. They shared peach shisha and smelled oh so delightful. She liked it and was getting spacey and hilarious but she smoked too much and didn't love it anymore. I don't think she will be doing it again. It was a good time though!
I love the downtown area there are lots of shops and cafes, its super easy to walk and there's a beautiful grand Mosque. It was so vibrant while we were there, Ramadan puts people in such a happy mood and lots of good energy. Families and friends out walking, talking, laughing and just enjoying the beauty of life.
I had my first driving experience! I've been super nervous about doing it here because traffic is insane but I've been studying the ebb and flow for the 5 months I've been here. I feel much more confident with highway driving verses the city because of the level of congestion and tight spaces. I drove from the outskirts of the downtown to the highway. It was pretty natural feeling, I have to get used to the feeling of always paying attention for speed bumps. They are all over the roads and not colored to be visible. It was easy and I had no problems, we will see what city driving brings 0_0 lol
MT directed me where to go and we ended up at a random patch of desert just outside of the city. I parked and we headed into the desert where a lone random mini mountain was. We climbed to the top and were provided with a beautiful view of the city lights. I loved it the air was so clean, the view perfect and the energy was relaxing. Ahmed and I sat talking about our future and making plans. We are both excited for what is to come...its been a heck of a ride the past two years and 2016 has brought the biggest of surprises ;)
After 30 or 40 minutes a random man in a galabya arrived mysteriously in the desert and walked up the mountain where we were. Ahmed told me he is an Arabian bedouin and he makes his home anywhere he wishes. He can happily live at this place with ease and comfort. I love that so much. We headed out to leave him to his peace and headed back to Giza.I love driving back into Giza and seeing the pyramids, they loom out where ever you go. Megaliths to the ancient world, mysterious and powerful.
At some point during our time we headed to The Mall of Arabia and walked around it. Ahmed needed to get some things to prepare for his trip and I had a little slice of home while there. Cold Stone Creamery...my love! it makes me happy to share these experiences with him. The man who prepared my ice cream put on quite a show tossing the ice cream ball into the air, flipping it around, catching it with different scoops. I haven't had a show like that in the states every so 5 stars sir!
Through exploring we were able to find some really great affordable home good stores to furnish our flat with. I need to make a list soon to start preparing. I'm so ready and excited to move! I just need an internet job please God send me the right one. I need that cash flow to build up savings and prepare for the future. It's okay I know everything will come together as its supposed to and the right job will manifest.
Trust, Focus, Patience and then reward.
<3
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)