Back in Cairo
What is it that strikes me most? Is it the Arabic pop music blaring from the cafe speakers? The thick Egyptian accent 'yez' of the seving staff? The fact that I can smoke inside the terminal bulding? The 100 "taxi, ya basha?" upon arrival? It feels good, if slightly disorienting, to be back in this massive, chaotic, bustling hub of the Arab world. Surely the Arab heart beats strongest in Cairo, umm al-Balad, mother of cities.My thoughts extend to those finer little things I love, freshly squeezed orange juice, an americano (long black in aussie) to quench my thirst (thi sis the coffee I always order when I'm thirsty, it's black but doesnt dehydrate you like espresso), the fresh new Moleskine diary with Italian all over it (my first real Italian Moleskine), the Italian Dunhills that are slowly running out (back to horrible Egyptian cigarrettes after that for a few days til I get back to the Gulf), the fine espressi, chinati, panini, pasta, pizza, fashion that I'm certainly going to miss and my one and only prized purchase from Italy - a Zara overcoat from Roma, a nice souvenir.
This cafe is an oasis of calm, I await my meter cab as I'm in no mood to argue over the fare with a wily Masri gentleman. In this oasis, my thoughts extend back to the people + work forever in the back of my mind. A Nigerian buddy calls inviting fun with friends. Work is waiting back in Bahrain, new interns arriving, Microsoft proposal, Gulf conference, MC applications, finances, logistics. My family is there, their kindness, generosity and love are never far from my mind. My friends, different people in different places, all over the world, all playing a different role in my life. People I miss, some intensely, some momentarily, some I should miss but don't and some I shouldn't but do. Bahrain, people, food, chilling... Melbourne, university, coffee, places... the strange turns my life seems to be taking... What will 2008 bring? What surprises?
Not now though - another shiny Egyptian visa sticker has invaded my worn out passport and my wallet is full of pounds. Time to get lost in a haze of smoke, 'habibis' , pollution, bashas, traffic and soul.
posted by LX @ 12:11 AM
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