Eskandareyyaty

UPDATED

ma3shookaty.. Pretty excited about my trip to Alex next weekend. I have three good Alexandrian friends. They're all working in Cairo, actually all except one. That one has decided to leave Egypt, for the third time. He reminds me of myself, except that I switch jobs every 6 months, and he switches countries every 9 months. He really does. That's what Cairo does to you. Whenever I start thinking of myself as crazy, I like to remember him to know how much sanity I have left.

Well he got a new job in England now, new country for him. I, am counting the days until he decides to come back. Can't imagine he'll stand it there. Slough is one dead city, and the UK is by far not as good as Canada. Its pretty close to Egypt though, so that should be good. Well, I have four friends (non-virtual friends) now in England. Are we the ones invading them now?! Reminds me of Season of Migration to the North by AlTayeb Saleh. That was a good novel, sexual invasion of the North, not bad. I keep thinking that if this friend of mine has a blog, it would be a replica of Big Pharaoh's. Crazy as shit. Anyways. Good luck up there my friend, and don't come back soon.

I'll miss this guy in Alex next week. The other two should make it up for me though. They don't know each other that well, and one of them will be really busy with his wedding --which is the reason I'm going-- that I probably won't see him for long. The other guy will show me some fun there, or atleast that's what I'm hoping. Well, he's engaged now so I know there will be some limits, but all I want is a traditional trip really. A traditional trip in good old Alex. I know the Squash game planned with this guy is not really an Alexandrian thing, but it sure should be fun to go to Sporting Club (which beats any club I've been to in Cairo), and kick this guy's ass in court.

Two of my Cairene friends had intentions to join me, but its better without them. One of them wants me to drive there, but hell no, I'm enjoying the train, especially that this is the reason you're not coming. I hate cars actually, especially driving them. What kind of a guy is that? you say. Yeah I know, but hey, I love sex. That makes for a much better ride I would say.

Lots of good memories in Alex, mostly from college days. I haven't been there in almost 6 years now. Actually, I went for a few hours over a year ago but felt like a stranger. Alex is always great though. Unlike Cairo, that drained woman which had too many experiences with mean men --a bitch, Alex is a classy lady. High heels, wavy long hair, full makeup, wet wet wet, and artificial boobs (after that latest plastic surgery on the Corniche). I didn't like that Corniche the last time I was there. Fake boobs indeed, looks good from far away, but feels terrible. Can't walk on the Corniche anymore without being scared of a fast moving vehicle hitting you. Can't sit and enjoy the sea with the sound of the waves and the breeze anymore, because the cars are moving so fast you can't hear anything, and you're all covered with car exhaust after a few minutes of sitting there. You ruined that Corniche Mahgoub.

Forget about sex, a good woman is one that can feed you well. And Alex can sure do, fish in Bahary, foul at Awad, kabab at Balba3, feteer at what's his name, pudding at Saber, sheesha by the sea, and watching hookers dance on the Corniche at 1am is not a bad way to have dessert either. I think I'll skip zan'et elsettat this time!


Post-arrival thoughts

Alexandria

Lovely two days in Alexandria. She treated me well. I don't mind spending a few months there. Very cosy and family-like trip. Worst thing there are the Cairene tourists. I still dislike the Corniche. My first impression was right, it feels terrible. I figured the solution though; make the Corniche a pedestrian-only road, except for public transportation, and build all the highways needed in the backend of the city. Also, disallow Cairenes from entering the city with their cars.

I've realized that El Mahgoub, Alexandria's Governor, is not as good as I thought he was. He basically sold the city out to the businessmen. Alexandria did not infact improve.

My friend's fiance had a 'potential bride' for me. I told her that I'd love to marry a girl from Alexandria. Good excuse for me to come more often.

The best part about that trip was a book that I'm reading, which I'll probably write about sometime this week. Oh, for those who might wonder why I didn't blog from Alex. Well, the Internet has not reached there yet.

Terrorism, etc.

My friend who works in the tourism business in Cairo called me on my first day there, and told me, "Are you happy now?! Tourism has been killed today. I'll probably be unemployed very soon." Well my friend, you've always wanted to change your field of work, I guess its about time now buddy.

What did those terrorists do anyway?! They get dumber by the day. They'll probably join their friend from AlAzhar bombing and take that same divine express lane to hell. That lane is getting more crowded every day.

I don't sympathize with those terrorists, but I don't blame them. I blame our government and our society. These guys and girls have had it, and are frustrated like hell. Their message which they were never able to say was, Enough.

A screwed up Cairene family blew themselves up and went on a shooting rampage. Crazy Cairenes! What can we expect though when Amn Eldawla tortures all of Bashandy's (Azhar bomber) family!

Just now, I'm starting to feel the Spring's wind of change blowing. What should I hold on to if I don't want to get blown away with it? Or should I just avoid it all together and find another place to be?

Well tourists, its been nice having you here. I guess you won't be coming for a while. I know your throats and stomachs were not slit like in Luxor in 1997, but if Cairenes are getting that desparate and crazy, then you ought to be careful. Just know one thing. You were not meant by this, and they had no grudge against you --even though you were shot. It was done out of revenge at our repressive government.

Ruby and the veil

While I was in Alex, I got the chance to see that video clip with the veiled girl and Haitham Saeed. To be honest, I had a preconceived judgement about the clip before I even saw it. A veiled girl in one of today's porno clips. Can't be good. With people claiming that the girl is dancing in the clip. Can't be good. Are we promoting such behavior for veiled girls as well now, flirting, dancing, and making out in public?! However, seeing the clip, I think its actually very cute. They did not touch or hold hands a single time. The girl is actually very cute and sweet. The guy was flirting in a sweet way, nothing dirty. I think the clip is actually good. It might be even promoting that veiled girls can be respectable, sweet, as well as normal people. All Ruby and morals aside, Sherif Sabry (the clip's director) is good at what he does. And may I dare to go as far as saying that the girl is cuter than Nancy Ajram!

What about me?

I think I'm close to making a final decision. Time to take a good break from Egypt. I've made too many trials here, on different fronts. Time to give up. The well composed PhD plans don't seem to be working, but that won't stop me. Time to make that move and quit my job before I rot in it. September sounds like a good time to take my couple of years break, leaving behind my parents, my country, and everything good here, for alot of unknowns back there. Need a good change, a different change, hopefully a better one. Even if it doesn't work, it'll still be a good break, a much shorter one, and probably a rather safer one.