Old really is good!

A couple of days in and I’m loving it. Haven’t been backpacking in a while so wasn’t sure how long it was going to take to get back into the swing of things. I can walk more or less upright with my bulging 47lb pack and carry my two extra bags without the need for assistance so apparently I’m good to go. Not for long periods of time mind you, but I’m hoping my stamina will improve. I’ve managed 7, yes SEVEN, very long flights of stairs up to a hostel without any sherpas so I think I’m doing ok. Was panting upon arrival mind you but yep, strong like bull!

For all of the warnings and worries, things here have been absolutely wonderful. Really! Tourism has been quiet, obviously, but the harassment has been minimal. Probably the least harassed I’ve ever been. Egyptian scoop is that one of the major roads heading south is closed because of some other ongoing protests but I managed to find an alternate route with no concerns. There seem to be endless numbers of police? military? crossing guards? in shiny white uniforms absolutely everywhere. Some seem to be tourist police, some are kinda trying to direct the absolute death race that is city traffic, and some are just there but they all seem happy, not the least bit on edge or irritable, and very welcoming. I know that things could go belly up in a flash, but for now, I really do feel safer here than in lots of the places I’ve already been. Everyone has been friendly, helpful, and “Welcome to Egypt!” Yay!

Forgot that hostel jumping isn’t my most favourite but what can you do when you’re roaming on the cheap cheap? So far it has been absolutely fine, it’s the 3:50am mosque calls that I’ve been struggling with. I’m hoping it will get better, that I’ll simply be able to sleep right on through, but yeah, air raid siren type of screeching in the still and quiet of what should be blissful early morning… ugh! Got up and watched these men dragging themselves down the empty streets to the beckoning mosque, bleary eyes barely open, rumpled and wrinkled, shuffling along in what seems like dead man walking instead of early prayer. Such a shame but good for them. I will never know that kind of discipline. And the permanent bruise/bump/indentations on their foreheads! I actually thought it was that last and final tiny tuft of hair on the very front of the forehead after the poor man had gone almost completely bald until I got a little closer. Oops. But yep, you can see a devout man coming from miles off. The price of prayer – wow.

Doesn’t it go without saying that everyone loves Canada? Somehow, somewhere, a phrase that I’ve never heard before has worked its way into Cairo tourist culture. I reply that I’m from Canada (because of course they’re always asking) and they laugh it up, “Canada Dry , never cry!” What?!?! What does that MEAN? How does that go together with ginger ale? Does that mean that we’re always happy? That we never drink? That ginger ale is the solution to droughts? I don’t understand! But almost every man has said this. The one woman (who was trying to sell me papyrus art) was the only one who responded a little differently; she said “Not Canada Dry, Canada FRESH!” Again… WHAT?!?! I don’t get it. Someone who has far too much time on their hands, please google this for me and find out. It’s absolutely hilarious. Always a big smile and often a fist pump in the air “Canada Dry, never cry!” I just don’t get it.

Met this cute little girl my first morning up and out. Swear to goodness that I thought she was a 12yr old waiting on her parents. When I saw her wandering around the hostel on her own, I asked her if she was waiting on someone and little Ms. Hannah replied that she wasn’t, she was supposed to be going on a trip that the hostel had arranged for her (at an astronomical rip off price!) but she misunderstood and thought they said 9am instead of 9pm. She was going to hang around the hostel all day until it was time to go. Oh no, no, no… come, let’s go walk the city. This sweet little thing is in her second year of university, history major of course, and was originally placed to do a study abroad program here in Cairo, revolution started, school didn’t (locked on campus of course), chartered out when things got hairy, then re-placed in Athens. Is here visiting where she was meant to be studying on her spring break. This sweet girl is so naïve that when I gave her one of my rings to wear as a wedding band, she didn’t know what finger to put it on, she has been here 3 days but only gone out of the hostel on group trips because she was too nervous to go out on her own, and has not done any exploring because she again, didn’t think it was safe to go alone. I couldn’t help but drag her with me.

She looked like a nervous little bird if we were approached with the usual rowdy “Welcome! Where you come from?” on the street and made ME nervous as she chatted away but almost got herself run over the few times she forgot to keep up as we crossed the chaotic streets. We ate at a local restaurant and then went to one of the fabulous street cafes where I tried desperately to teach her how to smoke a shisha/sheesha (I have NO idea how to spell it!) Epic fail. “Breathe IN Hannah, like you’re taking a big drink from a straw.” and she would puff up her cheeks and blow out, like making bubbles in her chocolate milk. It was hilarious! So I made sure I took a picture of her at least holding it so she can say she really did try the sheesha experience. Too cute. We’ll make an independent traveler out of her yet!

My trip to the pyramids was so … WOW! The hostel insisted that I should have a “driver”, that taxis would cost me a fortune, and there was no other way to get there. Really? Woke up, took the train and a taxi to the pyramids for less than half of what they said it would cost me. Shysters. Got lucky as I hopped into a train car that looked less full than some, only after we started moving did I realize that there are separate cars for women and men (of course!) and I ended up in the women’s one simply because I didn’t want to be crowded. Wonder what would have happened if I hopped in the wrong one???

Pretty sure I got fleeced on the camel ride thing but really didn’t mind so much. Showed up at 8am as the ticket office opened and was one of the only ones there. It was AWESOME! but a little bizarre as the pyramids are at the very beginning of the desert which is literally just on the outskirts of the city. Concrete roads, dirt roads, desert, pyramids. I guess I thought they were in the middle of nowhere but they really aren’t. Kinda took away a bit of the dramatics but still, I was overwhelmed. My chit chat guide, the eternal flirt as all of them are, kept me thoroughly entertained. He was walking and leading my camel as we were heading through the entrance area and when I asked him if he was going to walk the whole way, he said no, he’ll ride a camel. “A” camel. At one point shortly after this, he stopped the camel and hopped up into my saddle square in front of me. OH! You’re going to ride MY camel. Umm… okay. No worries, there was no touching involved and he was quite the gentleman, but yeah, I can just imagine how many young sweet things he has charmed the pants off of. Funny boy.

Ultimately, I really did get an up close and personal, private visit to the pyramids and the area so fleeced or not, it was worth every penny. I was a happy camper. A two hour tour turned out to be four and I was thoroughly exhausted and wobbly-legged at the end of it all. Managed the taxi and train rides all by myself and didn’t get lost on the way back either! For those of you who know me well, an absolutely shocking task as I have ZERO directional ability. Was meant to go to the famous Egyptian museum in the afternoon but the pyramid trip was longer than expected then I had to change hostels and after all of that, no strength left so decided to stay an extra day. It’s a museum, really, I guess I could have given it a miss but sure glad I didn’t.

Went a little before it opened thinking maybe I would avoid the crowds but apparently every tourist in Cairo had the same idea. So I wandered and puttered around town then went back in the afternoon. This museum is indescribable. I was there for almost three hours and really just skimmed everything. Two MASSIVE floors crammed with thousands upon thousands of bits and pieces, big and small, just every and anything you could imagine all there, some organized, cased, and labeled and some just there, piled up randomly, to be gotten to at some point. It’s unbelievable. Fascinating! Thousands of years of incredibly artistic civilization dug up and still being dug out! Hardest part for me? So many of the pieces are out, on display, too big to be encased or just shown better by not being encased, and everywhere there are signs that say “Forbidden to touch”. Are you kidding me?!?! I touch EVERYTHING, what do you mean I can’t touch?!?! Aaaaarrrrrrgh! It was truly painful to keep my hands to myself and not run my fingers along the inscriptions and sarcophagi and statutes and trinkets. Just not fair. But definitely worth sticking around the extra day, especially since there are so few tourists. Several times I was able to be in a room completely by myself! 4000 year old artifacts and me… wow.

So far so good and Cairo, while loud, dirty as hell, and full on CHAOS, has been the greatest way to start my latest journey. I am LOVING Egypt!

Can't sit still.

To continue on with the current theme of "Risk", I've decided to venture into the Middle East, all by my lonesome, to check out the birthplace of civilization. Unfortunately that birthplace continues to be in a somewhat sinister state of upheaval and revolution but I see that as opportunity. I mean, if tourists are fleeing, doesn't that mean better deals and less crowds for me?! I think so, my friends, I think so. It's all about timing and the timing seems perfect for a little exploring.

I'll be arriving into the chaotic and charming city of Cairo late Sunday evening and that's it. I have no plans. None. Have been kinda skimming some info on places to see and things to do but since my whole world was turned upside down a few weeks ago, I've decided to just go and see what happens. Dumb? Maybe. Exciting? Definitely! Whether I get to stroll around ancient streets or dodge the odd riot or two, I think I have some good things to look forward to.

No job found yet but I'm harassing schools and keeping my fingers crossed that something will come together for the fall. If not... oh who am I kidding? I have no idea what I'll do "if not". But really, I'm trying not to think about it. I'm not being afraid, I'm not stressing, I'm not planning. I'm going and I will do my very best to be wide open to opportunity. Suggestions are welcome, well wishes are encouraged, and emails are treasured. Now that I'm gonna be out on my own for the first time in a long time, I'm gonna need some online lovin'. Not THAT kind of lovin' you big pervs! Keeping in touch lovin'. Sheesh!

Hopefully I'll have some good adventures to fill you in on soon enough! Wish me luck! xoxo

Risk

My newest words to live by stolen from one of my old favourites:



I’d rather stand on the edge of a cliff
And hang my toes over a bit,
And then jump when they dare me,
Even if it scares me and I get hurt.
I’d rather build my wings on the way down,
Do my best not to fall to the ground
and then laugh at my mistakes
‘cause they're only lessons I’ll learn

I’d rather burn with desire deep in my soul,
And love like a fire that’s out of control, and laugh and dance and hope
and chance and kiss
I’d rather live my whole life
with a sense of abandon,
Squeeze every drop out,
no matter what happens.
And not wonder what I've missed
I’d rather risk.

Well I guess I could just play it safe
and forget about love, hope and faith,
with my eye on the shore line,
keeping my boat tied and staying home,

but I’ll never discover new land
by keeping my feet on the sand
No I’d rather set sail
and get carried away by the storm.

I’d rather burn with desire deep in my soul,
And love like a fire that’s out of control, and laugh and dance and hope
and chance and kiss
I’d rather live my whole life
with a sense of abandon,
Squeeze every drop out,
no matter what happens.
And not wonder what I've missed
I’d rather risk.
I would rather risk

I’d rather burn with desire deep in my soul,
And love like a fire that’s out of control,
I’d live my whole life
with a sense of abandon,
Squeeze every drop out
no matter what happens.
And not wonder what I've missed
Oh I just can’t resist,
The chance to risk

live and love and laugh and dance and fall and chance and kiss

I’d rather risk


***I KNOW there are some good Alberta folk out there who knew this word for word, I'm waiting for you to start living it with me!***