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A Quarter In Egypt
( April - June 2003 ) |
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| -- By Hammad Shahid -- |
| Egypt itself located in Gulf and being an African country makes it more unique. Different because of a fact that the history of Egypt is 5000 years old. The oldest among all Civilizations. |
One of the Seven Wonders of the World.
The mystery of Pyramids hasn’t solved yet. Nobody knows who placed those numerous big heavy squares in such symmetry. Its also found that those heavy stones don't belong to Cairo. Who did this, everybody thinks for a while? Even in today’s modern technology, building such piece of art is impossible. We took so many pictures there. Pyramids are three in numbers.
Same area near to Pyramids there is a Phoenix (a statue also called Abul Hol). You would also find so many tourist guides near Phoenix who help you explaining the history of Pyramids/Phoenix. To see all these stuffs you need to pay 20 Egyptians pounds and 40 pounds extra to go inside the Pyramids, where you can see the mummy of Firon. The passage goes inside the Pyramids is so narrow that only one person nearly can pass it while bending downwards. It’s tough but adventurous.
In Arabic, the city is also called Sikandria. April 2003, we first went to Alexandria on a weekend (Friday, Saturday). We took Metro (train system in Cairo City) and reached main station in Cairo from where we took regular train for Alexandria. It took 3 hours total to reach Alexandria. Our first target was Alexandria Library – world third biggest library, which was opened for the public, a couple of months ago. In the past, Alexandria had same library at the same location, which was burnt by one of the emperor at that time. Making same such library was not an easy task for Egypt Government. Project took too many years to complete with lot of expenditure. Countless computers and books with latest technology subjects are shelved in the library.
After visiting library completely, we turned ourselves towards the shore of the Alexandra Sea near the library. Cool breeze was blowing and we felt swear cold. The major conversation topic among us was continuing blaming one another not to bring any sweater with us. Then we wandered in to the streets of Alexandria. All around, we mostly saw young couples. People of Alexandria are famous in their good attitude. They are more modern and civilized. It does mean that others are not.
Same day when we returned from our first tour of Alexandria we had decided that we would again leave for Alexandria some other weekend. And we did this. We again went to Alexandria. But this time we had our plans to stay at least two days near Alex beach. One of Egyptian Landmark employee, Waleed, was already welcomed us in Alexandria. He helped us in arranging a hotel near the shore of beach. We walked at shore whole day. Man, the view of sunset was worth-seeing. At night, we went to Pizza Hut in one of the Maul of Alex and after that, we enjoyed ‘sheesha’ in a place near to hut. Sheesha more resembles to Hukka we have in Pakistan. The only difference is the presence of sweet liquid Egyptians used in Sheesha with smoke. They used different flavors. Most popular are apple, mint and pineapple.
During our way back to Cairo, we turned to Seagull Restaurant in Alexandria. It’s not only a restaurant but a place having huge collection of old and precious antiques. They have play land for children there and a small zoo having collection of birds and animals there. It is really a must see place that can’t be explained in words unless a person go there and see it with his eyes. Seafood served at SeaGull was tasty and would remember to us.
This is the world third biggest zoo. Cairo itself is a big city and zoo is located in Giza, which is the other corner of the city as compared to Maadi where we live. We took again Metro train to reach there. One should have at least 5 hours to see the whole zoo. Two incidents I would like to mention here specially. One; we took a picture with a real Anaconda and second; a picture with a real lion cub. We enjoyed our trip.
Khana Khalili is also located in Cairo. You need Metro tain or taxi to reach there. Most of the people prefer to go to Khana Khalili to buy saviors and Egyptian antiques. It’s a big market having shops of cotton, dry fruits, and many more things. Regardless of buying any antiques, we mostly used to go there for sheesha. Mostly young university/college groups come Khana Khalili and enjoy their time sitting together with singing and dancing alongwith sheesha. Sometimes we also join them. They appreciate us with clapping but of course didn’t understand what we are singing and we do the same when they sing Arabic songs. Strange situation. Isn’t it?
Well, language is the biggest problem a foreigner can face in Egypt. We Pakistanis resemble with Egyptians. They first considered us as an Egyptian but when we start communicating with them in English, they asked either we are Indian or Pakistani. Mostly taxi drivers suddenly increased their rent once they recognized us as a foreigner. Once you tell them, you are Muslim their second question would be, "then why we couldn’t speak Arabic." Well, nobody can answer such questions. One word they used most of the times is Alhamdullillah. Learn Arabic to a good extend and if you cannot do this than unless you learn a sentence, "Arabic Shoai Shoai" (I know Arabic 'little' 'little'). Alternatively, you can say, "Mufeesh Arabic" (I don’t know Arabic).
The best place for Sea Food. It is located in front of Sofitel hotel Cairo. We always remember this place. We gave farewell party to Ali Raza at that place. At that time, Amir Riaz was also there, who came to Cairo for 1-week software training. We laughed, talked, walked, smiled together and had our best time. In a true meanings we missed both of them when they left.
We, Egyptians and Language
Regardless all these problems at the end I would like to say that one learn something under these circumstances.
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