Thursday, February 02, 2012

There's No Place Like Home

Hello, all! Well, I missed posting yesterday in a flurry of eating falafel, more falafel, lamb, more falafel. . . then a concert by Egypt's newest fusion group in Zamalek, a part of Cairo by the Nile.

I've posted a lot about all the wonderful things happening in the country at the moment; the hope and optimism in people's eyes that finally, their country might become something good again. In the words of one taxi driver: 'I just want to be able to live a dignified life'.

In the midst of any big change, there is always an element of struggle. I see it every day here in the mile-long queues for gas canisters; having to drive to ten different bank machines before finding one with any money; the escalation of violence amidst the lack of police presence on the streets. Last night's events -- where over seventy were killed at a football match in the north of the country -- have only served to heighten the unease people already feel.

Living in a constant state of anxiety, with the TV news always blaring the latest list of violence, would be enough to make even the staunchest revolutionary long for stability. After almost two weeks here, I'm longing to return to the relative calm of London. But for Egypt's citizens, this is their home. And they're absolutely determined to make it the best it can be.

I'll see you next Monday, when I'm back in the UK. Have a great weekend!

51 comments:

  1. Try and enjoy your last few days and take care! Have a safe journey back. x

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  2. I have really been enjoying your Egypt posts. Have a safe trip.

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  3. I have to go back to the rest of the posts, its been a while since I was around. Funny enough I also wrote a somewhat socially concious post today re. politicians in my country. Enjoy enjoy. I can't imagine how you're coping with the heat.

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  4. It's great to hear your ringside view on everything that's happening there, Talli.

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  5. Like Pavel's dog, if someone mentions falafel, I salivate...
    Enjoy your last few days - it's FRRRREEEEEEEEZING back in London!

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  6. Talli, I hope you enjoy your last couple of days. Safe travels back to London :)

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  7. It's amazing how smoothly things have gone considering the upheaval. Thanks for sharing your experiences and impressions.

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  8. It's definitely a most cathartic time for Egypt!! The aftermath of a violent revolution is never pretty - here's hoping Egypt will pull through ok!

    Glad you are coming home soon though! Take care
    x

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  9. Living in a country that is divided by war, I admire those in Egypt. They have fought for their human right and won. I do hope the unrest settles down and they can lead a settled life.

    Love the pics in the previous post. Keep having fun but don't faint anymore! x

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  10. You're seeing a very different way of life; makes ours look positively fluffy. Stay safe and come home well.

    CJ x

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  11. Talli, this post just made me think how we can't take the smallest things for granted. I am so thankful to live in a calm environment. It is also so inspiring reading your posts and how Egypt's citizens are fighting for their country...their passion. Amazing. Thank you and travel safe!

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  12. Hugs! Try to enjoy the rest of your trip and make it home safe.

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  13. Safe travels home...its been great reading your first hand account!

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  14. When we're living in a relative peace, it's easy to not see other conditions around us. Thanks for sharing your view.

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  15. Have a great time, safe travels, and look forward to seeing you back home safely.

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  16. Saw on the TV about the violence in Egypt. Take care Talli.

    Yvonne.

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  17. I think I would be nervous to be there right now, but at the same time - it would be an experience beyond any other. I love what you quoted from the taxi driver. That's really all that matters.

    Have a safe trip home.

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  18. Hi Talli (from a frozen Scotland!) I too have great admiration for the Eygptian people and my heart goes out to those struggling. I have been lucky enough to visit Eygpt on two occasions - one visit in particular was an ambition realised when I went to Cairo - but our wonderful guide on that day said to me something I'll never forget when I asked him about his life in Eygpt (pre-revolution. He said, 'I live my life but not by my own hand' and he was of course talking about the restrictions that were in place at the time. So I heartily wish freedom to him, his family, and all those who dream of it!xx

    Safe trip home Talli, and wear lots of woolies - it's minus 10C here!

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  19. I read about that football match; that definitely sounds scary, and I'm sorry for all the people who got hurt.
    I like that taxi driver's statement about a "dignified life", because dignity is definitely important. I think it can definitely define the choices we make because it makes us live up to a certain standard.

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  20. Enjoy the falafel! And have a safe journey home.

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  21. Thanks for these glimpses into Cairo life. The trouble with revolutions is that they happen gradually, or in fits and starts. It can't be much fun living through one.

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  22. The beauty of the revolution doesn't show all it's shining glory until the moment things seem settled. If they could occur without some kind of cost, there wouldn't be much in the way of revolution.

    Continue to be safe and enjoy the falafel and more falafel and have a safe return home.

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  23. Wow, you're in Egypt? So much going on. I really feel for the people. It WOULD be hard to live like that.

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  24. I'm hopeful for the best for Egypt, that the transition to peace and order will get smooth as time goes on. They do deserve what they've struggled to attain.

    Have a good time there, and a safe journey home!

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  25. Funny, whenever I listen to the news out of Cairo, I think of you. I don't really know you, yet I think about you. I hope for the best for Egypt but worry. There was a report on NPR out of Cairo a few days ago. The reporter was in a trendy restaurant that had beer and wine on the menu but when he asked for one, the waiter quietly explained that they no longer served alcoholic beverages because they were afraid of "the bearded ones". I worry about the rights of woman in the new government. Will there be someone strong enough to stand up for them against the bearded ones?

    Have a safe trip home.

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  26. I've got my fingers crossed for Egypt. I love that there's so much hope there--I hope the promises of that hope are fulfilled.

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  27. Man, I miss falafel a hell of a lot. That and deep-fried aubergines.

    The only downside to the Egyptian upheaval is that now it seems to have a domino effect and there's unrest quite regularly. I hope that there's some stability in the region soon.

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  28. The relative calm of London. Now there's a sobering thought. It's interesting to hear your insider view. Thanks for the updates.

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  29. It must be a little surreal in a place of such beauty contrasted by such sadness.

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  30. When I travel I'm in a constant state of heightened awareness: money, traffic rules, etiquette, how to say I'm lost in X language etc. It requires a lot of energy, but it also energizes, doesn't it?

    Have a safe journey home.

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  31. Do take care, Talli, and try to have as much fun as you can before you get back!

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  32. Egypt certainly has been in the news.

    Safe travels and look forward to hearing from you when you are back in the UK.

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  33. oh my goodness, you are so so brave. Safe travels!

    Loved seeing the pictures of the pyramids down below!

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  34. I hope you enjoy the end of your trip as much as you have enjoyed the rest of it. Take care coming home :-)

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  35. Have a wonderful rest of your FUN trip, and a safe trip back home to the UK. What a great opportunity, to see more of the whole wide world. :)

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  36. I can't imagine what it must be like to be living amid struggles like that.

    Safe travels!

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  37. Have a safe trip back, Talli! :)

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  38. The news hasn't been good and I've been wondering how it was going. I know you've enjoyed your trip but am relieved you're headed home. This is not a good time to be out and about. The news about Israel/Iran escalates daily. Don't like it one bit. We can't get suckered into another war.

    A safe journey home.

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  39. Wow yeah I can sort of understand you'd be eager to get home at this point.

    Glad you enjoyed some music and falafel (yum) anyway!

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  40. Poor people- have to live in that violence everyday. There's no choice for them. I saw the football match fiasco on TV in my country.

    Stay safe, Talli.

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  41. You conveyed the hardships, violence and heartfelt dreams that encompass Egypt in just a few short paragraphs. Thanks Talli and Marsha, and have a safe trip home. Julie

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  42. Enjoy you're time there -- how exciting! Safe travels!!

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  43. I have thought of you often there in Egypt. Terrifying and exhilarating at the same time. Have fun and be safe.

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  44. Enjoy your last few days. What a exciting trip.

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  45. Goodness! Have a safe trip. x

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  46. Sounds like you had an exciting time! And lots of great (and maybe some not so great memories) to bring back with you! Have a safe journey back!

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  47. Welcome back, Talli! Thanks for sharing your travels with us.

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  48. I thought of you when I heard about the football violence Talli, but didn't think you would have been there. I'm glad you're ok.

    We think things are in disarray over here, but like you say, it is calm to how it good be. Have a safe trip back.

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Coffee and wine for all!