tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60846098683399242972024-02-20T21:55:57.713+02:00Amreekia min Bab Al SharayahQueen O'Danilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05405302077898466959noreply@blogger.comBlogger74125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084609868339924297.post-26047799717446358662010-12-25T09:03:00.005+02:002010-12-25T09:17:21.785+02:00On the road again!!!This blog is public again... <P><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQyhSSrIB9VQWKZ8RrCCxdzxqMUqeu2l0RmMkmAQnr_C2lrs1Bo6nI9a9ygnFC-EKCzrh54asR_yJ5yykmYXNGID5jxCAcdDzUvo-xl6lqlQqgV85QqRcIW3LHPfu8zJnXqDTMYlu6KE0/s1600/egypt-moving.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 264px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554514768501616226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQyhSSrIB9VQWKZ8RrCCxdzxqMUqeu2l0RmMkmAQnr_C2lrs1Bo6nI9a9ygnFC-EKCzrh54asR_yJ5yykmYXNGID5jxCAcdDzUvo-xl6lqlQqgV85QqRcIW3LHPfu8zJnXqDTMYlu6KE0/s400/egypt-moving.jpg" /></a><br />so you can read all the background of how I got to Egypt. But I wanted a new place so <a href="http://amreekia1.blogspot.com/">here</a> it is. In chronological order, you can start here at this blog, <a href="http://queenodanile.blogspot.com/">go here next</a>, then onto <a href="http://amreekia1.blogspot.com/">my newest home</a>! Come join me. Enjoy!Queen O'Danilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05405302077898466959noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084609868339924297.post-6654214696889770052009-08-22T13:41:00.001+02:002009-08-22T13:42:29.317+02:00My new blog...Hi All! It's public! <a href="http://queenodanile.blogspot.com/">Here!</a>Queen O'Danilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05405302077898466959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084609868339924297.post-84930844948328453472009-08-19T07:48:00.004+03:002009-08-27T09:12:00.039+02:00Updates...and getting ready for RamadanHmmmm.....where do I begin? Well first of all, I want to ask the few people who have access to this blog to please join me as a follower--widget in upper right hand corner. Because that's the only way you will know I have updated. I am thinking either to make this blog public again, or transfer this basic blog to another url--not sure but "follow" me and then you will know what's happening. I really want to get back to blogging regularly, but every time I turn around, someone "discovers" who I really am--last time it was my crazy ex s-i-l and time before that was my husband--haha--I really prefer more anonymity. So I can say whatever the hell I want and get things off my chest! I seriously do need to vent sometimes--otherwise I would go crazy. And I think there are important issues that I, as an ex-pat, need to address without fear of reprisals. Anyway, step-by-step I will find my niche and hopefully stick to it.<br /><br />On another front, my husband and I spent Monday in Khan al Khalili, which is a huge--and I mean HUGE--souk in Cairo. Think Moroccan bazaar kinda place. Monday was the day before our wedding anniversary. We had originally intended to spend 3 days--Mon-Wed at Ain Sukhna, a resort on the Red Sea. But with Ramadan beginning this Friday or Saturday (depends on the moon) I thought it was just too rushed, because Ramadan requires mega shopping/preparation.<br /><br />I will do another post on this trip to the Khan/Ramadan--hopefully later today and upload some pics. Meantime, will try to add some readers. This blog was going pretty good when it was public--I'd really like to get it up and running again!<br /><br />Hugs to all.....<br /><br /><embed src="http://text.glitterfy.com/show.swf?message=Amreekia&font=http://text.glitterfy.com/fonts/plainn_lib19.swf&glitter=http://text.glitterfy.com/glitters/glitter83.swf&clickURL=http://www.glitterfy.com/&clickLABEL=Glitterfy.com&bevel=1&shadow=1&glow=1&blur=0&fade=0&blink=0&gb=2&ga=0.6&gi=0&gc=13119232&bb=2&bc=0&sb=7&sa=0.7&si=0&sc=0&blb=7&ls=0&fontsize=72&num=83" quality="best" wmode="transparent" bgcolor="#ffffff" name="Glitterfy Text" allowscriptaccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" align="middle" width="275" height="139"></embed><br /><a href="http://www.glitterfy.com/"></a>Queen O'Danilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05405302077898466959noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084609868339924297.post-91525775018385813532009-06-11T07:59:00.004+03:002009-06-11T09:32:23.492+03:00And the ticker says...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-AQ0OwYBuuMZXIZSgrqGNJmu5_Y-if5CfNPgjJsUIlmCLQW1DW3PB2CdtR59pzO3o02FnktvLV1S_VXS2HoggzA0jmGW7zBTWYEZqMOYWNcKeK9hSzYn_R3Wurl5LCla1jDSoaV-_eY/s1600-h/expat.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 305px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-AQ0OwYBuuMZXIZSgrqGNJmu5_Y-if5CfNPgjJsUIlmCLQW1DW3PB2CdtR59pzO3o02FnktvLV1S_VXS2HoggzA0jmGW7zBTWYEZqMOYWNcKeK9hSzYn_R3Wurl5LCla1jDSoaV-_eY/s320/expat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345954099447544690" border="0" /></a><br />13 months and 2 days in Egypt. I've been here over a year now and I guess it's time to update and give an evaluation of sorts. Overdue in fact.<br /><br />First I have to say I missed writing on this blog. I missed the many readers/commenters/friends that came with it. Unfortunately I am still keeping it private, but I think it's better that way. I recently closed another blog because my ex s-i-l discovered it--and me--on Twitter. I dont want any connection to my insane brother or anyone in his family from back home. That was a nightmare in my life and I am so thankful it is over. I moved on to bigger and better things and just want that part of my life to be as far away as possible. So the blog will remain private, but I will add readers.<br /><br />So how was my first year in Egypt??? Well the first thought that comes to mind is...<span style="font-style: italic;">it was wicked hard!!!</span> I have good and some very bad memories of all that has transpired here. While I do feel in many ways things are now on the upswing insha Allah, I am still shaken by some of the events I have experienced, and just the overall difficulties of life in a third world country.<br /><br />While Egypt barely appears--on the surface at least--to still be a third world country--the mentality of the people for the most part speaks volumes that they have still not embraced a first world mentality. There is absolutely no accountability here--for actions of words. People dont do their jobs properly or with any kind of integrity. They will lie about anything and everything. While this country is loaded with brilliant minds, tons of money, advanced medical care, amazing huge stores, incredible malls, good roads, fabulous resorts, etc, the mind set of the people is still chaotic. And that pretty much describes Egypt--it is chaos. I think the country as a whole just flies by the seat of its pants--it survives only by the mercy of God, and if ever the day comes where there must<span style="font-style: italic;"> be</span> some accountability, I fear the worst. I think the whole system will come crashing down on our heads. One only needs to drive here to understand what I mean. Implementing any changes or new rules here would so upset the applecart--I think it would be worse than Hiroshima after the nuke. People just follow long-standing protocal here. It seems to work for them. I guess for them, the attitude here is...if it aint broke, dont fix it. Problem is, they cant see just how "broke" it is.<br /><br />The American expats here are another mystery. They might be very nice and normal people in their own country. Here for the <span style="font-style: italic;">most part</span>--oh God--they are snakes. <span style="font-style: italic;">I do know a VERY few really nice expat women here. Can count them on one hand with fingers left to spare.</span> They have adopted the lying mechanisms that so pervade the Egyptians themselves. They are a selfish and unsocialable (if your not in their set) lot--in fact they are worse than a click, they are a gang. If you're not part of the "in" crowd, you dont exist. And I'm talking about so-called Muslims here. Makes me wonder what kind of people we reverts truly are??? Is it that we couldnt make it in our own society, so we changed religions and adopted a new country/culture? Why oh why are so many, almost all the reverts I know here, such selfish hypocrites? For them, promises are made to be broken. Engagements/appointments ignored or cancelled at the last second. Psychiatrists would have a field day here with the Muslim revert expats. In short, they think their shit doesnt stink. Needless to say I am not part of that crowd. Thank God.<br /><br />In general, one must be very cautious here. Sad to say it is almost dangerous--certainly dangerous to one's mental health--to get close to any one here. Sooner or later you find that no matter how seemingly genuine people are here--both natives and expats--sooner or later they show their true colors. It's not a good idea to trust people here. At least not too deeply. At the least you'll get your heart broken--at worst--they could put you in jail. Remind me to continue this thought with the story of my previous landlord.<br /><br />On June 1st we moved to our new flat...my husband, mom and me. And the dog! I absolutely HATE moving. I've done it too much. But the new place is so worth it. It is beautiful. Masha Allah. Patience rewards. Took me forever it seems to get to the place/point in time where I am now. The flat and garden are its own little world. It's big enough that I dont feel the walls closing in on me like I did in the last place. There's privacy. I dont know any of the neighbors nor do I want to. I dont want other tenants knocking or invading my space like what happened in my last place. I have learned that to survive with any level of comfort and privacy here, I cant be too friendly. Among other things, friendliness <span style="font-style: italic;">can</span> be misconstrued as a sign of stupidity. A sign you are ripe to be taken advantage of. My husband has a point about his preferring to keep his life <span style="font-style: italic;">very</span> private. We Americans tend to be open books. Egyptians pretend to be but they are not. It's just kind of a ruse to get you to open up. Sometimes one must learn the hard way. I learned. In my real life, I am now a closed book. I actually like it better that way.<br /><br />I know this post seems to be written with a lot of bitterness. Because I do harbor a certain amount of bitterness. About many things I have experienced here in the last year. Egypt has changed dramatically from what it was even on my last visit in 2006. If you havent heard me say this before, I am saying it again...I blame the satellite TV and the internet for a lot of the shit that goes on here. Some days it's hard to believe I am not in America here. The net is making us so homogenous. Every society exposed to the net and international TV is changing rapidly. Old is being replaced with new--especially in terms of values. Cultural lines have become blurred. It is becoming one world--and not a very nice one at that I think. I believe the end of times are near. Which reminds me of another story I want to tell about my "bowab". Literally it means "doorman", but here it means the "super"--he lives with his family in the basement and takes care of the building and everyone in it...a kind of guard-slash-go-fer.<br /><br />Well I'll sign off here. All in all, am I glad to be here? Glad I made the move? Was it all worth it? I'm not so sure. Given the fact I live in a place that has adopted all the bad of the place I left--but NONE of the good--I'm thinking maybe home is better. Better infrastructure, much more accountability, everything in my own culture and language--not to mention being closer to my kids. At this point, I dont know. I just dont know. I need more time I think. Maybe I just need a trip home. I DO absolutely need a trip home that's for sure. I need to stop here now. Will write more later.Queen O'Danilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05405302077898466959noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084609868339924297.post-12975043550815646862009-05-21T23:53:00.003+03:002009-06-11T08:11:41.270+03:00Happy Anniversary to me!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdK-yvxqyyX_KoVusinUlMAYkVQfQg94NuMNQEi2aLyrRwYt3-03rQGPeq5_78B7nieJoACLuxdrjK6CsOL6uKHHgPeCvAkHZ-AHNod_HYPysqAs-YUO_d17mV28vDG4RWXs06-YqQ3Jo/s1600-h/happy-anniversary-balloon-bouquet.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdK-yvxqyyX_KoVusinUlMAYkVQfQg94NuMNQEi2aLyrRwYt3-03rQGPeq5_78B7nieJoACLuxdrjK6CsOL6uKHHgPeCvAkHZ-AHNod_HYPysqAs-YUO_d17mV28vDG4RWXs06-YqQ3Jo/s200/happy-anniversary-balloon-bouquet.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345933216752880194" border="0" /></a><br />So it's been just over a year since I've moved to Egypt. Wow! What a year it's been! Good times, bad times, times when all I felt like doing was turning tail and running back home. Other times I couldnt imagine living any other place but here. Up and downs on a weekly basis. Missing my kids so much it hurts. I feel quite schizophrenic, truth to tell. It's the common story of the expat. We all go through it, and sad to say some never adjust.<br /><br />I have learned one thing here though and that is PATIENCE. No westerner could ever survive here this long without it. Egypt takes tons of patience. Thank God I acquired it. Stay tuned for an update!Queen O'Danilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05405302077898466959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084609868339924297.post-26544642326604455092008-11-29T23:30:00.003+02:002008-11-29T23:50:09.497+02:00Back by invitation only<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIKv5NHWMQgIGccs-ryQwt8EkZ-R2yvXjNcaNT8tyeLtldLnnrRlzozcyqEsJbMZnp7LtbLK0fep7AuZnj-31aVLxqeDLeoi1vJTruQWLrnVNTpaeXsKEQYtGYDQ26UXe9ab8fFyBmgQ/s1600-h/hiding.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 299px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274198408157715458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIKv5NHWMQgIGccs-ryQwt8EkZ-R2yvXjNcaNT8tyeLtldLnnrRlzozcyqEsJbMZnp7LtbLK0fep7AuZnj-31aVLxqeDLeoi1vJTruQWLrnVNTpaeXsKEQYtGYDQ26UXe9ab8fFyBmgQ/s400/hiding.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Sorry folks! I had to hide this blog cuz hubby discovered it on one of his bad hair days and got realllly upset, thinking the only reason I'm staying in Egypt is for him...which uh, is the truth some days--not always--and anyways what if it <em>is</em> the truth? I think I'd be flattered if the man I loved gave up everything in this world to move halfway around it just to be with me. That's not the truth but apparently that's how he was seeing it and who knows--like I said it must have been a bad hair day or male menopause...</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Which leads me to another thing I want to say...menstruation, menopause, mental illness...all troublesome to women and all begin with m-e-n. Anyway...</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I'm just shooting out this quick post to the people I have invited to read it so far and thanks Mrs. Mika who wrote me a sweet tearjerker of a letter telling me how devastated she was when she could no longer read my blog...thanks Mrs. Mika!!! Big hi-5 to ya!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Truth is, I appreciate everyone who wrote to me after I exited stage left. But I think now I need to keep things on the down low cuz hubby only read that last post "Expat Hell". God only knows if he read the whole blog! For sure he'd think I was whacked out. Even though he <em>was</em> in on the Great Snake Adventure--hahahahaha--and used it as an excuse to scare the willies outta me. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Anyway, he's a reallllly sweet and decent guy and when he got upset about the blog I asked him if he wanted me to take it down and he said yes and now you know the whole story. But I will continue to blog for a select few. If y'all have any questions, feel free to ask.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Love, hugs, kisses... </div>Queen O'Danilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05405302077898466959noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084609868339924297.post-47757929215024410582008-11-16T10:32:00.005+02:002008-11-19T06:08:58.097+02:00Expat Hell<p>I know I haven't been posting much and when I do it's a stretch to find something nice to say. I guess I've gotten past that euphoric stage where all is right with the Egyptian world and have to now start dealing with the everyday reality of all that is Egypt. If I had to sum it all up in one sentence, right now I'd say "Just point me towards the exit"!!! Yeh!</p><p>A friend of mine who's been here for nearly 20 years says the first year is the hardest. She's right and I should know that cuz I've had <em>two</em> first years here before this and am now working on my third "first year"--are you still with me? One day you wake up and look around and say "Where the hell am I and why did I do this to myself?" I guess that's where I am right now. Truly wishing I could turn tail and run back home to the USA. I miss my kids and right now I am sorry to say--all things American. When it hurts <em>so</em> bad I let myself run with the idea of actually going back and the logistics of it just seem to much to handle. First there's the issue of where I will stay in USA--sure, there's the kids but who wants Mom and Grandma hanging around forever--not them! So it means the inevitable and ever painful apartment search--something I can actually afford and will allow this moose of a dog I have. Then it needs to be furnished, which on the flip side--what do I do with all my stuff here??? Even though for now it's a furnished flat, you cant imagine the crap you manage to accumulate in the attempt to make it a little bit your own. Ah well...same crap different country.</p><p>What happens to an expat in the love/hate relationship of the adoptive country? I mean why go from loving a place to hating a place almost overnight? I guess it's like any other relationship. The honeymoon period slowly ends and real life sets in and you are forced to face the truth that your beloved is not perfect. For a time you only focus on the warts. And it's a scary thing. I know beyond this point is a happy medium where you begin to focus on the accurate picture--that everything and everyone has their faults as well as their good points. And it's at this point you need to ask yourself, <em>does the good outweigh the bad</em>?</p><p>I'll let you know when I get there. Meantime stay tuned for some reasons why I'm no longer thrilled with life in this sandbox. </p>Queen O'Danilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05405302077898466959noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084609868339924297.post-43553819548286886492008-11-13T20:21:00.004+02:002008-11-13T21:03:39.834+02:00Funnies...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFFl-FZXAIa8RqeRIxe3AuX1wADNgLJZCqy0lNmjCQlxtWRd_MuYsweOVqftCnpGuU8fbTVB2YPEwtNoFI-x2nhWlbSMADeDKjc9jJ-JKCmDSEVwvrQ12GWBI0k7hI_09mRT4L2mvuorw/s1600-h/Demotivation15.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 335px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFFl-FZXAIa8RqeRIxe3AuX1wADNgLJZCqy0lNmjCQlxtWRd_MuYsweOVqftCnpGuU8fbTVB2YPEwtNoFI-x2nhWlbSMADeDKjc9jJ-JKCmDSEVwvrQ12GWBI0k7hI_09mRT4L2mvuorw/s400/Demotivation15.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268218943365027922" /></a><br />was surfing yesterday and found <a href="http://www.marcofolio.net/imagedump/top_40_demotivational_posters.html">these</a>...there are more <a href="http://www.allowe.com/Humor/DemotivationalPosters.htm">here</a>. Enjoy!<div><br /></div>Queen O'Danilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05405302077898466959noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084609868339924297.post-36505843606199272142008-11-12T08:58:00.005+02:002008-11-13T21:01:46.129+02:00FYI...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsqOtwkJNUOoRD24yw1pb_D0liIvz4nvX-J_0W3jlfMadrndV162FpG0Nmj1Q7gQG5OCTtbO4UrBwA2sklaGejXu-wBXkiq11J-o2MvASXkbKIHeL9E29x8w3LzZzem46TRhVdkKmyqQQ/s1600-h/weight.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 337px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267662998439440626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsqOtwkJNUOoRD24yw1pb_D0liIvz4nvX-J_0W3jlfMadrndV162FpG0Nmj1Q7gQG5OCTtbO4UrBwA2sklaGejXu-wBXkiq11J-o2MvASXkbKIHeL9E29x8w3LzZzem46TRhVdkKmyqQQ/s400/weight.jpg" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-size:180%;">So far I have lost 50 pounds (22.73 kg) since moving to Egypt!!! Photo courtesy of my homegirl </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/psybachmeier@sbcglobal.net"><span style="font-size:180%;">OTE</span></a><span style="font-size:180%;">. I like your way better, S!!!</span></div><div><span style="font-size:180%;"></span> </div><div> </div><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.glitterfy.com/"><img src="http://img33.glitterfy.com/317/glitterfy011033T464D38.gif" alt="Glitter Words" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.glitterfy.com/"> </a>Queen O'Danilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05405302077898466959noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084609868339924297.post-1642729474502441452008-10-21T06:35:00.017+02:002008-10-22T07:46:59.935+02:00The Great Snake Adventure ( and other Tales)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhox8WM6ZNbhNPRdNB3OcW1hHzddBzIWUmp9Lq8hkIH5v_EgEcqM-PVHSLkRw_5fbu67j9Pt11XiZfUL9gxd3s_C27qFV6Bz75iW1n7oF4TRIhGBbWY7zLhbpPRdYWouyUpO8h7CuFfx4w/s1600-h/ist2_3459444-hanging-snake-cartoon.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhox8WM6ZNbhNPRdNB3OcW1hHzddBzIWUmp9Lq8hkIH5v_EgEcqM-PVHSLkRw_5fbu67j9Pt11XiZfUL9gxd3s_C27qFV6Bz75iW1n7oF4TRIhGBbWY7zLhbpPRdYWouyUpO8h7CuFfx4w/s200/ist2_3459444-hanging-snake-cartoon.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259838383709024066" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">So much has happened to me since I came to Egypt. I am upset that I didn't write down all the crazy things I experienced since I arriv</span><span style="font-size:100%;">ed in May. When I was still in USA, I had the intention </span><span style="font-size:100%;">to do a daily blog post once I got to Egypt, knowing full well the transition from living there to here would make good blog fodder--and it would have. Trouble is I got sick and stayed sick for so long, I forgot a lot of the fu</span><span style="font-size:100%;">nny stuff...like for instance my first experience with "halawa" and the "fetlah"--2 torture devices designed to remove hair from places on the body that, in my opinion...if Go</span><span style="font-size:100%;">d let it grow there, it's supposed to be there! Just kidding---I know, I know.<br /><br />Ahem.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">Anyway, the following is a true story (haha). I call it the "great snake adventure".</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> And it happened here in my building 2 days ago. Now let me just preface this story with the notation that </span><span style="font-size:100%;">this is the 3rd in a series of adventures come </span><span style="font-size:100%;">to be kno</span><span style="font-size:100%;">wn around the house here as "Abu Nada strikes again". </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Abu </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Nada is my neighbor and self-appointed watchdog, guardian and whistle-blower of all things great and small that happen in my building. He has led us into 2 other adventures before this great snake adv<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4yRHXpBaSWF9MAGDZYFIa66Z8oy5OgKd-KspSLK51gBlBdrp7-UdE7IuJJMVPIRRcvz2MpLZaX2NzHrB5kje6cMjLIYZZhQabUCyaolgGMIP2NJol_z07vOnrGNdjLRiDgB_hFIbu1TY/s1600-h/omda5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4yRHXpBaSWF9MAGDZYFIa66Z8oy5OgKd-KspSLK51gBlBdrp7-UdE7IuJJMVPIRRcvz2MpLZaX2NzHrB5kje6cMjLIYZZhQabUCyaolgGMIP2NJol_z07vOnrGNdjLRiDgB_hFIbu1TY/s320/omda5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259481182136742994" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;">enture. The first could be called the "Harami--Lock the Gate!!!" adventure and the second could be called "The Possible Prostitution Problem" adventure. Will relate tho</span><span style="font-size:100%;">se tales another time.<br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />For now let us concentrate on <span style="font-weight: bold;">The Great Snake Adventure.</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">The adventure started o</span><span style="font-size:100%;">ut just like the other two did...with a loud ruckus in the hall. We began to hear shouting--more and more voices joining the fray--then as usual the doorbell rang, inviting my family into the discussion. My husband handled this one. It was my turn to sit back and enjoy fr</span><span style="font-size:100%;">om behind the scenes.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">As usual Abu Nada was leading the charge. This is the Egyptian equivalent of a tenants meeting. Something--anything--happens in the building and Abu Nada is the first to know ab</span><span style="font-size:100%;">out it--and the first to broadcast it. In our own little world here that is "Building #50" AbuNada is basically the </span><span style="font-size:100%;"> Chief of Police. He reports directly to my neighbor across the hall, Hagg Ahmed who is, you could say, our Mayor. Once Hagg Ahmed approves the latest news for distribution, doorbells are rung an</span><span style="font-size:100%;">d tenants--all 10 of us--stream out int</span><span style="font-size:100%;">o the halls for a discussion of the latest problem, which takes place on the first floor in front of my door.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcpBaJ5uDRqk4knk2XpsCnX_yLmElvYTbkC2ezhGrVcUhFIaaZnHzmMU_KVW7n_i2MVPn21lEfCbZvZbItKCmCozqTnL_JkYbRZ_pbdCe-nGF_NgaBwFQussXxwHb8PAtBi4_7nr6rFVs/s1600-h/610x.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcpBaJ5uDRqk4knk2XpsCnX_yLmElvYTbkC2ezhGrVcUhFIaaZnHzmMU_KVW7n_i2MVPn21lEfCbZvZbItKCmCozqTnL_JkYbRZ_pbdCe-nGF_NgaBwFQussXxwHb8PAtBi4_7nr6rFVs/s320/610x.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259479104287341762" border="0" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">Amazingly this tale begins with a neat and tidy segue incorporating the first two adventures into this third one. The first news is that, briefly, we must continue to be vigilant and lock the iron gate at the entrance to our building, because</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> there still seems to be "someone" lurk</span><span style="font-size:100%;">ing about. A young man was recently spot</span><span style="font-size:100%;">ted around dawn, smoking a cigarette (gasp!) and loitering in the back garden. He could be a <span style="font-style: italic;">harami</span> (thief) or somehow related to the (possible prostitution) apartment of ill-repute above me. </span><span style="font-size:100%;"> So therefore continuing to keep the gate locked and informing each other of any suspicious activity is a must.<br /><br />But the real news--the <span style="font-style: italic;">new</span> news--is that some children have spotted a sna</span><span style="font-size:100%;">ke outside our building and everyone is advised to close their windows and keep them closed until...well I'm not sure until when but I'm guessing Abu Nad</span><span style="font-size:100%;">a will let us know when it's safe to open them again! But suffice it to say this new information has the building in a tizzy cuz locking the iron gate will not avail us now. Oh no, it is much worse than that. The iron gate<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-s7q3LVmy9Fg4I6HX8lM9dvXA-rXXCB1kPNsjPgT76wjpVihAgWjsF3sK67iD-2vG7gtNn45WDcj3GsNdK5KbMHVIjodoGf3YKVOpn49G_3ZcAEgjk3SmM6h_VIcPchDnclNdOofr9E/s1600-h/bandsvisit781743.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-s7q3LVmy9Fg4I6HX8lM9dvXA-rXXCB1kPNsjPgT76wjpVihAgWjsF3sK67iD-2vG7gtNn45WDcj3GsNdK5KbMHVIjodoGf3YKVOpn49G_3ZcAEgjk3SmM6h_VIcPchDnclNdOofr9E/s320/bandsvisit781743.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259478899026593442" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> is no lo</span><span style="font-size:100%;">nger adequate protection for what can stop a small snake fr</span><span style="font-size:100%;">om entering our sanctuary? We must bar the windows and keep them barred!<br /><br />Now this being Egypt and new territory for me, and given the fact that I live basically in the desert, I am not sure whether </span><span style="font-size:100%;">to fear this snake as poisonous and take this latest news seriously, or throw my windows open and embrace what surely must be a common variety of harmless Egyptian snake. I like snakes--as I do all animals--but I seriously do fear the </span><span style="font-size:100%;">poisonous variety and am a bit on edge.<br /><br />So I asked my husband if he thinks this is a dangerous snake or just a friendl</span><span style="font-size:100%;">y one? I trust my husband implicitly and am sure he is an unimpeachable reference on all things Egyptian. He tells me don't be afraid at all because in any case snakes cant crawl up and down buildings. He does warn me though to keep the balcony door shut at all times--because of the thief he said--not the snake.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaCeOiYKRp05UFW3nmlgrDs4aCFX7XqubGKvo6WUyhCSKMYewahvVDNlo1ZSElgiZEf786rzJXANTwO5FxiJ9M_s3l47_wVZT86iL1ggb90zhnXXX9fvttXGEhhK5_yJ5qGiUBS9ET0Xs/s1600-h/black-mamba.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaCeOiYKRp05UFW3nmlgrDs4aCFX7XqubGKvo6WUyhCSKMYewahvVDNlo1ZSElgiZEf786rzJXANTwO5FxiJ9M_s3l47_wVZT86iL1ggb90zhnXXX9fvttXGEhhK5_yJ5qGiUBS9ET0Xs/s320/black-mamba.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259483053014227442" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />Ahhhh, I breathe a sigh of relief and skip off to the kitchen to make us tea. Alhamdulilah I am married to such a wonderful man who can dissolve all my worries so effectively............WAIT A MINUTE!!!</span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />Haven't I seen snakes up in trees? Yes I'm absolutely sure I have. Ergo...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">I locked myself in my bedroom. I'm not coming out until the snake is found. And husband has been banished to the balcony.<br /><br />And that, dear friends, concludes the story of the Great Snake Adventure.<br /><br />The End.<br /></span><br /><embed src="http://text.glitterfy.com/show.swf?message=Amreekia&font=http://text.glitterfy.com/fonts/plainn_lib19.swf&glitter=http://text.glitterfy.com/glitters/glitter83.swf&clickURL=http://www.glitterfy.com/&clickLABEL=Glitterfy.com&bevel=1&shadow=1&glow=1&blur=0&fade=0&blink=0&gb=2&ga=0.6&gi=0&gc=13119232&bb=2&bc=0&sb=7&sa=0.7&si=0&sc=0&blb=7&ls=0&fontsize=72&num=83" quality="best" wmode="transparent" bgcolor="#ffffff" name="Glitterfy Text" allowscriptaccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" align="middle" width="275" height="139"></embed><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /><br /></span>Queen O'Danilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05405302077898466959noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084609868339924297.post-40442282403847962242008-10-17T15:06:00.002+02:002008-10-17T15:33:07.320+02:00Tell me MABROOOOOOOK!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxCH3yF6-n82wYg7zKcX0QnU4vgMOXqzZSSz0W7pNbn0mZ62Edq16S1HIStj5c4ChpYfWDxMm7z9tYQcYgCtYA2xYDPc3OI1SrMTBbrlpT3ztNKBPUpc2T84I_SZtS5n4_DcgQvc_8AU/s1600-h/Explosion_1.sized.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxCH3yF6-n82wYg7zKcX0QnU4vgMOXqzZSSz0W7pNbn0mZ62Edq16S1HIStj5c4ChpYfWDxMm7z9tYQcYgCtYA2xYDPc3OI1SrMTBbrlpT3ztNKBPUpc2T84I_SZtS5n4_DcgQvc_8AU/s320/Explosion_1.sized.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258115297433946770" border="0" /></a><br />Did I even mention I had moved to Cairo from Port Fouad??? I don't remember and am too lazy to read the archives--hehe. Anyway I took up residence here on July 1 and it's been interesting. To say the least. I rent a furnished flat which I think was set up more to accommodate students than a family. Until this week, we didn't have natural gas. I used an oombooba (extremely large, heavy and dangerous propane gas tank). About a month ago the landlord started the process of having natural gas lines put in. Let's talk about making a mountain out of a molehill. What should have been a one day process took about 10 days...breaking walls to install pipes one day, the meter another, a hole in the wall to allow fresh air in, then an antique and previously very used hot water heater installed, next an exhaust pipe for the water heater, ad nauseum. Of course at each step the kitchen--and most of the rest of the house--was covered in layers of dust and dirt. I cleaned my kitchen here more times in the last month than I cleaned in a year anywhere else! Finally 2 days ago the "engineer" (I get a kick out of that word--it can basically apply to anyone here) came for a final inspection and to install the final lines and start the gas flowing! NOT! He came and did everything BUT he <span style="font-style: italic;">thankfully</span> rejected the dang nasty old water heater my cheap landlord tried to pass off. Talk about an asphyxiation waiting to happen! Thank GOD the engineer rejected it. So 2 days ago I had gas for my stove but still no hot water. With the change in weather of late, let's talk about freezing your butt off when facing a cold shower at Fajr time. Not fun! Finally the landlord broke down and bought a new heater, then actually paid the gas company guys a few extra pounds to come after hours and install the new "sakhan" and connect the gas to it. Houston we have lift-off! And I now have hot water in my sinks, shower, <span style="font-style: italic;">and</span> washing machine. Ahhhh, my washing machine which is <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> fully automatic!!! That's <span style="font-style: italic;">another</span> post. I'm off now to take a hot shower.Queen O'Danilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05405302077898466959noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084609868339924297.post-73890054308196776972008-10-16T23:33:00.001+02:002008-10-17T13:31:55.287+02:00Why Egypt sucks sometimes...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_Augd7AeMFkPHixFubWUtWVaylTWqQpMpfMlkd4XJ1tFdiyQ868tA7_aQnElgXohiLddkw3n4ghnWqSJ9dE_c__rEq5wTU4taPmqLStcatj8jMcrbGi6-I_FPJy2kGHpjxm-c00O40Q/s1600-h/stresskit.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_Augd7AeMFkPHixFubWUtWVaylTWqQpMpfMlkd4XJ1tFdiyQ868tA7_aQnElgXohiLddkw3n4ghnWqSJ9dE_c__rEq5wTU4taPmqLStcatj8jMcrbGi6-I_FPJy2kGHpjxm-c00O40Q/s320/stresskit.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257940307938657506" border="0" /></a><br />As promised, I continue my rant. Why don't we start at the top--with the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">prez</span> himself. Can we say "corruption"? "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Nuff</span> said on that issue huh? I mean say the word and realize ALL that entails and you have an accurate picture of why Egypt is the way it is. And what way is that?<br /><br />Well I would characterize it as a general malaise that has overcome the populace. I mean most Egyptians don't give a hoot about the welfare of the country because they are too busy--most of them anyway--scrounging around trying to concentrate on their <span style="font-style: italic;">own</span> welfare. I mean when you have kids to feed and you cant afford it, or you want to get married and cant afford that, or you spend years in college and grad school and then cant find a job--<span style="font-style: italic;">any</span> job...well, it's hard to wax philosophical about the republic. Who cares about throwing their garbage in a trash bin when some people have only garbage to eat? Who cares about air pollution when they cant afford to maintain their vehicles? Why try to keep yourself chaste, and/or show respect for the feminine gender when you have no money (read no hope) to get married? Why cling to your religion when the religious people get thrown in jail for practicing it? Oh I could go on and on but you get the drift. It's just so hard to give a damn in this country--about anything other than yourself.<br /><br />What percentage of the 80 or so million people here are wealthy? How many Egyptians can honestly say they don't have to worry about money? Very few I'd guess. Yes, there's money here--and with it comes a horribly gauche and low-class display of wealth. Yet by Egyptian standards, wealth somehow equals high-class. God I've seen the people here with money--and with the manners of chimpanzees. (Why am I always comparing Egyptians to animals? Once again I do injustice to animals.) Yet they are considered--and consider themselves, high-class. Oh God I want to barf.<br /><br />Infrastructure sucks. Services suck. Customer service is non-existent. I cant seem to maintain an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">internet</span> connection for more than 24 hours straight. But wanna bet <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Baba</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Hosni</span> gets to play on the PC anytime he wants?<br /><br />Honor and keeping your word means nothing. An honest days work for an honest wage? Not here. Get what you pay for? Not likely. Affordable housing is a nightmare. Wooden ghettos spring up in the most unlikely--and unsafe places. Does the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Mokattam</span> tragedy ring a bell?<br /><br />Foreigners here get swindled all the time. I've suffered in that department for sure. Case in point--just one mind you--I had to have an iron cage sort of thing made to surround my new split AC so someone wouldn't steal it right off the outside wall. My neighbor made the arrangements for it with the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">haddad</span> (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">ironworker</span>). About the size of the cage and thickness of the metal. We agreed on 400 pounds, everything included. They even wrote and signed a contract. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">haddad</span> came to install it when he knew my neighbor wasn't home. It was his chance to rip me off. First he charged me for the TAXI he took to bring it to me! That was 10LE. Then instead of doing the installation himself with the "engineer" (snort) he brought with him, he got some local <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">bowab's</span> kids to paint it and install it up on the wall. That cost another 25. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">haddad</span> also asked for another 25 or so for the engineer who actually did nothing but stand there. Did I mention the metal was a full 2 cm thinner than was agreed upon. Heck I could bend the bars myself if I wanted to! So what should have been 400LE for a decent cage, ended up cosing me 460LE and it is so flimsy it's not I am told worth even 200LE. This crap goes on <span style="font-style: italic;">all</span> the time here.<br /><br />My husband took my Mom and I to the pyramids the other night. It was dark and we were in the car and since mom and I were both in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">hijab</span>, the guard taking fees for the Sound and Light show assumed we were all Egyptian and said we needed to come back on Thursday (this was a Monday) to see the show in Arabic. My husband told him we were Americans and so when was the English show? The guard says it's tonight. 75LE per person. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Hmmm</span>, that's steep I thought. Then the husband asked how much was it on Thursdays in Arabic? 15 LE!!!!!!! It was all I could do not to curse the guy out--the guard--not my husband. ;-) Can you even imagine something like that happening in America? Can we spell CIVIL RIGHTS/DISCRIMINATION LAWSUIT??? Foreigners pay one price while natives pay another? I was so ticked I said I don't want to see the dang show in English <span style="font-style: italic;">or</span> Arabic. (I actually saw it years ago in French but Mom never did but now she <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">doesn't</span> care either--<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">haha</span>!))<br /><br />In short, there's just so little personal or public honor here.Those who don't care about their own reputation certainly don't care about the reputation of the country. I know I'm not complaining of anything new. And I'm not the only one--expat <span style="font-style: italic;">or</span> native Egyptian--to complain. And I don't see any end to this in sight.<br /><br />But...yes, there is a but...I'd still rather be here than back in the USA. I'll elucidate ;-) on that point further in another post.Queen O'Danilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05405302077898466959noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084609868339924297.post-90523004405406585482008-10-10T02:18:00.004+02:002008-10-10T02:22:46.680+02:00Not surprisingly, these days I hate Egypt!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPC2Bl6igRKWAYR9UZHCJHtBrpevYH3TNNlfBsYFgyrgKhngEfIUSAYRATo-FzZ0mlGjjGbEYoXnCePz61aGaMoP6XxVV8hGR0bRpsagmgDMP9wcc_NN1Hi6m0aqLGR_GkGgsJGzn-KDo/s1600-h/angry.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPC2Bl6igRKWAYR9UZHCJHtBrpevYH3TNNlfBsYFgyrgKhngEfIUSAYRATo-FzZ0mlGjjGbEYoXnCePz61aGaMoP6XxVV8hGR0bRpsagmgDMP9wcc_NN1Hi6m0aqLGR_GkGgsJGzn-KDo/s320/angry.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255313649065688050" border="0" /></a><br />All of us expats here go through it sooner or later. And often more than once. At certain times, we all hate Egypt for one reason or another. And in fact it's not just limited to expats, Egyptians hate Egypt a lot of the time too. And for good reason. As I peruse the blogs since my Ramadan/Eid break, I see lots of bloggers--Egyptian or living here--seem to be down on Egypt these days. It might have something to do with the attack on women in Cairo overEid--the second attack in a row. Seems a bunch of nasty men were (again) sexually harassing women during the Eid . I wont even get into a discussion about the whys and wherefores--I don't care how bad things are--there's no excuse for being a pig. In fact, I insult pigs. But I digress.<br /><br />I have seen blog posts on the expenses of Ramadan and Eid, clothes and fashion, crowds, parks, activities, traffic, bad manners...you name it and people in Egypt are complaining about it. Not to mention unchecked corruption and oppression. Seems thebloggers just didn't have much good to say about Egypt of late. I sympathize and join the ranks.<br /><br />Ramadan was great in the beginning. Everyone was on their best behavior. But towards the end and in Eid, the old selfishness returned. Traffic was disgusting--everyone trying to get there (wherever "there" was) first! Shopping anywhere for anything was a nightmare. Kids as usual were ill-mannered and left to be as obnoxious as they wanted to be. Parents were too busy having there own fun/shopping/whatever to discipline their brats.<br /><br />If the state of the country can in any way be gaged by the condition of the "shabab"--those in the 18 to 25 range I'm guessing--then Egypt is in some serious doodoo. I was out every night in Eid. I could have been in America or anywhere in Europe. Clothes were tight--apparently the height of fashion this season. Wicked crazy colors and combos of colors. And expensive. Where do they get the money for this??? The girls wear this stupid stretchy thing--be it shirt or jumper--they call "body". This is nothijab folks. This is the tightest thing you can wear--although everything is "covered"--and still manage to get a breath. I imagine it feels like wrapping your body in an ace bandage. And don't even get me started on the bouffanthijab. Cough, gag, barf. And this ridiculous body thing is worn by guys too. More gag and vomit.<br /><br />Oh I saw some nice sites--I really did. Families together having fun. Some really nice young folks who minded their manners and went out of their way to be nice to/help others around them. I had a lot of laughs and made some wonderful memories with my Egyptian family. But all in all folks, Eid--and Egypt--just ain't what it used to be. My next post will be on what's wrong with Egypt in general. Hehe...more complaining from me. Stay tuned!Queen O'Danilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05405302077898466959noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084609868339924297.post-34942358484097942232008-10-09T10:36:00.003+02:002008-10-09T11:41:28.592+02:00Holy Moly I was tagged AGAIN!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNoQ3k-STRW4IZ-QMLHf4nrwqa5cgr2SJzbVMpDXUxZ6ZdICCYIkl0YeldgNS7ozm__jjBNFYFH_I8Y2j5ue-R8XDrRNBpXD6u6PAwwj0zpJBThlDRGxCjs9udNo9bbrLQPtvrMcXudFU/s1600-h/6a00d8345252b269e200e54f1112388833-800wi.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNoQ3k-STRW4IZ-QMLHf4nrwqa5cgr2SJzbVMpDXUxZ6ZdICCYIkl0YeldgNS7ozm__jjBNFYFH_I8Y2j5ue-R8XDrRNBpXD6u6PAwwj0zpJBThlDRGxCjs9udNo9bbrLQPtvrMcXudFU/s320/6a00d8345252b269e200e54f1112388833-800wi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255086949638393858" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.spicybugz.com/wp/2008/10/09/i-was-tagged/">Bug</a> did it to me! I asked her this question and now she wants me to answer it:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Do you have any serious regrets in your life? On the other hand, what is the one thing in your life you are most proud of/satisfied with?</span><br /><br />Wow! This is a toughie. I guess I have to say I am always "tempted" to have regrets. There are certain things in my life that for sure I wish I had done differently. Made some huge mistakes. Things happened as a result of decisions I made--even in good faith. But I'm pretty sure unless you are some kind of socio/psychopath, you must have some regrets. The question is...<span style="font-style: italic;">how do you feel about them?</span> I learned when I was younger that who I am today is the sum total of all mu life's experiences--good and bad. So would I change anything? No, I guess I wouldn't. Who knows--what I think might have been a better decision could well turn out to be disaster in my life now. So I prefer to let fate lie. And my life, despite the hardships, has been wonderful. I've seen and done amazing things. I think I made pretty good use of the life Allah gave me--I hope so anyway, insha Allah. As for the one thing I am most proud of...that's easy...my KIDS! They're not perfect by a long shot, but they sure could be a LOT worse. They are decent, loving, kind people--each one of them. I thank Allah each day for them.Queen O'Danilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05405302077898466959noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084609868339924297.post-55508965703010368472008-10-09T03:04:00.005+02:002008-10-09T08:15:41.948+02:00I TAG...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_2aFXKOTXOaEgSG3xuxm5vI6GW_GUgESuy01sbjW46quvyFWn0BF_M3ORrUtaFBpjyCumIzjXMWSBIwhqQDO2BVrbcAqvtKS4CQ2B2p3B0-jSQI_w9EE0nUjS27BXU2mp71fH0Jar9U/s1600-h/tagged.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_2aFXKOTXOaEgSG3xuxm5vI6GW_GUgESuy01sbjW46quvyFWn0BF_M3ORrUtaFBpjyCumIzjXMWSBIwhqQDO2BVrbcAqvtKS4CQ2B2p3B0-jSQI_w9EE0nUjS27BXU2mp71fH0Jar9U/s200/tagged.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255033676893935922" border="0" /></a><br />I WAS TAGGED...SEE MY ANSWERS <a href="http://solutionislam.blogspot.com/2008/10/i-was-tagged.html">HERE</a>.<br /><br />IF I TAG YOU, PLEASE ANSWER MY QUESTION TO YOU IN A POST ON YOUR BLOG. THE POST TITLE SHOULD BE "I WAS TAGGED". THEN YOU HAVE TO TAG FIVE MORE PEOPLE. HERE WE GO!<br /><br />I TAG:<br /><br />"on the edge" of <a href="http://on-the-edge-of-something.blogspot.com/">on the edge of something:</a><br /><br />Is there anything in your life you would like to do over if you had the chance? Tell me what that would be...details! ;-)))<br /><br /><br />susie of <span dir="ltr"></span><a href="http://susiesbigadventure.blogspot.com/" onclick="" rel="nofollow">susie's big adventure</a>:<br /><br />Why did it take you so many years before you married your husband? (Still wishing you would write a book!)<br /><br /><br />AUH Gal of <span dir="ltr"></span><a href="http://auhgal.blogspot.com/" onclick="" rel="nofollow">Abu Dhabi/UAE Daily Photo</a>:<br /><br />What are you most looking forward to in your life? Something that has a reasonable chance of happening, not like "winning the lottery" ;-)))!!!<br /><br /><br />Spicy Bug of <a href="http://www.spicybugz.com/wp/">SpicyBugz World</a>:<br /><br />Do you have any serious regrets in your life? On the other hand, what is the one thing in your life you are most proud of/satisfied with?<br /><br /><br />Jaffer of <a href="http://maniaravings.com/">ManiaRavings</a>:<br /><br />Where do you see yourself in 10 years?<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Hope you all answer your questions. I'm looking forward to this!</span>Queen O'Danilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05405302077898466959noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084609868339924297.post-86567465904662468592008-09-21T01:09:00.002+02:002008-09-21T01:21:02.513+02:00Last 10 days of Ramadan<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkEGH4DO4Z8nxdXiEAjKjyzvwD80iKo1kqeS-XghbKptE1Lw9qrdG7xOI5MrSGwIyzu3V5CkuOQ3ZhaexsXHZOgwHeN7XhbvzBtH7hpqzDc-2c4J_5WJ9wysM6ean1MKhw_Dl2s-d5vBU/s1600-h/top_05.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkEGH4DO4Z8nxdXiEAjKjyzvwD80iKo1kqeS-XghbKptE1Lw9qrdG7xOI5MrSGwIyzu3V5CkuOQ3ZhaexsXHZOgwHeN7XhbvzBtH7hpqzDc-2c4J_5WJ9wysM6ean1MKhw_Dl2s-d5vBU/s320/top_05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248247539284754114" border="0" /></a><br />The Queen is going on haitus. We have entered <a href="http://www.readingislam.com/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1154235134318&pagename=Zone-English-Discover_Islam%2FDIELayout">the last 10 days of Ramadan</a> and one of these nights is <a href="http://www.islamonline.net/English/introducingislam/Worship/Fasting/article08.shtml">Lailat-al-Qadr</a>. I am trying to reap the benefits of these special days. May Allah accept our fasting, prayers, du'ahs and all of our good actions. Insha Allah, see you after <a href="http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?cid=1119503544708&pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar%2FFatwaE%2FFatwaEAskTheScholar">Eid</a>.Queen O'Danilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05405302077898466959noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084609868339924297.post-69771950782473278092008-09-20T14:30:00.002+02:002008-09-20T14:33:29.554+02:00McCain's Pastor wants Islam destroyed!!!<span style="font-style: italic;">This</span> is a man of God??? Seems more like a <span style="font-style: italic;">devil</span> to me!!! The only good thing in this whole mess is that we all know...Islam will NEVER be destroyed.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WXZbIGJrDkg&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WXZbIGJrDkg&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Queen O'Danilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05405302077898466959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084609868339924297.post-41263358323189189462008-09-19T04:08:00.005+02:002008-09-19T04:14:24.184+02:00Typical Egypt!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/afp/20080918/capt.cps.nqd09.180908175048.photo00.photo.default-512x377.jpg?x=180&y=132&q=85&sig=eeIDEtLMefQjP8rGvaU4Kw--"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/afp/20080918/capt.cps.nqd09.180908175048.photo00.photo.default-512x377.jpg?x=180&y=132&q=85&sig=eeIDEtLMefQjP8rGvaU4Kw--" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Nile-Delta-Egypt-agricultural-research-institute-corn-on-the-cob/photo//080918/photos_od_afp/779bc3897787f16d430498a7b292988a//s:/afp/20080918/od_afp/egyptanimaljusticeoffbeat_080918160656;_ylt=AlXoSEj4kia.mmUnJjQVzsChOrgF"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Nile-Delta-Egypt-agricultural-research-institute-corn-on-the-cob/photo//080918/photos_od_afp/779bc3897787f16d430498a7b292988a//s:/afp/20080918/od_afp/egyptanimaljusticeoffbeat_080918160656;_ylt=AlXoSEj4kia.mmUnJjQVzsChOrgF" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >Egyptian donkey jailed for theft </span><br /><em class="timedate">Thu Sep 18, 12:06 PM ET</em> <!-- end storyhdr --> <p><br /> </p><p>CAIRO (AFP) - An Egyptian donkey has been jailed for stealing <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1221754121_0">corn on the cob</span> from a field belonging to an <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1221754121_1">agricultural research institute</span> in the <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1221754121_2">Nile Delta</span>, local media reported on Thursday.<br /></p>The ass and its owner were apprehended at a police checkpoint that had been set up after the institute's director complained that someone was stealing his crops, the state-owned Al-Ahram daily said.<br /><br />The unnamed ungulate was found in possession of the institute's corn and a local judge sentenced him to 24 hours in prison. The man who had his ass thrown in jail got off with a fine of 50 <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1221754121_3">Egyptian pounds</span> (nine dollars, six euros).<br /><div class="lrec"><table class="ad_slug_table" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td align="center"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div>Queen O'Danilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05405302077898466959noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084609868339924297.post-47772040137174363652008-09-13T19:45:00.006+02:002008-09-15T11:01:18.832+02:00Expat Focus: An Interview on being an expat in Egypt<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_6sK-0RKVgCKr5BhljQZ5e1uc-eLhYUoK964lvNkG7Bd-IzQXqgFg05FWVmzrGFtzm5RLEzhrBtk-suPu-ObO30nGd5_yT3biU11sXJ1NiYIAD7MTj1hyphenhyphen-6Qa7mcFkmuFeEdhYBkYbc/s1600-h/usa-ma_expat.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_6sK-0RKVgCKr5BhljQZ5e1uc-eLhYUoK964lvNkG7Bd-IzQXqgFg05FWVmzrGFtzm5RLEzhrBtk-suPu-ObO30nGd5_yT3biU11sXJ1NiYIAD7MTj1hyphenhyphen-6Qa7mcFkmuFeEdhYBkYbc/s400/usa-ma_expat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245622927077064226" border="0" /></a><br /><p style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><b><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">-Where were you born?</span><br /></b></p><p style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><b><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I was born in the USA, in a city in western Pennsylvania.</span><br /></b></p><br /><p style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><b>-In which country and city are you living now?</b></p><p><b>Cairo, Egypt<br /></b></p><br /><p style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><b>-Are you living alone or with your family?</b></p><p><b>With my mother and my husband.<br /></b></p><br /><p style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><b>-How long have you been living there?</b></p><p><b>This is my third "permanent" move to Egypt, but this one will stick insha Allah (God willing). I have been in Egypt for 4 months now.<br /></b></p><br /><p style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><b>-What is your age?</b></p><p><b>Old enough to know better!</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><b>-When did you come up with the idea of living in that country (and what factors helped your decision)?</b></p><p><b>I have lived here twice before and visited many times. The idea to return permanently has always been in the back of my mind. The first two times I had my children with me. School here is very difficult--mostly rote memorization rather than actual "learning". It was too difficult for them to adjust. Now that they are all happily married and on their own, I decided to return.</b></p><p><b>The first 2 times I decided to live here, my decision was influenced by wanting my young children to know their father's family, and to speak, read and write Arabic fluently. Alhamdulilah they achieved that. I also wanted them to live in a Muslim-majority country, since we are Muslims.<br /></b></p><p><b>This move was influenced by other factors. Living in the USA--far from my children--was difficult and lonely. Families are so spread out in the USA and gather infrequently. Life there is also expensive. And as a Muslimah, I felt alone there and cut off from my religion. Kind of like a fish out of water. Deciding to come here was not a difficult decision. I feel am am with my "own kind" here. My daughter, also married to an Egyptian, visits yearly. My two sons are planning to visit next year, insha Allah, and one of them intends to live here--with his wife--for a few years while she does research inti bird flu. Life here is less expensive than in USA--although some grocery items actually cost the same. But $ for $, the money goes much further here, alhamdulilah.<br /></b></p><br /><p><b><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">-Was it hard to get a visa or a working permit?</span><br /></b></p><p><b>A visa for an American can be purchased at the airport for I think less than $10. I am not working so never had to get a work permit, but I hear it's not difficult.<br /></b></p><br /><p><b><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?</span><br /></b></p><p><b>I don't have any medical insurance. It is available but verrry expensive. Not sure I ever will bother with it. Medical care here is much cheaper than in the US, and if you find good doctors and hospitals (they are present here) you don't need more than that.<br /></b></p><br /><p style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><b>-How do you make your living there? Do you have any type of income generated? (if you have a job there, how did you get it? How long did it take you to get a job there and how hard was it to find one? What tools did you use to land a job -- a website, agency, etc.?)</b></p><p><b>I live on income from the US. However, as a native English speaker, there are plenty of jobs available here. Mostly teaching, translating and copy-editing. Bilingual persons fluent in both Arabic and English would have an easier time of finding a great job.<br /></b></p><br /><p style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><b>-Do you speak the local language and do you think it's important to speak the local language? (please add your thoughts on local customs and whether it's important for expats to respect/observe local customs)</b></p><p><b>I speak the local language--the Egyptian form of Arabic. It's called "lowgha amia"--the language of the public. I can understand more formal Arabic as well. It is extremely important to learn the public language to survive--especially so you don't get ripped-off or disrespected. Some folks insist on speaking only English (it is widely understood) and never make an effort to learn the language but that's plain stupid in my opinion. You miss a lot of wonderful conversations, learning experiences, and just plain fun that way. In addition, Egyptians are so grateful and kind to those of us struggling to speak their language. Expats <span style="font-style: italic;">must</span> respect local customs. It's downright rude not to. You wouldn't want to be disrespected in your own country, so why show disrespect for other's customs while abroad. The world has seen enough of the "ugly American"!<br /></b></p><br /><b><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">-Do you miss home and family sometimes? (and describe your favorite recreational activities there or those that are available)</span><br /><br />I do miss my children of course. At times I miss home, especially now that football season is here--haha. Nothing like a game day gathering with lots of yummy ethnic Pennsylvania foods. I am already thinking about Thanksgiving dinner and how I will prepare it here. And will surely miss the snow! But I intend to go back every winter for a visit, so I am sure I will survive well here between times. Truly, Egypt is now home.<br /><br />I think every activity available in the US is here too. Anything you can imagine can be found here now. In fact, it's actually becoming a bit too westernized for my taste. I have always loved the local color and the simple life but things are getting very hectic here now, and some areas resemble America more than they do the Egypt I fell in love with. But time marches on and nothing stays the same. The important thing for me is I am surrounded by friendly and kind people, Muslims, and can hear the call to prayer and practice my religion on a daily basis. That's really all I need. Alhamdulilah.<br /></b>Queen O'Danilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05405302077898466959noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084609868339924297.post-22204127023579954212008-09-12T15:28:00.003+02:002008-09-13T16:31:40.207+02:00Scattergories...snagged from my buddy Jaffer...who got it from Dawn <a href="http://totally-pissed-off.blogspot.com/2008/09/lets-play-scattergories.html">here</a> <br /><br />HE'S RIGHT...IT <span style="font-style: italic;">IS </span>HARDER THAN IT LOOKS!<br /><ul><li>… It’s harder than it looks ! Erase my answers and enter yours</li><li>Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following below</li><li>They have to be <em>real</em> places, names, things. <em>Nothing made up </em>!</li><li>Try to use different answers if the person in front of you had the same 1st initial</li><li>You CAN’T use your name for the boy/girl name question !</li></ul><br /><strong><br />What is your name ?</strong> <em style="font-weight: bold;"></em><span style="font-weight: bold;">Queen</span> <p><strong>4 letter word: there is NO 4-letter word beginning with "q"...trust me I looked it up!</strong><em></em></p> <p><strong>Vehicle: how about a "quad", as in ATV</strong><em></em></p> <p><strong>TV Show: I used to like "Quantum Leap"<br /></strong></p><p><em><span style="text-decoration: line-through;"></span></em><em></em></p> <p><strong>City: Queens, NY<br /></strong></p><strong>Boy’s name: I like </strong><span style="font-weight: bold;">"QUINN (Irish) Wise" </span><em></em> <p><strong>Girl’s name</strong>: <span style="font-weight: bold;">Only one I could find...QUINNE (Gaelic) Advisor </span><em></em></p> <p><strong>Occupation: how about "queen"--nice work if you can get it!</strong><em></em></p> <p><strong>Something you wear: a quill feather on my hat...when i wear a hat that is</strong><em><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><br /></em><br /></p> <p><strong>Something found in a bathroom: quarry floor tiles...nyah-nyah! <br /></strong><br /></p> <p><strong>Reason for being late: I found myself in a "quagmire"???</strong><em></em></p> <p><strong>Something you shout</strong><em></em>:<span style="font-weight: bold;"> QUIETTTTTTTT!!!</span><br /></p> <p>Tag you are it ! It’s your turn to play…EVERYBODY'S "IT"!<br /></p>Queen O'Danilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05405302077898466959noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084609868339924297.post-30872418780619251312008-09-12T03:07:00.003+02:002008-09-12T03:30:40.338+02:00My third Ramadan in Egypt<div><br /><br /><div>Masha Allah this Ramadan is not just my best in Egypt, it's my best ever! Nothing compares to Ramadan spent in a Muslim country. As I sit here typing at 3 in the morning, I hear my neighbors across the hall. They are preparing for iftar later today, in which 32 of <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK1qDrjnT-eOEtFlGfo4yetMoVt6uH_p63StYqeaZJbANMER_zS7PZ1CDffqUrvB3VjgwoFdent2j4KtlsfN4FAyUAAWe29dNGS8mt85MB2fEqoamvWJ2X9Ym4SHKgY9i7ldqPKhRj13s/s1600-h/2038146591_00f1fccdc8_o.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244940834894071714" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="175" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK1qDrjnT-eOEtFlGfo4yetMoVt6uH_p63StYqeaZJbANMER_zS7PZ1CDffqUrvB3VjgwoFdent2j4KtlsfN4FAyUAAWe29dNGS8mt85MB2fEqoamvWJ2X9Ym4SHKgY9i7ldqPKhRj13s/s320/2038146591_00f1fccdc8_o.jpg" width="220" border="0" /></a>their relatives will be joining them! Masha Allah! I don't think I even knew 32 Muslims in my town back home! </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>My neighbors have people coming and going this evening because tomorrow is Friday--the official day off and Islamic holy day. I love it that families and friends get together like they do here, especially during this month! It's like a month-long party! Even though we are all fasting during daylight hours, the camraderie somehow makes it so much easier. Fasting truly is not difficult if you keep in mind you are doing this s<a href="http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/ramadan1.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/ramadan1.jpg" border="0" /></a>trictly for Allah's pleasure. The rewards are so great, especially when it comes time to break your fast. The self-discipline learned is such a blessing. And to know the pangs of hunger and thirst and realize many poor people in this world feel this every day is a lesson worth its weight in gold.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>This is a time to develop patience, and empathy for others. And to get closer to Allah, the Lord of all creation. There are a multitude of blessings in becoming closer to Allah, first of which is to feel a private connection between one's self and their Lord. Nothing compares to having a personal relationship with the One, True God.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>May Allah bless us all and guide us during this sacred month. And may we always show gratitude to Him who created us.</div></div>Queen O'Danilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05405302077898466959noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084609868339924297.post-63002078576160418622008-09-11T19:20:00.005+02:002008-09-11T23:33:47.000+02:00We made it! End of my travelogue--haha!<a href="http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/mokattam10.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/mokattam10.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>So we landed in Cairo...I am bored with this thread--haha. Family met us and all was good. We journeyed to Port Said and there began a whole new list of adventures. Egypt is just one big adventure. I admit I have had two or three "I hate Egypt" days. A dear friend of mine says the first year is wicked here. Actually I cant say my first year is even close to wicked--annoying as hell yes--but not as bad as wicked. And the annoying days are thankfully few and far between. I'll write more about that and other excellent adventures later. For now, please say a few prayers for <a href="http://www.silobreaker.com/DocumentReader.aspx?Item=5_899651588">the victims of the Mokattam Hills landslide</a>. The death toll is much higher than the government will report. And a tragedy in Ramadan seems doubly tragic. So whisper a few prayers, and thank God it wasnt you. Peace!</div>Queen O'Danilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05405302077898466959noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084609868339924297.post-32460783305571727802008-09-06T22:13:00.012+02:002008-09-07T03:21:24.338+02:00Patience--and the other good things--continues Part 2<div> So we arrived in Amsterdam and I was pretty much exhausted. The only<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyEbRFxc6Qhsb7B2Xk5hlQoaJb8sDdjtYW8Gz98F44tjxo1CBr6newEg3lCy1fMNdiv6RrDOsP6IezU7pTVKphhtz3s_4_wRGK989uv7F8FZdpy_8zJoSxQ-E9p9mGaWycbq1jUUbxQS0/s1600-h/image.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243050987997331394" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="240" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyEbRFxc6Qhsb7B2Xk5hlQoaJb8sDdjtYW8Gz98F44tjxo1CBr6newEg3lCy1fMNdiv6RrDOsP6IezU7pTVKphhtz3s_4_wRGK989uv7F8FZdpy_8zJoSxQ-E9p9mGaWycbq1jUUbxQS0/s320/image.jpg" width="320" border="0" /></a> hotel actually <em>in </em>the airport there is the Mercure. They were booked solid before I even left USA. The closest alternative, just outside the airport, and I forget the name now, cost something like 500 Euros a night. No matter that I only needed it during the day and for 10 hours at best--it stil would have cost wayyyy more than I could afford, or was even willing to pay. In hindsight I would now pay almost any amount of money to have been able to <em>rest</em>! In fact exhausted doesnt even begin to explain how I felt. </div><br /><br /><div>First there was the sheer relief of having finally made it that far. It took over 9 months for me to plan, sell, give away, pack, etc for this trip. 9 months of raw nerves and sheer terror at times. Oh yes, I sooo wanted to move to Egypt--it was hijra in fact. But it was scary nonetheless. There were definitely days where I could have easily given up the whole idea and just stayed there. Yet when I comtemplated that idea, I became more scared. Because my last few years in America were anything but pleasant. Mainly because I felt so cut off from Islam and Muslims, especially after all my kids left home to makes lives of their own. Living there became one worry after another--bills, responsibilities, and the feeling that particularly as a Muslimah alone, I was truly a fish out of water. So all that combined to exhaust me completely when I was finally able to comprehend we were on our way to a new life. </div><br /><br /><div>Did I mention the airport in Amsterdam, while beautiful, is HOT??? Sooooo hot. Pushing my Mom around in her wheelchair, with 2 carry-ons and 2 purses made it even more tiresome. I simply didnt know w<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6tNlXafMVzybMXA0iWoHyMqlcyhOrwH1RpTfeulhCb60_lpQUpK1eOmyQalj588FvJ-c3Qm61Ky669v2dFI7BInAf5OP2TjDMXl8uAtYxddp9xJinjTxJbGUkVE7vu9bQyDzRkV5T6U/s1600-h/ibis-airport-front-view.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243050699724368738" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6tNlXafMVzybMXA0iWoHyMqlcyhOrwH1RpTfeulhCb60_lpQUpK1eOmyQalj588FvJ-c3Qm61Ky669v2dFI7BInAf5OP2TjDMXl8uAtYxddp9xJinjTxJbGUkVE7vu9bQyDzRkV5T6U/s320/ibis-airport-front-view.jpg" border="0" /></a>here to go to rest. We went outside for awhile, enjoying the lovely view in front of the terminal. But it was hot outside as well. We couldnt take it for very long. Off we went again, back into the buiding, slowly making the long walk back to our gate. Finally we decided it was time to get something to eat. Food was expensive and I couldnt figure out the Euros. I ended up just putting everything on my debit card. After lunch we discovered a place where travelers could rest--these comfy kind of chaise lounge thingies, but they were plastic and hot as well. The place where they were situated was under a skylight, adding to the discomfort. Yet I slept like the dead. I awoke even more tired and sweaty as all get out. I had just enough time to find a bathroom and wash, change my day old clothes for fresh ones, and it was time to board for the trip to Cairo. Once on the plane, I finally relaxed because I knew my Egyptian family would be waiting for me on the other end. We ate dinner and I slept again. Finally, we arrived in Cairo. Alhamdulilah and thanks be to Allah.</div> <br /><br /><div>I have to mention here that NWA and KLM were wonderful airlines. Absolutely wonderful. I had to take them as they were the only airlines that flew internationally and at<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjczOHrHwRLyhkiByzzH8isQe_PP7NCKN4oL4Q6RJQu9pB_AJ27iy_KjffCVdErphCwti29QXSLDK-xoPg5qCQEoOvkRz_5IrjLJlACWpzV2j4lsrFruECzANaKx2aG8fOJhkmGinldevI/s1600-h/untitled.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243050381649556850" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjczOHrHwRLyhkiByzzH8isQe_PP7NCKN4oL4Q6RJQu9pB_AJ27iy_KjffCVdErphCwti29QXSLDK-xoPg5qCQEoOvkRz_5IrjLJlACWpzV2j4lsrFruECzANaKx2aG8fOJhkmGinldevI/s320/untitled.bmp" border="0" /></a> the same time could accomodate my huge dog. Funny, the dog and cat actually had a room in the pet hotel in Amsterdam. I was more than willing to bunk with them--haha--but I wasnt even allowed to see them. I was however given written confirmation each time we boarded a plane that my pets were also safely aboard, and they had food, clean cages and bedding at each stop. For that reason alone--the fact they took such good care of my beloved furry family--is reason enough for me to fly with them again. But next time--if there ever is a next time (which will be for a visit home only) you can bet I will reserve a hotel room. At my age, I just cant travel by the seat of my pants any longer. </div><br /><br />Next installment...we arrive in Cairo. <div> </div>Queen O'Danilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05405302077898466959noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084609868339924297.post-44197436725894403442008-09-06T04:34:00.006+02:002008-09-06T16:18:05.045+02:00Patience...and other good things Part 1<div>Yes I mentioned that patience--never one of my strong suits, has finally in my apparent old age, taken hold of me. Sometimes I absolutely can not believe I am the same woman who left America (for good) nearly 4 months ago. Whewwww--it's been a trip! </div><br /><br />Mom and I landed in Cairo after a very long and trying trip. From Pittsburgh to Detroit, Detroit to Amsterdam (complete with a 12 hour layover with no hotel room available--should have booked in advance) then Amsterdam to Cairo...wow. We were soooo tired. Things didnt start off very good. We finally got all the luggage/cartons accounted for and handed<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjycCRYC-F9A6q2oRWiomfdwWPyvYHRpX7O5azA1MNBaPVzt7PY4UjrXQ9tkdZEVTXpMlL2ZaRpm5yeEAh3eLje2xyOcH8TlR8fA0yaFV1tF3F4hZdAq299rQ3u_1o-09FVLwKokzf-EhA/s1600-h/alexa.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242741739577670370" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjycCRYC-F9A6q2oRWiomfdwWPyvYHRpX7O5azA1MNBaPVzt7PY4UjrXQ9tkdZEVTXpMlL2ZaRpm5yeEAh3eLje2xyOcH8TlR8fA0yaFV1tF3F4hZdAq299rQ3u_1o-09FVLwKokzf-EhA/s320/alexa.JPG" border="0" /></a> over to NWA, and then I had to give the animals to the TSA so their cages could be checked for what I can only imagine would have been explosives. I dont know why but the idea of blowing up my pets--along with anything else--was so funny to me. I tried hard to keep a straight face when the officer told me not to put my hand back in the cage once it had been cleared. Hmmmmm...was I going to shoot bombs out of my fingertips? Off they went finally, the cat looking perplexed and the dog howling and yapping--she absolutely did not want to leave me! I love dogs. They are so faithful.<div> </div><br /><br />Anyway, speaking of TSA and all that jazz...I, amazingly, with my Islamic name and garb, got through security without a hitch. My dear mother however was a different story. Apparently she had forgotten the KNIFE she had to peel apples was in the little purse attached to her walker!!! I suddenly found my mom and myself surrounded by security and God knows what other officials from however many departments there are that monitor the airports looking for errant terrorists. When they told me they'd found a knife in Mom's satchel, I guess the look on my face convinced them I was too shocked to mean them any harm. Immediately I am nearly yelling at my Mom "What are you doing with a knifffffffe???" In fact one officer started cracking up, shaking his head and saying :Oh my God the look on your face". Yeah! Haha. Glad one of us--NOT the Muslim one of us, thinks this is funny. Mom took her time remembering she had peeled apples with it a few days before and just stuck it in there, thinking she'd remember it once she got to the kitchen. Hmmmmm. Mom admittedly can no longer find her way out of a paper bag. But it was all OK in the end. The officers were very nice and seemed to realize Mom was a bit confused--and forgetful. I asked if there would be any repurcussions. The officer told me at worst I might get a visit from some "age<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_n3kKBQYvPwg/SCjJHIAwDtI/AAAAAAAAA8M/-BuiPRi0i3k/IMG_0417.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_n3kKBQYvPwg/SCjJHIAwDtI/AAAAAAAAA8M/-BuiPRi0i3k/IMG_0417.jpg" border="0" /></a>ncy" at home in a few days. "At home where?" Pittsburgh, I was told. With a cheesy grin I said OK that's cool. Home was no longer Pittsburgh. And we boarded the plane, alternatively laughing and crying. I could only imagine a federal agent knocking on my door. Lights are on, but no one is home. And so we were off.<div> </div><br /><br />Our layover in Detroit was pretty quick. We just had time to get from one terminal to the other, grab something quick to drink, and we were on our way to Holland. Next stop Amsterdam. That was a killer. Will continue this part of the story soon.<div></div><br /><br />For now I would just like to say how grateful I am to Allah that we passed through the trials and roadblocks, made it here safely, found our good friends and family to help us, and are finally settled in. It's been a struggle. Life has been reduced to thinking about o<a href="http://bbsnews.net/bbsn_photos/topics/Middle-East/2007041316_G.sized.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bbsnews.net/bbsn_photos/topics/Middle-East/2007041316_G.sized.jpg" border="0" /></a>ur basic needs in most cases, not our desires. Slowly now we can begin to think "it would be nice to have this or that" as opposed to "I MUST take care of A, B and C so we dont die." Although Egypt can no longer be considered a third world country--hell--it actually seems more civilized and advanced than the USA, we still do reside on the continent of Africa. Here you witness life in its basic form--need food and shelter to survive. Must keep clean and find safe drinking water, a competent doctor, and a well-stocked pharmacy. Egypt is kind of an oxymoron. Beside people who have more money than they know what to do with--and flaunt it outrageously--are the poorest of the poor. And all that comes with that. But we are happy beyond words here. Content, at peace. I am no longer a nervous wreck. Thankfully, I even find my brain working better. My short term memory is increasing. I no longer have to write every thing down that I want to remember. Dont eat any fast food. No soda, no candy or junk food. Drink buckets of good, clean water. Work hard at home, go for walks, sit in the sun. Life in its basic simplified form. No worries mate. Alhamdulilah.<div></div>Queen O'Danilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05405302077898466959noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084609868339924297.post-38797396333760564672008-08-23T23:54:00.002+03:002008-08-24T00:09:19.592+03:00I'm Baaaaaaaaaack!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizutW7cVuQzJhtAkEgWjwOOvmeRrwCCSAs9drqJURAFmETDDSWt4PIRItXSCIdvW7nYwTnZaBe4btet_W1fIz8XnAbL-xD377k1LTEt42ntkXTFfl1Aqu1th5cGBYbz7rLbQ-qDPw5hyM/s1600-h/egy%5Bt+cat.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237823180226842930" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizutW7cVuQzJhtAkEgWjwOOvmeRrwCCSAs9drqJURAFmETDDSWt4PIRItXSCIdvW7nYwTnZaBe4btet_W1fIz8XnAbL-xD377k1LTEt42ntkXTFfl1Aqu1th5cGBYbz7rLbQ-qDPw5hyM/s400/egy%5Bt+cat.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Hey All! According to that travel counter over there I have been gone for...well quite awhile! Let me begin by saying I arrived in Egypt safely, immediately got sick, stayed sick for about 2 months, and then somehow got the strength to get moving on building a life here.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Egypt teaches you <em>nothing</em> if not patience. My kids would now consider me--a Type A to the max--downright laid back. I cant believe what I have been through and survived. What I can remember of it anyway!</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>The important thing is, I am settled here, very happy, finally got a computer and dsl at home...and so I am ready to rock! Fasten your seatbelts folks...it's sure to be a bumpy ride!</div>Queen O'Danilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05405302077898466959noreply@blogger.com6