Crisis in Cairo

Watching the news about the turmoil in Eqypt, conjured up memories of our visit there two years ago.  Thoughts about the welfare of Ali Aldeen, The Lady in Blue, and her children keep forming in my mind.

This prompted me to re-post these stories and photos.  It was written BEFORE the downfall of Hosni Mubarak in 2010.

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After spending a long day traveling to Cairo from Alexandria on a bus, driving through the city, visiting the musuem where King Tut 'is stored,' and then driving 'home' (to the ship), my thoughts were focused on my home, my family, my friends, my dogs . . . in America.

As mentioned in the previous post, I've not taken much time to peruse through my photos of Egypt taken last year, until now, while witnessing the news coming from that country in turmoil.

Upon realizing I had taken eight-hundred-seventy-six pictures that day, this project seemed a daunting task.  In trying to narrow down that number, I wanted to make this personal . . .to give these photos a face . . . a name . . . a feeling . . . a story . . .

. . . to make them more than just photos that go into one more Travel Album.

Here are a few of those photos with hopes that when you leave here, and go about your day,  you will think about those who crossed my path that day.

We'll start with these two . . .

This is Ali Aldeen, our escort. 
Yes.
You see correctly. 
I didn't know whether to feel safe because of the weapon he carried or not.

This is not a Cairo parking lot. 
These vehicle are moving.
The painted stripes on the streets denoting lanes, mean nothing.

This was one of the more 'orderely'  efforts I saw all day as far as traffic was concerned.

While watching the news coming from Cairo today, I realized this bridge over the Nile River was one that is now filled with protestors and 'police.'

 

While Ali Aldeen and I . . .

(That's Cairo in the background.)

. . .stood together looking at the views above, waiting for our guide, May-nel, to herd the cats in our group to continue the tour . . .

 . . . he said to me,  "You know I am your armed guard."

To which I replied, "Why do you think I'm standing next to you ?"

He laughed, and at that point, Ali Aldeen became my personal body guard for the rest of the day. 
Even when I took a wrong turn trying to photograph something off the beaten path he made sure I found my way back to the group.

Because Ali Aldeen stood by me from that point on, it afforded me the opportunity to visit with him.  He was a kind, courteous, delightful young man.  And, very intelligent, I might add.  He spoke four languages fluently and was up-to-date on the politics in America. He had so many goals and hoped to better himself. 

Ali Aldeen held the American dream in his heart.

Continuing on with our tour of Cairo . . .

Just in case the photos didn't depict well enough what's here . . . those are hovels where families live.

 

And on the same block. . .
. . . the VERY same block. 
Did you hear me ? 
I said on THE VERY SAME BLOCK, you will see this type of "hovel."

I'm not sure, but it's my guess that only ONE of the hovels pictured above looks like this on the inside.

 

The highlight of our time in Cairo was the tour of The Egyptian Museum . . .

It is now being reported that the Egyptian Museum has been looted and that rioters have destroyed two mummies along with other artifacts.

Egyptians have now formed a human chain around the museum to protect marauders from causing more damage.

Even though I have no photos of what we saw there, here is an INSIDE VIEW of the museum.

The following are a few sites as we drove through Cairo . . .

 

There are many canals throughout the city of Cairo that provide food and water.

Looks like a nice place to fish . . .

Look again.

In one of the canals there was a dead horse, and just down stream there were ladies with buckets getting  drinking water for their families.

 

Here is a glimpse of the street activity  . . .

From my vantage point, this was a common sight, more than not . . . the Koran on the dash of every vehicle.

My thoughts are with these people who walked the streets, doing their every-day-business and now, those streets are filled with death and destruction.

 

And then, there's this story . . .

Yes, you say, "This is trash on the streets in Cairo." 
Well, you're correct about that, but the story has to do with those yellow and blue bags before they were trash.

These bags were filled with chips, cookies, crackers, a banana and apple, a bottle of water, and a boxed fruit drink.

They are given to each person on the tour when loading the bus.

At the end of our very long day, Hans and I still had our goodie bags as the bus parked one more time.

Our last stop was in front of this shop to allow us to purchase cartouches and papyrus.

This was the scene as I looked out the bus window. 
I was not aware that in that alley-way, nestled between the two shops, was someone's home.

 

It was this lady's home.  This lady-in-blue. Just before I snapped this photo, several young barefoot children had been playing.  Four, maybe five little ones laughing, and jumping, and having a good 'ole time.  The children ranged in ages from two years old to about eight years old. 

The young man in orange and blue, with the shoe-shine kit, is also her son.

I looked at our goody bags full of food stuffed under ourseats on the bus that hadn't been touched, knowing that they would end up in a trash can back at the pier or scattered along the streets.

If you notice, Ali Aldeen is in that first photo.  I stepped off the bus to ask him if it would be appropriate to give the lady-in-blue our goody bags. 

He told me it would be appropriate to give those goody bags to anyone.

I took our two bags and handed Ali Aldeen a bag and the lady-in-blue a bag.

As you can see, her son went for the banana.

The other children screamed in delight as they ripped open the contents of the yellow and blue bag. 

While all this was going on, the others in our tour group were watching from the bus.

When I boarded the bus, everyone who hadn't opened their bags were holding them out for me to distribute to the group standing on the sidewalk.  There were about twenty goody bags !

Once again, I stepped off the bus, but this time loaded with about ten bags  under each arm.  I took half of them to the lady-in-blue and let the others take the bags from me.

Everyone you see in that first photo ended up with a goody bag, and they ate and drank the contents right then and there.

Even Ali Aldeen !

When the bus started to pull away from the curb, I used sign language to ask permission to take her picture.

She nodded yes and flashed this smile which made me think, "There are hundreds of languages in this World, and a smile speaks them all."

After she waved, she kissed the fingers on both her hands, touched her chest above her heart, and extended her arms toward me.

During the long trip from Cairo back to Alexandria, I sat in my seat being grateful for what I have.

Ali  Aldeen was waiting as we departed. 

He shook my hand (which contained a generous tip) and thanked me.

He told me that today was probably the first day the children of the Lady-in-Blue had ever had fresh fruit.

He told me he appreciated what I had done and that it was the first time anyone on any of his tours had ever done that.

He told me he loved America.

He asked me if I would smuggle him into my carry-on bag and take him to America.

my thoughts focused on my home, my family, my friends, my dogs . . . in America.

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This post was created BEFORE the downfall of Hosni Mubarak.

It is my hope that the death and destruction happening in Egypt, right now this very minute, as you read this, is not in vain . . . that this country can have a democratic government focused on human rights and economic reform . . .  a government that has Ali Aldeen's best interest at heart. . . that the lady-in-blue can feed her children fresh fruit everyday . . . that someone can help clean the canal waters of the Nile . . . 

Today as I watch the Crisis in Cairo, my thoughts are with Ali Aldeen and the-Lady-in-Blue, and all the others pictured above.  It is my hope that they and and their families are safe.

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While watching the news from Egypt (non-stop), the ticker across the bottom of my TV screen reports this:

Dennis Kucinich Settles Law Suit over Olive Pit.

Dennis the Menace is whining and has sued someone over an olive pit and people in Egypt are experiencing what is happening there ?

Are you kidding me ?

Evidently not . . . read this:

 

Comments

[Puppysitter]

This is one of your 'Award Winning Posts'...gorgeous, well thought out, and truly touching and inspiring.

I was especially moved by the photos of the woman in blue---wow. I have long held dreams of being able to travel and take photos like that of the people I meet...if I ever am able to do any of that, it will be mostly because of what I've learned from you.

And I was so, so, so touched that you shared your bag of food---and others, led by YOUR example, shared from their hearts too. I think the good will there goes SOO far beyond the food that was shared.

And I am amazed, again, at your luck---always surrounded by gorgeous men!!! I would be pretty nervous in any large city---let alone a foreign country---I would sure LOVE to have a protector by my side, especially if he looked like that! I hope he is given the opportunity to follow his dreams and find success and happiness.

Finally, I truly hope these people are safe, and that the violence will soon end, and that they will be left with the freedom and peace they sacrificed for.

Thank you so much for this post.

[Michelle]

Oh wow, what an interesting and deep post. I loved it!!

Michelle

[Ami]

I so appreciate your perspective and your generous sharing of places and things I will probably never go to or see.

What a beautiful smile that woman had.

And a sweet heart that you have.

[Karisma]

I have tears in my eyes reading this. A lady told me a few weeks ago how she hated her trip to Egypt as all she noticed was those hovels and rubbish. No matter where you go in the world there are people. Real people. Great post Swampy! Blessings to you! mwah xoxoxo

[Janis]

Very touching post Swampy. The simple acts of kindness such as giving away your goodie bag is so moving. Us Americans are so spoiled and take so much for granted. This is a reality check to take a look around and start counting our many "Blessings". Prayers are with these people that they can develope a government with a leader that will look out for the common people. They have been in unrest for so so long! Thanks for sharing.

[Pamela]

Thank you Swampy, for a new perspective. Not that I had any perspective.
My concern is that Egypt will become a closed nation like Iran.

I want to say that there are people who receive and there are people who take
What a gracious gracious woman was she who received your gift. And it was a bold act on your part to step out of the tourist comfort zone! (Thank you for THAT, too!)

[Pamela]

I forgot to close my Italics. So better do that

[Kim]

Swampy,

Your post made me think of Jesus and his heart for the people of Egypt. Thank you for seeing Ali and the lady-in-blue through his eyes and being his hands.

When I pray for Egypt, I will pray with them in mind.

How your heart must ache for them...not knowing where or how they are right now. The danger these people face is more real to you than anyone can imagine because these people are real to you.

I always knew you were special - what with being a Boxer lover and all - but this just seals the deal!

[Running with the Pack]

Kathy, I love your eyes on the world. You are blessed and beautiful and humble in your heart and I'm so proud to call you my friend. More than once you have made me look at the world through different eyes, thank you for your perspective and vision. You are a special person.

[Sayre]

Now I will wonder about that woman and her children and your guide - how they are faring in all this upheaval. Of course, there is no way to know, so prayers will go out to the universe on their behalf and I will just have to trust that the higher power is watching over them. I never really thought about Egypt much. It was a place of pharaohs and pyramids - but that is ancient history. This is the history now.

[Kila]

Thank you so much for sharing :)

[Junebug]

Oh, the wonderful human face you put on the crisis in Egypt for us. I wish you could have smuggled that Ali with you and that wonderful woman and her children. I wish all this world turmoil could end but we know it won't. I have a pastor friend who visited and preached in Cairo last year. He is putting a face on the people too. I really think if the world could just look at people (especially the children) face to face and get that human connection, there wouldn't have to be fighting. It's always good to do what's right and I think whatever you do to help someone you're making a difference in this world. Thank you for what you did. See what your good example did for the other's watching.

[C...]

Fantastic blog post. YOu nearly had me in tears. Ali is so handsome. I'll smuggle him in ;)

What a difference our worlds hold. And some of us never eat fresh fruit but have an abundance of it.

[AC]

Somehow, that lady's smile touched me. Quite deeply. A few tears sprang loose. Strange reaction, eh?

[Pamela]

Made me smile again.

[Karmyn R]

I missed this the first time around - moving and inspiring!! Makes me feel guilty for throwing away an older apple.