Cairo - Part IV

The Religion Compound - Old Cairo

When we were almost done with our wonderful meal at Abou El Seid Restaurant, our driver "Ahmed I" called and said that "Ahmed II" will resume his duty as a driver for us instead of him. Apparently all along, Ahmed II was supposed to be the driver we arranged from Kuwait so we were like... Okay! What the hey! After paying, we called him and he picked us up.

A big guy, talkative, know-it-all kinda man, funny, and helpful! That was the impression he gave that day :-) I was happy because he seems to be more of a people's person than Ahmed I.

Ahmed II: So where do you wanna go?
Ansam: The Religious Compound or the Egyptian Museum??
Ahmed II: The Compound. You dont have time for the museum because it will close in an hour.
Ansam: Sure... lets go :-D

The Religious Compound is one of the projects to be looked at since a lot of restorations are taking place. I hope the authorities there take extra good care of the place, because its rich in flavor and multi cultured. It contains all of the three main religions; Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The majority of worship houses were churches...

I went to The Hanging Church, passed by a Nunnery, Church of the Virgin, Mari Girgis Church, Amr Ibn Alas Mosque, and the Synagogue. Both the Coptic and Greek churches and the Coptic Museum were closed :-(

It was very interesting to be in all those places and observe different methods for prayer to the same God. Very overwhelming too. I went into a souvenir store and snapped away many pictures as well. I was so looking forward to go to all and every part of the compound, but some places were closed :-(

As I walked into Amr Ibn Alas, I put a shawl on my head, took off my shoes, and handed them to the guard. He smiled and said a little prayer for me... it was prayers time and so wonderful to be there at this time.. People were inside; some reading Quran, others preparing to pray... and he asked

Guard: Where come you from?
Ansam: Kuwait
Guard: You speak Araby?
Ansam: Yes

And he started saying how Kuwaitis and Egyptians are like one and that I should consider myself home. He was very sweet. So we go in, walk around, snap some pictures and head out...

A quick note, I usually leave my bag in the car when I am making quick stops and carry cash in all of my pockets... 20 here, 50 there, and so on. So as I was heading back to the guard to take my shoes, he asks for donations.. I put my hands in one of my pocket and was like whatever comes out of the pocket will be his... I get out EGP25 and smile while putting it in the box and he goes...

Guard: WHAT! IS THAT ALL?
Ansam: Excuse me??
Guard: You are Kuwaiti? Is that all you got to give?
Ansam: ??????
Guard: I expect much more from you! You are rich you are Kuwaiti.. EGP10 is all you got! WHATTA SHAME!
Ansam: EXCUSE ME SIR! First of all I did not hand in EGP10... and secondly I dont carry much cash with me, and dont you judge me like that!! GRRRR

I stormed out! Should I not say that I am Kuwaiti!!

Related Posts:
Cairo Part I
Cairo Part II
Cairo Part III

Cairo - Part III

After we were done with the Great Pyramids (I wish I had more time to see the pyramids at sunset and at night) but it was a very short trip, and we were always on the go. After hearing so much about Abou El Seid restaurant, we decided to have lunch there... we were STARVING!

The restaurant is located in Zamalek area on the famous 26th July St. The place was almost full that I was afraid they wont let us in without reservations, but since its a place mostly for the hip and young people, and many many tourists, they found us a table which was amazing.

The place looked very interesting! Dimmed lights, cozy, home like, classical furniture with marble tables, wooden window shutters (mashrabiya) background music of Abdulhaleem and Fairuz, friendly staff, and tasty food! Absolutely fabulous! Oh and their restrooms signs are of famous celebrities! Of course a male and a female one ;-)

Many people asked me to try their famous stuffed pigeons, but I am not a fan! So I decided to go with their next best thing, Milokhiya! Its a green leaf kind of vegetable cooked with onions and spices and is so damn good! We also went with many other dishes; Sharkasiya (shreds of chicken with nuts on rice and covered in gravy-like sauce), Kushari (must must must), and okrah stew. I honestly do recommend ALL of those dishes, the best I have tasted in Cairo... taste was very authentic and original....not to mention their very reasonable prices!

Towards the end, the waiter told me that they are opening a branch in Kuwait... and when they do, I am gonna dine there regularly if it was as good as the one we tried!


Relate posts:
Cairo Part I
Cairo Part II

Cairo - Part II

Its been a week since I posted about my Cairo trip.. and I thought I should continue my Cairo journal here and write..

I woke up around 7:30-8 and was so excited because the plan was to see the Pyramids. We headed down for breakfast, and it was a beautiful site.. we sat by the Nile.. it was just amazing :-)
A lot of my friend kept telling me to avoid saying that I was Kuwaiti, I just couldn't... at the buffet, I felt like having eggs, the chef asked me if I was Arab, I said yes... and when he asked what nationality I just couldn't lie, but instead I asked him to guess... he went east to west, north to south with the Arab countries skipping Kuwait LOL. Until he was like "Kuwait??" I smiled and nodded hehehe. By 9:00 we were back in our rooms getting ready and I called the driver to pick us up...

Ahmed I: Hello
Ansam: Good morning, can you pick us up at around 10:00?
Ahmed I: Well, you see... Actually the other Ahmed is your driver, I just picked you from the airport cuz he had some thing to do, so would you mind calling him instead?
Ansam: Sure

Ahmed II: Hello?
Ansam: Yes, this is Ansam............. (telling him the same thing)
Ahmed II: I am sorry to tell you that it will take me more than an hour to pick you up! I was not informed nor prepared
Ansam: But we did the whole arrangement thing from Kuwait to have a driver on call!!!
Ahmed II: I am a bit busy
Ansam: Fine

My friend calls Kuwait about what happened.... after five minutes

Ahmed I: I am gonna pick you up soon
Ansam: Thanks

We wasted our morning waiting until he came around 11:30! It pissed me off big time since we had to call Kuwait to get things done in Cairo! Plus 11:30 isn't really early for us to go around the city :-( The driver did not seem happy about it... he was quiet!

There they are.... the Great Pyramids of Egypt! I always thought that they would be in remote area and that you cannot really see them from the city, I was wrong. As we approach'em, we were stopped by civilians who claimed they work there either as "Egyptologists" or for ticketing. There were also tourist police all over the place. One of those ticketing guys approached us and asked for PASSPORTS!! I was like WTH!? Apparently you are giving entry tickets' prices according to your nationality. So he asked us for any forms of IDs because we did not have our passports, he made it seem like a BIG mistake to be coming to the Pyramids without passport! He examined the IDs like for few minutes and was like OK, since you are Kuwaiti I will charge you EGP4 which is the Egyptian rate, but will have to charge your American friend EGP60... I was like whatever, and paid for myself, the driver, and my friend. He kept telling me "Kol sana wento 6ayebeen" (which literally translates to happy new year) all through ticketing process.... and how he worked hard on getting me the Egyptian rate because Kuwaitis and Egyptians are the same to them... I ignored him, I kept saying thanks.. but that was about it!

We had to go through security to go in while our driver drove ahead and waited for us inside.... I was surprised to read CLEARLY that they charged me just the right amount and there were no favors... It stated clearly there; the price of Fellow Arabs are EGP4... they asked for the ticket and again the guy checking my ticket gave me a "shocked-face" look on how I got the Egyptian rate... I pointed at the sign and smiled! He then stalled me asking me for ID again and asking questions... I went with the flow.

As we entered, we were looking for the driver and we were approached by one of the "Egyptologists" who harassed us rather than offering services. I kept asking him to go away! Under other circumstances I would not mind hiring an expert but since they are so annoying I decided going without them... reason I did that is because when he offered, I rejected it with thank yous... he would just ignore me and get into our car insisting on it which scared the hell outta me! I kept asking him to step out, the driver was asking him that too... my friend also, but he would just come close to my face and try to convince me to take his service...

You want worse? I saw a tourist police and I asked for his help... he came in with some hand gestures (implying tips/money) saying.. "tell me? whats wrong?" DO I HAVE TO PAY EVERYONE to get through it all or what? The Egyptologist looked back at me inside the car and was getting so close to me till I started kicking the chair and asked him to move away from my face!! He finally stepped out of the car!

We parked the car, and walked around but to add to my joy... another Egyptologist came and started talking and explaining things to us.. I ignored him 100% I asked him to leave politely but with no use... he kept walking with us like we have no choice... until I clearly told him that I was not gonna tip him or give him a penny!

The weather was two windy, the Pyramids looked amazing but the place was trashed :-( There are "No Climbing" signs, but you can climb anyway if you tip them :-( I wanted to do more... but the whole atmosphere was not helping! I wanna go again with a male presence or with an Egyptian friend or someone who really know their way around there! I wanna go again where I can have a good time without all those annoying surroundings :-( Its beautiful, its awesome, its the Pyramids for God's sake!

I remember standing in front of the Coliseum in Rome and just thinking about the history... gladiators, lions, people who walked those grounds....etc! I wish I was able to do so with the Pyramids :-( They just wont let you enjoy it... some thing must interrupt and ruin it for you!

Tips:
Bring in eye drops, water, lotion, and sanitizer. It helps a lot.

Cairo - Part I

OK, Cairo was fun at some points and very disappointing at some other points! I have lots and lots to tell and talk about, but will try to make it short for each part! In this post, I will talk about my first day... and since I haven't been to Cairo since the 1980s when I was little... This trip was like my first time there :-)

Day I - March 26th
*****************
We arrived at the airport and were received by two assistance (we arranged that from Kuwait). They basically did the whole going into immigrations and baggage claim thing.... very useful and highly recommended. They were two young men, very polite, very proper, and very helpful. The whole process was a breeze! We also hired a driver for the three days we were gonna be there for EGP 500 per day (everyone told us it was WAY TOO MUCH/over charged) . One of those young men told us we were supposed to be picked up by another driver, but he got caught up in something and will meet with us tomorrow. Meanwhile, they arranged for us another driver for the day.... Both drivers' names were Ahmed. So Ahmed I substitued for Ahmed II.....
I tipped those two gents for EGP50.... he hesitated to take the money, but I insisted! He smiled and said thanks!

It took us around an hour to get to our hotel, Sofitel El Gezirah. As soon as we reached our room, we quickly showered and changed to meet my friend from the States at Buddha Bar in our hotel... whom I have not seen in over 10 years! She came with her hubby and his friend. We had dinner at the Buddha Bar restaurant and then went outside and sat by the Nile for a while to catch up. It was nice to see her after those long years....

First day was super nice! All the people I met were friendly, the service was great, my food was amazing, the hotel was nice and the staff were great.... and I had good company!

Two more days to come!!

Back!

I am back to Kuwait! I was really looking forward to coming back home by the end of it (our driver could not have end it any worse.... ughhhhhhhh)

I have mixed feelings about my trip to Egypt. Overall it was a bit of many things; fun, laughs, thrill, shock, anger, and disappointment!

This was one short eventful 53 hours trip! I have so many pictures to show, so many stories to tell, and so many experiences to share!

My camera broke down Friday afternoon after my trip to the pyramids... it could be due to the sand/windy weather :-( Any suggestion for a new nice camera?

Off To Cairo ;-)

Will be back home early Sunday! Ciao ;-)

Cairo - To Do List :-P

OK :-) Interesting feedback I got by comments here, facebook, and email or text msgs LOL! I am so excited and everyone is telling me not to have high hopes, but I cant help it!

The pyramids (along with the horseback riding) and the museums are a MUST for me, but to sum up all the suggestions I got by a considerable amount of peeps, I picked the following...

• Buddha Bar - Sangria - La Bodega (If I get the chance to pass by all three but I dont think so, so I am gonna go for Buddha Bar as a first choice out of the three)
• Abu El Sid was also highly recommended
• I am definitely gonna pass by AlHussein and Khan AlKhalili and most likley will go to Najeeb Mahfouz Cafe au contrair to ElFishawi Cafe
• Four Seasons - Nile (for all kind of food and shopping) my friend also suggested the Thai restaurant at El Dokki Four Seasons, so will see how it goes :-)
• Anyone heard of Thomas Pizza? My half Egyptian friend said its "Egyptian Style".. interesting :-)
• Ghash is the best place to try foul (fava beans) and falafel. Its dirty but yummy, thats what I keep hearing. Its in Sayyeda Zeinab and I am up for the risk! I dont think my friend/coworker will try it though LOL
• Ohhh and I hear a lot about Abu Tarek's Kushari (SO MANY SUGGESTIONS!) hehehehe
• City Star Mall
• The Felucca Ride in the Nile at sunset was also highly recommended!
• Fatimid Cairo, where I can see Darweesh (Sufism, and men dancing in skirts)

Thats a long to-do list for my short stay! I typed them down in no specific order of preference! I wish I get to do all of the above but I doubt it... ohhh and I'm also gonna meet my friend Kelly whom I have not seen in over 10 years!

UPDATE: I added some picture plans (Thanks Dalia :-*)... Sorry I stole your Bayt Al Kiritliyya picture hehehe

Going to Cairo

I'm going to Cairo for a couple of days soon.... I have been there a couple of times, last time of which was at the age of 7! So, yeah... it is kinda my first trip to Egypt.

I'm taking your recommendations! Be it museums, restaurants, sites, old markets...etc.


Thanks :-)

The Food Post! - Dubai

While in Dubai, I made sure to swing by some of my favorite spots to dine in... and two of which were The Meat Co at Madinat Jumaira and Nobu at Atlantis Hotel....

Since it was a short trip the day turned out CRAZY! I wish my break was a day (or two) longer, I also ran into some family and friends here and there. Apparently a lot of Kuwaitis were there during that weekend, some even texted me that they saw me from far away and couldn't say hello! It was funny!!

After breakfast and shopping at the Mall of Emirates, we went to Madinat Jumairah to have lunch and walk around. We had lunch at The Meat Co. We ordered Red Chili Prawns and Rocket & Artichoke Salad for appetizers. I ordered The Petite (USA) Fillets2 X100 gm with a side of baked potato while my friend ordered a cheeseburger! It was so yummy, although I wanted my fillets without the mushroom sauce because it ruins the natural juices of the meat itself, and that is why I ordered it cooked medium (which also was a bit overcooked for my taste LOL I know I am bloody scary!)... but oh well, I was hungry as hell and ate the whole thing! We walked around Madinat Jumaira in the afternoon and headed to Mall of Dubai for some more shopping :-P

At night we were exhausted and hungry again... but did not want to rest and order room service! Instead, we headed to Atlantis for dinner at Nobu! The place is amazing and the food is so good! The pictures look like painting because I could not really take flash photos and disturb everyone there near by every time a new dish is at the table!! LOL! I actually love how they turned out with my editing and enhancing! We ordered Edamame and Mixed Seaweed Salad for Appetizer, Unagi for me and California for my friend. We also tried the New Age Salmon Sashimi *which I highly recommend* and shared a lobster. For dessert we ordered Benta Box Chocolate Souffle with a scoop of green tea ice cream! I loved everything about that place. The atmosphere, the service, and the food :-)

Enjoy the pictures... sometimes I forget to snap right away, so you may notice some missing pieces... ;-)

Wataniya Airways

For my last trip to Dubai, I flew Wataniya Airways. Overall, it was good experience. The staff are very friendly (although some are not trained well yet) but at least they try and smile. My flight was at 8:15 in the morning, so I left home at around 6:00ish with Isaac. It was my first time to go to the new Sheikh Saad Terminal, but I was told to follow the Wataniya Airways all the way to the airport, which I did and it was very helpful... Isaac on the other hand was so nervous! Every time he goes to a new place he drives so slow and asks so many questions. I kept telling him to follow the signs all the way, which I recommend you do... even if you feel that its taking forever, and even when you see the airport on your right... just follow the sign and do not take turns because you wont get in due to the fences... Yes, you have to take the longer way ;-)

As soon as I stepped out of the car a porter asked if I needed help, and before even reaching the entrance I was received with a big smile of Wataniya Airways employee;

"Good morning maam :-) How are you today?"

And she guided me through to the check-in counters. It was semi crowded but chaotic! It was my first negative impression! An employee came and asked me...

WA (A): "Dubai or Bahrain?"
Me: Dubai
WA (A): Can you please step out of the line and wait for us to call you?
Me: hmmm, sure why?
WA (A): It will only take a couple of minutes
Me: OK!! Sure!!
WA (A): Thanks

I was upset because I had to wait like in the middle of the hall without any explanation! Another employee came and asked

WA (B): Can I help you? Are you flying to Bahrain?
Me: No Dubai
WA (B): Why arent you waiting in line?
Me: I was told to step out and wait here
WA (B): No you can go maam

I had one medium size duffel bag to check in... so I had to move it along with me back and forth...

Me: No please... make sure before you move me around... Do I go back in line or do I wait here! Please make sure because I dont want to move around with my stuff back and forth...

She immediately called a porter to help me... After a while

WA (A): Bahrain? Right? (I think she was asking me politely to step out again)
Me: No Dubai
WA (A): Can you please wait there until we.....
WA (B): No no.. (and she whispered something to her)

At this point I was so upset cuz the line wasnt moving and it was 7:30am... I guess I looked upset cuz one of the supervisor immediately took me to an empty counter to check in... and guess what? My bag was labeled with "LATE" friggin check-in!

The flight went in smoothly, the staff were amazing onboard... I was in the premium economy and the seats are roomy and comfy. You get to use your mobile phones via OnAir service in flight. The food was served like 40 mins before arrival so they literally placed the trays and removed them within 10-15 mins... I did not even finish my breakfast... which was awful and tasteless! But I kept wondering why did they serve it so late!

At Dubai Airport, I was not received by "Mar7aba" Service as promised which kinda pissed me off! I did everything on my own, which is no problem, but when you are promised such services... you expect to get them! Right!?

The trip back to Kuwait was much much better... I was assisted by "Mar7aba" personnel and the food was better, staff took time to talk to us about our experience and they also took the details of my flight to Dubai... But I dont really know if they will investigate about it or not.

I would definitely fly Wataniya again :-) I only think they need more training and more organizing :-) I highly recommend you give it a try.

Hasan B... that's my mini review!


PS: The last pic is of the intruder behind me! LOL... Don't ask :-P

Je Suis Back ;-)

Yes! I am back... and will update you with the trip (and pictures too). It was a very much needed break and I had fun. I went to Dubai to see Cirque Du Soleil - Allegria among shopping and dinning out too of course... ended up with some bank account damages hehehe but it was worth it! I loved that trip, the company... I just wished there were more hours in the day to see some family and friends there! Stay tuned for updates... until then ;-)

Come Back Later ;-)

March 11

"Things turn out the best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out!"*

I am up for trying to make the best of the way things turn!

Let me tell you this: It was a BAD week! Something was brought to my attention "very publicly" when I am the kind of person that like to sort out things smoothly and I appreciate it more if it was on a scale of "one on one" (people who are really involved) without involving a third party who have no say about it to begin with! Did that make sense?

Oh but the highlight of my week was participating in a focus group for an ad agency, and it was chocolate related :-D I had so much fun!

Oh, and I am going to Cirque De Soleil - Alegria tomorrow! YAY!
That should put me in a better "state of mind" (how ironic is that? - click the link above to know what I mean)... I really really REALLY wanted to see "Ka" for Cirque De Soleil... but I guess Alegria will work for now :-)


Cheers!
Ansam



*I got this from a motivational quote calendar on my coworker's desk!

Mecca Trip - Last Part

Overall... the trip was overwhelming! I prayed a lot to come back and visit. I hope I can make it next year for Haj (after that the weather is gonna be HOT HOT for Haj season).

Every time I pray now I get this feeling that I am facing Kaaba now (its visual now) :-D

The only downside to all of this that I came back sick. I got sick the day after we arrived, and I totally ignored it. I went to work for a couple of days, and was asked by one of the managers to go home and rest, but wanted to act all macho hehehe.... but what the hey!! I am only a human!!

I went to the doctor yesterday who ended up giving me a two-day sick leave... he said I needed to rest. And so I did, because I find it hard to move out of bed. I feel so weak that my bones are hurting! I guess I was exposed to people from all over and my immune system is kind of weak... so go figure... but the whole trip is worth it! I am looking forward for the next one already :-D

Mecca Trip - Part III

This post is about food! Heehee!! Well, for the three days we were there... and after each Fajr prayers, we would go have breakfast at our hotel. The buffet was amazing and the service is superb. They have all kinds of bread, eggs, cheese, deli cut meats, hotdogs, beans, fruit (dried and fresh), waffles, pancakes... and more!

Besides the hotel (where we ate breakfast in the hotel daily, and ordered dinner for room service), we went once for Al Shuhada Hotel lunch. It wasnt bad at all... but I fell in love with their ginger pumpkin soup... it actually was why we wanted to try their lunch! I will try to improvise a recipe for Ansam's Kitchen.

I also tried spaghetti bologenese in our hotel and wasnt impressed by it... but the burger I ordered the next day was awesome! I ordered a kids' meal burger and it was filling.

Starbucks is segregated there for singles and families... singles being males?!? And the logo is also different... Islamic authorities changed it there. I laughed because the mermaid (or Esther as so many mulims claim) was sunk into the water and only her crown was revealed LOL!

Mecca Trip - Part II

So we stayed at Dar Al Tawhid... which is literally few steps away from the Haram. The second picture shows how close it is since I snapped it when I got out of the hotel. Since we were there for three nights, we did have few hours to walk around and shop.

I would suggest that you wear a messenger bag. It makes it easier for you... and since there a lot of poor people from all over that will beg for money, I recommend you do what I did. I would ask the reception in the hotel for SAR-Ones' notes... roll every three or two together and have easy access to! When you give money to one, more will run towards you and you just dont want to send them away sometimes or open your wallet/purse while they are next to you.

Walking around and about Mecca was pretty interesting. I tell you, during prayers or Tawaf... you hear the same prayers, a lot of which in Arabic... but in different accents. You see people from all over the world and from all social classes are all doing the same thing. We all turned the same direction for prayers..... The experience was surreal.

Looking at the pictures I snapped away... I got comments like "Ansam.. you acted like a tourist!" or "Are you for real?" Well, yes... I was a tourist and I am for real. I was astonished by the surroundings... at some sights I laughed so hard that my sister(s) helped me take pictures because I couldnt..... where at others I cried or stood speechless! At some points I would just stare at Ka'ba and admire its beauty and the embroidery of its cover, and think of the history it holds... It was built first by Adam and his son Seth, then by Abraham and Ishmael... Thats History! And the gate of heaven is directly above it! Oh and the Black stone on one of its corners... I was practically in the holiest city in Islam! It really was overwhelming experience for me, and I am definitely looking forward for the next one.