Soccer: The events in Egypt's qualifying matches were headline news all over the world. Egypt played its arch-rival Algeria. There are no political qualms between the two countries, however I've never heard more slander against the Algerian people this month. For days before the epic match, flags were put everywhere, honking to a patriotic rhythm occurred throughout the day and night, billboards in Arabic advertising dishwashing soap declared "All of the mothers of Egypt are praying for you, Egypt." Students on my campus wore shirts sponsored by Coca Cola reading "I was there, 1989" reminding everyone of the last time Egypt went up against Algeria for a seat in the World Cup. So this time, Egypt won the first match against Algeria and as I watched with some Egyptian friends, I mastered Arabic swearing. The victory led to rioting in the streets, men with aerosol cans and lighters creating fire torches, cheering, flags and incessant honking. This win did not mean Egypt would have a place in the World Cup, there was still one more match to come in Sudan later in the week. Sadly, Egypt lost. I thought, I guess this is the end of the craziness.... I was so wrong. I had spent that evening at a friend's apartment and got back to my neighborhood pretty late. I guess I should preface this by pointing out that my dormitory is only a couple blocks from the Algerian Embassy. Our taxi could not get closer than a 20 minute walk away from the dorm because a huge riot as well as riot police were blocking the way. If I had been in Iran at the time, I would have understood this riot to be a reaction to falsified elections. Or maybe this is what the bread riots looked like without the curses against Algeria. The mob was massive, but my friends and I had to walk through layers and layers of frieghtened riot police. On this occasion it was finally good that our Arabic accents are less then perfect. For the next week our school bus had to take an alternate route to get near the dorm, I was unable to walk on certain streets and riot police were everywhere. And still today, if I ask an average Egyptian citizen about Algeria and their conduct, I will hear about how violent and evil they are. My Arabic professor, a very sweet middle aged woman told me she is friends with Arabs from all over the world, but she is not friends with any Algerians. So how did I view this chaos in my political science oriented lense? This was a chance for Egyptians to excercise some expression and political participation in ways they are not allowed in the real scheme of politics. This was a distraction incited by the government riling up the citizens to have hope and a political issue that does not touch on any of the many tangible problems within Egypt.
Some riot police hanigng a week after the loss to Algeria several blocks from the Algerian Embassy.
Walking through Khan Al-Khalili (the major market filled with all of your touristic needs) I found Chinatown. Just kidding, it's just this man holding a balloon, no bubble tea to be found.
This is the view from Al-Azhar park (Cairo's Central park) overlooking the city. And the following a video where you can hear the call to prayer of many different mosques throughout the city.
An authentic ancient Egyptian painting on papyrus picturing the Pharoah of Poptuktum I.
The Muslim holiday Eid Al-Adha (holiday of the sacrifice) is one celebrating Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael (although this is a newer trend in Islamic thought and different schools of thought proclaimed it was Isaac) and ended up instead sacrificing a sheep. On this holiday, families who can afford to do so buy an animal and slaughter it for their families and distribute the rest of the meat to the poor. Animals were penned all around the city in anticipation of this day. In fact, while doing some grocery shopping I saw a few sad little lambs fenced off in front of the butcher counter looking solemnly at their futures. I was on a cruise in Upper Egypt that day, so I was spared seeing the bloodshed of our furry friends.
Eid al-Adha break! (extended due to fears of swine flu and infected people coming home from the Hajj). A group of friends and I took an overnight train down to Upper Egypt (confusing I know, up is south in Egypt. I live in lower Egypt, the north.) I saw many ancient Egyptian temples and tombs of Pharoahs from Luxor to Aswan. Each temple was very unique and interesting to see, although, you know, I do not support paganism and idol worship...
Some souvenirs are just a bit too graphic.
Me and Sundes admiring the largest hypostyle hall in the world.
This row of sphynx statues lasts a couple kilometers between two temples.
The travel group
A staged "contemplative in an ancient temple" shot.
One of many beautiful snapshots along the nile.
Looks like I photoshopped myself here doesn't it?
Ancient Egyptian herbal viagra advertisement (not a joke).
The most optimal birthing position according to ancient Egyptian science.
This was my favorite part of this temple. Where the indentations are used to be two solid walls and in between was a secret tunnel only known to the high priests. The pharoahs and high nobles would come into these chambers to speak to the "gods" and the priests would then have the power to answer them as a god, can you say ultimate balance of power?
I hiked a small mountain in Aswan, completely made of sand and therefore extremely difficult, but really fun. I found sand in my sneakers for the rest of the day.
View from the top
The face of the goddess on the columns changes slightly into a smile. :)
Scary masks in a nubian village in Aswan.
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