An evening in Cairo

K from Casablanca, S from Dubai, N from Cairo and urs truely at the Khan El-Khalili.

I am here in Cairo for a business meeting. This is a city which runs deep in cultural and historical heritage. The people are generally very friendly, extremely polite and warm. This is also a city of great disparity between the "have lots" and the 'have nots'. Luxury cars are few on the road, and when you do see one, it almost certainly belongs to one of the elite few have lots. The have nots walk the street of cairo in the millions. The Have Lots continue to accumulate plenty more and the pitiful have nots continue to pass their poverty to their future generations.

This is a city which thrives on tourism as a main source of income. Be warned, behind the friendly smile and apparent politeness lurk a kind of entrepreunerial determination and wicked salesmanship which can persuade you to part with your hard earned cash.

My flights and hotel expenses are paid by the company - A priviledge I enjoy.
My experience of Cairo is, however, my own - an opportunity I maximize.
So on the one evening I have here, I went to Khan El-Khalili Bazaar and looked for the famous and popular Naguib Mahfouz's cafe for dinner. The food never dissapoint, and the ambience unique and memorable. Traditional musics, shisha and hush sounds of people in conversation can lull you into the heartland of old Egypt. Afterall, Naguib Mahfouz was a novel Laurette winner.

The business meeting I was chairing accomplished its objectives. The visit was brief, and stay was pleasant. An evening in Cairo is always memorable.

I have to stop from typing this entry as the driver has arrived. A new driver, one who looks more experienced. He is here on time to pick me up for the airport. That is a super improvement from two days ago - and with the hospitality I have received since, the delays and confusion at the airport on arrival seems so misplaced and best forgotten except for the lessons from the Arab with a beard.

added on from home after arrival, with a mug of hot chocolate:

(I dedicate this poem to my dearest wife LiL who waited by the door to welcome me home )
I sat watching the stars above
and listening to the dins of traffic below
it is so easy to think of love
watching reflections of neon glows

Cleopatra was as alone as this
When she prayed for Egypt’s ultimate bliss
The pulse of life which travels miles
Come wash their pain, oh River Nile

I dont have Cleopatra's magic
neither do I wish to be as tragic
but for love and affection I desired the same
before the sinners of Cairo got burnt in flames

I'd rather think of loving thoughts
of honeymooners by the Nile they walk
with future's hopes, they giggles and smile
'Keep their happiness afloat, oh River Nile'

Then I looked to the stars and think of you
just as the Nile's tide, when you’re pouring lean
How I want more, darker shades of blue
and when you’re not with me at any scene
I miss you dearly the whole night through.

Come join me tonight on my balcony
together let us create a future to be
let us plunge into the streaming flow
spread our wings to where the night breeze blows.

River Nile, Your mystic keeps me dreaming
Your wonder fills my longing
Your affection keeps me floating
Your endless whispering keeps me flying
without you knowing,
you're the wind beneath my wings.
Like a desert fertilized by the Nile
Love overflows - in the silent darkness I sat and smile.
.........forever, side by side we will walk the miles!

*balcony of sheraton on the nile. night of april twentytwo, twothousand seven.
with you in my mind - wishing you were with me - stone cold balcony could be heaven*