BOARDING A TRAIN IN EUROPE

A DARE TO SEE THE WORLD

A dare to see the world

LEAVING  MY COMFORT ZONE

Leaving home for an unfamiliar place can be scary! But then what can be  more thrilling than experiencing a world so diverse and blessed such as the one we live in.  I remember my trip to Egypt renowned to be the birth place of civilization....Well, you might want to twitch your nose at that,.But relics of ancient stories and living of a people who could have systematically crafted our now are scattered around the country. The pyramids of Giza which speaks of a meticulously put together work of brilliant architecture, the Sphinx and lots more. I had ofcourse heard stories; very unpleasant ones. It was even more scary watching the international news stations tell about an uprising and street protests. Arabs are not welcoming to Blacks, I was told. the fear was real! I was reluctant to get on the plane.  They don't like non moslems, I kept reminding myself. Tossing and turning on my bed gearing myself up to turning down the offer of a visit. However, the moment I got off the airplane to a welcome I didn't envisage, my resolve was softened. Lodging at a hotel where I am greeted with "saba al heir"; (Good morning in Arabic) was heartwarming.  Well, perhaps they ain't that bad! Okay food? I won't lie, I felt it was horrible at first but I kind of found my way around it. The thrills began with visits to exciting historical spots such as the hanging church where Jesus was said to have been hidden when his life was sought by Herod, according to the Bible. Cairo was like an average every day city back home, even though more developed. The people went to work rushing, traffic was always heavy and most Egyptians couldn't understand my English. They called me Africa! wow! I wondered why. because Egypt also happens to be in Africa...unless ofcourse they think they are in the middle east or Asia. it's Amazing how little they know about where I came from. The Locals would glare at me unashamably. ..and the bold ones would come up to me. "can I have a picture?" They'd say. In my heart I wonder the stories they'd tell about our pictures.  Visiting the local market was another challenge I conquered! Yes I am different, so automatically, I am a suspect! Men daring to get close just to experience being with someone different from their race, always got me cranky, curious and cracking up. "Habibi" they called . Habibi in Arabic means " My love! Oh! How i loved to be called that name. Made me feel beautiful. Alexandria, another city in Egypt is definitely a turn on! better food, darker people and fortresses of old Egypt past! I left Egypt changed and unafraid, My impression of that part of the world edited and formatted!