I live in New Cairo and yes, it is new. But sometimes it is hard to get my head wrapped around that.
When we think “new”, we imagine shiny and clean.
These aren’t the 2 words that pop to mind when I look at my neighborhood.
Shades of brown, dust, dirt, garbage and touches of colour scattered amongst is what I see as I walk daily to school and to my shops for much needed water, bananas and bread (oh and the odd Milka bar as well).
But with the shades of brown comes smiles, high fives and the odd person who stands out from the rest.
Once while looking for a restaurant, a lady offered to drive us there so we could find it. We got inside and she happily drove us to it.
Once while shopping, we paid too much for our vegetables and the man happily told me and returned the money.
Once while waiting for Jade to join me, the parking man offered me his seat so I could sit down.
Small gestures that mean a lot when adjusting to a new place.
So although shades of brown dominate my landscape, I see the colours and the vibrancy of the people who encompass it as well.
Loved the pictures. ❤
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Thank you!!!
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How is teaching going for you in Cairo this school year? Love the picture of your classroom – I see there’s even a smart board! Teachers in Ontario are now under a work to rule so hopefully things will settle soon! Hope all’s well!
(I’m blogging under my new domain http://www.adventureaffinity.com now and not my old wordpress account :))
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Hi! Sorry it took forever to respond. School is extremely busy hence the blog that is dying from lack of attention. It is very busy – read: very active kids so each day can be quite tiring. I do like it though and am mostly settled in and adjusted now.
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Very interesting photos and loved hearing about your experiences. Glad u and Jade are doing well.
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Thanks so much Nancy. Some of the biggest adjustments are from my new job and not really the country per se. Hope it gets a little easier as it gets more cool. The weather can be oppressive.
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CHERYL!!!!!!!!!!! *Hugs*
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Ah thanks so much Mon. Miss reading you daily. Between being swamped at school and a lack of good wifi, my blogging has had to change!!
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Oh I see. Yeah 😦 I hope you’re having a great time there.
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Yes, we are liking it but the Internet can suck so that is why it has taken forever for me to respond to you!!
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There you are! Love the laundry shot.
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I just love the laundry shots!
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I hear you! Tough to adapt to such a different and brown world.
You brought the other side of the equation, people’s generosity and kindness, in such a poetic and grateful manner, though. Beautiful!
Keep strong.
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Thanks Lucile. It forces you to look deeper for other things.
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Exactly. And we learn more about ourselves, including that we have inner strength to overcome tough times.
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I agree. The kindness of strangers is wonderful where you’re in a new place, so far from what you know. We’ve been blessed during our time in Japan to have many wonderful friends and people who have always been more than willing to help us when we need it.
I don’t know if I could adjust to all that brown, though. Being raised in Vancouver, and living in a land of lush mountains for five years has spoiled me to the beauty of a nice, green tree.
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I agree with you totally coming from PEI and the maritime greens and blues… it is a challenge when you look outside and see so much dirt, dust and brown. The colours pop more though. I am really looking forward to the the greens of Sri Lanka soon!
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When are you heading to Sri Lanka? I heard it’s a beautiful place. We used to have friends from there.
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Very cool pictures! It sounds like it’s been a very interesting experience so far.
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Yes, it is eye opening at times to say the least and other times… it already feels normal.
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I imagine that in many ways it is very different. I think that at times we get so used to our own lives that we forget that not everyone lives the way we do and their normal is very different than ours.
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That is why I like travelling so much. It opens up your eyes so darn much!
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I bet! 🙂
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Sweet gestures always make my day, too. I’m wondering about that upside-down MacDonalds sign though…? 🙂
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Isn’t that hilarious… it is almost right beside the real MacDonalds too! And it has similar food in it as well!
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Funny..!!
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That was the picture that struck me as well – too funny!
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Awesome post!
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Thank you!
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You are a truly positive and colourful person: you bring the colours with you wherever you go.
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Oh my goodness. You made my day!!! Thank you so much 🙂
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Truth did. I just pointed it out. 🙂
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Very happy to hear from you. Thank you for sharing those lovely moments. And they really do make a difference–the kindness of strangers 🙂
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Hi my friend! Lovely to hear from you. Sorry I can’t reciprocate. My Internet connection is so slow that I can’t seem to download other blogs at the moment . 😦
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No worries. You’re a busy lady. I’m just happy to read how things are with you. Take good care 🙂
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How really wonderful of the people and their generosity…really help you to feel at home and welcome. I like the pops of color 😉
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Thanks! The pops of colour are so much more obvious when shades of brown dominate!!
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You make me miss Egypt so much!
Check out my newest post: http://www.vingnguyen.com/reasons-travel-egypt-2015/
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Thanks 🙂 I will.
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Perfect camouflage in the Sahara 😉
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So true.. the one pic has a pack of stray dogs in it and I can’t even see them myself now when I look at it!
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