(Written: 9-21-08)
Alexandria. What a breath of fresh air - Literally and figuratively! It’s a beautiful city especially when compared to the crowded, dirty, and pollution filled atmosphere of Cairo. I am generally not a city lover (at least for long term living) and so living in a city as populated and “developing” as Cairo at times takes its toll. Alex is simply laid out, constantly has a pleasant breeze from the Mediterranean, is much less crowded, and more family friendly.
About a week ago myself and a few others met a young Egyptian woman (evangelical Christian) while going to the Prison on our service project. As it turns out she, Nancy, lives in Alexandria and told us to contact her once we arrived and she would show us around.
Friday morning we arrived by train in Alex, 2hrs from Cairo, and 4 of us met up with Nancy and her brother Mokhles who graciously took us all over the city. It was so nice to see the city with people who know and love it – what a gift! After walking around for several hours we were invited back to their house where we met their mother and father and were treated royally. I loved being able to enter inside the culture a bit more as we entered the home and we able to engage in conversations, meal sharing, and laughter. The three MESP students that had been along for the journey were traveling back to Cairo that night while I had planned to stay an extra day and meet up with the larger group. However, Nancy graciously offered for me to stay the night with them and I happily agreed.
I felt completely welcomed, taken care of, and provided for. That night while Nancy was packing (the next day she was embarking for Denmark to study!) I went out with Nahed, her mother, to pick up some last minute things for the trip. Between my Arabic and more so her English(!) we laughed and had an enjoyable time bustling around a marketplace.
Once we got back and Nancy had finished packing we were able to talk and share about life and God stuff. What a Blessing!
The next morning her father, Magdy, took me to the library since we didn’t have the chance to visit the day before. What a treat! Even though it’s not the original it truly is a work of art and I loved being surrounded by so many books! Mr. Magdy took very good care of me. After I finished with the library he met me and took me to the train station where I was to meet up with one of the groups heading back to Cairo. We arrived slightly early though and so wandered through a marketplace where I bought some “shiip-shiip” (house shoes).
On the train ride back I had many things to process and think about in regards to differing social and church cultures (as displayed by the Asal family as compared to my culture).
I feel incredibly blessed by the serendipitous events of the weekend and humbled by the Asal Family’s hospitality and care. It’s good to remember how much I have to learn as well as how much I have to share…
Peace.
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