The beautiful and the not-so-much beautiful

When many of us are contemplating a first trip to Egypt, our minds are full of pictures:

• ancient Egypt
• majestic Pharaohs
• Anthony and Cleopatra
• Moses and the bulrushes
• grandiose temples
• gleaming marble columns
Although indeed, there are many impressive relics from the past, and history abounds. Sometimes to the point of travellers suffering from Pharonic-fatigue. Egypt of today in many ways is not as beautiful from the outside as it once has been.
But it does the traveller well to know that one must look beyond the surface. The true beauty of this country lies within the people themselves.

With eyes shut

Having said that, there are some buildings that are indeed still resplendent in their majesty. Most of these belong the the Military, or the Government. When you pause to consider them, there are strong echoes of what entire cities once must have looked like: breathtaking And with a very wide stretch of imagination, you can almost visualise it.

With eyes open

However, many of the buildings are, how shall we say, a little tired and sad! With the constant onslaught of salt air (sea towns), noxious exhaust fumes in constant use, acid rain (where it does fall), unceasing dust, along with cement and sand laden wind, it is little surprise that many buildings have a rather eroded look to them from the outside. Also, for those who are fortunate enough to find work, the salaries (in general) are extremely low. Thus money spent on face-lifts for the outside of buildings is just not high on the priority list. Perhaps understandably so!

So we have this odd shoulder-to-shoulder squashing of the most unlikely buildings, sprawling over each other. They usually tower way about the required 6 floor height limit in most suburbs, with hardly a recognisable road in-between! A young friend, on his first visit here, wondered how we knew our way around the maze of streets, as they all have the same jam-packed-ness feel about them, with similar unkempt buildings. It was rather like a rabbit warren, he felt!

Take a deeper look

Usually a cultural surprise awaits for first time visitors. Once you go beyond the grubby exterior of the buildings, take the antiquated lifts up to the apartments, or walk the dusty marbled staircases and enter into an apartment, you will discover a whole new world!

You will be welcomed, embraced and kissed (same sex only please) and plied with cups of tea, fruit, biscuits and given anything that you show an interest in. Be careful! You will find homes filled with rich colour, and shiny, bright furniture, gold glittering wherever possible, huge cupboards and glass everywhere. Usually the kitchens are quite small, but it is a place where huge meals are prepared, and of course, you will be expected to join in!

These homes are filled with people, colour, TVs, food, fluffy toys and many, many carpets! So take your shoes off, sink into the gold and burgundy chairs and sip on a lovely hot glass of tea, probably with mint, and lots of sugar. Taste and see that it is good!
Ahlan wa Sahlan (our house is your house. You are welcome!