ETNEIN WE KHAMSEIN

The morning I arrived in Cairo, I was already making my round at the duty free shop at the airport using my passport to buy 4 bottles of alcohol as a favour for my friend, Peter and his mates. Then I was randomly hanging out with them on a chilly rooftop in the city’s wealthiest neighbourhood until dawn, listening to reggae tunes, in between humming to Fly Me To The Moon, and weaving in and out of Dreamland, my eyes wide open.

 

The sun is up at 4.30 in the morning in Cairo.

 

By the time Hassan finally arrived to pick us up, I hadn’t slept for 24 hours.

 

Just coming out of Nairobi’s winter, perhaps I wasn’t quite ready for Cairo’s searing heat, even if I lived in Malaysia my whole life.

 

I totally wasn’t ready for the Egyptian diet.

 

In Kenya, it’s all about the meat (accompanied by ugali, chapati, mukimo or githeri). In Egypt, rule No. 1: Dinner is ‘breakfast’ – ‘Breakfast’, at 7 p.m. (because that’s when you’re just waking up), consists of aish (bread), ful (fava bean paste) – nicknamed ‘cement’ for good reasons, cheese dip and falafel. I didn’t dare ask what would await us for dinner. Then I was told that aish and ful are also common for dinner, but they’re just part of a bigger meal. Right.

 

Other than that, the weekend has been quite a blur, I was in bed most of it, trying to recover from the long journey and adjusting myself to the heartbeat of Cairo city; at all times being muffled by the sounds of the honking and shouting on the streets. Sitting on the balcony watching Cairo alive amidst a dull dusty tangerine-tinged of a backdrop, my heart felt heavy as I realized I was nearing the end of my journey, and yet, I was looking forward to being home again. Days when I don’t have to worry about comparing flight costs, cramped buses, lugging my gear around, constant new names I try so hard to remember, random diets, navigating ways in new locations and making sure my bag is never missing the toilet paper.

 

The simple fact is, my African days are numbered.

 

So if you’ll excuse me, I have a date with Mr. Sphinx.

 

Looking out the kitchen window.

DO NOT DIAL 1488

Just before dinner last night, Geraldine, Billy, KC, Sayan and Gary decided that they map the rest of my trip for me, since I only got to Gaborone so far. I agreed, and we got the map of Africa projected on the giant white screen conveniently erected in the middle of the room to distract us from staring at the disorder behind it (Is that MY tent?)

"Is this something Hemant handed down to you?" I asked Sayan. He looked back at me in disgust.

What started as a geography lesson on Africa turned into manic bouts of laughter that went on and on and on and left Geraldine hysterically crying to bits.

And it wasn't even about the route anymore. But if I ever get to Chişinău (Wikitravel it to understand what's behind 1488), they'll know this crazy evening play a big part. 

There will be times when I miss home. Friends.

But if I have this to look back at, I have no doubt melancholy will last but for a second.

KARAOKE TO THE LIBRARY

Sunday's almost over. It feels like only yesterday I met up with Jaja and Gary for drinks. It was quite a crowd at The Library, Jaja and I stayed until 2 a.m. listening to the live band reminiscing the 90s. I have only 5 days left at work and I think I'm all set to go. Riz is flying out of the UK on Wednesday, he'll be spending the first couple of weeks with projects in Cape Town before I arrive. 

I'm looking forward to meeting a few more friends before I leave. I'm hoping the weather's on our side the next time around. 

BACK TO BUSINESS

I arrived in Cambridge at a ridiculous hour in the freezing cold. I'll be spending time with Riz and his family and also go through any final details for our trip to Africa - budget, route, health requirements, etc., etc. - a long list of things to do.

Riz has been working hard alright, being on the phone the whole time with two monitors running simultaneously in the background.

And me?

Equally PRODUCTIVE, indeed. 

LION ON FIRE

For Piks....

....sorry Piks, I've thought about it long and hard but I think I'm not ready to go to jail for arson

Random things my friends and I discuss about. Nonsensical at times, it must be the chicken strips we had.

When I started searching for this on Google Image, I seriously didn't think there'd be so many hits!

He looks pretty docile here but if the lion ever decides that I make a good afternoon snack....I'll definitely know what to do! It was also suggested I pile up the kilos now so I can lose it there.

The Widjajas arranged for a wonderful dinner and drinks last night at Ole-Ole Bali. Klev and Richard made it too. My mind never arrived at work today, besides the nagging mental reminder to enable the Out Of Office. This was a great way to conclude it. Then it's off to London for a 3-week break!

- image from scenicreflections.com

WHAT TO DO WHEN CHASED BY A WILD ANIMAL

'Run towards the person who runs slower than you...then deviate'

- Shington Widjaja

....Nothing but the best survival tips from Shington.

GET THE (PINK) PARTY STARTED

Jaja is already talking about a farewell party.

Who am I to complain?

It's not like I'm not coming back.

....

On second thought....

Jaja, I take it as a hint but don't forget our deal - 2 out of 3 and Hawaii One Five :)

Crazy lady, I'm going to miss her.

TANZANIA - RESEARCH PART 1

Capital: Dodoma
Population: 39 million (over 120 ethnic groups)
Official Language: Swahili
Currency: Tanzanian shilling

- image from skyviewofafrica.com

The other day I told Yao Jung about this trip. In Skype mode excitement, the first thing he blurted was "Serengeti!"

Yes, the stuff of the National Geographic Channel. The great migration.


1. The Serengeti

There's just too many National Parks and Game Reserves to choose from, such diverse habitats, but supposedly the untamed Katavi National Park is one of the few that allows visitors to jump off the jeep and walk on the plains. The only complication is to get there, land transport may take days. My eyes open wide when I read "all flights will require landing on a grass airstrip" and "bush-compatible light aircraft". Bush-compatible. Cute.


2. Zanzibar

'Nuff said :)

- image from come-to-africa.com


3. Kilimanjaro

Standing at 5891m, the climb up to the Uhuru Peak at Kilimanjaro needs a week, possibly a bit more costly too. Scientists posited the year 2014 as the date for disappearance of the mountain's ice cap due to global warming.

- image from 7summits.com


4. The Maasai

The world is fascinated by them.

Lions are afraid of them.

Everybody else wants to dance the adumu with them.

- image from masai-mara.net

This may be one of the highlights of the trip, especially for Riz. I leave it at that, I'm sure he'll divulge the story.    

OF PHARAOHS AND SOUKS

Cairo. The Great Pyramid of Khufu and the Sphinx.

The Red Sea. The River Nile.

Theban Hills. The Valley of the Kings.

Aswan.

Abu Simbel.

- image from travel.nationalgeographic.com

That, but in actual fact, there are two reasons for Egypt. One is Peter, the other is Hassan; a promise made that I’ll come visit if by coincidence I’m in the neighborhood.

Coincidently coincidental. I most definitely will not pass this chance.

OBI WAN DOES AFRICA!

In the spirit of all things African, I was down at Kino and bought this.

Coincidently, Ewan and his best mate Charley journeyed around every single African country I'm planning to cover, albeit going the opposite direction. Awesome! :)

Hoping to pick up tips from the Master.

The evening ended with a fun catch up dinner with Billy talking about the possibilities of things to come in the 6 months I'm away.