Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Happy Election Day Egypt

Egypt has been in the news lately with Revolution-The Sequel in the makings. Yes, we are safe as the action is far enough away from our school. There has been more noise outside our compound in regards to cars driving with loudspeakers telling people how to vote and the sounds of fireworks. The fireworks we hear are more like a junior versions of dynamite and no one is quite sure what the celebrations are for-maybe a crate of them fell off the boat. There was quite an event the other evening with the stuff 4th of July is made of minus the safety buffer zone (meaning it was next to our apartment). Alex-the land where every night (multiple times) is the 4th of July!

Many forests have vanished to supply the political parties with posters that literally cover anything standing (cars, statues, sidewalks). Visually it is amazing. Below is a selection form the streets of Alex.  

Looks like a nice enough man.
Vote for me! 
The Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party. I know it brings Agnostic Front's song Blind Justice to mind...Just in case you forgot the lyrics..."There's no justice, there's just us, blind justice screws all of us."  
Classic
The holes in the sign allows the wind to pass
He's got my vote!
The dream team.
You know you can trust this party, all hands on the Koran.
Pick me!
Not really a political poster but I couldn't pass it up. 
The epicenter of Alex demonstrations...on the calm before the storm
Just cover your competition's posters.
Save some room for my political party's poster.
We need ladders for the hard to reach places.
Why is there a camera on the poster? Since a portion of the population is illiterate voters match the symbol (in this case a camera) to they person they wish to vote for on the ballot. Some symbols include: tractor, ruler, smoking pipe, bike, lightbulb, cassette tape, etc.    
In another country this might be your favorite musical group.
I'm not sure if it was this candidate or not, but one group during a debate refused to shake hands with a female candidate because he had just washed for prayer. Women=unclean
The lightbulb team.
The animals know who they like.
Saudi symbol? 
I wonder if during the debate the question was asked how they would include the 10% Christian population into the government.  
You can still add another 2-3 posters.
What are the chances that the candidates and/or parties will clean up their propaganda post election? 
On the sidewalks you have to dodge wooden makeshift sign poles (not pedestrian or biker friendly).
I'm going to guess these guys aren't well liked by some.
Really didn't want you to see the message.
Vote telephone.
Party Dedication.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Google Potato Chips

While we sit at the airport in Budapest on the way to Prague we can't help but to reflect on the Google brand cheese flavored potato chips available down the street from our school in Egypt. 
The real deal

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Egyptian Halloween

Fall Festival 2011 has come and gone. It was a blast and yours truly ended up with a pie in his face once again. The joint was packed and happening, truly the best event in Alex this Halloween season. 
Snow White getting ready.
The haunted house isn't soo scary with the lights on. 
The other 99 are at the vet getting fixed. 
The witches making their brew. 
Trick or treat? 
Egyptian dunking tank-this was modified by one of the advisors by applying baby oil to the wooden plank.  
Taking slasher films to the next level.
The Puerto Rican finds a new puppy.
Climb the twisty ladder to the tree and ring the bell for a piece of candy. Watch out for the falling bodies!
The sign says it all.
The new wave of Egyptian explorers. 
Invading witches.
Sense a theme of water, climb the fire escape and drop a water balloon on a loved one.
Balloons away!
Nailed it!
Huh?

Ride Like An Egyptian

Two weekends ago Pickell and I did two back to back four hour bike rides throughout Alex and this is what we saw on one of the days.  


A bike trip isn't complete without a stop at the mico bus version of the Santa swing. 
I saw a see-saw and the see-saw saw me and he saw I saw the see-saw.
Santa also protects the individual swingers.  
Funky house on the edge of Montazah Gardens and Mamoura.
I might have mentioned this before, but people are quite dedicated to the act of fishing. Some will swim out to rock with their poles and all. 
Inside Montazah.
About a 20 foot drop.
This guy caught a five-inch fish.
In the back by the building there was a man blowing his whistle at us waving for us to get off the bridge. 
The bridge we weren't suppose to be on. 
The palace.
Backside of Montazah Palace.
Montazah and Mamoura are a slice of heaven here, and this is the rest of Alex.
Gotta take it down to build it up.
Making the bread.
Site of the church that was bombed before the uprising. Several muslims from the mosque across the street helped the victims. 
Airing out the dirty laundry.
Not going anywhere.
Changing a flat.
In action.