EGYPT UPROOTED: PART 4`

Day 3 29 Jan

Amal was still in deep sleep when we rose. Not knowing curfew has been imposed I decided to stroll alone at the sea front. With my DSLR I strolled up down catching photos of the beautiful sceneries against the morning breeze of Mediterranean Sea. I noticed there were very little traffic and not many people at the sea front. I remembered Amal saying that the day started about 10 or 11 am here. The morning was usually less busy. However, today it was super quiet. No traffic. No people walking around. None at all. Why? I saw a homeless under the bus stop and photographed him in his deep sleep. The sea breeze got stronger and I decide to go home as I was lightly attired

Top and bottom: super quiet highway and sea front due to the curfew

Few people passing by, taxi and tram co no where to be seen. Few people were waiting for the missing taxis and tram co. I believe they too were not aware about the curfew.

I saw a donkey pulling an overloaded cart loaded with recyclables waste. I photo graphed a few shorts as that was quite unique. .

“Why u photo?” a voice came charging at me from no where

A short big size guy stared at me

“It’s my hobby”

“Why you photo?”

“What’s wrong? This is unique. I don’t have this in my country!”

“No you won’t! No you won’t!” his hand gesturing at me, saying that NO you are not allowed.

Donkey cart, i was scolded while photographing this.

Not wanting to have any trouble, I headed home. With Amal, I went to meet mama the house owner to tell her that we are going to Cairo tomorrow, Amal translated. Though stammering at times, Amal did well. So proud to hear her talking and translating Arabic to Malay. Mama the house owner strongly advised us NOT to enter Cairo as demonstration there is getting worst. She even called Zul, another Malaysian student next floor to explain to me. Then only I knew there were a few other units of the apartment being rented by Malaysian. Zul, 3^rd year Medic student explained to me the situation and informed me that the curfew today was 5 pm to 8 am. I went out at 630 am! I breached the curfew! Masya Allah!

We went back to our apartment. Sat down, paused, and blinked. Puzzled.

We took a cab and headed for MARA building. Met few people and rumors started to spread about situations in Cairo and Alex getting bad. Met Hj Idris of Mara and he said better not to enter Cairo. Called our going to be guides in Cairo, Ustaz Nawi and Ustaz Mustaffa. Both of them said it was perfectly all right to go Cairo. It was safe! Pyramid was still open for visitors.

After lunch at MARA Office we headed for the ALEX train station. Cairo was safe. We purchased express tickets to Cairo @ 30 Jan 12.15 pm, Genih 36 X 3

Alexandria rail station.

From there we took a cab to Alexandria University to see the medical faculty. To our horror we passed a burning police station! It was badly damaged. The whole building equivalent to the size of our IPD office was completely burnt. A group of people gathered to see what happened. I took a photo quietly from the taxi, cautiously, after being scolded few times earlier on my DSLR. Traffic was heavy and all road junctions were guarded by big bodied youngsters, equipped with chains, woods, roods and what not!

What is this? Masya Allah….my heart trembled. Later part of the day, we learnt that all police stations and vehicles were burnt and weapons were stolen. Worst, about 6000 prisoners escaped. Police was no longer in power. Who ever remains, gone into hiding? Now only I understand why army tanks were every where. But who are the able bodied youngsters manning the road junctions? Who are they? Why are they carrying weapons?

Torched police stations. where are the policemen?

The taxi dropped us at a junction

We walked about 50 meters towards Alex Faculty of Medicine only to be stopped by three security guards. Nicely they told us we can’t get in as it was a holiday now and the current situation didn’t allow us to enter. We photographed from far and decided to go home. We walked home as it was quite near to our apartment. We crossed several junctions, passing through few groups of armed youngsters manning traffic. Every time we past hem, my heart trembled. They just did their work. They were nice guys. I console my self.

At home, we locked in ourselves.

Background: Alexandria University Medical Faculty

Day4-Day 6: 30 Jan-2 Feb

Days of uncertainty. We locked ourselves in most of the time. We were cut of from outside world. We did not know the development. The TV in Arabic kept showing demonstrators in action. Amal couldn’t really grasp the message. However we knew something bad was happening then.

We stayed in doors. We heard the screaming of people, shouting , yelling etc. We survived by eating breads and serunding we brought home. Survive on fruits we bought earlier. Shops were closed. Prices of food rocketed sky high.

Second day of confinement, we ran out of food. We braved ourselves going to the shops around Camp Caesar. Not that bad down stairs! Much movement going around. Many students seen shifting houses. They have been instructed to assembled at three different locations only to ease evacuation process, if need be.

Shopkeepers assured us all will be over within two days. Prices of goods escalated. Demand high, supply limited. We bought rice, fish, canned food and fruits. In case situations worsen. We ate what we had. At times, rice with sauce. Oh dear….

Third day of confinement, we stumbled upon a group of youngsters in front of grocery. Sharp samurai sword, sharp edge wood and what not. Who are they? Bad? Good? We took no chance. We rushed back to our apartment.

ght I realized our TV has English Channel! zeera and CNN. These two channels really blew out proportion the real situations. In away they too, blew our emotion, fear and worry. It showed shooting of protesters in Alexandria.

That night I couldn’t sleep a minute. At 3 or 4 pm I could hear voices of people talking, scolding and shouting. I dared not open the window. Some just switch the light off. I blocked the main door with the sofa. At least they find it hard to break open.

Messages, sms from home kept coming in. spent the night answering the messages until celcom sent a reminder that my credit limit is 99 % used. So was Umi’s phone.

Wahizan topped up the bills to keep us in contact.

I was in a living fear. Sms Dato Razif and Ustaz Fajuri, asking for their prayers and doa. I felt I was helpless in this alien world. Their encouraging words and assurance gave me comfort.

EGYPT UPROOTED: PART 3

Day 2 : 28 Feb 2011

The day was supposed to be just like the normal, ordinary day.. We look forward towards discovering more of the beautiful Alexandria.

Without breakfast about mid morning , Amal the Guide took us to the Alex library. This was a land mark of Alex as it stood by itself with the modern architecture oblivious to the old worn out building surrounding it. It was very uniquely designed and I had been wanting to get myself photographed here ever since seeing Amal did that in her FB! We took photos around it .

Alexandria library

In the chill wetaher, hunger easily got the better of us. The little young guide, Amal, took us to Mandarah using tram co (a passenger van actually) for the NASI MANDI at Hadramont. On the way, we passed through a group of armed soldiers on the army tank. Gulp! We arrived before mid day and the restaurant was still closed. It would only open after mid day, we were told. Amal and Umi strolled the beautiful private beach while I went for the Friday prayer at a nearby mosque. The sermon was in Arabic of course and it was well 45 min long!!!All that I could understand was the mention of Masriah (MESIR), America, and Palestine etc. Every one was attentive and did not fall asleep like Malaysian mosque!

Another prominent land mark by the sea front

Hadramont Restaurant: Little demonstration took place out side.

Manshiah before the demonstration started

Locals, looking suspiciously at me with my DSLR

After prayer, I was heading for the meeting point to meet Amal and Umi. I heard a little commotion and Amal and Umi rushed towards me. Umi looked very frightened. I was cool. Demonstration took place beside the mosque.

We entered Hadramont Restaurant who was now open. Amal did the ordering and we ate out heart out! The restaurant staff was glued to the TV broad cast, showing protestors demonstrating some where. Later we knew it was in Cairo. Oh….Cairo. Land of far away, I said. We are in Alex.

We strolled to Mandarah the opposite edge of Alex and entered into a paid public park. It was 6 genih/pax. It was after lunch and the stroll was sluggish. This park housed the palace of King Farouk and it spread over a real large area. The number of korma trees planted here were said to represent the number of wives the king married !!!!!. Visited the beach and took a taxi out of the park as the distance was quite far.. Met a group of Malaysian lady students from Cairo holidaying in Alex. Asked them whether it was safe to go to Cairo. They said it was ok, as long we avoid Tahrir Square. We were advised to travel NOT after Dzuhor as demonstrations normally started then.

How many wives king Farouk has? Count the number of Korma Trees please!

Mandarah , the Garden Front

!

We took a tram co home. The young driver was speeding at about 90 km/hr on the cramp van withArabian music went full blast. It reminded me of our Bas Mini Wilayah in the 90s!

Lau Samah…(excuse me) ! An arab seated at the back gave me the fare and I instead passed it to the driver in front. So simple. The fare was paid to the driver by passing thru passengers. It was 1.5 genih/pax regardless how far you travel.

Back home we rested .Ready for the night outing later. Amal the guide said the next destination would be IBRAHIM MIA where nuts, fruits, vegetables were plenty at low cost.

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Mandarah Water Park adjoining the sea

Every one was tired. Decision made…IBRAHIM MIAH trip was called off. We decided to stay home. We never realize that today was the real final outing without fear. We thought tomorrow would be there like many other days that came and go before. . We went to bed not knowing that there was a heavy demonstration in Alex itself other than Cairo and Suez and other cities!

Amal Tati, our little guide of the day.Well done though on stammering arabic at time!

EGYPT UPROOTED :PART 2

Off we went, heading blindly and anxiously for Sesostress, Raml Station. The taxi was really in poor shape. Not surprise because we had been informed prior to this through internet reading. The taxi stopped couple of time asking for direction. He seemed lost and not knowing Sesostress St. After some back and forth movement in the city we were dropped in front of the building, no 17 Sesostress Street. Its MARA OFFICE cum Students' hostel.. It stood elegantly, outshining the other old worn out buildings around it.

Amal! Here we came! An indian looking guy greeted us. I looked at him suspiciously.

" Hello, are u from Malaysia? Don’t worry; I am working here in MARA." He intoduced himself. I felt comfortable, a bit. He carried the luggages together with few another boys to the lobby. I called Amal and she rushed down. We hugged. We kissed. We shed tears of joy. The Indian looking guy kept watching before we parted. Later I came to know that he was an Arab, working at MARA, good English and ardent supporter of Mubarak.!

A tearful reunion , Umi and Amal.

We adjourned to the SRI PUTRA CAFETARIA at the basement before we stumbled upon a MARA officer Hj Idris, whom I mistakenly addressed as Ustaz Isahak. We exchanged greeting and started talking about every thing. Ustaz Isahak came and we exchanged greetings. Small in size but super duper friendly. He was the director of MARA MIDDLE EAST

Tn Hj Idris who offered us a shelter at his house during the riot.

After stuffing away the luggage, Amal led us to the rented apartment at Camp Caesar. Miscalculation by Amal in getting off the taxi led us to struggling and negotiating the 250 meter walk with heavy luggages! Quite a distance though and it really kept us catching our breath

The two room apartment with cable TV plus cooking facilities was good. What more it was just 80 Genih /day. The conversion rate: 1RM = 1.85 Genih.

In The afternoon, Amal began her tourist guide role. The apartment was only 20 meter from the sea. We were taken to the sea front, wide beautiful frontage over looking the Mediterranean Sea. The breeze further lowered the winter temperature to close below 10 C.

A nice leisure stroll indeed while capturing some photos in between.

We hope into a van called tram co and headed for the Salehuddin Al Ayubi. A huge brick building where people picnic beside it. Spend about 1.5 hours there before Amal treated us with her favorite meal Ruz billaban. Very nice indeed.

Backround: Al'alah, Fort of Salahuddin Al Ayubi

Sun set , Mediteranean Sea

Beautiful murals

Leisure by the beach

We then headed for some tourist attraction along the beach before we adjourned to the city centre Manshiah For a stroll. It was about 745 pm and the street was bustling with traders trying to get the attention. Suddenly I observed two army tanks parked at the junction. I stared and walked past. Turned my head again to catch a second glimpse, and walked. Why army? Normal…may be, I said to my inquisitive mind. We had a simple dinner of take away kebab at a nearby park before call it a day. Jet lag was still heavy and that night, we dozed off peacefully till the next morning.

Egypt Uprooted: Part 1

In the name of Allah the Most Merciful, Most Compassionate.

26 Jan 2011:

Arrived KLIA about 7 pm and check in at Qatar Airways counter went on smoothly. Met Dato Dr Wan Mokhtar who was there to send off his relatives, also to Egypt. The flight took off smoothly at 9.05 pm. The flight would have been smooth had it not been due to two aliens from Middle Europe, seated behind me who kept talking, coughing and laughing all the way. Occasionally they pushed my seats due to space constraint, hence disturbing my sleep. Mid way through the journey I confronted both of them for putting the feet against my seat in front. Their smelly shoes almost rub against my arm.

Duty Free: Doha International Airport

Landed Doha airport after 8 hours flight. Headed for the transfer lounge. A 7 hour transit. Our next flight was at 7.05 am, counter 20, Doha-Alex. After a nap I decided to go on line. Surprise Amal was there and chatted with her for a while. Anxious, both on her part and ours, to meet for the first time after 4 parting months.

Discovered the duty free shop downstairs and did some purchase of Lyndt, my favorite chocolate. Enough for Amal and us in Alex. For the trip home, I shall be stopping over for another 3 hours. I shall buy then, for the love ones at home. That was my plan.

27 Jan 2011

Flight to Alex ready for boarding. At the departure hall, Umi’s hand luggage was stopped into the cabin and directed to be checked in. Too large, and heavy, it seem.

11 am landed Alex Airport. Fist surprise, the El Nouzha airport was really in poor shape. Long queue to get through. Once my turn, the passport was examined and instead of being given back to me, it was chucked into a small box for the next officer next door. The same went for every one. Walked past the counter without the passport.

First impression of Arab system. We waited with large groups of Arab travelers for our passport back. We were the only two non Arabs. In batches, the passports were given back, one by one through name calling. What a system!

We hurried to conveyor belt to collect luggage once the immigration procedure cleared. Loaded the luggage on the handle less trolley and was stop by the custom officer for the boxes of dry stuff we brought along. Not much hassle all cleared within second. Changed US 300 for the Genih at the airport “bank”. Headed for the taxi. My first fear in this alien land.

60 Genih to Sesostress Street!

No! Only 40.

No! This a Government controlled.

Headed for another taxi

How much?

75 Genih! Government Controlled.

Heh..Goverment controlled! Ustaz Fajuri’s advices came into practice right away. Just go on and on till you get the cheapest!

How Much? Next taxi

50 Genih ok?

OK. Done.

The infamous Alexandria Taxi: old Junk!