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Walking along the Corniche in Luxor, on the way to the Museum, we were approached by the local older men who greeted us with "Are You English?" to which I replied "Yes, I'm afraid so..." (I was embarrassed by our involvement in the Iraq War) but their reply was "You are Most Welcome..and they shook our hands saying "Enjoy your holiday... You will return? Inshallah" "Oh Yes.. Inshallah" and walking round the sideways, women and children came out of their homes to greet us with warmth in their eyes and smiles....It was a lovely experience...yes ofcourse we were hassled by the Caleche drivers but we expected that...A week later I am walking through my town high street in the UK to see many mierable tense sad faces, not even looking at each other, just miserably buying buying....there is no comparison. I yearned to be back in Egypt away from this awful commercialism When I was younger seeing films and soaps of the American way of life, I could not believe how they lived, everything bigger and what appeared better....but now I wouldn't want to be like them....I suppose each country has its own identity our own idiosynchrasies and it will always be so... for our young adults in the UK, they will be lucky if they could ever afford to buy a house and lucky to find a good job.....and to get married, raise a family, the cost is considerable. Deep down I think I am proud to be British but why did I have such a yearning for Egypt? Because: I only saw the outer shell I do not understand the political issues, Policing, or lack or resources that affect your country..What is your government doing to help your poor? It hits me that we have some things in common... the richer get richer and the poorer get poorer... But In Egypt for the average people to be walking around looking happy, dare I say it content? We have alot to learn.,,Is it to do with our overall lack of spiritual awareness? Can we learn from you?
Posts: 85 | From: London England | Registered: Mar 2004
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Egypt is one of the places that u will find people warm enough, kind enough, generous enough and despite all of problems they have, u will find them smiling, greeting and so much warm of their inside and above all much are content and satisfied
Everywhere , not only in egypt, the gap between poor and rich is becoming wide and further increasing..
we are being brought up on many teachings of our culture and civilisation and religeon as well which brings up warmth and love of others and help of others and the integrity of the community as one..These all teachings brings people up together, u find the religeon calling upon looking after neghbours and relatives and even up to the farthest neghbour.. u grow up on teachings telling u to look up after ur friends, share them all in good and bad... i mean its very warm and even with problems and hectic problems hitting now and then, people retain this and sure its something born inside that will never change...
about content , yes thats true..i have said in one post before that people who have faith, know that they have a share of life, everyone gets a share of life and a bounty of life that if he looks into it, he will find how much blessed he is and doesnt have to compoare hismelf to another...yes everyone should dream, work hard and seek the best but what if it doesnt comes and he is helpless???? yeah he should do his best but with his faith, he shall understand that " its his share of life" this is no reason for people to stop seek the better or dream but at the end of teh day after all, people realise its meant to be and the belief in an almighty god makes people even more content that its sometimes all meant to be... what shall they do " thief, kill. abuse??" to get money??? well if some do they for sure are doing wrong but for majority, its better to pray, work, wait to be recompensated either in real life or after life...Our religeon asks for " content" and lots of versus denote this and ask a human to be content with his share of life and of course this is no note to stop to dream or work hard to seek the better but to recieve ur share with delight and content and it will be blessed for u...
May god retain the warmth in our hearts and fix love and drives away hatred and selfishness and envy...
our culture is beautiful, in fact every culture has its own beauty and no one is bad or good, its all relative and what could suit u would not suit me..and as much as u find good things in my culture, as much as i find in urs too lennie..this is why bridges of understanding should be built to help people better communicate and understand and enjoy their lives..
one thing anyone who seeks another place, should know how to adapt himself to the people, respect their culture even if backward or much frustrating or annoying in some concepts but we are all humans and we are given the bounty of a brain and we can utilise it to bring the gap closer with understanding and love... accepting the other is always a way for sucess and so will u learn of me and will i learn of u aand above all we will develop respect of our differences... Even in marital life and for just a couple, its always boaring if u both become one, theer shall exist the differences which would add a spice to the life..doesnt mean i dont ask for harmony among the couple but still everyone should be himself or herself and wil lcertainly add to the relation and nourish it and add to it...sorry if i talked much but still have more to say later in this nice thread take care
------------------ Dr.M.Lotfy Resident Doctor of Dermatology & Andrology
[This message has been edited by EgyptianDoc77 (edited 01 April 2004).]
Posts: 689 | From: Miami Beach, FL | Registered: Mar 2004
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I have just read all your words in answer to Linnet. I just want you to know how so many of the things you write here help so much. As someone who is caught between two countries life can sometimes be so confusing. You write so many things that help in understanding things from both sides. Please also remember many people come to this board and read without posting so you are reaching more people that you may think.
Linnet when I am in England for my business I long for Egypt and when I am in Egypt I sometimes long for England so bad because of the day to day hassles and of course because of family. You are right nowhere in England will you find that sort of kindness. All we can do is let a little bit of Egypt rub off on us amd bring it back with us and be like this ourselves. It works, if you smile at somebody or say hello you get the same back. People the world over all the same, We all want some kindness but sometimes you just have to make that first step.
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lol..sometimes you have to be careful who you smile at. I hope I get such a good array of things I can write about Egypt when I return. I read so many bad things on this forum, "oh, this happened to me...." "oh, he did this to me.... and he sid he loved me...." and all that nonsense. It is refreshing to read something good! Posts: 293 | From: UK | Registered: Mar 2004
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Giggle girl I am sure you will have many lovely experiences in Egypt. Its just such a balancing act in reading the signals. But to be honest most of us can do it, it's that sixth inner sense. I too like Linnet remember lovely times walking along the Cornish in Luxor with my sister when it was just so hot we had to get a drink. One of the local street vendors bought us chairs gave us drinks and absolutley refused to let us pay for them. We sat and chatted, there were no indecent proposals just happy talk. memories like those are precious.
Posts: 3809 | From: Paradise | Registered: Mar 2003
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Hi all, Egyptiandoc, thank you for your lucid reply.I would love to hear more.I, too,feel a better understanding now of your peoples feelings. Yours is still a country where religion plays such an important part and there is nothing wrong in this. As England has become more multi racial we have lost a lot of our basic christian teaching in our schools and as people become busier, our churches are only half full. Unless parents send their children to sunday schools, they miss out on a more in depth religious education. I applaud the teaching of all religions in our schools but unfortunately, alot of the children grow up not knowing what to believe!. I'm afraid I am also guilty. I do attend our village Church on sunday mornings to help ring the bells with our band of ringers, to call the people to church. Our vicar is pleased that we come. He likes to hear his church bells rung BUT he doesn't expect us to stay for the service! and so we don't. I believe in a God but I hope he hears ALL our prayers.I feel partly that the muslim and christian faiths have their similiarities - being intended for the poor, to make them feel their reward would be in heaven - if they were good and accepted without fuss their lot. Just looking up at the Clear Night sky proves to me that there must be a God and Oh isn't your night sky Beautiful! Especially now, with Venus Jupiter Saturn and Mars in the night sky.I wish I could see your view. PENNY, when I came back from Egypt I was so full of kindness and warmth. There I was smiling chatting to complete strangers, getting such odd looks. You know how Egyptian shopkeepers like to give you presents? Well One muslim boy working in a local shop near my home was kind to me,he let me take something when I didn't have enough money on me to pay for it. I returned to the shop with the money and gave him a kitkat as well to say thank you! He's avoided me ever since.(Must have thought I fancied him!")
Posts: 85 | From: London England | Registered: Mar 2004
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Ah Linnet the kit kat made me smile. Don't give up even if it doesn't quite work out the way you think, you can still find a funny side in things. Last time I was In England I had a flat tyre. I tried standing looking helpless but no luck so I rang my husband in Egypt. Habibi he said if you were in Egypt now 20 men would stop and help you. In England everyone continued to drive by so it was a long walk and a big bill.
Yes the night sky is so beautiful I just sat outside last night and did not want to go to bed. I feel closest to god like this, so sure he is there watching over us.
both of you are so much romantic women and it sounds beautiful, well its a hot night in here and the sky is very clear and yeah lovely glimmering stars outside, i can watch it while sitting in my room and having my window open..its so beautiful but it gets more beautiful even in 2 more hours when starts to be more quiet and peaceful..one can even think much and look much into the beauty of universe and wonder how me perhaps u and people far away could be looking to the same sky at the end..its beautiful...
about the religeon fact, yeah its one thing cultural wise, for both us muslims and our copt brothers, we are raised on the same values and faith and we share all together and the first words we get to learn at school contain the existance of god in them like " in name of god, thanks good" which is somehow gets us to realise how god is beautiful and merciful and to whome we all submit at the end...
i know the uk is multiracial specially big cities..I have done my last 2 years of medical school in birmingham school of medicine after some kind of scholarship i had and did my internship theer as well and even started my career after i got GMC ( general medical council) registration in uk and started as a SHO ( senior house officer) of cardiology in hope hospital, in manchester.. this was in may 2002 and only after 3 months , i realised i had much problems and that i had to come back home..changed my career from cardiology into dermatology & andrology and started my life. sometimes i regret i was so weak to face problems and just turn my back and choose the easy decision to come back, but still i took my decision myself and i believe it was something meant to be ( faith always exists within me that everything is destined to be)...
anyway about cultural differences, i loved the uk and still love the uk, despite i had difficulties specially after i started my work there but this never changed of my love for there even..i have learned from people and picked up new expertise, i believe i adapted good and had the freedom of practice of my religeon , felt safe and seen kindness , hatred, generousity... all
i believed all exists everywhere, before i used to travel for vacations with family or on my own, but visits are different from living and mingling with the people for a life ( its entirely different)... first i found people so different of my people, i didnt feel the warmth, somedays i was down , some words i expected to get of some people i didnt get...finally and after time i saw the good and knew it existed but i knew the way to express and show differs ...i adapted myself much to that and realised that a human is a human everywhere, the good and bad exists in people with relative differences depending on many factors ( ur own problems, ur beliefs, ur culture, ur financial, social, educational ) standards....
its whay i was talking about bridging people and how u will feel safety inside and warmth inside once u realise differences in expressing due to any reason doesnt take of the beauty of a human nature...
by the way there is something also about being content and satisfaction among an average humble egyptian kind person who would tell u " thanks to god, iam better than others" not that it indicates helplessness and submission to his state as much as it tells how faithful and content he is... since ur both experienced egyptian travellers, u could have met examples of that in here
lets all take a look at the stars
------------------ Dr.M.Lotfy Resident Doctor of Dermatology & Andrology
[This message has been edited by EgyptianDoc77 (edited 01 April 2004).]
Posts: 689 | From: Miami Beach, FL | Registered: Mar 2004
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Hi My Doctor friend, I guessed you had been to the UK working here. Your use of English is so so good. I was interested that you changed direction from Cardiology? was there any particular reason? I hope your bad experiences weren't due to anything that happened here. One of my Bellringing friends is a retired GP who now does homeopathy from a private practice...He and his wife are practising Christians. Somehow it warms my heart that doctors believe in God. Did you see Venus? Shining so brightly in the West? Posts: 85 | From: London England | Registered: Mar 2004
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well about giving up the job overthere, it was a bit rushy from me not to accept some harassement which i lately knew it could happen anywhere ( we all learn of mistakes )..when i was back home i had to identify again if i should continue with cardiology or not, and my new speciality then was the one to suit me
yeah i have seen venus, its so beautiful u know...i hope ur feeling better now and its almost weekend there so cheer up, ive read ur other post btw
i wish u a good night sleep
nighty nighty
------------------ Dr.M.Lotfy Resident Doctor of Dermatology & Andrology
Posts: 689 | From: Miami Beach, FL | Registered: Mar 2004
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thank you much dear and ur offering a great piece of advice, ur someone who lived in both cultures and managed to bridge them and its what we love u to share us with and tell us more about plz
thanks alot
------------------ Dr.M.Lotfy Resident Doctor of Dermatology & Andrology
Posts: 689 | From: Miami Beach, FL | Registered: Mar 2004
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this is very informative and very very good. it is helpful to understand who is who and what is what...please continue and tell us more, i really love this
Isabelle
Posts: 21 | From: Europe | Registered: Mar 2004
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You know, I'd love to hear what is popular at the moment in Egypt, Soaps on the Tele, and what their about, reading a book recently,about an english journalist who was visiting the arab countries and stopped off in Cairo, he stated that only the tourists can afford to go to the theatres there, true? do you have many western films in your cinemas.Are they what we class as family films or Adult? and if not what are your most popular Egyptian films about? Doc thank you for your reply to my question. I am glad you are happy now in your chosen field....I have to work this weekend in the Museum, lots of children coming,as we are having a puppet day tomorrow! Posts: 85 | From: London England | Registered: Mar 2004
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hope ur having a good friday so far. Well at the moment besides the normal daily life journey of surviving , the Egypt 2010 bid for organising the world cup is something which is commonly though about among egyptians and becoming popular and thrilling, waiting the final decision of whome will organise this competition in the coming couple of weeks...
apart of that its the usual daily life and above all the latest "crisis" of inflation, prices have doubled and tripled even in some cases and in a very short time.
about the cinemas, well there are really some wonderful cinemas and i would advice u to check urself when u come overhere next time. well western movies are shown normally like anywhere else and they certainly have a wider base of spectators and playing allover the year..example at the moment i know these movies are being played in cairo " passion of the christ, scary movie iii, lord of the rings, gothika"..
about egyptian movies, there is cerainly a number of egyptian movies produced allover the year dealing with many issues and lots of community problems, but lately the trend was about comedies, more of the prodcution was directed towards comedy may be its what people really needed after some of the life trajedies they face... people hopefully can still afford cinemas but unfortunately theatre wise, its quite much expensive for the normal average egyptian to go and pay for him and his family...
there is so much of cultural activities in egypt, the country is vast and tastes vary greatly..there are music festivals and opera shows and art galleries and discussion forums allover the year and gladly many many people can afford it and its certainly good enough...
i advice u linnet to get more into the public next time u come into here, get inside cinemas, perhaps attend opera house shows if ur inetersted , u will certainlt get to discover more...
i wish u a happy saturday at the museum with the cuty puppet show...
could u tell me a little about that museum
take care dear
------------------ Dr.M.Lotfy Resident Doctor of Dermatology & Andrology
Posts: 689 | From: Miami Beach, FL | Registered: Mar 2004
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Dear doc, Hope you have had a good day too. it has been a lovely spring like day here and I have spent time trying to sort out the garden. Spring has sprung! There is so much to talk about...thank you for your synopsis of whats on in Cairo! I bought some local papers when I was in Luxor and it gave me the impression that Cairo is full of Culture! The theatres in London are now very expensive and we think only Americans can afford them but ofcourse they aren't coming to London as much now or Egypt.....Glad you liked my monster in the box......Well my museum, I could give you a link if you like. It is set in old parkland in a Victorian building, it houses collections of roman finds from our locality,art and beautiful 17th and 18thC glassware, many stuffed victorian animals, a great deal of social history, scenes from the victorian era, 1940's 50's etc...useful for children studying what it was like to be around when their grandparents were young... and also we have the Essex Regiment Museum. Interesting for us we found evidence of the 56th Essex Regiment at Philae Temple, from the 19thC..soldiers had inscribed the name of their regiment on the wall... Vandals everywhere....! e photographed their signatures left on the wall of the roman
ring but sometimes interesting. Especially when we have special activity days. Also, people bring in their finds....from 16thC coins to pieces of roman pottery, found in their gardens.
Posts: 85 | From: London England | Registered: Mar 2004
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Whoops! Lost the last bit somewhere..it should read something like We photographed the graffiti left by our soldiers in the 19thCentury for our Keeper of the Regiment Museum. Changing the subject a bit. Are there impersonators on your tv who take off your politicians, like we have here?? The book I was reading was written 25 years ago and the journalist gave the impression that it was not good to, shall we say complain too much about political issues in Cairo,there were ways of doing it, safely... he also made the point that alot of the good housing in Cairo had been bought by wealthy Arabs from other countries, where they had bought up whole streets? would you agree with that?
Posts: 85 | From: London England | Registered: Mar 2004
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by Linnet: [B] now i figure out that museum is a sort of a medieval looking one..thx alot dear and yeah would be so kind of u to give me the link for it..
p.s: i read ur other question now and i owe u a reply very soon
take care plz & many thanks
------------------ Dr.M.Lotfy Resident Doctor of Dermatology & Andrology
Posts: 689 | From: Miami Beach, FL | Registered: Mar 2004
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quote:Originally posted by Linnet: the richer get richer and the poorer get poorer...
I thought you exactly talk about Egypt.
Egyptians yearn for things they do not have and Westerners yearn for things they do not have ... it is the human nature.
I remember how many foreigners look to our deserts as something "cool" while when I go to greenish areas, usually in the north I am so impressed with the green color, lakes and trees.
quote:Originally posted by Linnet: Walking along the Corniche in Luxor, on the way to the Museum, we were approached by the local older men who greeted us with "Are You English?" to which I replied "Yes, I'm afraid so..." (I was embarrassed by our involvement in the Iraq War) but their reply was "You are Most Welcome..and they shook our hands saying "Enjoy your holiday... You will return? Inshallah" "Oh Yes.. Inshallah" and walking round the sideways, women and children came out of their homes to greet us with warmth in their eyes and smiles....It was a lovely experience...yes ofcourse we were hassled by the Caleche drivers but we expected that...A week later I am walking through my town high street in the UK to see many mierable tense sad faces, not even looking at each other, just miserably buying buying....there is no comparison. I yearned to be back in Egypt away from this awful commercialism When I was younger seeing films and soaps of the American way of life, I could not believe how they lived, everything bigger and what appeared better....but now I wouldn't want to be like them....I suppose each country has its own identity our own idiosynchrasies and it will always be so... for our young adults in the UK, they will be lucky if they could ever afford to buy a house and lucky to find a good job.....and to get married, raise a family, the cost is considerable. Deep down I think I am proud to be British but why did I have such a yearning for Egypt? Because: I only saw the outer shell I do not understand the political issues, Policing, or lack or resources that affect your country..What is your government doing to help your poor? It hits me that we have some things in common... the richer get richer and the poorer get poorer... But In Egypt for the average people to be walking around looking happy, dare I say it content? We have alot to learn.,,Is it to do with our overall lack of spiritual awareness? Can we learn from you?
Wow, the things you all have said have really warmed my heart. I have always wanted to go to Egypt, and now i long to go even more. I had no idea everyone was so friendly! But, I am afraid i will never have the chance. You see, i am an American...(oh, here come the gasps!) And i fear that if i ever got the chance to go, i would be hated by all. However, even though i am american, i do not agree with the war, or much of what the US does. I cant help where i was born, and i am still to young to move away. Anyway! Enough feeling sorry for myself! I just wanted to say that i am over joyed that there is a place out there where people are actually kind and civil without expecting something in return! Thats awesome!
Posts: 12 | From: Spokane Washington USA | Registered: Apr 2004
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Dear Cairoroo, Thanks for your reply. I am sure you would be most welcome in Egypt. I felt a little concerned about the response we might get but I was bowled over by the warmth of welcome we received. I think the tourist industry needs your money as much as mine and believe me, you will have the holiday of a lifetime!
[This message has been edited by Linnet (edited 08 April 2004).]
Posts: 85 | From: London England | Registered: Mar 2004
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quote:Originally posted by cairoroo: I am afraid i will never have the chance. You see, i am an American...(oh, here come the gasps!) And i fear that if i ever got the chance to go, i would be hated by all.
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its a very interesting topic iam realy proudy by the whole what was said about egypt and the egyptians,and i hope all the egyptians could read your lovely words about our country to avoid annoying any tourist come to egypt, to cairoroo donot worry at all come to egypt and feel safe as linnet told you its gona be you lifetime vacations, iam working as a tour guide in egypt so some time iam joining some americans groups,they are more than welcome by every one in egypt,, wish you great vacation in our countruy,, mohamed
Posts: 17 | From: aswan/egypt | Registered: Mar 2004
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Thought it might give you something to read! If your not to busy tonight!! Relax!
heyyyy my dear how are you, long time now
well thankls for the lovely links, by the way its soooo lovely and i believe u enjoy the tranquility overthere in that wonderful place.. i loved the marriage hall as well, is it possible for anyone to have a marriage reception overthere?
take care and be safe
------------------ Dr.M.Lotfy Resident Doctor of Dermatology & Andrology
Posts: 689 | From: Miami Beach, FL | Registered: Mar 2004
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Hello doc, How are you? Hope you have been well..Long time No Hear! guess you have been busy.working too hard....Glad you enjoyed the links...Yes, Anyone can have a reception at our Old White House..but need to book well in advance! hey, are you thinking of getting married? I have missed your posts. I still need some guidance regarding what is allowed to be discussed openly and what isn't... but I guess I am learning as we go along... Also, Do Egyptian people have a sense of their family history? Is this something they care about? It is an interst of mine and I wondered if many families tended to live within the same areas through the generations.therefore, able to pass down information regarding their family history.I don't know if you or someone else can answer this? Do the people of Upper and Lower Egypt take pride in their ancestry? Or Muslims from other Arab countries? Is it important in their religion? Sorry if this seems a daft question but as I said, I have a lot to learn! Fingers Crossed for the Gunners tomorrow...
[This message has been edited by Linnet (edited 23 April 2004).]
Posts: 85 | From: London England | Registered: Mar 2004
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