March. Spring. Change. Transitions. As I thought about what to post for my 'inaugural' Friday Foto feature, I thought about transitions, which led me to think of weather of course. The changes each season brings are spectacular, but none so much as those of Spring. As I mused on change, transitions and Spring, I started thinking about my sojourn to Egypt in Spring of 2010 and the so-called "Arab Spring" of 2011.
Last Spring, as our Arab brothers and sisters did their thing all over North Africa and the Middle East, I often thought of my sojourn to Egypt, the people I met there and the experiences I had there. I recalled walking on the lawns in front of the Cairo Museum and looking out across Tagrir Square, the epicenter of the Revolution. It was peaceful there during my visit; mothers and children sat on the lawns under the palm trees; men stood in small groups smoking and gesturing in excited conversation; palms swayed in the warm April breeze. But then Spring came, and change was in the air in Egypt. Many of the sites, neighborhoods and squares I visited were being splashed all over international TV. Cairo in smoky chaos, precious historical artifacts and sites damaged, some in ruins. Camels bearing down on protestors in the streets. Reports of vandals damaging ancient tombs and artifacts.
I cherish my sojourn to Egypt. I'm glad I went the year before the 'change', the Revolution. I hope to return to the Land of the Pharoahs again and soon. For now, here are a few photos of Cairo.
Cairo is a CROWDED city, smoggy and dirty. Cars crowd the streets and highways and people are everywhere! This was taken in Giza where many of the perfume shops and essence makers are located, not far from the Pyramids.
These photos were taken from a high vantage point in the Salah al-Din Citadel in Cairo. The Citadel was built by the ruler Salah al-Din between 1176 and 1183 CE to protect the city from the Crusaders.
Smog so thick it looks like smoke!
The Citadel also contains the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, which was built between 1828 and 1848 in memory of Muhammad Ali's eldest son, Tusun Pasha, the Qasr al-Gawhara Palace and museum, and the Mosque of Suleymon. The Mosque is also known as the Alabaster Mosque and is a stunning example of Ottoman architecture.
The interior of the Mosque is quite remarkable. The lights hanging from the domes ceilings were originally lit with candles, but are now fitted with electric lights.
I'm not sure what this structure is called but I was told it is where the Imam teaches during worship.
And me in the Mosque!
