It’s a mutual feeling. It’s like when you say “smile to life and she will smile back at you”. I smile to Egypt every single day and what I get back is a beautiful cheering smile that makes me feel at home. I can see it everywhere, in many small and big things.
So here I am with my last – good – news!
First of all, I finally got a job! I was getting nervous: 1 month and still no job, how come? But now I can officially say I’m hired. And I love the job: I’m a photography teacher! Finally a job that I love. I sooo needed this! It’s just a part time job, I’ll look for a second job as well, but at least now I’m more optimistic and so excited. In the meantime, I got my first 3 requests for paid articles… I can’t believe it! Everything is going so well…
Another great news is that I’m planning to attend the “Characters of Egypt” festival. Basically, all the beduin tribes from all around Egypt (Western Desert, Sinai, etc) gather in a camp near Marsa Alam to share their cultures through music, dance, food, etc. So I’m going to spend 3 days camping with them and maybe I’ll have the chance to take part in the event as a volunteer in the press team with an NGO. Isn’t it just great? Here is a video about this event:
Characters of Egypt 2010 – Marsa Alam, Egypt
In the meantime, my flatmate had some friends visiting and we played the guides to take them around Cairo.
It was a pleasure visiting Memphis again – a giant statue of Ramses II lies there and everytime I see him I go into ecstasies. I can’t explain why – It’s just that his eyes, his smile and his perfection puzzle me.
They wanted to see the pyramids, of course. I skipped Giza (I’m starting to get used to them, not good!) but didn’t miss the chance to visit Saqqara and Dahshur again!
I waited in front of the Step Pyramid in Saqqara for like 1 hour until – miracle! – there were no tourists in front of it, and I got some shots… As you can see I had enough time to play with my camera a little bit!
I just don’t understand why Dahshur is not popular yet – imho, it’s much better than Giza for 2 reasons: 1st, no tourists/hawkers around (ok, this won’t last if Dahsur gets too popular). 2nd reason, there are no houses around and you are in the middle of nowhere with sand all around – it feels much more timeless… something that’s partly missing in Giza.
The first time I visited Dahshur I just cried and cried for hours – and I still don’t know why. It was such an emotional shock. I’m just crazy, I can’t do anything about it!
On saturday I’m going to Ein Sukhna (on the Red Sea) with some friends… so stay tuned!
Life is good down here… I could hardly be happier than this.
9 Comments
Love your pictures! I spent a few weeks in Egypt in 2008 and fell in love with it too – although my photos didn’t turn out quite as amazing as yours!
Just reading your article, I feel my heart is fluttered. I want that. :)
I’m not fortunate enough to have concept of ‘travel’ that fast.
Now still I’m learning and making my own way. I’m at this huge crossroad, hoping everything goes well. :)
Happy for you!! :)
Short, sweet, to the point, FREEexactly as information shloud be!
Great shots!! If you don´t mind me asking, where did you find a job? Sounds great. Love Egypt.
See reply on Twitter:)
I know i have told you through twitter but now I will tell you here. CONGRATS on getting a job!!! That is so awesome and I love that you are living your dream and living life to the fullest. Sounds like you will be having tons of great picture ops at this festival and you know of course I wanna see them. Great pics on the post.
Jaime, today they told me I officially belong to the press list of the festival! How cool is that? Tons of pics to come :-)
Very interesting story. How’s teaching photography now? I want to do the same soon. Love your photos.
Hey, thanks! Glad you like the photos, it’s my biggest passion (after travel, obviously!) – After all I didn’t end up teaching photography, so I can’t really tell. I ended up working in a photography studio but as an assistant. Very interesting : )