Cloud Hopping with Fadia Kader: Entry # 006: Live from Egypt

It’s been a long time, I know I know. I guess I can finally admit and face my reality. I’m not built for this blogging world! But a short recap of the past two weeks, if you want more the pictures with the blurbs are on my Flickr Page [ http://flickr.com/fadiakader]

It never fails… No one can ever guess my ethnicity. In America, I’m mixed or of Latin descent. I thought coming back home, I would blend right in. WRONG. Even my own people can’t get it right. I have gotten everything from Libyan, Algerian, North African and so much more. When, and only when I straighten my hair, they might think I’m Lebanese. Go figure. So moving forward, I will entertain myself and allow people to resume playing the guessing game!

Ok, back to my travels! My friend Nicole Garner came to visit from Atlanta and we went EVERYWHERE! I packed in two weeks worth of activities in six days! We spent the Christmas holidays at mass in an Orthodox Greek Church, Petra, Dead Sea, Wadi Rum and Amman. After she left I packed my stuff and got on a plane to Egypt!

I had every intention of spending this fabulous new years in Cairo, Egypt, and with everything going on in Gaza, as a Palestinian, I was not in the mood to celebrate. My same exact sentiment was shared by Arabs worldwide. All parties and concerts were canceled and I was glad. I spent my night in Cairo, having a quite dinner, reflecting on 2008 and looking forward to 2009. Walked by the Nile back to the hotel, said a little prayer and was in bed by 1:15am. Ahh…this is what old age does to you; the lameness is starting to creep in.

I have been asked over and over again about my resolutions. I have no resolutions, as they are made to be broken. Well I lied, I told my self in ‘09 to let go of all expectations from others, since they seem to lead to disappointment 85 percent of the time. Don’t get me wrong; I have huge expectations for myself in ‘09. I’m keeping myself open for surprise, coming back with an open heart and open mind, I want to be pleasantly surprised when someone does something, rather than expecting them do it my way, which is usually with all the passion I can possibly put in! I understand more than ever… not everyone is built like me *wink*.

So back to Egypt, It was great, this is my second time and I thoroughly enjoyed every last bit of it! The weather was surprisingly chilly while I was there, so no getting bronzy. I am really disappointed cause I really wanted to work on my tan on this trip, forgetting that desert cold is some of the harshest cold ever. Hits straight to the bone. I spent a lot of time walking near the Nile, writing in my journal, visiting museums, going to the pyramids multiple times, and of course shopping! All I have to say is, I am coming back home with one full extra bag! I bought a ton of rugs, wall hangings, boxes, jewelry, and so much more! I’m excited to give the ones I love their gifts. I even went and got sand from right under the pyramids for those closest to me.

My trip is coming to an end, and all I can say is how blessed I am to have had the opportunity to step away from my life, pause, take in and analyze all the ups and downs and really see my life from the outside looking in. I can’t speak for you all, but I can speak for self. I have been so consumed with my work, and having my work overly intertwined with my personal life that I lost myself for a while. I love what I do, but more than ever I am in the process of learning the art of “Balance.” I have to learn to balance my life, my relationships, and especially my relationship with myself, which is the most important one. I have learned so much about myself, and even about others that are closest to me from afar. I am so anxious to come back home to apply all the things that I have learned about myself and life to my “regular life.” I have learned so much about my families’ history, and more than ever this quote has made more sense than ever:

“You are a success when you have made friends with your past, are focused on the present, and are optimistic about your future.”

So till the next time… xoxoxo

Related Post: ‘Cloud Hopping’ with Fadia Kader, Cloud Hopping with Fadia Kader: Entry #001, Cloud Hopping with Fadia Kader: Entry #002 — I Did Not Vote, Cloud Hopping with Fadia Kader: Entry #003 — We Each Have Our Own, Cloud Hopping with Fadia Kader: Entry #004 : Two in One, Cloud Hopping with Fadia Kader: Entry #005 : Live from Dubai.