Bikini Banter, Hurghada, Egypt

Beach of Magawish Resort, Hurghada, Egypt

This week, it was difficult to avoid discussions about the opening of Egypt's first alcohol-free hotel in Hurghada. Hurghada, a major tourist city along the Red Sea has some of the most beautiful beaches in Southern Egypt. Not only is this new hotel alcohol free, but it also houses a woman's only section in the hotel. Of course, this leads to much gossip and speculation about the future of tourism in Egypt. Is this the next trend of tourism? Will the bikini, or even women, be next to be forbidden from these beaches?

Sunset Somewhere Aegean Sea, Turkey Coast

Sunset Somewhere Aegean Sea, Turkey Coast, a photo by sierragoddess on Flickr.

Anchored in a Secluded Bay, Turkey Coast

Spanish Escape

Spanish Escape, a photo by sierragoddess on Flickr.

The village up the mountain on the way to Rhonda. Algatocín in Andalusia mountains, Spain

Via Flickr:
Algatocín in Andalusia mountains, Spain

World Water Day: Water Crisis in North Africa too

I took this picture of children playing in an irrigation canal
back in 2007. They were excited because they could
swim in the water holding tank. The water is pumped to
 fields from the River Nile. 

Today is World Water Day

 Since the focus on this World Water Day seems to be centered on Africa, I decided to slide the attention compass northward. In Egypt, the use and misuse of water is plain to see. Slums and ghettos outline affluent gated communities all around Cairo. The distribution of water between these communities is striking. Canals and drains filled with garbage and dead animals contrast lush green lawns and swimming pools only a few kilometers apart. Water flows easily to wealthy developments. Water drips from corroded taps to the poorer communities.

Lack of Awareness. Uncheck Development. Unchecked Population

 I live only a few steps from the longest and most revered river in the world. For the last several years, I've followed the ebb and flow of this magnificent river. The Nile is filled with water, so what's the problem?
  In the last few years, almost daily we have news of water shortages and protests on the distribution of water. Commercial and housing developments continue to be built, unchecked, around Cairo and along the Red Sea coast. It is no mystery that politics play a huge role in access to clean water.

Will Water Spur Our Next Revolution?

 Since the 2011 Revolution, more and more Egyptian-founded environmental groups are voicing awareness to these issues, but our land and water continues to be misused and abused. Population grows. Water consumption grows. Our government continues to spin. Fingers get pointed outwards, but never inwards. We all need to be part of the solution, but it is government policy makers who hold the keys. I know that I'm not the only one here that wonders if lack of water will spur our next revolution, not only here, but worldwide.

Photo: I took this picture of children playing in an irrigation canal back in 2007. They were excited because they could swim in the water holding tank. The water is pumped to fields from the River Nile.

#worldwaterday2013   #water   #egypt   #egyptians   #worldwaterday

Spring Equinox Energy Inspires Us to Lighten Inner Mysteries

Today marks the Spring Equinox. Equinox means "equal night." Day and night are in perfect balance. Because the sun is positioned above the equator, day and night are about equal in length all over the world during earth's equinoxes.

Egyptians built the Great Sphinx to directly face the rising Sun on the day of the Spring Equinox.

Secrets of the Ancients
Ancient cultures marked the sun's cycles in stone. Knowledge of the special power in Spring was universal. Egyptians built the Great Sphinx to directly face the rising Sun on the day of the Spring Equinox.

Tune into Sun Cycles of Change

Life, and the movement through natures cycles, feels like it is moving into a grand pause for about five days. This stillness - and shift towards increasing light - is recognized as a very potent time to focus and set intentions for the coming months.
From this day forward, you are moving, along with everyone in the Northern hemisphere, more and more into the light.

Spring Time is Planting Time.

Spring Equinox moves us from the deep winter days of hibernation to turning outward, being filled with the increasing light. This looking out inspires action. Use the special upsurge of energy after the Spring Equinox to "get going." Set your intentions. Find your balance. Flow into your life.

"If you don't design your own life plan,
chances are you'll fall into someone else's plan.
And guess what they have planned for you?
Not much." Jim Rohn

25Jan 2011 Egypt Revolution Look Back. Day 1 of a New Direction for Egypt

12 February, 2011

After 18 days, suddenly the energy of the entire city had shifted. People were buzzing around Tahrir with excitement and the hope of change.
   My husband and I took an early (for Egyptians) morning walk to Tahrir. At 9:00 am, people were already cleaning up the area. Pouring in from everywhere, people were coming to Tahrir with brooms and bags to clean up the mess from the 18 days of occupation of this small area. It was a mess, but it was cleaned up in a matter of a day.
   Everywhere we went in the city, clean up crews of students and adults were clearing the garbage from the streets. It was an amazing site to see.
     The pure expression of joy seemed to glow out of every person's face. Everyone greeted everyone. Smiles. Waves. Flags. Hope. Freedom.
It was the end of the Mubarak era. The Revolutionaries vowed to stay until the revolution was complete.
   By the evening, the celebrations started up again and Tahrir was filled with millions of people. Singing, dancing, and bands played well into the night.
   A group of us went down around 7 pm and finally came home around midnight. By then, the streets leading to Tahrir were jammed tight with traffic and people. But unlike other traffic jams, everyone was happy, singing and celebrating as they tried to make it through the area.
   From this day forth, Tahrir and the revolution has taken many more turns.
‎الحرية Sout Al Horeya, Freedom. May Peace Prevail.

#25jan   #egypt   #egyptianrevolution  2011    #revolution 

25Jan 2011 Egypt Revolution Look Back : Day 18 Only My Experience, Not Politics

Celebrations in Tahrir

Day 18 
11 February, 2011
Two years ago, 11 February 2011 was called the Friday of Departure
   The crowds in Tahrir grew bigger throughout the day. Protests were growing in other cities across the country as the people were not going to back down until Mubarak completely left office. That evening, VP Omar Suleiman announced Mubarak's resignation. The nation was glued to listen to the announcement. Twitter went electric. Tahrir went ecstatic. Across the country, most of the Egyptian people celebrated well into the night. The atmosphere was indescribable.

  Hope, freedom, and the promise of a bright future lit up the country. الحرية Horeya. Freedom.

#25jan   #egypt   #egyptianrevolution   #revolution 

25Jan 2011 Egypt Revolution Look Back : Day 17 My Experience, Not Politics

Day 17  My Experience, Not Politics
10 February, 2011

For the first time since I moved to Cairo five years before, the city seemed suspended in slow motion. Streets that were once filled every hour of every day, were suddenly quiet. More than two weeks into the revolution, many protestors were spending day and night in Tahrir. Yet, the majority of protestors would come and go. Many people not part of the protests were locked up in their homes, frightened to go out in the streets. By now, the Army had moved into place (a military coup speculated by many) and order was being restored to neighborhoods across the area.

Pollution Solution: Fewer Cars Makes a Difference

The lack of pollution was noticeable. After two weeks of fewer cars on the street, it was actually a pleasure to do errands and go to work. Fewer cars significantly dropped the pollution cloud and provided unbelievably clear views across this facinating city. In particular, the Giza Pyramids were clearly visible from certain vantage points. I have photos to prove it. Typically, they are masked by Cairo's black cloud of pollution.

Day 17: Hope of Change

Earlier in the day, 10 February, it was announced that Mubarak would formally address the nation.
    I clearly remember this morning. I was on the balcony, enjoying the morning sun and pollution-free air. Becoming accustomed to occasionally hearing chants echoing up from the streets, I perceived what sounded to my ears like a distant cheering rock concert crowd. The sounds grew louder and louder. I grabbed my new Nokia camera and went down to the street to see what was happening.

   As I approached Qasr El Ainy street, a main street that leads to Tahrir, the chant was clear, "Mish hinmshee, Howa yemshee" (We won't leave. He leaves.). Thousands of doctors and nurses, wearing their white lab coats were walking from Qasr El Ainy hospital to Tahrir.

   Throughout the rest of the day, workers, bus drivers, and lawyers joined the doctors in Tahrir. Across Egypt, workers were walking out of their jobs to join together in protests of the Mubarak regime.

Regime Remains

Throughout the week, speculation of the health of Mubarak was being bantered about. To discuss the health of the then President was taboo, usually resulting in imprisonment. There were rumors that he had a heart attack or he was in a coma.

   Mubarak's address to the nation came very late in the evening. Rather than resigning, as we all expected, he said he would finish his service and stay in power. But, he would delegate some of his powers to his VP Omar Suleiman. Anger and frustration flared from the protestors, but they kept their word to stay in Tahrir and they kept the protests peaceful.

   Mubarak's speech was discussed and dissected from all sides. Speculation buzzed that the President's speech was pre-recorded. Maybe he was in a coma. Maybe he had fled the country. The list of rumors and conspiracies flew as another day and night ended with no regime change. Across the country, the protests continued to grow.

#25jan   #egyptrevolution