Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Cairo or Alexandria

When ever I think I have weighed up my options and come to a conclusion. I change my mind (typical of my decision making process) but I wish I could just settle on a city in which to study.

Cairo is… well Cairo, there is a romanticism about studying in such a bustling city. The city of a thousand minarets, the home of Azhar Masjid and university, the citadel of Salahadin, Khan el khalili and on the other hand we have the pyramids, the sphinx of Giza. So I guess with Cairo I would have an incredible source of Islamic history to draw inspiration from and the excitement of living in one of the most populated cities in Africa

Alexandria, for one of the great wonders of the world it doesn’t actually have much to show for it although currently there some excavations taking place. But one thing Alexandria has is water (one of my single most important requirements for tranquilly). I would clearly be able to view the sunset and sunrise from my window and when the fancy took me sit on the beach reflecting and learning some vocabulary. This in itself has a strong since of romanticism as well.

I guess the choice ultimately comes down to which I value more at this point, excitement or tranquilly, the hassle and bustle of Capital city life or the quieter (more) authentically Egyptian way of living. The Nile or the Mediterranean Sea.

I suppose if I felt the need for Cairo I could always jump on the train (apparently first class is only a few pounds, starling)

At this point it would appear I am leaning towards Alexandria. Too much choice can be just as daunting as too little choice. Insha Allah Khayr

10 comments:

NATIVE said...

Am sure you will choose the right place....inshaAllah kheyr

Anonymous said...

umm seems like some1 is spoilt for choice. I guess only u know urself and under which environment u learn best. Personally it would have to be Cairo hands down, for a country u are new to i think u need a big city to explore its culture and people.
With Cairo u either love it or hate it ... i love the noise and buyness of it, not fogettin the polution.


inshallah u will make the right choice for u.

salaam

Anonymous said...

Personally speaking...Alexandria is too quiet...I'd rather prefer Cairo's hustle and bustle. Maybe it's because I'm craving a change from the quiet city I live in...

Ever The Idealist said...

Well it has to be CAIRO!how could you entertain another city if the country is EGYPT?!!

Mariamazmi said...

Alex, Alex, Alex.

Cairo is busy, crazy and very polluted. I felt my years were shedding during my time there. Yes, it's great for studying and socialising. You can find whatever you need there and there are lots of arabic centres, bookshops and gorgeous mosques to explore.
It is, however, horrendous for getting around because of the traffic and almost non existant highway code. Come to think of it, they probably don't have one.

Anyhoop, Alex is very tranquil so you'll really have a lot of reflecting time without the constant blare of traffic ringing in your ears and all that. You can get wonderful fresh fish everyday and have long walks along the beach. You can even scuba dive and see Cleopatra's palace. (You could also go to the Red Sea though too- they have very good women's only facilites).

They both have there pros and cons, the grass is always greener anyway which is probably why I'm saying to go to Alexandria. I do love Cairo and had an amazing time there alh, but you do start to pine for open fields, hills and generally some peaceful scenary to sooth the soul.

Anonymous said...

the grass is not always greener becuase i spent 6 weeks there in the summer and i would take it over cairo anyday.....anyway nm take my advice and spend 3 months in cairo and 3 in alex...

Anonymous said...

CAIORO, CAIRO, CAIRO!!!

if cairo gets too much for you, then you can jump on a train and relax in alexandria. too much relaxation isn't good for you....

(do you like the fact that my first comment left on your blog is to do with egypt? kind of fitting!)

NM said...

too much relaxation isn't good for me? sarah or sarah

NM said...

salam.

you're a somali-canadian in egypt i will be a somali-brit in egypt.

we need to talk sis :)

NM said...

yay!! ( am easily excited) jazakallah khayr sis and your baby sounds adorable if a little white (white african can relate :)