So...
I just got back from 12 days in UK; my first visit since moving here to Cairo two and a half years ago and I am happy to be home - as in back home in Cairo.
Some of my biggest impressions on the trip back to England were how quiet even Manchester was (!) - comnpared to Cairo which is one of the noisiest cities in the world other places seem positively tranquil! Also the lack of colour, the cold (!), the expense (!!!), how people are preoccupied with worries over how to pay high living costs and bills, a sense of suppression seemed present or rather dormancy; I felt that most people 'had' things but were poor in a sense of consciousness. This is not to say that people in Cairo are high on life.. but there is a sense of life everywhere - even if it is difficult.
After Manchester I then visited Penwith in Cornwall, which was my home for 12 years before moving here. Penwith is as beautiful as ever and still possesses that gentle strength which supports people who live there - but my stay there was not relaxing as I saw THIRTY TWO people in 5 days and still had more to go who I couldn't fit in!!!
Travelling back to Cairo I was lucky to be on the flight with one of my great friends here Amira, a fine writer and journalist. We finally managed to catch up (we have both been so busy recently)albeit through some severe turbulence and both arrived safely to our beloved but insane city - Cairo!
Watch out for updates of all new news and dont forget to check the main page Arts Residency Cairo also!
Thursday 24 May 2012
Saturday 5 May 2012
The River Runs One Way
Dear All
How are you?
How many times do we answer that question with an impulsive 'I'm good, thanks' or some such? When actually we might have many crises in our lives.
That is how it has been for me these last 2, nearly 3, months - one of my most prolonged testing times in Egypt, and anywhere.
Why? Because I am going through various legal processes for the company and trying to do that, in this country, is a nightmare. I wouldn't even know where to begin telling the tale, but let's just say it is Kafkaesque and not yet resolved; and just as at other times of my life I used to wake up musing on a word or a dream or an idea; these last months everyday has been consumed by issues.
Nevertheless, let me focus on the accomplishments; I have created the Writers' Centre www.writerscentre.blogspot.com
and I have been continuing delivering a plethora of creative writing workshops and two new artists, Jenna Crowder and Keith Lane have been staying for a month and will stay through to mid June, whilst they deliver workshops at the Townhouse. (see the ARC home page for links to their work in 'Other Pages')
I have also got a delightful balcony of pink, green and yellow and the beautiful tree and birds that continue to soothe my days somewhat.
I go back to UK for 12 days early next week, my first trip for 2 and half years since arriving here and I am feeling rather stressed about it as it is at a critical time both for me personally with all my legal situations and also for Egypt. Things happen here every minute and also I am concerned about coming back, as nowadays the authorities can be, let's say, 'unembracing' towards foreigners wishing to stay here.
However, everything is pushing me forward to depart and to be in UK for a short time, and so inshallah it will all be well.
I am actually looking forward to visiting Primark :/ Really! :))
Ok, yalla, I need to eat. I shall write again soon and in the meantime remember to check the main ARC page for updates on what I am doing! :))
www.artsresidencycairo.blogspot.com
How are you?
How many times do we answer that question with an impulsive 'I'm good, thanks' or some such? When actually we might have many crises in our lives.
That is how it has been for me these last 2, nearly 3, months - one of my most prolonged testing times in Egypt, and anywhere.
Why? Because I am going through various legal processes for the company and trying to do that, in this country, is a nightmare. I wouldn't even know where to begin telling the tale, but let's just say it is Kafkaesque and not yet resolved; and just as at other times of my life I used to wake up musing on a word or a dream or an idea; these last months everyday has been consumed by issues.
Nevertheless, let me focus on the accomplishments; I have created the Writers' Centre www.writerscentre.blogspot.com
and I have been continuing delivering a plethora of creative writing workshops and two new artists, Jenna Crowder and Keith Lane have been staying for a month and will stay through to mid June, whilst they deliver workshops at the Townhouse. (see the ARC home page for links to their work in 'Other Pages')
I have also got a delightful balcony of pink, green and yellow and the beautiful tree and birds that continue to soothe my days somewhat.
I go back to UK for 12 days early next week, my first trip for 2 and half years since arriving here and I am feeling rather stressed about it as it is at a critical time both for me personally with all my legal situations and also for Egypt. Things happen here every minute and also I am concerned about coming back, as nowadays the authorities can be, let's say, 'unembracing' towards foreigners wishing to stay here.
However, everything is pushing me forward to depart and to be in UK for a short time, and so inshallah it will all be well.
I am actually looking forward to visiting Primark :/ Really! :))
Ok, yalla, I need to eat. I shall write again soon and in the meantime remember to check the main ARC page for updates on what I am doing! :))
www.artsresidencycairo.blogspot.com
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