Two Western women in Cairo Zoo

This was the first day Ange and I were 100% on our own in Egypt. Drew and Teegs very kindly dropped us off at the Cairo Zoo and the adventure continued.

Being a white western woman in Cairo is a unique experience. Most of the population are used to seeing others like me because of the massive tourist turnover every year, however, walking around the zoo, Ange and I were almost part of the attraction. We had groups of young men following us around saying "hello" over and over and over again. It was novel to start with, but got a little bit weird after a while. 

True love is de-lousing your partner...

So regal, even in fairly tiny cages.

As we stood looking at the lions, a zoo photographer came up to us and wanted to know if we would like to have our pictures taken with some of the animals in the zoo. A lion cub and a 3 month old chimp were offered. Given the price you would pay to do this in Australia, we figured why not. The cub was not impressed at being held and passed around. He made a growling noise the entire time. Ange does quite a good re-enactment of it. You should ask her. 

The chimp was adorable. I wanted to take him home with me. He sat quite happily on my lap, staring at me. The handler couldn't get him to come away, he kept coming back to me. We were paying bakshish to the handler as we left, and the chimp started slapping my leg because we weren't paying him any attention. Cheeky thing.

Outside this enclosure, was the very small cage for a gorilla and an orang. It near broke my heart to see these amazing creatures penned up in such small areas. They were all making noises like you wouldn't normally here in the wild.

We of course, had to go and find the elephants for a certain person...

This fella didn't look to happy with his picture being taken.

Handler fed the black bear so we could get a better photo.

Walkling towards the camel Ange and I wondered what was wrong with his legs. Side on it looked as though he may have had an injury. Closer, and from behind, you can quite clearly see the animal is having a pee. Yes. We did need to take a photo of this.

Unfortunately, the pictures taken by the "professional" are on film, and I don't have them available to show you. They're ok given the circumstances, and for the six we purchased, they probably only cost about $20 Aus.

After the zoo, we decided on lunch and a walk over the Nile.

And then, as it was so hot, we decided a cab would be the best idea to take us back to the hotel. More fool us. After a month of watching drivers in the Middle East, we should have known it would not be an easy journey. Combine this with the driver getting turned about and unsure of where he was going. Ange and I had more of an idea than he did. We came along one street, and saw the grocery shop and KFC we'd been frequenting, paid the cabbie and walked the rest of the way.

The signage outside the hotel we stayed in. Inside it was quite nice. Why is it only after the fact, you remembe that photos of the interior would have been a good idea.

This street is a "block" away from the hotel, and runs along side the Nile

And then because it had been a long day, things got a little bit silly in the hotel room. We were watching old re-runs of "So you think you can dance" which, in the hands of Ange became, "So you think you can prance"

So cute

TGI Friday - Last official Night

Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.  ~Garrison Keillor*

Last night together, we went to TGI Friday. Here are the crazy crew I got to hang out with for a great adventure. Project Mongoose was officially passed on to those continuing...

Glen and Mumma Dawn

The lovely Rowan and the lovely Ange

Peter and the awesome tour leader Teegs

Helen and Bruno - never a dull moment with this pair.

Adrean and Drew (driver, dancer, larikin)

The loveable puppy, Joel

No idea what Ange is laughing at, but given table position its probably something Bruno did.

Karl and Cat

John and Tara - Team Ireland

Tambi and Sean

* http://www.quotegarden.com/goodbye.html - quote attributed to

London Calling

Watching this from my new flat, I kind of feel a bit disassociated from it all. The following pictures, all credit remaining with the original photographer, were taken in Wood Green, which is about a 15 minute slow walk from where I used to live.

My cousin, however, is still surrounded by it in Brixton. I'm not sure of where she is location wise, but the riots have been on three different sides of her.

Last night, Angie and I were watching the news and saw that the riots had moved in to Camden and Chalk Farm. My boss had been going to something at the Round House so I texted her immediately to see if she'd left. Turns out she had, but she replied that they had warning enough for them to leave. One of her friends though had stayed on and been locked in the building  for two hours until it was safe to leave. Apparently they played charades.

At the moment it's 20.35hrs and I've been avoiding the news and avoiding twitter. I sat up till nearly 2am watching all of the happenings last night and I can't take much more in. I'll have a look at it later tonight though and this morning as I don't want to walk into something when I go into work. I have heard rumours that there has been disturbances at Warren St and Great Portland St. Both of which are only about 15 minutes walk away from work.

I guess we'll see what happens. I won't say enjoy the photos, but rest assured, I'm being careful.

O2 Store in Wood Green

Body Shop in  Wood Green

TMobile in Wood Green

JD Sport There were people apparently making an orderly queue to go in and get shoes.

http://twitpic.com/63gvl7 

http://yfrog.com/kj5oewj - I love this photo! People of London unite. Like many of the twitterati are saying, there are more of us against the riots than there are rioters.

If you can, name and shame any rioters you can. London shouldn't be left looking like a war zone. Egypt and Libya are fighting to over throw violent dictators, and managing it peacefully (bar those paid to cause havoc) and look how things are progressing over there. Turn your noses up if you will, but the fighting over there will mean something at the end of all this.

of heaven

Heaven is a place, also a state,
It doth all things excel,
No man can fully it relate,
Nor of its glory tell.

Most Sundays I don't get out of bed till 11. There's no point. This Sunday though was different. I got up early, walked into town and took the bus to St James Church, Bushey.

God made it for his residence,
To sit on as a throne,
Which shows to us the excellence
Whereby it may be known.

Doubtless the fabric that was built
For this so great a king,
Must needs surprise thee, if thou wilt
But duly mind the thing.

It felt like the right thing to do given the happenings of the weekend. I won't blog about that yet but I will one day.

It is the high and holy place;
No moth can there annoy,
Nor make to fade that goodly grace
That saints shall there enjoy.

Adorn'd with grace and righteousness,
While fragrant scents of love
O'erflow with everlasting bliss,
All that do dwell above.

The heavenly majesty, whose face
Doth far exceed the sun,
Will there cast forth its rays of grace
After this world is done.

The rituals all felt so natural. There was something gentle and soothing to it all. The priest, whom, I hate to say it, I don't know his name, was lovely. He was funny and friendly and made me feel welcome. When I first got there, I didn't even realise he was the priest.

Another gent, who may or may not have been a warden, gave a booklet to me about the history of the church and it dates back to the 13th century. So much history on the one spot but again, deserving of its own post.

The gospel for the day was Matthew 14.22-33. I've always liked this story. I remember doing a study on it with Jenny, or perhaps it was Father Craig. I don't suppose it matters.

After the service I took a short wander through the cemetery and found some interesting names.

All this will sparkle in our eye
Within the holy place,
And greatly raise our melody,
And flow our hearts with grace.

The largest thought that can arise
Within the widest heart
Shall then be filled with surprize,
And pleas'd in every part.

All mysteries shall here be seen,
And every knot, unty'd;
Electing love, that hid hath been,
Shall shine on every side.

One of the trees I had to duck under had little acorns growing on it. I had never come across this but acorns are supposed to mean rebirth or something similar in the Christian faith I think.

What gladness will possess our heart
When we shall see these things!
What light and life, in every part,
Will rise like lasting springs!

No sorrow can them now annoy,
Nor weakness, grief or pain;
No faintness can abate their joy,
They now in life do reign.

And this little headstone, half hidden under another tree...

And that with everlasting peace,
Joy, and felicity,
From this time forth they shall increase
Unto eternity.

(Verses from John Bunyan's poem "Of Heaven" http://acacia.pair.com/Acacia.John.Bunyan/Poetry/One.Thing.Is.Needful/Of.Heaven.html")

Also thanks to Angie who came with me and isn't in any way religious.

Cabin Fever

 

"In Bed" by zoeelyn Image Source*

Today's post is brought to you from semi - insane bored-ville. Yes. That is a real place. I finished work, for the semester, at the end of May and haven't had much by way of income since. The recruitment agency I'm with has been completely useless and as happened last time, I've found most of the jobs I've interviewed for, and then not gotten. What a drama.


Anyway. Wednesday was a glorious and warm day so Angie and I decided to go for a walk along the locks, and through Cassiobury Park. I figured that it would also be a chance to show you all, bits and pieces of the area where I live now. Exciting isn't it. Ok. Hold on.

This used to be part of the printers that was located near the flats. When you leave our building and turn right, the first road you cross is Printers Ave. This place is pretty run down now, and it looks like people are stealing the roofing tiles.

This takes you around to the Royal Mail sorting house.

The building on the right merges into my building block. What you can see here is the front of Premier Inn. About where the first car is, is the main access door.

In the creek are soccer balls, and you might even be able to see the rubber duck.

I just liked the name.

Best way to kill tourism to the area is to have a sign saying "David Cameron visited Croxley Green..." The man is an idiot. God knows how he's managing to run a country.

This is the Grand Union Canal and the rail bridge above it.

Grand Union Canal weir.

This sign is in the middle of a field that I don't think you can see from the canal to well, or from the road. Not quite the kind of advertising I think they wanted.

Best use of a doily goes to... the people using it to cover port windows on their barge.

Summer time and the living is easy. For boys fishing. Not entirely sure I'd want to eat anything that came out of there.

Barge on the right has been painted in camouflage and skulls. The lady who lives on board was hanging her washing our and being protected by a growling little shit.

At the start of the walk into Cassiobury Park. I don't know why but this reminds me of Lothlorian.

Pretending to be Monet

This is up the opposite end of Cassiobury Park to where we came in. The water was flowing really fast over this spot.

I don't know if this canal links up to the other one.

I just liked the shape of this tree.

This pic was taken when we thought we would never get out of the park. The path just seemed to go on, and on, and on. I quite like the way the filter makes it look like we're walking through mist.

The light at the end of the tunnel so to speak.

They've been doing renovations to the Colosseum for as long as I've been coming to Watford. It's supposed to opening in about a month or so with John Barrowman doing a night. I really want to go! Hopefully I'll have been paid by then.

This is a pretty blurred picture of Watford Central Library but it's a great little resource and I don't have any problems finding something to read. Even when the librarians take my reservations to read themselves. Image Source**

This fountain and pond thing is always full of ducks. There always seems to be someone who wants to feed the pigeons that congregate around it too. Bloody flying rats. I can't help but turn into a five year old and chase the stupid things.

This is the town center on the left. Buses and the Harlequin Centre are on the right. ***Image source

* http://browse.deviantart.com/photography/?q=bed&order=9&offset=24#/d1kr7li
** http://www.ldf.watford.gov.uk/portal/caa/cc/draft?pointId=1229682479121
*** http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/116645