One Day with My Pink Glasses On..

Yes, it's true today I wore my pink glasses all day long!
I experienced the genuine interest and concern of an acquaintance that may develop into real friendship.
I experienced the joy of going out with friends in the daylight.
I experienced the sweet feeling of an outdoor seating with all four seasons present: hot & sunny, then shade with a touch of warmth, cloudy with a nice breeze, and finally penetrating cold drafts.
I experienced the first time at trying out a new restaurant, and enjoyed ending it with sharing our old time favorite dessert at our old hangout.
I experienced an absolute boring mindless activity that made way to a much needed bonding time with a great friend.
I experienced exploring our new favorite cultural venue, yes I'm officially in love with Darb 1718.
I experienced the joy of brass instruments, brought me all the way back to my high school concerts and long rehearsals at home, nostalgic to the deafening tunes :)
I experienced the calm streets of Cairo in the late evening with a collection of the best songs on the radio.
Today, I experienced the perfect day in Cairo.

Fact of Life...

..that made absolute sense to me (c:

Feeling Very Cozy on the Road!

I just came back from a drive to and from the other side of town, where I was entertaining myself with the randomness and blabbering of Cairo's FM.  The weather is absolutely too hot for that time of year, and the traffic was jammed as ever.  Anyway, the FM was advertising one of it's early evening shows, the big ride home, and the presenter, Safi blurted out the word that really described my exact situation at the time: "the big drive home, will accompany you through Cairo's cozy traffic."  Well it is cozy indeed, Egyptians are known as very warm people worldwide, and it is duly manifested on the road where even during the hottest days they still like to hug each other and spread the warmth:

• You see cars hugging you, whether you're in your car or crossing the road, from your left and right
• You finally see the light at the end of the dark tunnel, finally the road is open and just as you step on the accelerator, an obstacle jumps up in front of you out of no where and you're forced to slow down again (if you accelerate all alone you'll catch a draft, stay warm with the rest of us muahahahahahaha)
• You park leisurely into a proper parking spot, you go do your business and come back to find that some other car came and hugged your very car to the extent of making it impossible for either drivers and/or passengers to get in or out.  If that's not love, I really don't know what is!   

I lately get in some sort of a trans state when I'm driving where it is getting so surreal and I don't really know whether I'm actually driving or am I playing a 3D video game or is it that I'm on the bumper cars ride in some sleazy amusement park!
So as the wise man once said "If life gives you lemon, make lemonade," I would like to make the announcement that Cairo has converted me into such a lousy driver, that I started to notice that cab and micro-bus drivers start following me because I get around the maze so efficiently as they do!
Such a happy thought ain't it so? (c:

You ARE Missed!

It has been exactly two years since you've gone but it feels like eternity.  I missed you every single minute and it is not getting any easier as time passes.  Feeling like picking up the phone just to talk like we used to didn't go away and it is surprising me.  I crave hearing your voice, and every single time I ring your doorbell I stand waiting facing the door still having hope that you will be on the other side of it.
You are survived by your wife, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  On the second anniversary of your last breath I present to you the present that I haven't stopped one day from giving it to you:

I love you Granpa and pray everyday that you are happier where you are now.