17.

Stillness in Cairo

15th March

We wake up slowly. Peacefully. Hmmmm. What a delicious nights’ rest.

Breakfast is waiting for us downstairs, so we get ready. gently, and go down to enjoy it.

There are a few things we have left for today. For instance going to the Egyptian Museum, right across the road. A must see, by any touristic standards.

We do go there. And at the door, we look at each other and… well, we don’t feel like going to visit a Museum today. No matter how important it is and even knowing it is far away from our homeland and we won’t have an opportunity to do it tomorrow or any other day soon. And yet… yet we respect how we feel and decide to turn around and go for a walk instead.

We were to be visiting the Khan El-Khalili today, the famous bazaar and souk in the historic centre of Cairo. But again, we look at each other and we feel the same. We simply don’t feel like it at all. So we decide not to go. At least not now. Maybe later. Who knows. The will might come, eventually.

This connection between Joana and I is something so precious, so special, I can’t even begin to explain but I will try.

You see, it’s that between us there is such an affinity, such a level of understanding, that oftentimes no words are needed. We get each other’s vibe and we know what is meant. Even when something is hard to explain, we can relate to what we want to convey through an extra sense. There Is a bond, a love that goes way beyond anything I have ever experienced with anyone. Not even with any romantic relationship I have ever had.

Our friendship is so pure, so honest, so transparent that we trust each other as completely as we trust ourselves and there have been times when we have trusted one another even more than ourselves. There are really and truly no secrets between us. We bring out the very best, the very brightest, most powerful radiance and wisdom in each other. We impel each other forward into the unknown and together we can see such a broad landscape that our conversations and realisations defy even the wildest dreams and imaginings we could have explored on our own. We support each other, enhance each other and couldn’t be more blessed than we are to have been guided to allow ourselves in each other’s lives. Every day I thank this relationship, this friendship akin to sisterhood but even that cannot accurately describe our relating.

In our 11 years of friendship we have not even once fallen out with each other. Nothing has been too hard or scary to face and discuss. And we have never imposed on each other or been a burden or even relied on each other. We have been there for each other, yes we have and we are, but not in reliance. Simply in trust. In love. In a big heartfelt “yes”. So when we are together sometimes it is like being alone, not in a lonely way, but in the sense that each one has all of the time and space to be and do whatever we each choose and we tend to be so synchronised that our choices always flow towards convergence and this brings a richness to our lives that we would not be experiencing alone.

This is how special Joana is to me and I am so happy she chose to follow her heart and come to Egypt with me. Actually, she is the one who really had wanted to come to Egypt all her life. I had never really felt the impulse before now. I had to integrate a few lifetimes in order to overcome some resistances I had, before the time was ripe to allow for this moment where I could really fully receive this country, these energies, all of it in a big sparkling bundle of abundant grace.

After our walk, we go up to our room for a while and decide to contact Duaa, the lovely lady who was selling books at the WEF Conference and whom we so enjoyed meeting and interacting with. You know, it’s become clear that she is the one who has to receive the dress I told you about earlier on. The dress I had been gifted with by dear Dr Harbeen Arora and that I had felt I had to pass on here in Egypt. And I had felt it was Duaa all along. But since she had initially declined, incapable of receiving what she deemed to be “so much”, I had let it rest for the remaining time of our adventures in Egypt, letting myself sense as we went to each place, if there was someone else that it was destined to. But now it is our last day and I am sure. So I call Duaa and let her know that we are waiting for her at the quaint La Poire Café, just downstairs from our room. I ask her to bring a travel bag so she can take the dress with her.

And so she comes and we meet at La Poire and exchange gifts, both physical and non-physical and have some delicious cakes and drinks. It is a very very special 2 hours we spend together and no Museum or bazaar can really compare to this. It can be fun, interesting, prophetic even, but this moment together is no less valuable and irreplaceable. Thank you Duaa. Thank you so so much!

La Poire

Duaa's gift for me

Again in our rooms we rest, we breathe, we enjoy our silence, we write, we read. And still the moment where we feel like going sightseeing does not show up. It’s something so strong, this willingness to just stay still. As if we are holding something. Keeping something sacred. Holding Peace. Stillness. Serenity. Silence. Right here. Facing Tahrir Square. The same one where the Arab Spring emerged 9 years ago, witnessing a revolution the likes of which had never been imagined - a revolution against corruption, social injustice, economic inequality, where words were spoken that had until then been whispered only in secret, where will power was stronger than fear and where hope turned into change. And though the changes have not been as massive as the revolution desired, still the knowingness that it is possible became aflame in hearts that were previously helpless and torn. Here is an article (click the word) about that unprecedented Spring, just in case you’d like to know more about it (if you don’t already).

Interesting that Mansoura from Tunisia, the country that first inspired Egyptians to also rise against corruption, got married to someone from Egypt. Two countries whose youngsters used social media to disseminate a revolution, a much needed change in both cases.

Well, our day goes on uneventful. Just here. Just Present. And we don’t regret not having visited more places or done more things. We feel fulfilled. Grateful. Our travels are complete. For now.

Tomorrow, when we leave, we will be happy to have come and equally happy to be returning home. Grateful. Simply and utterly grateful.

💙💚💛💜💗

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