a simple solution

This topic has been on my mind for awhile now, I just didn't know how to tackle it. I was thinking of clever examples, strong arguments and powerful conclusions.
But there is really no need. The answer is simple, so I will keep it that way.

You cannot turn on the TV, flip through the papers or click on the Internet without hearing about the rising costs of oil and what it is dong to the world's economy. 'Production issues',everyone says, and the lack of output of oil in the oil producing Nations is the axis on where all our problems lie.

This is simply just not the case. The issue itself stems from us and rooted within our culture of consumption. Outside looking in, I see how much necessary waste us North Americans go through each day. Many of the world's emerging economies are in danger of following our wasteful footsteps - they want the nice car, the air conditioner, the TV, the radio, the dishwasher, the washing machine, etc, too. And with disposable incomes growing, vaulting over 2 billion people into middle class, they can afford it now too. All these products need the energy inputs to be produced, then continually need this energy to function. This is a population 6x the size of America. You can see where this is going.

So look, it's not about going green, or trading your new car for a bus ticket, or even washing your dishes in the shower to save water (c'mon, you've thought about it); it's simply being conscious with what is going on. And when that happens, not only will your eco-footprint habits change, your whole walk and attitude about this culture will as well.

Besides, nobody really likes forks and spoons that taste like shampoo anyways.

The shape shifting building

This is the same tower, just at different points in it's never ending rotating fantasy.

I saw the video for it last night, and it truly is unbelievable.

What will Dubai come up with next?

Eye to Eye

Walking through the Halls of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, you are walking alongside tales as old as time - and proof that they were once actually there.

This museum holds the largest collection of Pharoanic Antiquities in the world, and it is all out on display. It is absolutely fantastic.

I had visited the Museum some 7 years back and it was much the same as I had remembered. With this in mind, I knew exactly why I came and where it was where I had to go.

It was upstairs, in it's own separate, air-controlled room.

Before I was in that exact spot of where I needed to be, we first walked through the rooms which housed all the artifacts that he was buried along with. This is the closest experience to a time machine I will ever see. There was jewelry lined with gold, silver and bronze. There were weapons, paintings and offerings. There were clothes, food, and jars filled with perfumes and oils. But I didn't come for this. These artifacts just warm you up for the main event; and I was getting close.

Entering into the separate room, out of the corner of my eye I saw what I came for right away. But I instinctively paid no attention to it. Unlike the Pyramids where your excitement builds as hints of the massive structures peek out over rooftops the closer you get to them; it’s of no use or value seeing what I came for from afar, then slowly getting closer to it. You have to be right in front of it, face to face, eye to eye.

So circled a bit and waited until I had a few seconds to myself with him. I had my chance and I stepped in. I looked right into his eyes and was immediately lost in all of time for those brief seconds. It’s that moment when you figure out exactly the meaning of it all, but you know you will never be able to describe it. The simple pureness of it all is simply incomprehensible, and the thought is lost once you snap back into reality.

King Tutankhamun is perhaps the most recognizable out of all the Pharaohs. His solid gold funeral mask is what defines his image. Beautifully decorated and painted, it shines brilliance. And there I was, eye to eye with him, sensing all the possibilities of what this world had and ever has to offer. That is what it feels like, if that makes any sense. But things like this don't have to make sense. Simply put, King Tut's mask is incredible for it defines mystery, wonder and amazement all in the same breath.

You see the past, you see the future; you see the unknowns and you see the truths. You get caught up in it all that everything is forgotten. Your mind just had a rush of a million thoughts but you are thinking of nothing; you are in complete solidarity. It's that powerful.

Then as quick as it happened, it's gone, as you realize where you are as others are trying to take your place, for their turn to stare into the eyes of their unknowns. You look around and remember you are in a Museum. Your name is Matt and you are in Egypt. It all slowly comes back. The sounds of tour guides and of people moving around are back into focus. You walk back down the stairs and out to the doors where Modern Cairo awaits you. It's hot, it's loud, and it's dirty.

Your thoughts in this City will never be as clear, or as pure, or as simple, as they were for that brief moment in time; today’s Cairo doesn’t allow for it.

Only in that one spot is where it can be found, face to face, eye to eye - when it was just you, the King and all of time.

Pot Pourri

There is a lot that is going on out here in Cairo, I just never know where to start, or how to put it all together into a coherent story. For now these point formed sentence stories will have to do:

The drivers here are nuts - literally mental. I want to take a video of how one must cross the street on foot. It's an experience.

Somebody took a shit in the stairwell of the Hilton Hotel. I think I am the only one that knows this because I am probably the only one who takes the stairs. Not to be prejudice, but I tell you, Egyptians are lazy and will take the elevator down one floor if the service is there.

The weather has been gorgeous! 35 everyday, not too humid, nice breeze - it feels like a real summer!

H&M just opened up shop in the CityStars Mall here in Cairo. It's the best Mall here and finally I can buy non-Arab looking clothes. Sweet. I already spent over 700 Egyptian Pounds there on the weekend. I will be back.

I bought a great new suit here for $150 CAN. I don't know how much suits go for in Canada, but I think it's a good deal, no?

"Wander, how hot is it in Kuwait?", I ask.
"Imagine putting a blow-dryer about 10cm from your face and put on full power. It's that hot.", Wander tells me, after Kuwait records a 50C temperature last week.

Anna Magnoon - translation - I'm crazy. This usually gets pesky Egyptians off your back quick.

I ate a classic Egyptian meal last week - stuffed pigeon. It was salty, the meat was rough and hard to find. Stupid birds make stupid meals.

I still get surprised on how green Cairo actually is. The Nile really shows it's presence through all the greenery amongst this thick and old concrete jungle.

Why have working traffic lights when you can pay a dude with a whistle $5/day to stand in the heat and direct traffic in this funny white uniform.

"What is with these people?" Mr. Bas Dudok Van Heel.

Go Celtics.

All for now, and missing Toronto just a little bit,

Switzer

this country

Sometimes you feel that in no matter what direction you try to swim, it is always up stream. Business, culture, customes, and signs; gestures, predicting and trying to stay ahead will always work against you, and you never know why. All you know it frustrates the shit out of you. It will all happen again tomorrow, but you go on despite it. People have been here before and got the job done. If they could do it then, then I can do it now. Keep truckin'

this and that

I owed one of the local fruit stand guys 7 Egyptian Pounds (CAN$1.25) for a few apples I didn’t have the money for one night earlier in the week. I always go to the same shop, so he knew I’d come back. I was also the only white guy in the area within at least a 3km radius, so he knew he could find me if he wanted to; 7 EP is a lot of money for these people.

Heading back there the next day to pay up, he invited me for a smoke and tea in his shop. 5 minutes later, dinner was laid out on the table, and we dug into Bread, rice, some sort of stew and some sort of green soup/dip. It was a proper Egyptian meal, and I enjoyed it. He spoke as much English as I could speak Arabic, but we got along, showed pictures of our family and cracked jokes through hand gestures and funny sounds. I wonder when the last time a Canadian invited an Arab in for dinner?

The next day it was moving day, out from our apartment in Mohandessen (an area on the west bank of the Nile) to the Ramses Hilton, where my King sized bed and balcony with the Nile view waiting me. Can you believe this? I wake up to a view of one of the most famous rivers of all time. Cool.

Friday was spent in a true travelers style. Ellen and I hired a boat for 4 hours, and spent the day cruising the Nile, well north of Cairo, out of the pollution and out of the noise. This was a true glimpse into what Egyptian farming life is all about. We stopped off at a island around the Nile Delta, smoked some shisha, drank some tea, and walked around looking at the various farming plots. It was a cool experience, and this is what makes the job worth it for me. I may be in a suit sweating my balls off for a good chunk of the day, but once work is finished, you have the city of Cairo to explore; and I've only just begun.