Koffieklets

The Cairo side of the family, all sweethearts.

el Cahira wa el Nas

If you travel to Cairo for administration, bring with you: a lot of patience, comfortable shoes, toilet paper, cash pocket money to bribe government people, and a magazine to kill the waiting time. Also, never take the "First class" bus to Hurghada (despite the name, it has no toilet, the A/C doesn't work, there is no water, you cannot open the windows, goes very slowly... do I have to go on?) but always take the most expensive one (if that is an option) (or the plane, if you still have money left). The whole trip will be nerve-racking but try to enjoy the adventure... it will give you great stories to tell. ;-)

Bureaucracy in Cairo

 

27 - Plezier maak je zelf

15.05.2015
On my 27th birthday I have done all the things that make me happy!

 multi grain waffles with dark chocolate, coconut and fruit @ my favorite breakfast spot

 Checked the news, weather and daily horoscope, and Skyped my parents (<3!)

Beach time: I read magazines in the sun, and took a splash in the lagoon

 Short but intense work out

 Showered and had lunch with colleagues, the waiters brought a cake while they were playing music and danced. Normally I hate this kind of attention but it was nice because I all knew them personally. 

 Tea break at the Marina where Captain M. and his family were sitting on the table beside me. 

 Back home preparing for dinner with A.

Surprise: he brought home yet another (huge) birthday cake! We ate fish at Hefny. 

After dinner we walked in the new Marina: the whole harbor was decorated with flags for a flea market! A. insisted to take photos of me because I am always behind the camera.

 C. and T. joined us for tea and she brought me a very sweet present.

Another year older, a little bit wiser: I realized I have to enjoy life more while we still can! Why had I never been to the beach next to my office before? Why don't I do things by myself more often? I am too focused on being perfect at work, and at home. But who cares if all your laundry is always ironed and the flat is always clean? From now on, I am doing things differently. Carpe diem, as my dad always says. Geluk maak je zelf, as my teacher used to tell us.
That I had to become 27 to understand this...

Cactus, cacti

In LOVE with these plants

Relax, take it easy

Cherry lips, crystal skies

Enjoying life and counterbalancing the love for food with going to the gym 5 days a week. Also: Zita!

Harbour

Harbour in Hurghada. I took this photos while I was waiting for A. at the Post Office. There was a long queue of men who wanted to send money to their families. A lot of men work in Hurghada while their wives and children live in the villages in Upper Egypt. Therefore, at the beginning of each month, it is always very busy at the Post Office. To be honest, I feel a bit sad for the men who have to live here without family, and then send money back home. But this is how it works here, everybody is used to it, and nobody complains about it.

Abu Aya