I made my way downtown to Tahrir Square to collect my visa. I left the house thinking I am going to enjoy the day and observe the people around me. The metro ride was pretty busy - a lot of people heading to work, school or somewhere else. I turned my ipod on and listened to music. As I entered the Mogamma building I turned it off and full of confidence went straight to desk 38 and asked for my visa. It was not 9 o'clock yet, so they made me wait; finally, I managed to squeeze through the crowd of people already gathered there and handed in my passport. This time, there was a different lady - not the one with nice make-up on and lovely colours on, but another one - this particular lady was chewing gum and it made me think of my sheep on FarmVille, she had no make-up on and her clothes were dark green... a green that makes me think of the army.
Anyway, after the usual answer: "Come back in 2 hours", I left for breakfast. I usually go and have breakfast at mcDonalds, but decided to go to Cilantro this time, just for a change. Cilantro was very busy for that time of the day - a lot of loud people, loud music ... I put my headphones on, listened to my own music, ordered a Mocha (the only kind of coffee that I get at Cilantro's) and a croissant. I pulled a book out and started reading... I got immersed in my book and did not realise when everybody has left and the music was turned down. After the 2 hrs had passed, I went back to get my passport. To my surprise they didn't have it yet. I sat down and continued reading my book. I kept watching the people passing by, collecting their passports and wondered why mine was not ready. I started building scenarios in my mind that something might be wrong ... Then I looked around and noticed so many different people, so many different passports - usually you see 2 colours of passports: blue or dark red. I saw different shades of green passports, light blue, red passports and tried to figure out the countries ... It was a difficult exercise. This one lady who sat next to me pulled her passport out, as soon as I sat down ... it was an American passport; she looked Egyptian to me ... her features, the colour of her hair and soon I discovered she spoke Arabic and could read Arabic. Hmm... I should write a different entry about this particular gesture!
I saw the policeman that usually asks for my passport, the old lady with VERY thick glasses who sells stamps (last time i went, she was not there - I like her!!! she looks sweet), the lady who wears a lot of make-up that does not quite suit the colour of her clothes, especially that bright red lipstick, and of course, my favourite - the big fat blonde lady!!! That woman is bitter!!! I tried everything but I cant win her .. she just wouldnt smile!
By this time I'd been waiting for over 3 hrs .... an old lady comes and sits next to me ... I guess she is from Norway or a Scandinavian country ... She smells like an old person... I've noticed that most old people have a particular smell... I am feeling rather sick, needing a bathroom and wanting to be home in my bed. She talks to this Egyptian young woman who is helping her with the paperwork. I hear she had divorced her husband (an Egyptian) a long time ago. Then, a young man, asks for permission to sit next to the young woman; she compliments him on his Arabic and she asks where he's from. He says his mom is American and his dad is Lebanese (btw, he looked very blonde and very white!) and that he goes back and forth from here to the States. This conversation is in Arabic, so I am impressed with myself - I understood!!! :D Then they switch to English and talk about Lebanon ... The old lady joins their conversation; it is revealed that she is actually from Denmark and moved back to Cairo where she's bought a flat to be closer to her grandchildren. They end up talking about the States - very bluntly (like most Scandinavians), the old lady says she has lived in the US and hates it! she says she did not like it at all ... she did not like the people and how ignorant they are. The young man tries telling her that "America is beautiful" and "there are many lovely people there!"... She goes: "NO!! I dont like America, I dont like the people!" He goes: "Well, I am American!" The old lady interrupts him: "I dont care!". That is where that conversation stopped; no one said anything ...
It was funny for me to watch this old lady, not willing to listen to anything the young man was trying to tell her... she was really decided she does not like America and nothing he could say or do could make her change her mind.
I turn around, keep watching the people ... when I decide to ask for my passport again (4th time). I guess the lady with the chewing gum felt sorry for me and directs me to her colleague on her right; yep!!! she had my passport this whole time!!!! I decide it is not worth getting upset over it, I say thank you and leave.
One last interesting thing was on the metro - this one lady with her black burka, big glitzy shades and ..... a PINK pair of trainers with a chain that went across it with charms. The trainers were brand new .... I liked them (I think I should get a pair), but for some reason they did just not fit the black burka and the shades!
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