We know the Egyptian Government took part in holding up the busses which finally arrive at the Grand Pyramids Hotel around 10AM. Frustraited from waiting since 3 AM, we see our sign of relief and our vehicle to the holy land of Gaza. Now having to anticipate a 6-7 hour drive to the Rafah border (if we don't get any stops), we keep Gaza in our mind and the stress is immediately relieved. The convoy of 3 busses and 10 rented trucks full of medical aid, we start our journey. I lay a blanket in the middle of the lane on the bus, and with a pillow I create a mini bed and go to sleep. Waking to stretch, and eat at the rest stop, we finally reach the Rafah border without any major problems.
The border has a closed gate, people camped out in front with signs reading "End the Seige of Gaza Now!" Many Egyptian police surrounding the compound and prepared to shoot any protester that gets out of hand. A family runs up and starts pounding on the door of our bus, we open to see what the commotion is all about, and they plead... with tears in their eyes, begging us to let them onto the bus so they can go see their family. The most heartbreaking thing you have ever seen, a distrut family who hasn't seen their relatives for so many years begging and crying to be let in, and you having to say no. We pull up to the gate, the family still next to our bus, as the gate opens for us you see the lady who must be in her early 40s rush towards the opening. Guards quickly jump on her like animals and shove her away with threatening looks in their eyes. We pass feeling so sorry for this family, the woman and her husband and their two adorable kids, one boy around 4 and a girl around 7 years of age.
Heading to the customs line, we are still in shock in what we just witnessed and how the Egyptian government can be so cruel to these people. We get our bags through, and give them our passport and paperwork and await to be called. Hours pass in the hot room... and people are starting to get frustraited. We are sweating, the bathrooms are not maintained at all, no food or drinks, and the only thing we can do is hang around and chat with our friends. We hear that their are supposed to be thousands of Palestinians waiting for us on the other side, but hours are passing and now it's dark and we wonder if we ever get to leave. We know this is a tactic by the Government to keep the media attention at a minimal when we cross, and to make it dark so it doesn't get as much light. Anyways, we finally start to have enough... we start chanting Viva Viva Palestina and other chants as loud as possible. Within two minutes the Egyptians come out and start giving us our passports back as we cheer. Finally, we get to pass through!!!
As we approach the second gate, our chanting gets even louder, knowing the Palestinians are on the other side and are able to hear us coming. George Galloway is lifted in the air as we start to cross. The Government stop us again, saying we need to be on the bus as we pass. There is little comfrontation but finally we abide to their stupid orders. As the bus passes the gate.. the Palestinians great us with young kids dressed in army uniforms lined up playing the drums... we pass them by bus and see media, and hundreds of people cheering for us. It's a feeling that is undescribable with words. If I had to suffer the whole trip, just this feeling would be worth it all. We exit the bus one by one... upon exit the first thing we do is make sujjud on the Palestinian land, thank God, and kiss the ground. Yelling Allah Akbar we are hugged in all directions by the Palestinians. We don't even worry about our bags and immediately feel as these people are our very own family members. Cheering and non-stop commotion as we are greated by media and the people of Gaza, we make our way through Palestinian customs (which is the easiest customs i have ever been through in my life). There is a quick Press conference as we enter, featuring the main Hamas Spokes person. Afterwards I get a chance to kiss, hug, and take pictures with this incredible man. As we get to meet the Palestinians who are all fluent in english (volunteer translaters i'm guessing), they are very welcoming saying that they have been waiting a long time to see us. This is confirmed because you can see their eyes are all bloodshot red from waiting 3 days for us to arrive.. barely being able to sleep. They take our bags and without trying to see where they go, we have no worries whatsoever about their whereabouts because we feel in our hearts that these people would not ever steal in a million years. They constantly apologize for things, which makes us feel bad because we know that they are the ones sufforning and that we should be apologizing for having such a corrupted government that supports the killing of their people. We get on our way to the Hotel with an amazing bus ride where people are honking, the people in the streets cheering as we pass by... it's just sooo amazing what you feel. It must have been a good 30 minute drive to the heart of Gaza with all this going on.
We get to a hotel, surrounded by Hamas militia all having Ak-47s in their hands. They smile as we come and we hug and kiss as many as we could and thank them for their hospitality and their constant struggle against the evil zionist forces. We get inside the hotel and dinner is already prepared.. Mashallah what a dinner they had waiting for us. Not asking for any money, and again apologetic for their food (which was the best food I have eaten since I arrived on this whole trip), we eat in amazement at the hospitality and their happiness for seeing us even though we couldn't bring nearly as much as was promised. They help unite us with our bags, and greet us to a free hotel stay at 1 of 2 hotels that are available. I went to the second one, which had great service and again, nobody asks for a tip or anything. In Egypt, we would have people stretching out their hands every two seconds.
Having only 24 hours, and a whole day planned for us, we hit the bed so we can get up early. We wake up early, and start our showering excitedly awaiting the small amount of time we get to spend here. We get a knock at the door, and a young adult greeting us telling us that they have breakfast ready for us downstairs. We have an amazing breakfast, again with them apologizing. Wow, they barely have food to eat themselves and they are apologizing to us saying that their food is not good enough??
First Stop... meet the Prime Minister Ismael Haniye. We let the convoy members know that this was not part of the plan, and that it is a risk being American and them considering Hamas a terrorist organization, so some people leave the bus before we depart. I with many other members stay and head over. There is a press conference, and again I get to shake hands and kiss this amazing person.
Next Stop... we head on a tour of Gaza. We head to the most destructive parts of Gaza where the announcer tells us the stories of what happened. The misory the families went through after losing children, children becoming orphans, Women becoming widows, and others where whole families are wiped out in one bomb from Israeli Fighter Jets.. may they be destroys and tortured in hell! Everyone had tears in their eyes seeing and hearing about all the destruction first hand, seeing kids walking without shoes... still with smiles upon their faces when seeing us pass by and wave at them. We see the American International University of Gaza which was totally destroyed. So many places, where you can distinctively see bullet holes in the windows, big bomb holes through the roofs of buildings, you can only imagine the nightmare these innocent families faced knowing that at any time that their house, their selves, their children, their wife, and their Mom can be the next to be bombed.
After this we attend a press conference ceremony for fallen victims from the last bombardment of Gaza. Next we went to a hospital nearby, where we were able to meet with doctors and actually hand over the medical aid. Everywhere we go, media is following us and interviewing us, and we are all over the stations and TV's in Gaza. A mother put her little 1 year old baby in my hands...I couldn't help but start praying that this innocent baby boy would be safe from the Israeli Masscres which happen daily.
The next is probably the most heart wrenching experience of the whole trip. We go to the ministry of detainees. This is for the families who have family members who are currently in Israeli Prisons. They have people come up and speak about their experiences, which make you tear up in a second. Women who have lost brothers, and their husbands are spending the rest of their lives in the prisons. Then the little girls... 3 of them... all with their own story. This made me cry the most, i haven't cried this bad in a very long time but their words were so powerful and seriously makes you want to give your life to take revenge for what has been done to them.
I will tell the story later, but i have to run right now... Inshallah I will post up the girls speech on youtube since i recorded the whole thing. Take care and inshallah the next post will be soon.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
HELP US NOW - report on situation - MAKE THE CALL
Contact the Egyptian embassy and call for the immediate release and passageof all the vehicles and the Viva Palestina US convoy to Gaza.
Call 202-966-6342or 202-895-5400;
fax 202-244-4319 or 202.244.5131
Viva Palestina: Navigating Egypt's Obstacle Coursehttp://www.vivapalestina-us.org/The Viva Palestina U.S. convoy has been facing barrier after barrier inrecent days despite having initially hoped to cross into the Gaza Strip thismorning. The Egyptian government, collaborator in Israel's severe blockadefor the past 2 years, has set up a course of administrative obstacles whichwill delay the group's entry into Gaza.George Galloway, the British Member of Parliament who organized this effortas well as the first Viva Palestina caravan which drove from London to Gazain March, sent a letter to President Mubarak of Egypt prior to the departureof the U.S. convoy.
This letter informed the president that over a milliondollars had been raised with the intention of purchasing vehicles, medical supplies and other humanitarian aid to bring to Gaza. Viva Palestina wasalso in contact with the Egyptian ambassadors in London, Washington, DC andTripoli, Libya, who, at their request, were provided with a list of thenames and passport numbers of all convoy participants.Yet when the first contingent attempted to cross the Mubarak Peace Bridge tothe Sinai peninsula Saturday evening, they were denied entry. That groupspent 12 hours at the checkpoint and entered into a stand-off withauthorities as they negotiated the length of their stay in successiveincrements. Members of the delegation demonstrated at the bridge,obstructing access to the vehicles, and also held keys and occupied driver'sseats in order that the 4 buses could not be moved.
Although Egyptian officials first stated that the convoy could not pass due to unrest in theregion and potential danger to the delegates, ultimately Viva Palestina wasinformed that each of its members required a Gaza affidavit signed andnotarized by an official at the U.S. Embassy in order to pass. That contingent decided to return to Cairo to obtain the affidavits and regroupwith other delegates, thereby strengthening their numbers for the nextcrossing.The Gaza affidavits are essentially indemnity agreements asserting that theindividual has signed away the inalienable right to the protection of theU.S. government. Previous delegations of U.S. citizens to Gaza have notbeen required to sign these, and these were not requested prior to reachingthe Mubarak Bridge checkpoint, despite Viva Palestina's well-publicizedplan. The Egyptian government refused to accept one group affidavit onbehalf of the entire convoy. Each individual affidavit will cost convoymembers $30 USD.Yesterday, Egyptian officials asked for a detailed inventory of all aiditems, which has now been compiled and will be submitted to border officialsat the Rafah crossing.
Late this afternoon, the Head of the Palestine Desk of the Egyptian Ministryof Foreign Affairs, who has been tasked by the Foreign Minister withlogistical planning, informed convoy leadership that only the 2 ambulances,of the 47 total vehicles which were purchased earlier in the day at a costof hundreds of thousands of dollars, would be allowed to enter Gaza. Thepeople of Gaza, with whom MP Galloway has been in frequent contact, haveindicated that new vehicles are sorely needed in Gaza for various publicservices.Viva Palestina organizers were also informed that convoy members would bepermitted to spend only 24 hours in Gaza. Individuals overstaying that timeperiod will not be permitted to leave until the next general opening of theRafah crossing, which has been continuously closed since June 2007.New York City Councilmember Charles Barron, who is traveling with theconvoy, believes the reason behind these new requirements and restrictionsis clear. "They don't want this to be successful because they don't wantany more convoys," Barron said. "They want to set an example with us.They were hoping that they would discourage. That's why the delays, that'swhy adding on stipulations. Because they want us to implode."Viva Palestina leadership has emphasized that these tactics will notdissuade the group from its avowed purpose of breaking the siege on Gaza,nor will future convoys be canceled. MP Galloway has announced that heintends to lead caravans this year from Venezuela and Moscow, as well as asecond U.S. convoy in December to commemorate the first anniversary ofIsrael's brutal attack.At a private meeting of the Viva Palestina delegation this evening, an agentof the Egyptian government was found to be present taking notes. His noteswere confiscated and he was escorted out of the room by MP Galloway.Convoy members Barron and Cynthia McKinney, former U.S. Representative and2008 Green Party Presidential candidate, will be contacting President BarackObama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton tomorrow to pressure theEgyptian government to allow additional vehicles through the border and alonger stay in Gaza for convoy members.
Additionally, Viva Palestina is calling for supporters to organize demonstrations at Egyptian consulates inthe U.S. and to call on the White House and the State Department to supportViva Palestina's effort in bringing medical supplies to what Obama called the "humanitarian crisis" in Gaza during his June 4 speech in Cairo.By Soozy Duncan
Call 202-966-6342or 202-895-5400;
fax 202-244-4319 or 202.244.5131
Viva Palestina: Navigating Egypt's Obstacle Coursehttp://www.vivapalestina-us.org/The Viva Palestina U.S. convoy has been facing barrier after barrier inrecent days despite having initially hoped to cross into the Gaza Strip thismorning. The Egyptian government, collaborator in Israel's severe blockadefor the past 2 years, has set up a course of administrative obstacles whichwill delay the group's entry into Gaza.George Galloway, the British Member of Parliament who organized this effortas well as the first Viva Palestina caravan which drove from London to Gazain March, sent a letter to President Mubarak of Egypt prior to the departureof the U.S. convoy.
This letter informed the president that over a milliondollars had been raised with the intention of purchasing vehicles, medical supplies and other humanitarian aid to bring to Gaza. Viva Palestina wasalso in contact with the Egyptian ambassadors in London, Washington, DC andTripoli, Libya, who, at their request, were provided with a list of thenames and passport numbers of all convoy participants.Yet when the first contingent attempted to cross the Mubarak Peace Bridge tothe Sinai peninsula Saturday evening, they were denied entry. That groupspent 12 hours at the checkpoint and entered into a stand-off withauthorities as they negotiated the length of their stay in successiveincrements. Members of the delegation demonstrated at the bridge,obstructing access to the vehicles, and also held keys and occupied driver'sseats in order that the 4 buses could not be moved.
Although Egyptian officials first stated that the convoy could not pass due to unrest in theregion and potential danger to the delegates, ultimately Viva Palestina wasinformed that each of its members required a Gaza affidavit signed andnotarized by an official at the U.S. Embassy in order to pass. That contingent decided to return to Cairo to obtain the affidavits and regroupwith other delegates, thereby strengthening their numbers for the nextcrossing.The Gaza affidavits are essentially indemnity agreements asserting that theindividual has signed away the inalienable right to the protection of theU.S. government. Previous delegations of U.S. citizens to Gaza have notbeen required to sign these, and these were not requested prior to reachingthe Mubarak Bridge checkpoint, despite Viva Palestina's well-publicizedplan. The Egyptian government refused to accept one group affidavit onbehalf of the entire convoy. Each individual affidavit will cost convoymembers $30 USD.Yesterday, Egyptian officials asked for a detailed inventory of all aiditems, which has now been compiled and will be submitted to border officialsat the Rafah crossing.
Late this afternoon, the Head of the Palestine Desk of the Egyptian Ministryof Foreign Affairs, who has been tasked by the Foreign Minister withlogistical planning, informed convoy leadership that only the 2 ambulances,of the 47 total vehicles which were purchased earlier in the day at a costof hundreds of thousands of dollars, would be allowed to enter Gaza. Thepeople of Gaza, with whom MP Galloway has been in frequent contact, haveindicated that new vehicles are sorely needed in Gaza for various publicservices.Viva Palestina organizers were also informed that convoy members would bepermitted to spend only 24 hours in Gaza. Individuals overstaying that timeperiod will not be permitted to leave until the next general opening of theRafah crossing, which has been continuously closed since June 2007.New York City Councilmember Charles Barron, who is traveling with theconvoy, believes the reason behind these new requirements and restrictionsis clear. "They don't want this to be successful because they don't wantany more convoys," Barron said. "They want to set an example with us.They were hoping that they would discourage. That's why the delays, that'swhy adding on stipulations. Because they want us to implode."Viva Palestina leadership has emphasized that these tactics will notdissuade the group from its avowed purpose of breaking the siege on Gaza,nor will future convoys be canceled. MP Galloway has announced that heintends to lead caravans this year from Venezuela and Moscow, as well as asecond U.S. convoy in December to commemorate the first anniversary ofIsrael's brutal attack.At a private meeting of the Viva Palestina delegation this evening, an agentof the Egyptian government was found to be present taking notes. His noteswere confiscated and he was escorted out of the room by MP Galloway.Convoy members Barron and Cynthia McKinney, former U.S. Representative and2008 Green Party Presidential candidate, will be contacting President BarackObama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton tomorrow to pressure theEgyptian government to allow additional vehicles through the border and alonger stay in Gaza for convoy members.
Additionally, Viva Palestina is calling for supporters to organize demonstrations at Egyptian consulates inthe U.S. and to call on the White House and the State Department to supportViva Palestina's effort in bringing medical supplies to what Obama called the "humanitarian crisis" in Gaza during his June 4 speech in Cairo.By Soozy Duncan
Egyptian Government not releasing Vehicles
So last night (Monday the 13th) we were unable to get the Viva Palestina purchased vehicles out of customs, so we decided to get other work done and head back to Cairo to get our Affidavit papers signed at the American Embassy. Coming back to the Grand Pyramids Hotel in Cairo, we felt defeated and our heads were hung low. Announcements of a Viva Palestina meeting at 11:30PM circles around so we quickly check in and drop off our luggage in our rooms and head to the meeting. Filled with over 200 Americans, including George Galloway, Councilman Barren, and Cynthia Mckinney... we all are faced with hard truths concerning our convoy.
First, the vehicles in which we purchased and paid for are not being released by the Egyptian Government. This is a huge strain since the people of Gaza were looking forward to use these vehicles as ambulances and other necessities. George spoke about negociating to get the vehicles returned but that the chances are very slim and would not have to require us going through a legal battle which may take months in order to get them released and maybe will turn into another Convoy.
Second, Egypt has limited the time we could stay in Gaza to 24 hours only.. and say that if we stay longer that we will be stuck in Gaza and wont be released to leave. Again, George spoke of negociating with the Government to allow us more time.
The Spy:
During the meeting a fat egyptian makes his way into the meeting and sits in the back, minding his own business but secretly writing notes as we are unaware. Somebody from the group notices the suspicious man and informs George. George exposes the government official in front of everyone, in which a large group of youth approach him and circle him, he gets up, obviously scared of what will happen next. A youth jumps at the man, grabs his papers in his hands and yanks it out of his hands and rips it in his face as other youths show him the door with a threatening look in their eyes. The spy leaves and the meeting resumes.
Basically, the next steps are to negociate for our vehicles to be returned, and to extend the amount of time that we can stay in Gaza.
Today (Tuesday july 18th), we woke up early and head out to the American Embassy, turned in and paid for our affidavit papers (stripping us of our natural rights), and head back to the hotel. Not knowing what to expect next, whether we will be heading out towards Al Arish in a couple of hours or if we will be staying another night in Cairo... We are just stuck in a position, packed and ready to go, moral still high even though the convoy took a turn for the worst. Our main goal is to get to Gaza, with vehicles and medical supplies, or without the shirts on our back, we will make it and we will show them that we stand by them and will never forget them. We keep them in our prayers constantly and fight for their rights in a country which helped strip them away. We want to bring this dream to the people who live in a constant nightmare. Long live Palestine!
First, the vehicles in which we purchased and paid for are not being released by the Egyptian Government. This is a huge strain since the people of Gaza were looking forward to use these vehicles as ambulances and other necessities. George spoke about negociating to get the vehicles returned but that the chances are very slim and would not have to require us going through a legal battle which may take months in order to get them released and maybe will turn into another Convoy.
Second, Egypt has limited the time we could stay in Gaza to 24 hours only.. and say that if we stay longer that we will be stuck in Gaza and wont be released to leave. Again, George spoke of negociating with the Government to allow us more time.
The Spy:
During the meeting a fat egyptian makes his way into the meeting and sits in the back, minding his own business but secretly writing notes as we are unaware. Somebody from the group notices the suspicious man and informs George. George exposes the government official in front of everyone, in which a large group of youth approach him and circle him, he gets up, obviously scared of what will happen next. A youth jumps at the man, grabs his papers in his hands and yanks it out of his hands and rips it in his face as other youths show him the door with a threatening look in their eyes. The spy leaves and the meeting resumes.
Basically, the next steps are to negociate for our vehicles to be returned, and to extend the amount of time that we can stay in Gaza.
Today (Tuesday july 18th), we woke up early and head out to the American Embassy, turned in and paid for our affidavit papers (stripping us of our natural rights), and head back to the hotel. Not knowing what to expect next, whether we will be heading out towards Al Arish in a couple of hours or if we will be staying another night in Cairo... We are just stuck in a position, packed and ready to go, moral still high even though the convoy took a turn for the worst. Our main goal is to get to Gaza, with vehicles and medical supplies, or without the shirts on our back, we will make it and we will show them that we stand by them and will never forget them. We keep them in our prayers constantly and fight for their rights in a country which helped strip them away. We want to bring this dream to the people who live in a constant nightmare. Long live Palestine!
Monday, July 13, 2009
Hold Tight Gaza! Monday July 13th News
Ok, So two days ago the Convoy members who remained in Cairo headed off to Al Arish to get something started, in which we will meet up with them when/if we get our vehicles out. They end up getting caught up at one of the checkpoints, and threatened with being arrested they make a scene by exiting the bus and chanting slogans for the Palestinian cause. Media shows up and everything, but the Government forces stand tight and do not allow the freedom fighters to enter and turn them back, so they end up heading back to Cairo.
Today is Monday the 13th, and we just received word that reason they were not able to enter was due to them not filling out the Affidavit papers which states that the government is not responsible if we are hurt/killed. So, with this in mind, the convoy here in Alexanderia will also have to head to the American Embassy in Cairo to fill out the paperwork. So now we are with two options: 1. If the cars are released, we will take them and drive to Ismailia, drop off the cars and be bussed back to Cairo to fill the paperwork, then back again to Ismailia to pick up the cars and go to Al Arish from there. 2. We don't get the cars out, so we will be bussed to Cairo and fill out the paperwork and who knows if we end up staying there with the other convoy or not.
Today is Monday the 13th, and we just received word that reason they were not able to enter was due to them not filling out the Affidavit papers which states that the government is not responsible if we are hurt/killed. So, with this in mind, the convoy here in Alexanderia will also have to head to the American Embassy in Cairo to fill out the paperwork. So now we are with two options: 1. If the cars are released, we will take them and drive to Ismailia, drop off the cars and be bussed back to Cairo to fill the paperwork, then back again to Ismailia to pick up the cars and go to Al Arish from there. 2. We don't get the cars out, so we will be bussed to Cairo and fill out the paperwork and who knows if we end up staying there with the other convoy or not.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Viva Palestina USA Convoy to Gaza
After an aggravating flight to Moscow, then Cairo... I felt the first attack by the Egyptians when trying to exit the airport. Checking the passports and letting people through easily, I was next in line. The uniformed man at the counter behind the glass takes my passport, looking through it then I see it, right when reading my last name, IRANIHA. He asks me where I am from, I say I am American. Then he asks me my nationality, again I say I am American.. so then he says "No, where was your father born?" To that I replied Iran. I knew i was in for it then, so he takes an especially long time looking at the picture on my passport... shaking his head he says he wants to see another ID. I take out my wallet and show him my CA drivers License... he takes more time looking at that, to the point i start to laugh at how ridiculous this is. He continues looking at the picture, then looking up at me, then angleing it in the light, as if it will show me more clearly. He is unsatisfied with the torture, so he asks to see a credit card in my name. I take one out and give it to him, and even go farther to remark that i have 4 more if he would like more to give him all of them. Finally he lets me through and we go on our way.
We check into the Grand Pyramids Hotel, and immediately start with meetings after meetings of info. With all info and not much to do actively, it gave us a lot of free time to explore exotic Egypt. Making sure to be present at every meeting, in between we were able to visit the Pyramids, Nile River, and downtown Cairo. On each adventure, we would connect with our newfound friends on different levels and learn about their life, building connections that would last a lifetime.
With the leadership working very hard trying to get everything running and organized, we head off to a press conference to spread the message of the mission. We load up in a bus and fill it up to the point of having people stand up. As we enter the government building, having media film us from the point of exiting the bus all the way upstairs, I was determined to give them a show.
I tell some friends to follow my lead, and while everyone is wondering about the room, i yell out "Viva Viva Viva, La Viva Palestina!!!" My friends join along in the chant and we continuing with different slogans and everyone flutters around us chanting along. After a good 10 minutes of chants, we settle down, now motivated and in high spirits, to get the press conference on the way. With speakers like George Galloway, Rabbi Weiss, Tarek Abedrabbo, Rinad Abdulla, and others. Media like Press TV, Al Jazeera, and others being present, start questioning some of the convoy members afterwards and we head back to the Hotel.
Nothing really new happened for the next couple days, until the convoy drivers were gathered up. We were to come to Alexanderia, pick up the vans/trucks/cars, then head to Al Arish. Then from there we would head into Gaza. Packing everything up, saying our goodbyes to our friends who have become members of our family w/in the last couple of days, we head out towards Alexanderia. We finally reach the customs where our vehicles are held, and waiting.. waiting.. waiting... Nothing. We are told that they are not releasing the vehicles. Instead of heading back, we are determined and stay in Alexanderia. Some people stay at an apartment, others get hotels. 2 days pass, and still we cannot get the vehicles out. Problems start arising within the convoy with people starting to blame the leadership for not clearing this up sooner. We all feel disappointed, but cannot be negative. So with nothing to do, we switch to vacation mode. Now Alexanderia sits right off the Mediterrainian. The hotel me and Tarek went to, you can actually see the sea from our balcony. We spend our days swimming in the beach, or riding the boats; and we spend our nights at hookah/coffee shops. The beauty of the sea and the tourist city being alive all night makes us enjoy ourselves but at the same time we feel guilty knowing that just a few hundred miles away there are people in need who are anticipating our coming.
So, the second day being there, with them telling us we have a free day, I use the opportunity to head to the Pyramids. In a group consisting of Gina, her mom, Jihad, Ahmad, and me, we head off in a taxi. I was the first to notice a pyramid poking up above the tall buildings. It was absolutely fascinating. We pay for an enterence into the second Pyramid, and find out we also have to pay for an enterence fee to enter the grounds. We get a little fat guy to act as our tour guide and take pictures of all of us. We get a little tour, and get to a point where we can buy a horse or camel for a ride. Ahmad, who is originally Egyptian, is ready to pay the price they give him.. i freak out and say no, that i know i can get a way cheaper price... and negociate down a little until Ahmad pays him at 60 pounds for half an hour ride. So we settle on paying that, and Ahmad, Jihad, and I get a horse while Gina and her mom get a camel. We ride around in the scorching heat and Jihad is complaining the whole time. We get to this point where we are distant from the Pyramids, but they look sooo beautiful and geomatically lined up. Instead of visiting the Psynx, Jihad worries that we will miss the meeting so we head back. The meeting (as now will turn into the common thing), gets postponed for another hour, and we came back in a hurry for nothing, but gives us time to shower up i guess.
We check into the Grand Pyramids Hotel, and immediately start with meetings after meetings of info. With all info and not much to do actively, it gave us a lot of free time to explore exotic Egypt. Making sure to be present at every meeting, in between we were able to visit the Pyramids, Nile River, and downtown Cairo. On each adventure, we would connect with our newfound friends on different levels and learn about their life, building connections that would last a lifetime.
With the leadership working very hard trying to get everything running and organized, we head off to a press conference to spread the message of the mission. We load up in a bus and fill it up to the point of having people stand up. As we enter the government building, having media film us from the point of exiting the bus all the way upstairs, I was determined to give them a show.
I tell some friends to follow my lead, and while everyone is wondering about the room, i yell out "Viva Viva Viva, La Viva Palestina!!!" My friends join along in the chant and we continuing with different slogans and everyone flutters around us chanting along. After a good 10 minutes of chants, we settle down, now motivated and in high spirits, to get the press conference on the way. With speakers like George Galloway, Rabbi Weiss, Tarek Abedrabbo, Rinad Abdulla, and others. Media like Press TV, Al Jazeera, and others being present, start questioning some of the convoy members afterwards and we head back to the Hotel.
Nothing really new happened for the next couple days, until the convoy drivers were gathered up. We were to come to Alexanderia, pick up the vans/trucks/cars, then head to Al Arish. Then from there we would head into Gaza. Packing everything up, saying our goodbyes to our friends who have become members of our family w/in the last couple of days, we head out towards Alexanderia. We finally reach the customs where our vehicles are held, and waiting.. waiting.. waiting... Nothing. We are told that they are not releasing the vehicles. Instead of heading back, we are determined and stay in Alexanderia. Some people stay at an apartment, others get hotels. 2 days pass, and still we cannot get the vehicles out. Problems start arising within the convoy with people starting to blame the leadership for not clearing this up sooner. We all feel disappointed, but cannot be negative. So with nothing to do, we switch to vacation mode. Now Alexanderia sits right off the Mediterrainian. The hotel me and Tarek went to, you can actually see the sea from our balcony. We spend our days swimming in the beach, or riding the boats; and we spend our nights at hookah/coffee shops. The beauty of the sea and the tourist city being alive all night makes us enjoy ourselves but at the same time we feel guilty knowing that just a few hundred miles away there are people in need who are anticipating our coming.
So, the second day being there, with them telling us we have a free day, I use the opportunity to head to the Pyramids. In a group consisting of Gina, her mom, Jihad, Ahmad, and me, we head off in a taxi. I was the first to notice a pyramid poking up above the tall buildings. It was absolutely fascinating. We pay for an enterence into the second Pyramid, and find out we also have to pay for an enterence fee to enter the grounds. We get a little fat guy to act as our tour guide and take pictures of all of us. We get a little tour, and get to a point where we can buy a horse or camel for a ride. Ahmad, who is originally Egyptian, is ready to pay the price they give him.. i freak out and say no, that i know i can get a way cheaper price... and negociate down a little until Ahmad pays him at 60 pounds for half an hour ride. So we settle on paying that, and Ahmad, Jihad, and I get a horse while Gina and her mom get a camel. We ride around in the scorching heat and Jihad is complaining the whole time. We get to this point where we are distant from the Pyramids, but they look sooo beautiful and geomatically lined up. Instead of visiting the Psynx, Jihad worries that we will miss the meeting so we head back. The meeting (as now will turn into the common thing), gets postponed for another hour, and we came back in a hurry for nothing, but gives us time to shower up i guess.
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