Well.... we finally made it, Alhumdulillah! Been in Rehab since the 27th of February, waiting for an internet connection (to which I was told was already in my flat) so I was literally cut off from the REAL world until yesterday when I met the fab Umm Travis! She called me since my other sister, Umm Ismail, has been in constant contact with me and knew I wasn't feeling so great since arriving (another wonderful perk about living here- constantly sick) so she reached out to my sister- and she called!
We met at one of the most popular malls here and it was great... I can honestly say, I felt like I knew her forever! I developed an instant love and bond with her in my heart- InshaAllah, I hope it grows ever so stronger! (hugs)
So, getting back to this internet thingy, you know, I wouldn't have been soooo pissed if people would just actually be forthcoming with info. Don't tell me the guy is coming tomorrow, tomorrow and tomorrow never comes. If you tell me, "Hey, Anisa, can't have internet for 3 weeks", I can accept that but to keep blantantly lying to me is NOT cool. Quickest way to my bad side? Do just that... things will go sour in NO TIME...
So no more waiting for a stupid DSL connection as my fab sister told me about the store where I already hooked up my mobile service thru, that they offered a wireless modem (and I didn't know anything about this- not very computer savvy at all) so when we went in to check it out, I was sold! At bit more than I was looking to spend for the internet but at this point, I would pay almost any amount to be in touch with my friends and family! They all are going bonkers in New York (and the rest of America for that matter) wondering what the heck is going with me and my kids over here- most didn't want me to leave anyway so you KNOW the imagination is running wild with all sorts of weird stuff. People in their right mind wouldn't pack up their very small children and willingly fly them to a 3rd world country to live... lol
So... we are here.... dealing with the arrogance that is the way of the locals, and feeling like I've been placed in a time warp- dragged back about 100 years but I knew about all of this before I came so I can't complain by acting like I didn't know- just takes some getting used to. Having almost everything in life at your finger tips to going back to a "one horse town" like Umm Travis said in her post (more like donkey cart town)(lol) is alot to deal with at once- and I don't care HOW modern they seem, it's just NOT when u look closer... oh well.
Not feeling great today at all, went to bed shivering from chills like my poor daughter the night before so I'm coming down with something. So I think we'll be in the house for the next few days until I can feel up to snuff and the children are okay- they still have some lingering congestion and stuff going on.
Umm Trav, sorry for not such a fab first meeting (which is TOTALLY not me) (LOL) with all the running around shopping but I PROMISE, InshaAllAh, to make it up to you! Even my daughter took an instant liking to her- when she realized when we were getting in the cab that Umm Travis was missing, she said "Mommy, where's Auntie? We left her inside the store!" (meaning the mall). Yes, you left an impression with her. And my Big Papi was trying to pull up her niqab to see her face in the store.... always him, my little sourpuss! lol
Oh yes, Umm Trav.... met yet another character from Blogger? I know I'm pretty much very animated but THAT much? LOL LOL LOL
To all the sisters here in Cairo, looking to link up so send me your mobiles and home phone numbers, InshaAllah, so we can get together in the near future. And to all those who have my New York number- just give me a little time to figure stuff out here as how to connect everything and set it all up- then, InshaAllah, we'll be chatting like I never left!
Signing off to lay down for a hot minute- feeling rather yucky. More post to come, InshaAllah, about our adventures and the sorts here in the land of the pyramids!
32 comments:
Awwwww what a lovely post ma shaa Allah! That is sooooooooo cute about the kids! Ma shaa Allah - they can come here anytime! I am so happy your internet is working too, ma shaa Allah!
Shafackallah dear sis, I hope you all get some much needed rest now! I love you and hope to see you soon. This week is busy for me, and I think you all need a little chill time (playing internet, watching some showtime) but I am free next week in shaa Allah!
YAY! I loved meeting you! This is soooo exciting!
so glad to hear you made it to egypt safely! can't wait to read about your adventures!
I wish you the best settling in!
must you make me jealous?
Assalamu alaykum sis,
Masha'Allaah I'm so glad to hear you made it to Egypt finally, alhamdulillaah.
Laa ba'as tahooran insha Allaah, hope u and the kids start to feel better soon.
It's a big step you've taken, and masha'Allaah your very brave in that, insha Allaah you'll soon get used to it.
Hope I can meet up with you guys one day (U and Umm Travis).
Looking forward to hearing more.x
Umm Trav- yeah, I think next week would be cool... wouldn't want you you to catch whatever mojo we got going right now! And then, all the "business" I need to take of here will be done to reported back to my dh- then I can play, play, play!!!!
Miilz- thanks, darling. We made it okay except for our New York airport departure when my Big Papi realized his Baba wasn't going to board the plane- he literally fell out in the airport! And I had to drag an extremely loud, screaming 2 year old thru the scanning process and to the terminal- not fun with a 20 pounder, MashaAllah, strapped to your chest and my social butterfly walking aimlessly around like the place is her playground.... soounds like somethng out of a movie? That's EXACTLY what I felt like- glad THAT'S over
Mona- I think I need to arrange to fly you down from your neck of the woods- I hear you're 2 hours away then I hear 6- let me know when ur kids have their next school break, InshaAllah
Ange- girlfriend, board that plane and come! You'll just make the party even bigger! I love getting together with the sisters so one more name for the list! You're welcome at me anytime. I alerady have 2-3 families who have decided to move here since I did it- and by myself so they decided if I can do it, they can too! And one sister coming to check it all out so she'll be crashing with me. If you decide to come, let me know... always room for one more!lol
Umm Khadijah- Wa alaikum assalaam! Yeah, we made it, Alhumdulillah... now, I could use some REAL sleep but I don't think that'll happen any time soon!
AsSalaam Alaikum Sis,
Home is were heart is,hope you love the new place.Loved reading about your exciting meet up with Umm Travis.Lots of love to your kids.Will be back to read more about your adventures:)
Yasmeen- Wa alaikum assalaam! yeah, my heart is still in New York but I'm adjusting to life here- I knew what I was getting myself into and it's not so much the place as I've been here a few times before but the PEOPLE who are supposed to be BUSINESS people are the ones killing me- so totally NOT business like. Thanks for squeeze for my babies... and I plan to report every little thing about this place- good and bad for those who trying to make up their minds are to whether a place like this is something they can deal with if they're deciding to make hijrah, InshaAllah.
Masha'Allah I'm so glad you are so brave to face the world that is Egypt! Cool others followed suit.
I really really hope it helps your life and turns out for the best. Insha'Allah may HE make it easy for you. I'm so hapyp that you're hooking up with people so fast! It's rediculous the poor girls that have no one the depression they face. But when you've got friends who knwo the ropes you're so much better off. I really wish I could come too and join you but Egypt is a whole different kettle of tea than UAE/Lebanon lol. But I'm seriously wishing you the best and thinking of you!!!!
Forget the bad and enjoy the good!
Hope you're feeling better soon, insha'Allah.
I've heard Rehab is very nice. Looking forward to hearing about your adventures in Egypt, insha'Allah.
AsSalaam Alaikum sis,
It's so good to hear that you are okay. Ive been getting constant updates from Umm Ismail, as Im on the phone with her almost everyday. But alhamdulillah Im glad you made it safe and Insha'Allah you and the kids will feel better soon. If I had my way right now, I'd hop on the next plane to see you. Insha'Allah I hope to visit soon. Take care of yourself sweety.
Any place for me if i come there for a vacation? :P
Hope u and kids get better soon insha'allah and hope u have fun exploring the city!
American Muslima- yes, hooking up with the sisters will make life here more enjoyable- a little less to miss about home. All my sisters who lived in New York and moved here like 5-6 years ago really prepared me, Alhumdulillah! And my visits made me put things in real perspective.... looking forward to trying to make a life here, InshaAllah- we'll see what Allah (SWT) has in store for us. Nothing compare to the UAE so I hear- my visit there will be next year I think, InshaAllah as my MIL and all her side of my hubby's fam lives there. You can always come visit- there's always room for one more Muslimah! :)
Umm Omar- Rehab IS nice but I guess it's no more fabulous than a well kept apt complex in the States... to me, it can be over-rated but still WAY nice in comparison to your actual selection of places to live here in Cairo so can't really complain. Maadi to me, is nice but way expensive and Zamelek is for when you have some real cash to throw away.... lol
Yasmin- hope all is well with you... drop me a line when you get a chance- we're hanging in there... when you're ready to visit, let me know!
Habayeb- of course, darling, I have room for you! I have an extra bedroom which I converted to the kids playroom but its all good when someone want to visit... I can be ur Egypt escape and you can direct me in Dubai, InshaAllah- hope to in your neck of the world next year- the rest of the hubby's fam need to see the offspring... lol
Looking forward to visiting the Red Sea (which I had an offer last weekend but way too tired), the pyramids and the all-infamous Nile soon enough. If I can figure out this fancy camera I got from the hubby, I'll start to take pics,InshaAllah
good to hear you all got there safely alhamdulillah! may Allah restore you back to good health and strength inshaAllah! soo nice to hear you were able to meet with Umm Travis! mashaAllah! take care sis
Lazeena- InshaAllah, Ameen! We're getting better little by little, Alhumdulillah.
Yes, it was great to finally meet my darling sister! Oh, I casn see the lunches and get togethers now (free up that schedule girl!) lol
Glad to hear you made it all okay there. Alhmadoulilah!!
Get some much needed rest and looking forward to reading about your adventures in Egypt.
ASA Sister, WOW can I just say masha'Allah how brave are you? You moved across the ocean by yourself with three small children??!?!?! I totally amazed!!!! Will your husband join you? How are the schools there (if your children are school age) I have a friend who is thinking about moving to Egypt for the sake of her daughters. When I think about the courage you must have...I don't think I could do it!!! I am so glad you have other Muslimahs there to help you and may Allah bless and protect your family.
Im soo happy to see your settling in sis, I have missed talking to you so much!! I cant wait to hear all about your adventures and I hope you and the little ones feel better!!
ASA Sis, good to hear from you again! Good to know you have a support system over there masha'Allah :-D
Diali- thanks, sis. Much needed rest.... I hope that's in the near future- still waiting to receive my 30+ boxes I shipped.... ugh.
Malek- Yeah, it was just me and the little ones... the hubby is coming soon, InshaAllah- can't wait! :)
My daughter is 4 and my sons are 2 and 7 months but I plan to start conquering the school selections this week, InshaAllah- many don't offer a good balance of academics and Islamic studies but one school I visited last year came recommended to me since I've been here so I'll start there- and it's not far from the compound- not inside but close enough since she's so small. And of course, I'll have to hire a tutor which is the norm here for more Arabic instruction for all of us!
Washi- Yes, it's a blessing to have friends already living here... makes life in a new land much more bearable especially when you don't speak the language!
"If you tell me, "Hey, Anisa, can't have internet for 3 weeks", I can accept that but to keep blantantly lying to me is NOT cool. Quickest way to my bad side? Do just that... things will go sour in NO TIME... "
Glad you arrived safely and everything is ok with you
The above statement had to make me laugh. I have been living here so long that I should expect it but it still annoys me everytime that happens. Its like they are afraid to tell you the truth because you wont like it.
So they would rather have you realise, not in their presence that you aren't going to get what you want.
Take care of yourself and your little ones.
Desert- but the thing about it, it's not good for future relations as this is SUPPOSE to be a true business person- so stupid lying like that is senseless to me.
And this SAME person want me to refer to them all the families I know looking for apts here in Cairo so they can make some money by providing the flat, car services and the sort- NOT on my reputation! So then everybody can come complain to ME about what type of person did I set them up with??? No thanks..... this person is turning out to be such a loser.
Me and the litte ones are hanging in there, can't wait to feel 100%, InshaAllah, so we can venture out! Waiting for you to visit with the boys....
Salaam alaykom good to hear from you. I haven't had a chance to read as many blogs as I'd like to recently. Glad you are doing well, alhamdulilah.
Ms. Pixie Dixie! We're here.... been missing reading everybody's blog as well- hope all is well with you!
Ms. Pixie Dixie! We're here.... been missing reading everybody's blog as well- hope all is well with you!
Assalamualykum wrb
Aww masha'Allah so glad you guys are pretty much settled down :) Insya'Allah khair! Have fun exploring the city!
Allah Ma3k
-A'qilah Saiere-
SALAAAAAAAAAAM!!!! sis I found you on UMM Travis pageee!!!! will be coming to REHAB on the 11th of may inshallah I hope I also get the chance to meet you...and alllllll the other sistersssss!!!!! YIPEE!
Hijabis- Wa alaikum assalaam, my sista! Yes, I think today we might venture out to tour the aurrounding area and see what we see- it seems nice today... usually it's kinda hard to tell from indoors as inside feel soooo cold but outside is nice and warm!
Cawminsoon- Wa alaikum sis! Sounds like a plan!!! When you reach contact me so when we can definitely link up! Always looking to meet new sisters! I have a few new ones, InshaAllah, I have to call to introduce myself to within these upcoming days- MashaAllah, sisters have been sooooo helpful with providing me with numbers of sisters here to extend my network... I'm ever so grateful! Hail me when u arrive, InshaAllah!
Salaam Alaykum,
I am apologetic for being a rare commenter on your blog Empress Anisa.
Best wishes for an easy time unpacking. I can't imagine the combination of jet-lag, boxes, childen running about, and Egyptian heat. I definitely am a little jealous as I've always wanted to see the Sphinx and pyramids!
I just wanted to say that I was thrilled to hear that you met up with Umm Travis. I too have found that this vast blog world is the perfect place to meet life-long friends, and hope it will be the same for you both.
Prayers that the arrogance of the locals and 100 years backward issue will be offset by the delicious food you will eat, friends you will make, and places you will see.
Love Always!
Assalam sister
Alhamdulillah! so, you finally reached the land of the pyramids!! im so happy 4 u!!!
May Allah be wid u...
lukin ahead to read more bout ur life in Egypt.
tc
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