Quotes

Because a child doesn't understand a chain of reasoning,
should adults give up being rational?
If reasonable people don't feel the presence of love
within the universe, that doesn't mean it's not there.
- Rumi

Yet afterwards I doubted whether driftwood has the right to say "I win" when the tide throws it on to the beach it seeks.
- Che (from The Motorcycle Diaries)

Leave your country in search of loftiness and travel. For in travel there are five benefits: relief of adversity, earning of livelihood, knowledge, etiquette, and noble companionship.
- Imam Al Shafi

Not until we are lost do we begin to find ourselves.
- H.D. Thoreau

Do not speak unless you can improve the silence.
- Proverb

(Did I improve your silence?)

Thoughts

more words than i
had ever heard
and i
feel so alive

cuz you and i both loved
what you and i spoke of
and others just
read of
and if you could see me now
love love
you and i
not so little anymore

this song reminds me of too much. there was once some one i knew, someone who i've known for quite some time now, but used to know much better at one point than right now. we used to talk about our dreams and our futures, me of travel, him of success. thoughts that captured our minds, thoughts that gripped our days and filled our dreams. this was some time ago tho.

but see, he never believed i would do it. he said, youre never gonna leave here, youre always gonna stay here, with us, with me. i would laugh. he would laugh. id keep dreaming, he would keep trying to figure out ways to get rich and successful. to him, money made the world go around. it probably still does, who knows. to me, love made the world go around. it still does. travel, exploration, dreams, experiences, all make my world go around.

i wonder today if the time i spent traveling last year sort of proved to him. did it? who knows. we're in different worlds now, his full of great things, successes and financial districts. he's on his way to accomplishing his dreams. i've done a little bit, but not much, probably not as much as him. but i did it. im happy, content. i wonder if he is too. i didnt do it for him, or anyone else, i did it for me, for my dreams.

but this isnt about a boy. this is about dreams and love and realizing these dreams and loves and continuing to dream and love and realize those new dreams and loves and so on and so forth. once, recently, i reminded him of our talks long ago, and how ive finally started doing what i always said i would do. except we dont talk much now. and i realize that life is too short to be wondering what he still thinks of me, of my dreams.

it also occurs to me that this post probably doesnt make any sense. but im putting it out here, out into the void that is this world. just cuz it needs to be said.

(You and I Both - Jason Mraz)

Today I Learned...

That facebook is banned in Vietnam! I guess it's time for a facebook detox then :(

Arab Developmet Initiative

Alright. So once in a while you'll come across a group of people who you don't even really know, but feel like kindred spirits. My good friend Amina Samy pointed me in the direction of the Arab Development Initiative website, and I found my peeps.

Based out of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, this group of students have come together to bring others around the table of discussion on one of the most pressing issues of our time: development in the Arab world. With the uprising and awakening of the Arab nations comes a great responsibility on the shoulders of the international community to aide the dreams of the just revolutionaries of the Middle East.

In summary, taken from their website:

"On October 7 and 8, 2011, the ADI is proudly hosting the first ever Envision Arabia Summit at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. This summit of students, thinkers, and leaders, aspires to harness the creativity, skill, and passion of youth to work towards a vision for the future of the Arab world."

Not only was I in Egypt for the entire revolution, but this cause hits close to home, quite literally. May it be a prosperous event and the beginning of a great opportunity for everyone around the world to make a difference.

Oh Malaysia :)

Truly Asia, as the tourism commercial says. Definitely a ginormous mash-up of everything and anything Asian: Chinese, Malay, Tamil, and a sprinkle of expats of course.

Loved every moment of it, here are some shots :)

Petronas Towers at night, Kuala Lumpur.


The Shah Alam mosque, one of the largest in the region, just about an hour out of Kuala Lumpur.


Penang, the historical island of culture and food. Incense offerings at an ancestral temple.


Langkawi, my ideal definition of an island - good food, chilled out people, awesome beach.


I already miss Malaysia and I just left it this morning. It has definitely been the highlight of my trip so far. Just got to Thailand today, gonna do some island hopping on the south west coast and then head over to Bangkok!

note: i posted this entry on the 6th of june, but it says may 30th. dont ask.

Today I Learned...

That once an insomniac, always an insomniac. Le sigh.

Daily Reflection

It's true, no matter where you are in the world:

Those who talk about others in front of you, will talk about you in front of others.
Hold your tongue.

Pictures! Bali

I finally have pictures for you :)

Here are my 2 favorite moments in Bali.

1. So I learned to surf. The waves at Kuta beach totally kicked my butt, but it was one of my best times on this trip so far. Needless to say, I acquired many injuries, and was sore for a few days afterwards.


Tips for learning to surf:
- When the instructor says UP, you need to get right up on your feet in half a second, from lying down flat on your surfboard. While you're on a wave of course. Serious upper body strength.
- Do not eat right before surfing. Trust me, you'll feel sick to your stomach for the rest of the day.
- Make sure you understand how the waves work, because otherwise, you're gonna have your board smash right onto your head (speaking from experience).
- Just keep at it! And have fun :)


2. Watching the sunrise from the top of Mt Batur, the 2nd highest volcano in Bali. Started climbing at 3:30am, got to the peak at 5:30am (almost 2000 meters), just in time to see this beautiful scene. You can even still see a star or two :) It was magical to say the least.


I just got to Malaysia yesterday, and taking it all in!

Oh Technology

Yes, technical difficulties for sure. Internet everywhere, but uploading from a DSLR camera has been a nightmare.
Will try again in Malaysia :)

In the meantime, I've checked off these things from my ever-growing list of things to do around the world:
- Learn to surf
- Climb a volcano (Mt. Batur)
- Spend my birthday on the beach in Bali

Let's just say, Bali was amazing.

Today I Learned...

That I've become pro at 3 things:
1. Packing
2. Saying goodbye
3. Taking cold showers (hot water isn't as available as you'd think in most countries; its better for the environment)

That I would like to move to Bali.

Today I Learned...

That once you understand the concept of Respect, mere Tolerance becomes such an ugly idea.

Bali

Tomorrow. This. Bali.


(Note: ummm dont hate me, but i didnt bring my camera's usb with me. i thot i would find a way to connect thru the memory card but its not working out so far. ill find a way, im determined!)

Today I Learned...

That I want to adopt an Indonesian lizard :$ so adorable.

Jakarta!

Indonesia baby. English isn't spoken here as widely as it was in Singapore, but Bahasa Indonesia is easy enough to pick up. I got ten days to figure it out I guess. 3 days in Jakarta, then off to beautiful Ballllliiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!

cannotwait.

ps: I will upload pics soontimes, just trying to absorb that I'm in Asia that's all :p

Life in Singapore

Where shorts, flip flops, and crocs are the national dress.

Where I could totally live! So similar to Toronto, Canada.

Where the Singapore Dollar is almost the same value as the US Dollar.

Where the beach is right around the corner. Sigh.

Where I got serious jet lag :(

Today I learned...

That traveling in a group of 7 is WAY different from traveling solo.

That gum is illegal in Singapore :O

That I'm going to fall in love with Asia :)

Singapore!

WOW that a really long break from updating bintbattuta. But trust me, I was just chilling in Egypt and hanging out with the famjam, nothing spectacular.

But now Im spending the next 9 weeks in Asia! Starting off in Singapore right now. And Ill be updating more often I promise! :D

Will post pics soon. On the list today: Sentosa Island! http://www.planetware.com/i/photo/sentosa-island-sin232.jpg

I'm a Little Upset.

Indeed. I've had to cancel 5 countries off my list of places to go this year. My year of exploring Africa and the Middle East came to a halting stop when the march for freedom began. Worth it? Definitely.

Still a little upset though, not gonna lie. I've had to cancel:
Kenya
Tanzania
Syria
Lebanon
Jordan

I would love to go to these places now, with all this turmoil. Experiencing the protests in Cairo was amazing. But to truly experience the cultures of these areas, I think it wouldn't be fair to visit during this time.

So what am I doing?? I'm hanging out in Egypt. Trying to understand this culture that has always confused and amazed me, and visiting some different areas of Egypt. I'll be heading out early May to somewhere far far away and hopefully not politically unstable, at which point this blog will become much more interesting once again :)

BB.

Western Egyptian Desert

A place called the Siwa Oasis. A few friends and I took a trip there (about an 8 hour drive west of Cairo) and had a splendid time.

Here are some pictures :)



Meet Yousuf, greatest tour guide ever. A law student/tour guide who is very passionate about his city. He also taught us how to tie a professional looking Bedouin head piece like his!

A friend chilling at one of the oases we visited. This one was sort of like a mud bath, people just scooped up the mud at the bottom and gave themselves all sorts of facial masks with it. Very cool.

Music session! There was also lots of dancing involved. And pot smoking. No joke.

Another oasis we visited. This one was literally in the middle of the desert and about 15km from the Libyan border. And very very salty - a massive water fight shrunk my jeans about 3 inches unfortunately.

Sandboarding? At sunset? In the middle of the western desert? Check.

A friend displaying the traditional female face covering.

Tea + another oasis + sunset = peacefulness.

There was also one night where we camped out in the desert and I stayed up all night and watched the stars come out (there was only about a million), the moon rise, then witnessed a very lazy sun climb over the western horizon. It was an absolutely breathtaking night and I didn't even try taking any pictures because nothing would ever do it justice. It will remain just a most beautiful image in my mind's eye.

Still in Cairo

So, I should be flying from Kenya to Tanzania today. But I'm here in Cairo. I decided to cancel the East Africa leg of my trip to hang out in Egypt and help out with some development projects. The main one I'm helping out with is Carnaval El Mahrousa, a huge carnival and parade at the pyramids entrance to boost the tourism industry. The event will be held all day on April 15th of this year. As everyone must know by now, Egypt has gone through some major political, social, and economic upheavals. While there are still some minor creases being straightened out, tourists have already started to re-flood the country, as is normal for any month of the year in Egypt!

I will be posting more details on the event as we approach it.

So why did I participate in protests and demonstrations in a country I've barely ever lived in? Because I would've done the same if these kind of protests had happened in any other country. The fight for justice and freedom knows no nationality, religion, or race. It's as simple as that. Humanity comes above everything - when did we forget that?

I think it's of the utmost importance to give something back to the places I'm exploring. Let this be a year of growth.

Quote 2

This is an excerpt from Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet. Read carefully.

And the priestess spoke again and said: Speak to us of Reason and Passion.

And he answered, saying:

Your soul is oftentimes a battlefield, upon which your reason and your judgment wage war against your passion and appetite.

Would that I could be the peacemaker in your soul, that I might turn the discord and the rivalry of your elements into oneness and melody.

But how shall I, unless you yourselves be also the peacemakers, nay, the lovers of all your elements?

Your reason and your passion are the rudder and the sails of your seafaring soul.

If either your sails or your rudder be broken, you can but toss and drift, or else be held at a standstill in mid-seas.

For reason, ruling alone, is a force confining; and passion, unattended, is a flame that burns to its own destruction.

Therefore let your soul exalt your reason to the height of passion, that it may sing;

And let it direct your passion with reason, that your passion may live through its own daily resurrection, and like the phoenix rise above its own ashes.

I would have you consider your judgment and your appetite even as you would two loved guests in your house.

Surely you would not honour one guest above the other; for he who is more mindful of one loses the love and faith of both.

Among the hills, when you sit in the cool shade of the white poplars, sharing the peace and serenity of distant fields and meadows - then let your heart say in silence, "God rests in reason."

And when the storm comes, and the mighty wind shakes the forest, and thunder and lightning proclaim the majesty of the sky,- then let your heart say in awe, "God moves in passion."

And since you are a breath in God's sphere, and a leaf in God's forest, you too should rest in reason and move in passion.

Flickr

I have jumped on the great Flickr bandwagon too: http://www.flickr.com/photos/souzanmansour/

:)

Baladna.

Baladna [noun]: our country.

Last month, if you had asked any young adult in Egypt who's country this is, they would've said, "baladhom" - their country. Theirs. The people at the top. The people who have been running this country for the last 30 years or so. The corruption, the poverty, the unemployment, the inhumanity. Theirs. Baladhom.

Tuesday January 25th 2011. I remember thinking, "Why is everyone calling it a revolution? A few thousand people are hanging out downtown. Whats the big deal? They're gonna get rounded up by the riot police before we can all blink." By the end of the night, there were a couple of hundred thousand. The next day there was a quarter of a million. By Friday, there was a million. There was violence. People died. But there was a revolution, and nobody could deny it or say otherwise. Unless you've been living under a rock for the past 3 weeks, then you've heard about all this already.

Friday February 11 2011. The end of Hosny Mubarak's dictatorial 30 year rule over Egypt. But I bet you knew that too.

Here's what you don't know: the Egyptian youth have memorized more nationalistic songs in the past 3 weeks than they're ever likely to memorize. They have stood shoulder to shoulder with people they were willing to die with. They know who our ministers are. They understand politics. They even have a political opinion. They have learned to hope. All of them.

I have never felt quite as Egyptian as I'm feeling right now. I've memorized the songs, stood with them, understood our politics, hoped with them. Felt the change. Wanted and fought for freedom, humanity, liberty, and dignity. Basic human rights that the youth of this country are only starting to feel today for the first time. Human rights I would've fought for anywhere in the world.

Today, if you ask any young adult in Egypt who's country this is, they will say, "baladna" - our country. OURS. Mine and yours. Mine to stamp out the corruption, mine to clean up (literally and figuratively), mine to voice my opinion about, mine to work in, mine to thrive and grow in.

For someone as homeless as me, the events of the last 3 weeks have reassured me that I will always have a home in Egypt.

Balance

Ok. So have you ever felt like you life is completely whacked out? I've been feeling unbalanced lately. Something is just completely off these days. And it's leading to some serious focusing problems, where I can barely keep a thought in my head long enough to even know what I'm thinking about. It literally feels like I'm walking a tightrope and I keep slipping and forgetting to just put one foot in front of the other. D'you know wha I'm talkin about?

Ok. So maybe it's because I've been cooped up in Cairo for the last month and I'm gonna be here for the next month before I start traveling again. First I was just taking a breather between travels, but then the whole political revolution (YAY) is now happening here and traveling in and out of my house has become difficult, let alone trying to travel in and out of the country. Anything can happen right now and if I do somehow manage to travel out, then there might be problems coming back in...

Ok. So maybe something else is going on. I just started reading this book, Getting Things Done, by David Allen, it's supposed to be really good. And right off the bat in the first chapter he says that whenever there are unfinished things in your life, they keep pulling at your attention, and your subconscious mind keeps thinking about them in the back of your head, making you unfocused in the rest of your life. Does that make any sense? It kind of hit a note with me. I'm just not sure what kind of unfinished business I have going on. Maybe it's an unfinished conversation, or maybe it's a relationship I'm trying to figure out, or maybe it's just all in my head. I need to get out of my head and do a complete life assessment. Sounds easy enough...Right?

Houston, we have a problem

Alright. So I'm in Egypt, Cairo to be exact, right now. Things are tense. The country might explode. And I'm too glued to the TV/Internet/Twitter etc to actually be blogging. However, I shall post as soon as things calm down a little bit.
Prayers plz!

Note: I have jumped on the awesome Twitter bandwagon! Find me: SouzanMansour
*gasp* you now know my real name haha it wasn't kept a secret on purpose but it really didn't matter... did it?