When the second Gulf War broke out, we were living in Cairo, Egypt – specifically in a small suburb called Maadi. Many of the consulates were based there, including the Israeli consulate. It was very scary walking past there – Mossad agents look just like they do in TV programs. Westerners and other expats flocked to Maadi for the housing, situation and the Cairo American School.
Despite all the fear of the first few days, I was highly amused by how many Canadian stickers suddenly appeared on local cars. Were they really all Canadian or were they wussy ‘mericans? I stand out like a sore thumb anyway so there was no point in pretending I was anything other than American but I wasn’t stupid enough to shout it from the rooftops.
Even funnier, in my eyes, was that would be terrorists didn’t really care if you were Canadian or American. We all sound the same, don’t we, eh? I did think it was remarkably negligent that the American school had bright yellow school buses that stood out like a target.
On a more serious note, I feel so sad for all the innocent holiday makers that died on the Russian charter plane leaving from Sharm el Sheik. It is a lovely resort on the Red Sea that in happier times was incredibly popular with Israelis, would you believe? Russians and Europeans took advantage of the inexpensive vacations in a beautiful place.
Security is always high in Cairo International Airport but terrorists often look for softer targets which this would have been. RIP.
Letters from Cairo, A Kindle Book by Kerry Duncan
Postcards from Kerry 
Hi-larious!
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Thank you, Oso xxx
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You’re absolutely right – a terrorist wouldn’t care whether someone is American or Canadian.
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On the same day as the Sharm el Sheik plane crash, terrorists blew up some Egyptian security staff so their hatred is equal.
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Interesting post. Funny everyone with Canadian flags. Terrorists are equal opportunity haters. You have some “cojones” Chatty. Could never image myself living in that part of the world. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
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You should buy the book – $4.49 on Kindle. The same as a Venti Latte or fancy kwoffee as you might intone… I really appreciate your comment – thank you. Look at my photo – I don’t have cojones!!! I do, however, have a diagnosis. 🙂
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LOL Need to buy the kindle first. I will get around to it. Interested in reading your letters. My diagnosis is simple, there is no cure for me.
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LOL! There is no cure for me either – I just take the meds. 🙂 There is an free app to see Kindle books on your PC.
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You are a genius. Where can I find your book? As for the cure, I keep overdosing on coffee and life. With that I have everything I need. Oh, and spousy, too. Fail too include that could mean a night on the couch.
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Oooh my grammar sucks today. I will refrain from posting.
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My grammar is always bad this early in the morning. 🙂 Here is the link to the post with the details of book and app
https://chattykerry.wordpress.com/2015/09/24/my-first-book/
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Yeah grammar this early, whew. I need another cup of kwoffee. Thanks for the link.
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I imagine it would have been a pretty scary experience to live in that part of the world when a war broke out. But on the plus side it sounds like you had a bunch of Canadians living in your neighbourhood.
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I am not convinced they were all Canadians (our best friends were) but if they were really smart they would have put an Egyptian flag on their cars. 🙂 When you are in the middle of a crisis, your adrenaline kicks in and you either take control and fight back like Rick (Walking Dead) or you fall apart. I sense a new theme coming to Chatty Kerry…
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Ohhhh, yes, a Walking Dead theme.
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Next week, after my deadline. I am so sick of dazzling, trendy, upscale, exquisite, unique for my boutique article. I have used the thesaurus frequently and I need a bit of gore…:)
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North americans… I guess they put them all together, you know… Great reading.
All my best wishes. Aquileana 💫.-
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Terrorists really don’t care who they hit. When I was growing up it was Protestants and Catholics killing each other and other innocents. We have a remarkably capacity as humans to love and hate in equal measures. You know this from your fabulous knowledge of history! K x
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Hi Kerry,
There are generations in the U.S. that know nothing but war time, terrorism or war by special forces. They have learned how to participate in life, how to exist under an umbrella of fear created by outside forces and at our own hands. Not to put a cloud of gloom over this thread/conversation, it’s sad that we [all nations] have worked towards or out of the all to familiar complacency, have allowed so many young people to live in a world, never to know what PEACE feels like. So… I see two choices, either sit in the fear [used as a weapon, it wins] or as you did, walk amongst it wth the street sense of caution and through it. No one has been given permission to take our right to feel joy away. OK, the end.
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I absolutely agree with the sentiment ‘walk among it’ and when people queried my living in a war zone, my reply would be that almost certainly I was going to die of cancer or heart disease and not terrorism. Living in a third world country certainly puts life in perspective – live in the moment and don’t make generalizations about religions, cultures or faiths.
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