My
first visit to Egypt was when I was a very teeny weenie little girl. My
father was an Officer in the British Army (Scottish Regiment) stationed
in Cairo. I was told that he (my dad) was very anxious to see mum and his
two children; my brother was not born then.
So,
off we travelled to Cairo. The only thing that I remember about our visit
in Cairo was that I was excited to see my father. I was told, when I grew
up, that I was the apple of his eye. My dad did take us around. I
cannot remember where exactly but I remember the desert and watching the
camels trotting along. I was scared and even more scared when I saw goats
roaming the streets. I remember crying and suddenly being picked
up by my father, and was comforted and felt safe in his arms. It is strange
how one can remember certain things that happened during ones young age.
We did not stay long, just a few weeks, because of my sister’s schooling.
I was very sad leaving dad behind.
I must
have been about six years old on my second visit. It was a very hot day,
the sun was shining so bright, but it was wonderful to see dad waiting
for us. We spent a couple of days in Cairo. On our second day my father
took us to watch him play cricket. We went over a very long bridge and
at the entrance of the bridge I saw two great lion statues. I remember
getting excited thinking that we were going to the Zoo. We ended up at
a club, the Wilcox club, just near the Anglo American Hospital. I
loved it because we were free to run about. We played games with other
children; it was a wonderful day for me. Once that was over, dad
took us to Port Said for a month vacation. We lived in one of the cottages
on the beach, it was like a dream. I could hardly sleep at nights
over excitement. I just did not want to miss a thing. I would stay
up just to listen to those waves splashing on the golden sandy beach, and
wait for the next day in order to start playing in the sand and watch those
tiny crabs crawl out of their homes. My daddy taught me how to swim and
that was fun.
In
the evenings dad would take us to the waterfront by Ferdinand De Lesseps
Statue (my mum said I called it Freddy lepsy) and watch those enormous
ships. It did leave a great impression in my mind.
The
month did go by very fast, and back to reality home and school. I
did miss my daddy……….and our family reunion in Egypt. This was the last
time I ever saw my father again, he died in Cairo. I just could not get
over it. I remember not wanting to go back to school, and I did lots of
crying. It did not stop me from growing up, finishing my education and
always dreaming of going back to Egypt. (I am still holding onto two very
old pictures, one of Port Said with my mother, sister, brother and myself,
and the other of my dad’s funeral.)
Years
and years went by and my thoughts were always with my daddy and the fun
we had in Port Said, the bright sunshine and no RAIN. In the early
fifties I luckily met a very nice friend in London England
(May
H.) who was getting ready to leave for Cairo to work at the British Embassy.
We kept in touch… May knowing how much I would have loved to re-visit Egypt
invited me over in 1951, to spend winter with her. My mother,
knowing how much I wanted to return to Egypt, approved.
During
my visit May asked me if I would like to go with her to Alamein. Yes, it
was Remembrance Day November 11th. How could I not go, I certainly jumped
on the opportunity. This was my chance to see the desert again, the camels…
and relive good memories.
Going
to Alamein was one of my saddest days. Watching the young faces on the
graves of the Common Wealth, German and Italian cemeteries, the bugles
played by the Army Corp. I was crying and thinking of Dad. On our way back
to Cairo May’s car stalled just after the Embassy bus past by.
A
truck stopped to give us a hand, but the driver suggested that he drive
us to Cairo where we could get help. The driver was a very friendly person
and insisted that we share his lunch, which consisted of whole wheat bread,
white cheese and onions.
Ever
since I loved eating, as I now call it, (esh miladden). The Welsh people
also like eating bread, cheese and onions. I always remembered my mother
saying how kind and friendly the Egyptian people are. She was right. I
have never come across such hospitable, friendly and kind people. I always
felt safe amongst them.
I fell
in love with the weather, the dryness, warmth and bright sunshine, unlike
our damp, gloomy and rainy English climate. I was not looking
forward to my return home so soon.
I was
so much in love with the country and wondered whether I will ever have
another chance to return to Egypt. However, to my surprise, I was offered
a position at the British Embassy, which I could not refuse. The hard part
was explaining to my mother that I planned to accept the job. All went
well in the end to my advantage with a promissory visit by my mother.
My
deep love affair with Egypt started in 1951 and was not diminished seventeen
years after, in 1968, when we left Egypt for Canada.
I ADOPTED EGYPT AND
EGYPT ADOPTED ME.
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