Alexandria

This was easily the most stunning part of the trip.  Right on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, it was hard to go wrong.  Here we visited one of the oldest libraries in the world, unfortunately it was closed for a Christian Holiday, "Show up to a predominantly Muslim country on a Christian holiday, how ironic."  On that note, the city was packed and took forever to get anywhere.  This is how it breaks down:

Camel Ride

So finally my long anticipated camel ride has arrived.  Sherwin I don't care what you say going for a camel ride in Egypt is not the same as seeing one at the zoo, it's way kewler.  Anyway, we get off the bus and there's a whole herd of camels just chilling out and one person snaps a photo.  Instantly a guy jumps up and starts saying, (and there's a lot of this in the tourist areas) "Money, money, money" and following us asking everyone.  "Dude are you kidding you didn't do shit, all you did was say the same word 3 times fast, I have dogs that can do better tricks."  But no one gave him money which is good.  There were other people who we did give money to because they actually did something like take pictures for you or dress you up, stuff like that.

Back to the point.  Camels, a lot bigger than I thought, and when they growl they are mean looking Mofos (yes I've just brought that word back from Grade 8).  My second surprise was the big Canada flag they had hanging at the stable.  On that note the group I traveled with were from all over: Jamaica, Spain, Vietnam, Brazil, U.S. and China, and our guides had some quirky associations/jingles for some of us.

Spanish - Ola ola Coca Cola..........?

Canadian - No woman no cry Canada Dry, Canada Forever

Doesn't make much sense but sounds good, and it was still one up on the Americans 

Americans - Howdy howdy, Hi ho Silver Yeeeeeehaaaaaawwww

     Okay, still trying to get back to the point.  So the camel ride was relaxing, they took us out into the desert where we had a distant view of the pyramids and were able to just chill out and watch the sunset which was just astonishing.  Now on the way back things got a bit more interesting, for me at least.  Half way back my camel decided he had had enough and he was done work for the day.  So he started pulling at the other two camels we were tied to and running into the other groups of camels causing a big camel jam. It was kind of like being trapped in Madusa's hair except surrounded by angry camel heads instead of snakes.  I repeat, "Mean looking Mofos"  So after the camel jam and attempted run away, the guide has to come and separate us from the group and have to walk back alone with the guide.  Reminds me of getting in trouble in elementary school then having to walk with the teacher during recess, "Ugh, this is so humiliating."

Cairo

While in and around Cairo we did the majority or our tours and activities.  The first night we had a dinner boat cruise down the Nile which is somewhat of a surreal experience when you realize you're lying on a deck staring through the stars floating down the longest river and most famous river in the world.

Day 2 consisted of the typical tourist stuff that most would associate with Egypt.  We saw the Pyramids of Giza which were also something to just stare at in wonder.  The shear size of them is intimidating, something that pictures can only attempt to capture.  Just thinking that these structures have lasted for thousands of years and were built with such miniscule technology compared to what we have now is impressive and for us even embarrassing.  We also stopped at a papyrus shop and saw how it was made and were given some brief lectures of some of Egypt's most popular symbols and drawings/themes.  The biggest and only real disappointment really was the Sphinx.  It was much smaller than you'd expect and basically just very boring to see.  Then there was the Camel Ride....

Egypt

  After only 1.5 hrs of sleep over roughly 30 hrs I was in Cairo and exhausted.  On the up side, I'm done with my horrendous pub job and have 10 days off until I start my new job doing paintball promotions.  Egypt held a lot of firsts for me.  It was the first time I've stared a day in cold miserable weather and a few hours later land in hot sunny weather... loved it.  It's the first time I've been somewhere that doesn't speak english.  Obviously the people we were dealing with through the trip could speak perfectly good english, however once venturing into the city on our own it became far more interesting.  Not only is it a different language but a different alphabet, so it's impossible to even attempt to read or pronounce the language.  Finally, being stared and gawked at the entire time was an interesting experience.  At times you would get very dirty looks and was clear you were being talked about and probably made fun of.  But the majority of the time the expressions were of interest, surprise and even excitement, especially in Alexandria.

Terminology

Bits & Bobs - Things or Pieces

Shrapnel - Spare change

Pond -  Atlantic Ocean

Reckon - Think or Figure

Fit -  Hot or Sexy

Cue - Line

Quid - Buck/Money

Prawn - Shrimp

Fag - Cigarette

Puff - Fag

Crisps - Chips

Chips - Fries

Tube - Subway

Jacket Potato - Baked Potato

Lollie - Candy

Sweets - Dessert

Bollocks - Bullshit/Testicles 

Rubbish - Garbage

Slim Lime - Diet

Humps - Speedbumps

Bloak - Guy

Jack - Guy from Swansea

A Laugh - A Good Time

Dribble - Drool

Brilliant - Awesome

Skittles - Form of Bowling

Arcade - Mini Mall or Plaza

Redundant - Fired

Motorway - Highway

Bottle Up - Restock Fridges/Shelves

Cardydd

So I traveled to Cardiff  for 4 days to see my cousins and get a much needed break from London.  It was a good start to the month and ranks right up there with Edinburgh.  My first night there I didn't do much, just had some drinks and got to know my cousins.

Day 2:  My cousin Matthew took me around Cardiff Bay, Cardiff Castle and showed me the house my Grandpa grew up in and where the sweet shop my Nana used to own was, along with the pubs and other places they would hang out. That night would be our drunken adventure

Last Friday

Okay, so I'm sure those who have been following my stories or at least just read the last one are probably a bit curious how last Friday went.  So here it is, and this isn't an April Fool's joke.

So there's two bars down this alley in Soho, one is at the end which is a pub, "This place looks good, pretty busy and some good looking girls out front."  Waiting in line it turns the corner and suddenly we're at the entrance to G.A.Y.  "You gotta be kidding me."  So me and my buddy Lucas decide to stick around for a couple drinks with some friends from the hostel.

So we get inside and yeah, that was something different to see.  I had an idea of what to expect but was still very surprised as to how "open" it was.  You'd think it'd be like any other bar, an even number of guys and girls.  Not a chance, the percentage was more like 85 - 15, "Great, so now I'm surrounded by a bunch of guys making out and a small group  girls standing in a circle looking like a human version of stonehenge."  So needless to say I didn't really fit in.  But we have a couple pints and hang out when I get a text reading - Hello, Grandma here, I'd like my knickers back you heathen!!! - "What the hell does that mean and who sent this?"  Thinking this is a joke I'm about to text back asking who it is when I get another text reading - I like totally like cereal... Wanna eat some with me? ps. you're paying... - Now I don't quite know exactly what that means but I know I won't like it judging from where I am.  I look up at the TV which reads - Hot Canadian new to town... keens? (followed by my number) - My friends had put up this message on a text dating service the bar has, on my behalf.  Thanks guys.  Fair enough, if I was in their position I would have done the same.  Everyone got a good laugh and I got a bunch of dirty creepy messages that night.