Meet my friend, Jamie. We met 10 summers ago when we both had summer jobs in Denali National Park and now she's living in Cairo. Since she's just down the road, so to speak, and we're both on spring break at the moment, she's come to visit me for the week. Yay!
I've been considering a new feature on the queen bee news: the interview. Jamie is kind enough to agree to being my guinea pig*.
*Additionally, there's a challenge involved. Last night, we went to see A Winter's Tale in Stratford-on-Avon that was full of the most delicious language. I've tasked Jamie with using our favourite Shakespearean adjective of the night: bed-swerver.So, how did a girl from the Central Valley of California end up living in Cairo anyway?Well, I have always been on a bit of a crooked path... I became deeply interested in the Middle East after spending a summer in Jordan on a Fulbright-Hayes program for teachers in 2006. I decided to return to school for my MA and started taking Arabic classes and studying refugee issues in the Middle East and North Africa. I moved to Egypt because it is an Arabic speaking country and Cairo is a crossroad of sorts for refugees coming from the Middle East and Africa. I work at a legal aid non-profit that helps refugees navigate the process for resettlement in third countries. I primarily work with Iraqis.
Your job is pretty intense. What keeps you up most at night?Resettlement is slow, cumbersome and ultimately a largely arbitrary process. I have definitely shed a few tears with clients that have been rejected for resettlement. They can't go back to Iraq and life in Egypt for a refugee is extremely difficult. Not being able to legally work or send their children to public schools are just a few obstacles that refugees face in Egypt.
Also, I do a lot of casework for people that have been tortured and have met those who have perpetrated torture. Perhaps what is most disturbing is the fact that people who torture others are actually quite normal human beings that get swept up into horrible situations. It would be easier to listen to all the horrific things I have to document if people that tortured were evil. This has forced me reevaluate my core beliefs about human nature.
What's the most satisfying aspect of working with refugees? Are there ever happy endings?The most satisfying aspect of my job is being a part of the Iraqi community in Cairo. They are wonderful people and I am lucky to have made some great friends. I sleep better at night knowing that I am doing my best to help refugees get out of desperate situations. Are there ever happy endings? Yes. But, the majority of refugees will never be resettled.
What is the most surprising thing about living in Cairo? Are there any common misconceptions about Egypt or living in the Middle East?Cairo is a city of extremes where the ancient and the modern collide. Donkey carts are just as common on the streets as BMWs. It is loud, frantic and seems to operate without any rules. Yet, somehow it all works and it is an adventure every time I walk out my door. Cairo is one of the coolest cities in the world. She can be a bit intense but if you love her she will love you back.
There are many misconceptions about the Middle East but the one that bothers me the most is the misconception that surrounds women. The Arab woman is stereotyped by the West as a veiled, meek woman that follows her husband like a dark shadow and is forced to remain silent and obey her husband. Arab women are strong, proud and are forging their own path rather than following in the footsteps of Western feminism. There is a long and enduring history of Arab feminism that should be recognized. It is not up to the West to diagnose inequality in Arab society; it has been diagnosed. Rather the West should recognize that Arab women have grappled with gender inequality for over a century.
Check out the Egyptian feminist
Nawal al-Saadawi.
What do you miss the most from home?I have a powerful longing for Mexican food.
Travelling is not without travel trauma. What's the worst thing that has ever happened to you on the road?Thankfully nothing really terrible has happened to me while traveling. But, I've had my passport stolen in Thailand, my clothes stolen in Costa Rica, and had 30 men surround me and steal my camera in China. I had to learn the hard way to be more careful and wipe the giant target off my forehead.
Moment of travel magic?Honestly I can't just pick one moment. There have been so many which is what keeps me traveling. But here are a few favorites from the past year:
Watching the presidential inauguration of Barack Obama in Gondor, Ethiopia. It was such an amazing evening to celebrate with the locals. That night really made anything seem possible.
Visiting the mountain gorillas of Parc National des Volcans in Rwanda. A one hour observation of a gorilla family in the wild is all it takes to understand why Dian Fossey spent her life with these amazing creatures.
And of course, there is nothing more exhilarating than speeding through the streets of Cairo in the back of a taxi and making it to your destination alive!
What are your plans after you finish up grad school?I am getting married and planting a garden.
What country or region is calling your name? Why do you think that is?IRAN! Have you ever had Iranian food? That is reason enough to go. But really there are so many reasons I am dying to experience Iran: the culture, history, architecture, poetry, people, handicrafts. Who doesn't want a Persian rug?
At the moment Americans can only go to Iran on guided tours. I am hoping relations will improve in the next 4 years so I can get my independent travel on!
“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I will meet you there.” ~Rumi
This has to have been the longest break I've taken from the blog since this thing first started to take shape two years ago!! Hello again, dear reader. And how are you?
Summer flew by this time around. It seems like just yesterday we were back in Pembrokeshire, but these pictures were taken the in the last two weeks of July!! 
I can't really get enough of the Welsh coast, Pembrokeshire knocks my socks off and I head West every chance I get. The rugged coast line, the bronze age artifacts, modern day artisans, and the deliciously slow pace of life when plodding about the coastal trail. Check out this stone circle we stumbled upon just about a mile from our hostel's back door.
And this old grain millstone with the world's greatest view!
The pace picked up a bit on the other side of the peninsula from where we were staying, with sandy beaches and the throngs to match. 
Mostly we took in the views on our own terms, though often the wind had other plans.
Can you see why we keep coming back?
Oh! And did I mention the ice cream?? If you're ever in St. Davids you've got to stop off at a little coffee shop called the Bench. This adorable Italian man called Gianni makes the most amazing artisan ice creams. I insisted that we go back for a new flavour every day. (I still can't zip up most of my jeans after that trip!)
Damn, that's some good stuff. My favourite was the Welsh honey and lavender. Manna from heaven.
Did you notice the blue sky as we were packing up to leave? Isn't that always the way?
Or maybe these are the fields of gold that Sting is going on about? 
It's okay if you want to make this one your desktop background. I already have.
