When in Egypt: Settling in Finding myself

Its been a while since I last wrote. . .

It was quite tough for a while, I found myself in combat with the students. . . battling for control of the classroom.

Teaching is quite draining but are some groups that really have warmed to me and I must say I really am enjoying some of the kids. Heres a couple who visit me every break to work on a painting for Dad which I try to help out with.

This is Anna who I have introduced to Megan on the internet and due to today's amazing technology they have chatted already on Instagram, so now can check each other out Megan can see what these guys do and get up to, maybe they will meet up soon, this time in reality I mean . . . hope so.

Some more of the girls in grade 9 (I think. . . Megan's age 14)
That's my drawing on the table I made to give the other (younger group) something to try out. I am still trying to figure out the various capabilities of each age. . .

Well the days are hot and so in the afternoon I head off to 'the club' and relax along the banks of the lagoon. The tepid waters are not deep you can walk across the lagoon, the bottom is a bit slimy but its still fine to swim in.

Here I am chilling at the Beach. This was during 'Eid' which is a Muslim holiday and was for a whole week. I had only been here for 2 weeks so it felt funny not having to go to work.

The Canal

This Canal - one of many smaller canals all around El Gouna, I walk alongside to get back to my flat.

For a while now I began scribbling in my sketchbook just to get going again, I found some articles on South American artist Botero and wrote some stuff on him in my FB acc. My Private Universe. I copied his sculptures, they are such fun and very inspiring to draw, this was all during the Eid break.

So then I had heard about the bus that goes into Hurghada and decided to try it out and just see what happens if I hop on board and head off to the city. I wanted to go to Senzo Mall but had no idea how to get there, so anyway here I am on the bus ready to Roll.

We are still in El Gouna here and you can get an idea of the enormous wasteland that lies just beyond all our borders.

So we drive along the main road with nothing to see. . . but sand

Then suddenly construction . . .

The Caves Hotel
Interesting looking design for a hotel. . .

New developments advertised. . . this is all along the edge of the red sea

You can sea the water of the red sea beyond the sand, so there are gaps in between the developments, but their is so much building on the go everywhere. . .

So Many Hotels and resorts I have no idea how they all survive.

And drawing near to Hurghada

My Bus Stop

So here I am staring across the street wondering what must I do next? I eventually asked the driver and he explained I must 'stand in front and wait for bus'. After an interminable wait the driver returned and told me I was at the wrong place and must go further ahead. So I went to a place where it looked kinda like a bus stop and there I asked a Muslim Lady is this the right place to get the bus to Senzo? She said I must go across the road and get a minibus rather. So I walked across the circle and stood for another while until a taxi pulled up called me over and asked me if I wanted a lift.

Now I had no idea where Senzo was, so I just said "Senzo" he said sure 5 LE, which is not too bad so I thought Ok here goes. He took me down the road not even 500 m and stopped, I saw a shopping place but it didn't say Senzo, he then started say "Senzo 10 pound" I said 'hey buddy you said 5 pound'. In the end I thought that's it I don't trust this guy, gave him his 5 pounds and jumped out.

The Shop is called "Spinneys" and is quite an upmarket shop so I got all the stuff I needed anyway.

Outside 'Spinney's' here I am finished shopping and now I'm thinking how the heck am I gonna get back?

So I decided to walk.

This is where I started snapping pics and ended up having a lot of fun snapping the everyday life of Egyptian people in the backstreets of Hurghada

Hurghada Egypt

I put all the pics onto my Personal Universe

Back to El Gouna

Debbie and William got hold of me and took me out for a Jol

This was our transport the Tuc Tuc Taxi found exclusive to El Gouna

This is the Marina (I think) and you can begin to see the many beautiful yachts and craft of the Egyptian Elite who come here to play.

I'm A bit disappointed that I couldn't show the swim we had out to the coral reef. Debbie and William introduced me to Peter Dickens, he works on one of the largest yachts in El Gouna as the Captain. They take wealthy Egyptians and anyone else who has plenty of cash, out on cruises in the Red Sea.

Anyway he wanted to take a swim out to a coral reef and I was able to borrow some equipment from William and take a swim out with him. This was my first view of coral reefs and also my first snorkeling experience. Which i still have to learn a bit since I swallowed a significant amount of the Red Sea in what was otherwise a great experience.