Last Sunday I was getting ready to travel and I am going to be real with you – I said ‘yes’ to too many things so it was Wednesday by the time I was able to start writing The Space. In the end, I thought it was better to apologize to you now rather than write something rushed and send it. This reminds me of the leadership idiom by Grace Hopper:

It is better to ask for forgiveness than permission.

So, I am asking for your pardon :-)

The images above are from a tour of Saqarra, close to the Pyramids of Giza and often neglected, and associated areas that we went on at the weekend. 

This week I am in Cairo… my adult children who are with me were telling me of a concept which when translated to my location asks the question:

Are we visiting Cairo or Qahira?

What is the difference you may ask…

My kids tell me that there is a trend on instagram, ticktok and snapchat that talks about tourist v real when it comes to visiting a place.

'Cairo’ is the place that tourists visit… the pyramids, Nile, Luxor etc. It is more wealthy, cleaner, and designed for tourists.

‘Qahirah’ is the land that locals live in - it is messy, real, and vibrant in a no touristy way.

Well, I learned something there!

We are visiting Qahirah. We lived here for 3 years in the past; and apart from during the pandemic, I have come back every year for a few weeks. It always feels like coming home in way that my own home in London does not...

What do I mean by that?

Well, if you are in the UK right now you are aware of the troubling news about misinformation being spread by the rightwing regarding migrants and Muslims with mosques and hotels housing migrants being targeted.

When my own children say that they would rather live in Egypt than return to the country of their birth it is challenging…

So I am walking like an Egyptian.

What does that phrase mean?

It is the name of a song performed by a 1980’s band called The Bangles.

According to Harvey Gornish on Quora it means ‘trying to do something you need to do despite adverse conditions to your success.’ Gornish says that songwriter Liam Sternberg thought of the concept of watching people trying to keep their balance when walking on a rocking boat – i.e. it is difficult and hard.

The staff at wearelyrical.com have done an interesting analysis into the song and suggest that it is about celebrating cultural fusion and the joy of diversity. The song is a celebration of ‘Egyptian culture, sparking curiosity and appreciation for a different heritage. The song becomes a vehicle for cultural exploration, encouraging listeners to embrace diverse traditions and celebrate the richness of the human experience.’

If I think of us visiting Qahirah and the idea that I am walking like an Egyptian where that takes me is to the fact that I am working hard to keep a balance on the rocking boat of identity. I want to be curious, enjoy a range of cultures from British to Scottish to Londoners to the vast range of colours and cultures that live in Whitechapel, Winchester, and Woking. I also wish to enjoy a full range of experiences that come out of the melting pot that Britain has become.

So, when it comes to your walking like an Egyptian...

– What are you doing to do, needing to do, despite adverse conditions to your success?

– What are you doing to keep the balance in your life even when it is rocking like a boat?

– How can you spark curiosity and celebrate the richness of human experience?

More on my trip to Egypt next week.

All my best,

Saiyyidah

The Space

PS — The Courage to Belong retreat being held virtually on 20/21 and 28/29 September still has spots for registration available. I'd love to see you there.  We've changed the pricing structure to make it even more accessible; and Brian, my co-facilitator, and I would love to see you there.