I took my first train in Egypt, from Cairo to Alexandria.
I'm going to resume staying with a CouchSurfing host in Alexandria. I found a profile, which to me, was pretty interesting. She's a Taiwanese girl, ZT, who has traveled off-the-beaten-track, done many things the usual people won't do. I wished so much talking to her and listening to her special experiences!
Her profile attracted me, so I sent her a CouchRequest. I've been waiting for a while to receive her positive reply! My plan was to spend 2 nights in Alexandria, then take a night train heading south to Luxor.
I made the first mistake as soon as I arrived in Alexandria. The lady sitting next to me on the train told me it was time to get off, so I just did the same. Afterward, I realized that's not the station nearest to the Citadel of Qaitbay. It's fine. I walked a little and met with a female university student at a tram station.
Surprisingly, she asked if I'm a Chinese, and told me she was studying Chinese language! Subsequently, I spent a few hours together with her and her friends who wanted to show me around.
Before dusk, I finally reached ZT's place and met with her! She has been staying in Alexandria for a while to learn Arabic. Her schedule is basically doing revision, going to class, and more revisions at the Alexandria Biblioteca (library). She usually sleeps and wakes up early, but during my time there, we had so much to chat about. Even after we switched off the light to go to sleep, both of us continued chatting in the dark.
Coincidently, the day we met was 25 Jan 2020, the first day of the Chinese New Year. We did not celebrate anyway, because we are both not festive :)
Via ZT, I met other CouchSurfers, inclusive of Mina, and Osama (her neighbor). It was a surprise to find out that Osama used to host my long-term traveler British friend, Paul, a few years ago.
I've been loving Alexandria because the people (especially those at various markets) have been so nice and friendly to me. There was a lot of laughter when I walked around, seeing things I'm not familiar with and asking many questions.
On the last day, Osama invited me to his home to have lunch together. I met his beautiful sister and mother. His father is from Jordan, whilst his mother is from Syria. His mum cooked delicious mulukhiya (spinach soup), which I fell in love with since the first taste.
Osama also showed me oud, an Arabic instrument. He has learned it for a short while and was already able to play pretty well. I took some videos of him playing oud, as shown below:
After leaving Osama's home, I left my host's place to the train station. While saying goodbye, I felt very heavy-hearted. What an amazing girl I've stayed with for the past 2 days! She told me I'm welcomed anytime since Saudi Arabia is not far away.
I wished her all the best with her Arabic learning in Alexandria! We will surely be in touch!
Additional Notes:
I'm going to resume staying with a CouchSurfing host in Alexandria. I found a profile, which to me, was pretty interesting. She's a Taiwanese girl, ZT, who has traveled off-the-beaten-track, done many things the usual people won't do. I wished so much talking to her and listening to her special experiences!
Her profile attracted me, so I sent her a CouchRequest. I've been waiting for a while to receive her positive reply! My plan was to spend 2 nights in Alexandria, then take a night train heading south to Luxor.
I made the first mistake as soon as I arrived in Alexandria. The lady sitting next to me on the train told me it was time to get off, so I just did the same. Afterward, I realized that's not the station nearest to the Citadel of Qaitbay. It's fine. I walked a little and met with a female university student at a tram station.
Surprisingly, she asked if I'm a Chinese, and told me she was studying Chinese language! Subsequently, I spent a few hours together with her and her friends who wanted to show me around.
 |
| A traditional taxi in Alexandria |
Before dusk, I finally reached ZT's place and met with her! She has been staying in Alexandria for a while to learn Arabic. Her schedule is basically doing revision, going to class, and more revisions at the Alexandria Biblioteca (library). She usually sleeps and wakes up early, but during my time there, we had so much to chat about. Even after we switched off the light to go to sleep, both of us continued chatting in the dark.
Coincidently, the day we met was 25 Jan 2020, the first day of the Chinese New Year. We did not celebrate anyway, because we are both not festive :)
Via ZT, I met other CouchSurfers, inclusive of Mina, and Osama (her neighbor). It was a surprise to find out that Osama used to host my long-term traveler British friend, Paul, a few years ago.
 |
| I tasted Syrian food for the first time together with ZT and Mina |
I've been loving Alexandria because the people (especially those at various markets) have been so nice and friendly to me. There was a lot of laughter when I walked around, seeing things I'm not familiar with and asking many questions.
On the last day, Osama invited me to his home to have lunch together. I met his beautiful sister and mother. His father is from Jordan, whilst his mother is from Syria. His mum cooked delicious mulukhiya (spinach soup), which I fell in love with since the first taste.
Osama also showed me oud, an Arabic instrument. He has learned it for a short while and was already able to play pretty well. I took some videos of him playing oud, as shown below:
After leaving Osama's home, I left my host's place to the train station. While saying goodbye, I felt very heavy-hearted. What an amazing girl I've stayed with for the past 2 days! She told me I'm welcomed anytime since Saudi Arabia is not far away.
I wished her all the best with her Arabic learning in Alexandria! We will surely be in touch!
Additional Notes:
- You can get to Alexandria from Cairo either by bus or train.
- 1-1.5 days will be enough to go around Alexandria.
- Uber service is available if you have trouble taking the shared vans
- A tram ride is only 1 EGP regardless of the distance. It's a little slow. The first carriage is for women only.
- Alexandria train station is equipped with digital signs, providing clear instructions.
- My only regret in Alexandria is the failure to taste the seafood there (I went to a restaurant but they kept delaying their opening time, and I couldn't wait further).
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