Marḥaban

Marḥaban! مرحبا Hello!

Kayfa ḥālak? كيف حالك How are you?


I am Egyptian. Real and true Egyptian. I have two nationalities (Egyptian and Dutch) and I possess (if they give them back that is) two passports.


My family is from Alexandria (Iskandariyya). My sister, seven years my senior, is born there too and lived there with my parents until she was five years old.


My parents are Copts and had to flee the country.


Egypt is in my blood. My favourite food is Egyptian street food (see the poetry blog, it has a link to a few recipes I put there). I love to cook and I am a good cook. I'll put some more healthy and not-so-healthy recipes up there, including jaw-breaker baclava!


My Arabic roots have mostly given me love for Arabic poetry, contemporary as well as ancient poetry. I translate it and sometimes I am sitting here singing in my chair while doing so.


Is it strange to feel homesick? I've not even been to Egypt! I've seen all of Europe, I've lived in France, Germany, England, Norway, and some countries in Eastern Europe. Not homesick there. But Egypt?


I am weird! Officially!


(to be continued)