SURPRISE… I AM BACK IN CAIRO!!!
Okay honestly I know this is not much of a surprise if you follow me on Facebook, Twitter or read my Music Monday post. I have mentioned it there quite a few times, but either way… EEEEEeeeeeee I am back in Cairo and I couldn’t be happier!!! As I write this I am sitting in my apartment in Cairo with the biggest smile in the world. Ahhh I love this city so fucking much it’s insane… but let’s be honest y’all know the true reason I came back, right? Yup I am came back to be with the man of my dreams, my boyfriend, my other half… HIM.
Last time I was in Cairo was about 4 months ago and when I left… I left in tears and with a broken heart because I said goodbye to him & Egypt. My boyfriend and I had both decided we didn’t want a long distance relationship and I honestly thought I would never be coming back to Egypt or at least not for a very long time so we ended it. Little did I know how things would play out while I was off exploring Southeast Asia. Before I left Cairo though one of our best friends gave us a printed picture of the two of us as a gift. The night before I left Cairo my boyfriend asked me if he could write something on the back of the photo and if I could write something in his journal. I took the time and wrote a long letter to him (y’all know I can write and write and write) and well he of course a man of few words wrote this on the back of the photo:
It took me a while to get the courage to read what he wrote because I was scared and felt very guilty for choosing my love of travel over him. When I finally got the courage to read it I cried and was angry and yet so happy. I kept thinking how the hell could he know that this isn’t “the end of the story”. I thought how presumptuous of him, but of course it’s something he would say because at the end of the day I feel like he can read me more than anyone else in the world. He also mentioned that I was “the best thing that happened in his life-ever” he had mentioned that to me a few times before but to have it in writing for some reason brought a smile to my face. It was then that I knew I wanted him, because he too was the best thing to ever happen in my life-ever.
I then let him know that I was going to be coming back to Cairo, but wasn’t sure yet when. So even though neither of us wanted it we agreed to have a long distance relationship. I let him know that I needed to finish this part of my trip, because it was the last portion of my dream trip around the world and didn’t want to recent him for not seeing some of the things I wanted to see. I spent the next few months exploring Southeast Asia and loving it, but always thinking of him. I’d see the sunrise and want to see it with him, I’d see the sunset and would want to see it with him, I’d see a million things and always wanted to share the experience with him. Yes I still got crazy like my 15 days in Koh Tao or naked night in Boracay (oh he got very mad at me over that incident), but the longer I was away from him the more I just wanted to be with him. I decided I was cutting my time in Southeast Asia short and going back to Cairo for the last 2 months of my crazy journey around the world.
So here I am back in Cairo and I couldn’t be happier. Yes according to the news Cairo is very “unstable” I mean look at the photo of the new stencil street art found in Tahrir Sq. soooo scary they say “FUCK YOU”! I’ve already been asked a few times if it’s safe to be coming back to Cairo because the unrest that happened recently and the answer yes it is very safe. Seriously unless I happen to be in Tahrir Sq. when a protest erupts the chances of me encountering them are slim to none. Also the protest are always in a concentrated area… so riots may be happening on a street and two streets down it’s like nothing is happening and people are still smoking Shi Sha and drinking Chai.
I was back in Cairo in time for New Years which also happens to be his Birthday. We celebrated both at a huge Gay party that honestly I can’t wait to write about (will after I catch up on the rest of my travels). I had never been to a Gay party in Cairo, because one their aren’t that many and two because the risk of attending is going to jail if it’s raided. We had a blast though, but the best part of it all was that at midnight I was able to ring in the New Year kissing him. I’ve been back for 5 days now and they have been amazing. This time around we got our own little apartment in Cairo. It’s not the nicest apartment in the world, but it will do for now for the two months I will be spending here. Plus this is the sunset views I can see from the door of our apartment:
The craziest thing about it all is that I met him on January 16, 2012… so we are about to be celebrating our one year anniversary. Oh and yes we are considering that the start of our relationship, because from the moment we met we have spent every single second that we could possibly spend together together. So yes… I can’t believe it’s about to be a year.
Anyway with 2012 behind us and knowing that it was one of the best years of my life not only because I met him, but also because of the many amazing things I was able to accomplish I now have 2013 to look forward to. The hardest part that lies ahead for me will be the end of this 2 year journey around the world. Yes even though I haven’t purchased my ticket home it will be ending soon and I know it will be hard for me when I do get back home. This time though when I leave Cairo I will not be saying goodbye to him or Egypt I will be saying see you later, because my plans are to return and live in Cairo for a few years with him. So he was right it wasn’t the end of our story and even though we know the road that lies ahead will not be easy we’ll take it one day at a time and see what lies ahead for the both of us.
YES! YES! YES!!!!! So effing happy you’re back there with HIM. Eeeeek so cute 😀
Toni recently posted..Instead of looking back at 2012, I’m looking forward…
Thanks so much Toni!!! <3
I am so happy for you, to be back with the person you love in a city that you love. I think 2013 will be a wonderful year for you!
I commented here before how I am involved in a long-distance relationship with a Brazilian man. I am an American guy, living in Tokyo. It is so hard to be in this kind of relationship. My plan was to stay in Tokyo for a couple of years to save money to build a little house in the Brazilian countryside (where I have land with my partner). Screw the house! I can’t do it! I am going back to Brazil in September. Even September–9 months away–is TOOOO long (but the practical side of me is saying ” you gotta stay to make money”–which is true-being involved in a relationship with someone of a different nationality is EXPENSIVE–you will find out). I know that you probably want to visit your family back in Houston and catch up, but I hope you can make it back to Cairo as soon as possible. It is just too hard to be separated.
Another hard thing is having no friends who are in the same kind of relationship as I am in. No one really knows what it’s like. Concerning legalities and visa issues, I had to piece it all together through forums on various websites. I am lucky because my permanent visa for Brazil was approved. Oh, how I wish the USA were as enlightened. My advice to you is to start building documentation that you are involved with your partner (joint accounts, especially). One day, the USA might approve gay marriage and then grant visas to same-sex partners. They are going to ask for solid proof….I had it so I could get my Brazilian visa without a problem.
Sorry to write so much. It is always good to find presence of someone who is going through a similar situation as I am.
Happy 2013 to you!!!
Thanks Dave for these comments. I love when you comment, because it gives me so much hope for our relationship. I know it’s going to be hard and know it’s going to be expensive, but you I know we can make it work. I’m happy to know I will be here for two months before heading home. Its been so long and I know I am looking forward to it. I also need to go home to make some money. I was gonna give my self 9 months to be home do what I wanna do and make some money, but I know a part of me (like you) thinks it’s too long. I guess we’ll have to wait and see. As for having no friends who can relate to this I understand and know it’s going to be hard when I go home, but then again I know I am strong and as long as I have the support of my friends I will be okay. I hope one day the USA is enlightened and we can move and live there together. Thanks for the advice on building documentation that we are involved. The thing is I know I can’t get a permanent VISA for Egypt… at least I don’t think so. I mean I’m in Egypt no ne could EVER find out we are together as a couple so I don’t know what I can do to apply for that. For now I am happy it’s so easy to come in Egypt and extend my VISA. I will be extending it for the 3rd time. Ahhh so much to think about. Don’t apologize for writing so much. I honestly appreciate it so much & happy to get help from someone who is going through the same thing as me. Even though looks like I’m a few years behind you ja. Happy 2013 to you & your partner.
Thanks for reminding me that love exists:) I am so happy for you and can feel the excitement through what you wrote. Also thanks for pointing out that traveling to Cairo is safe. We both know it’s true but people from the outside may be very confused about it.
Big hug and see you soon inshallah:)
Giulia recently posted..Travel and panic attacks
Awww Giulia of course LOVE does EXIST.. sometimes though we find it when we least expect it and it throws our entire lives to a loop jaja!! Oh & yes I had to mention that Cairo is safe, because I had already been ask by a few people. Oh the media… does such an amazing job at keeping the world population to do anything.
This makes my heart melt! I love love!!!! I can’t wait to hear the rest of your story. (and to hopefully meet him one day!)
Sheryll recently posted..Beauty Abroad: The Oil Cleansing Method
Thanks Sheryll so much & omg yes I hope one day you meet him too. You may have to visit us in Cairo. I’ll be sure to show you around and show you a good time.
I love it.
EEEEeeeeeeee BRAIN… THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!
xoxo
Pinky
This post shows that the world is still a beautiful place x
Lynne OHalloran recently posted..Life’s a beach in Mexico
Thank you Lynne!!!
I am such a sucker for beautiful love stories. *Sniff* I’m so happy for you. 🙂
Kenneth | Echoserang Lakwatsera recently posted..The Name Game
Thanks Kenneth!!!
Congratulations of your happiness! I’ve always thought that travel is not necessarily a contract, and the right path will reveal itself to you when the time is right. Enjoy your time with your love, and enjoy Cairo, which is also one of MY fave cities in the world!
Cate Brubaker recently posted..2012: The Year in Review
So true Cate “travel is not necessarily a contract, and the right path will reveal itself to you when the time is right” <-- I couldn't have said that better. I think that is something I needed to figure out on my own & well I am happy I did. I love that you love Cairo too.
You have to stop being so cruel with me! you make me cry all the time 🙂 🙂 just kidding of course, i’m so fricking happy for you!!You deserve this and MUCH MUCH MORE!
kle recently posted..From “I know it all” travel expert to ” I want my mommy” in 4 months!
Awww Kle sorry for making you cry….lol!!! Thanks for being happy for me.
So happy for you! I was reading and worrying about what would happen after the 2 months, but you put me at rest. Love wins!
Irina recently posted..Paying Attention To Detail In Thailand
Jaja yes Irina, love wins for sure!!!
YAYYY. Good for you for listening to your heart! Sounds like you are starting a whole new adventure.
Steph recently posted..My Most Awesome Travel Moments of 2012
Thanks Steph, yes it’s gonna be a whole new adventure. I think it will be a harder than the last, but well worth it for sure.
I’m happy for Jaime! Reading this post made me really smile and miss the feeling of being in love <3
That note is just too sweet. No wonder you came back for him 😀 Happy Anniversary too!
Micamyx|Senyorita recently posted..TAIPEI 101 – A Trip to Taiwan’s Tallest Building
Thanks Mica, so much!!! I had forgotten what love felt like too, until now & it’s amazing. hard work, but amazing.
I love what he wrote to you 🙂 And I had no idea it had been a year already — awesome! Looking forward to seeing what happens next.
Heather recently posted..Heather’s 2012 year-in-review
I know right Heather, I too can’t believe it’s about to be a year too. I mean time really flies… it’s crazy!!! I’m looking forward to see what happens next too cus it will be crazy I know, but all worth it.
I personally think you did the right thing in going back to Cairo. It’s not often in our lives that we find love, and it’s good not to give it up when we do. I love what he wrote on the back of that card! His English is excellent. Take care and see you soon 🙂
Sabina recently posted..A Very Sweet Middle Eastern Holiday – Eid al Adha
Thanks so much Sabina. Oh yes his English is excellent. I hope when you are in Cairo you can meet him. That would be so nice. Can’t wait to see you.
You’re such an inspiration! I remember the feeling of having to leave Germany and the guy I loved there, the heartbreak, all the complicated thoughts and everything and it’s really encouraging to see you really trying so hard to make it work. Really wish you both all the best. Reading this was a nice way to finish my evening 🙂
Joshua recently posted..An Idiot’s Guide to Frequent Flyer Miles
Thanks Joshua. Yes when I left him I was a mess (i didn’t write about that), but oh man I was a HOT MESS and am happy in the end I followed my heart and am back. Sorry you had to deal with something similar. It’s so much work, but all worth it.
Maybe, maybe I screwed it up. BIG TIME. Maybe I can’t fix it. Maybe we hurt each other too much. Maybe the distance was too much. Maybe it’s too late. But it would be foolish not to try. You’re right, it is SO MUCH work and it is so easy to forget that, and you always have to remember hard work is a daily choice.
Joshua recently posted..#Blogmanay made me hate my own culture
Meh! I sound so depressing!
Joshua recently posted..#Blogmanay made me hate my own culture
Nah you dont sound depressing…lol you sound like any other person who has been in love. It’s not easy… that is for sure.
Hey , u know the how i found your blog was my search about the gay life in cairo, and now u say there are gay parties there?? wow i look forward to be in there, maybe i can find a handsome arabic there 🙂
İstanbul is so cold in these days and i can have a breake. And what is the cost of the apartment and why i dont see any picture of your love ? hope he has some handsome friends for me 🙂 !!!
Hi Hakan, yeah I remember you finding my blog that way. So glad you found it. As for the gay parties… there are some here in Cairo but they are rare & in between. Because you can get arrested for them, they aren’t that many. Don’t worry though be sure to email me when you are on your way and we will hang out & I’ll introduce you to my friends. For the apartment I am paying $133 a month. As for pictures of my love the reason I don’t post any is for his safety. I don’t post photos or share his name or of any of his friends. I don’t want my blog to be found by the wrong people and get any of them in to trouble. Can’t wait to meet you when you get here.
So, so happy for you! I really hope everything is amazing for the two of you and that you can both manage to make it work, because if you do, I don’t think either of you will ever regret it.
ConfusedJulia recently posted..That Was The Year That Was
Thanks Julia so much… i hope so too & yeah it will all be worth it for sure. <3
I’m happy for you and your boyfriend. Love can really change your plans for what you thought your life would be. Take it from someone who knows.
I met the love of my life when I wasn’t looking for it and on the other side of the world! Neither was she by the way. Within months of meeting, we were in love, and I was hopping a plane to visit her in London (where she worked at the time). Those times together were the absolute happiest I’ve been in my entire life, so I can relate to how you’re feeling in regards to your boyfriend.
We are determined to be together physically, so my plans are to save this year and relocate to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to be with her. Afterwards, we will be moving to the U.S. together for a while before long term relocating to a Scandinavian country or Japan. Love is stronger than anything, and I don’t care where I am in the world…as long as I’m with her 🙂
The Minimalist… oh yes you are so right LOVE can change all your plans. I had plans to travel so much more & well now I know LOVE is so much stronger because all I wanna do is figure out how to be with him. I love your story too, it’s so similar to mine. Ah love is so powerful & it’s crazy that we have no control over our feelings even if it makes things a bit more complicated. Cheers to love & fighting for it.
I lived in Cairo for two years and love the city too. Of course there are a lot of ups and downs and there are challenges for females that us guys don’t have to deal with but there is so much good there too.
Politically there are a lot of issues but I am hoping the youth will keep growing up and pushing for change. Lets hope they never shut up and Cairo can become greater.
I’m happy you are back with your boyfriend and I hope you two have an amazing two months before you head off and organise your journey back.
Good luck and don’t eat too much Koshary!
Forest Parks recently posted..Confronting a Con-Man in Cairo
How cool you lived here too. Oh course yes so many ups and downs in living here and I hate that it’s so different for females visiting than it is for men. I hate having to always have to explain that. As for the political issue yes so many, but I hope the youth keeps pushing for change. I think it’s only a matter of time… sucks it will be a few years before more real change happens. At least that is what I think. Thanks for being happy for me… and yes 2 months here before I go home and plot my journey back. Oh & I have already at too much Koshary and I just got here…lol!
Ahhh Jaime I am sooo happy. I’ve left a few comments but not too many, but I’ve always loved your blog and followed it (I love that you’re from the South too; I’m from Baton Rouge – people are always like, what part of America are you from?!)…anyway, I just got back from my year in Asia and of course, met the boy of my dreams in the last two months of my trip. Long story short, we had to part ways right before Christmas because I was out of money and burnt out from Nepal & India (and travelling in general, if I’m being honest), and he had a trip planned home for the first time in five years. He lives in London and I have no idea what to do! I don’t know when we’ll see each other again or what’s going to happen but long distance shit does suck an incredible amount (especially insane time zone differences). Oh, travel…you never, ever know who you’re going to meet, where, or what kind of impact they’ll have on your life.
All I can say is, I really admire you having the guts to go and follow your dream, and the guts to return. I am so happy to read this part of your story!! I’ve been cheering for you the whole time in Asia. 🙂
Can’t wait to see your posts on Cambodia – I was supposed to be there for 1.5 weeks, 2 weeks tops, and ended up living there for four months, hahahaha.
Hi Mary thank you for commenting again and sharing a bit of your story with me. Thanks also for following my blog & yay for people form the South. I hate that you are in a similar situation that I was a few months ago. I know it’s so hard to be in a long distance relationship… for many reason. Of course the time zone & many other things, but most of all just not being together is so hard. The only advice I can give you is follow your heart. I knwo that is so cliche, but it’s the truth… I left thinking I wanted to travel the orld and in the end figured out that I wanted more than that… I wanted him so am now changing my life to make sure we are able to be together for as long as possible. We both know it will be so hard, but know we cna make it work. Thanks for cheering me on & now I am cheering you on. Please let me know how it all goes. You can email me anytime… I will always listen and replyw hen I get a chance. Oh & yes i’ll now be writing about my time in Vientam and then Cambodia. I loved Cambodia and hate I only spent a week there. Wish I had had more time there, but eh I’m happy to be back in Cairo.
AWWWWWWWWWWWW….. can I just say.. I KNEW IT! I knew you’d make your way back to Cairo. So cute!
Jaja thanks Kieu!!! I’m so happy to be back… I love him & love it!!! Thanks for the cheering jaja!