Alexandria, Egypt

Alexandria, Egypt is a breath of fresh air. It a city on the Mediterranean Sea. It's known for its Hellenistic Age where it housed a library and lighthouse. There are many Greco-Roman landmarks, a souq and mosques. 

I'm coming to realize that sea/beach towns are the same everywhere in the world. At least that's how I feel. Whether I'm in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, the Island of Menorca, the Pacific Ocean, Wannsee in Berlin, strolling along the River Thames in London, or in Alexandria, Egypt- the feeling and the atmosphere is the same, as there is something about the water in how it draws people. People are relaxed and laid back in sea/ beach towns. The air smells of salt. The sun makes the water look enticing, and the seafood eateries, the good ones that the locals go to are delectable. 

I enjoyed walking along the water with my second mom, a lovely woman with a great smile and kind eyes. She even taught me how to make stuffed grape leaves, which I'm excited to try myself and make for my parents when I see them next.

She and I laughed and talked arm in arm. She had a lovely itinerary planned for my visit- a really good Egyptian kofta restaurant, the Alexandria Citadel, the souq (which is crazy chaotic but I love it), the famous Alexandria Library, mosques, the El Saidy Bakery and the Alexandria Jewelry Museum. All were wonderful! And my second dad was a joy to watch an old Arabic movie. On my last day, a few hours before I left he ordered so much food that could have fed a whole squadron of soldiers. 

If you're ever in Cairo and have a few days, the 2 hour train trip to Alexandria is well worth the trip. It's not so big so it's possible to see the touristy things. 

Ally Portee

Starting out in the world of politics, Ally interned and worked in Washington, DC, in Congress, at The White House, on on political campaigns. Today she’s in a totally different arena: fashion. Developing an eye for sartorial craftsmanship, Ally has learned how to put intricate and detailed collections into words, while developing relationships with some of the world's most leading brands and covering Paris, Milan, and Riyadh Fashion Week shows. Ally started SEELE in 2012. Seele [say-la] is the German word for Soul and its aim is to encourage people with faith-inspired and lifestyle content that stir the soul. Ally has written for Forbes, Harper’s Bazaar, The Hollywood Reporter, GQ Middle East, Vogue Arabia, Refinery29, NPR, Arabian Business, and Euronews.

Previous
Previous

Out With the Old, In With the New

Next
Next

Fruit Inspection