nov. 6th walk.

today the metro was so packed that i decided to get out at m. naguib and walk to mounira. very pleasant.

Cool culture/activity center in Saida Zeinab. restored palace.

Notice the "IF" on the emblem in the center of the facade? I'm guessing this building once belonged to the "Institut Francais". Located on the street between saida zeinab and the CFCC on Mohamed Ezz al Arb Street. 

making room for modern housing (pictured below right). right across from the CFCC

lisbon. night # xd

portuguese: a thought

Portuguese from Portugal sometimes reminds me of Arabic. Sometimes it reminds me of Russian, or other times Polish. Most of the time though (or sometimes, too) it reminds me of what it is. ;-)

Lisboa: Monday night, with a drink at chapitau

had trouble putting the puzzle pieces back together?

   

WIsh i had had my nicer camera

A couple kissing/cuddling

hanging plants in the street

  

we circled around the hill. it was magical.

  

Walking tour Monday

Immigrants with their baggages in the tree

red and orange ceiling to represent blood and fire

provosative 

a street named after "funksters"

bacallao

basketball, 3rd floor

Infamous tiles

Huge roots

Watching the boats unload the precious commodities (sand) as they blow across the river

Lisbon: Saturday night Fado

And this video with bad sound quality (really, they were heart-wrenching singers):

Courteousness in Paris

I've been hanging out in Paris for a week now, and one thing that shocks me is how surprised people are when you're nice to them. The default here is to expect that everyone wants something from you (cigarette, money) and to just turn away (albeit, there is a lot of begging here).

So, when someone realizes that you're just asking for directions, or gently holding the door for them, I always get the feeling they're happy to help but really surprised that you're not trying to extract something from them.

Weird people.