Understanding a Culture through Food - A food course worth a thousand words

enas — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 08:37:38 GMT

Egypt is a county that embraces many cultures and human flavors within. Accordingly, no matter where you choose to roam in Egypt, food is one thing that is sure to capture your senses.
Egyptians are a people who know how to properly cherish food, and for them, food is an experience rather than the fuel that keeps their bodies running. Like many experiences in life, the more uptight and conservative you are, the more you miss out on the full beauty of it; thus, the richness of experiencing food is always inversely proportional to social class.
They say that sharing is caring, but in Egypt, this phrase is never taken lightly. It's sad how in a rapidly growing consumer world, we tend to forget about the human bond that unites us, yet Egyptian streets daily stand witness to total strangers taking the time to breaking the ice and enriching that bond; but so do dining tables. Unlike many cultures whose table manners imply that you only eat from your plate, an Egyptian meal is an occasion where everyone get together, and share food from plates that are served for everyone.
Loud is one thing that can usually describe any gathering in Egypt. And as loud as Egyptians are, so is their food. Blunt is a word that can never be found anywhere near an Egyptian menu. Among the wide array of flavors, garlic is one essence that is familiar to Egyptian dishes. Except that garlic seems to not only get to their tummies, but their temper as well. As mellow and friendly as Egyptians can be, just like a freshly chopped garlic, they can get zesty really quick!
No one ever said that happiness is solely exclusive to the rich, especially in Egypt. It's beautiful how they always find a reason to smile over the simplest things. And because they're aware of the joy food can bring, they tend to make the most out of their cattle. Oriental restaurants are famous for serving dishes that range from cows' intestines to hooves. Think that way, and you'll never approach it; but embrace whatever is served, shut your eyes and eat it, and you'll reconnect with the meaning of soul revival in seconds.
Let go. In order to feel the food, you must let go. Stop worrying about how you eat, or what you eat. Feel it. Use your hands. Let them get dirty with grease and flavors. Lick your fingers, and enjoy the flavors bursting at the tip of your tongue. You're only full of as much life as you allow yourself to enjoy. Don't let life pass you by while you're too busy following rules!

My Scholarship entry - A 'place' I have visited

enas — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 12:28:19 GMT

I'm a person who's foremost intrigued by uncovering the human side. The best part of my journalism studies was having access to meet new people from all walks of life, and hearing their stories.
Photography has also been one of the approaches that helped me break the ice between strangers and myself, and bringing us to closer grounds. Not only so, but it gives me a visual medium to store the memory, including the feel of both the place and the person.
I'm not much of a reader, but I'm someone who obtains some, if not most of her knowledge, first hand from the people. I'm someone who grows a little more mature, with a little wider horizon with every new conversation, especially those that lie outside my familiar comfort zone.
Hence, there's no better way to learn, grow, and explore than both travelling, and unveiling new cultures. The idea of being out there, somewhere I don't know, with people I don't know, really tickles my will to go the distance, and to capture photos that truly tell a story.

I quite hope you give me this chance.
Thank you

Behind the Wrinkles: Tales Untold

Understanding a Culture through Food - A food course worth a thousand words

My Scholarship entry - A 'place' I have visited