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DUCIT AMOR PATRIAE
by Ahmed Kamal

Dear Michael...

First of all, I asked them at school about the meaning of DUCIT AMOR PATRIAE, and an English Teacher answered: Patriotism is our Leader, theyve even translated it like that in Arabic (in the school logo) and not Love Will Always Lead Your Country as you say so are you sure of your translation for me, I would trust a man from the generation, when they were pushed to beat their personal sports records every few months in order to build their character J

Second, I m not trying to flirt you, but you enjoy a wonderful location for your apartment in Cairo I always loved Heliopolis for many reasons:

1. When I walk through Heliopolis (and especially that neighborhood) , it is like watching a live narration of the modern history of Egypt and not only how it developed politically, but also how people felt and thought..

2. Let me give you an example: you go around watching the old 1930s and 40s buildings English style, with their elegance, they are somewhat near one another, but at the same time each one has its own: 1) space and 2) individuality. I cannot help thinking how did the English people go about the ethical questions on their empire and its justifications, and at the same time how did they feel seeing the empire fall down..

3. When u see the buildings that were made in the 1960s and early 70s, I cannot help feeling for the young couples who were raised in the Nasserist era with their taught dream to change the world and change the stupid bourgeois traditions it was a taught dream, but a VERY VERY beautiful one you can see it in the internal architectural design of these buildings with a big hall connecting all the rooms no separate receptions and saloons..
4. Now, unfortunately bourgeois traditions survived the attempt of change but the heavy blows on them led to some kind of damage for them you can see these damaged traditions in the modern Heliopolis buildings.

By the way, I like to park my car and walk around a lot.. I feel that Cairo is one of the VERY VERY few cities in the East where you can establish a feel of and with the city if you walk around in its streets .

Finally, I would really like to see you when you come to Egypt..

posted on Wednesday, July 21, 2004
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