A Child Was Born Again!

7th January 2007.

We had a late night before, and last minute we decided on going on a field trip to a place called Fagnoon in a place in the country side of Cairo.I managed to wake myself up at about 815, drag myself out of bed and get ready. And get Geet (my housemate) and Salman (my Pakistani friend bunking on my couch) out of bed and get them ready.

We had our taxi out and waiting for us downstairs at about ten to 9. We had to go pick up a new trainee called Nath and head to the AAST Cairo's university. This trip was organized by the Aiesec team of that university. Reached there, met Boogie and a lot of the AAST Cairo Aiesec team. There was about 14 of us. Got together and jumped into this little mini bus ( mini van really ). The bus ride was about 50 mins away. It didn't seem that far away, there was enough singing and talking to keep us all going. There was a girl called Mayar who was totally freaking out the way the driver was driving (which I came to realise she should cause of the way SHE drives herself!).

Finally we arrive at this place caled Fagnoon. Its a guy who's a artist. He lived out of Egypt most of his life ( personally I feel he stayed in Italy) and now he came back to Egypt, bought a plot of land in the country side and decided to turn it into this art farm, or art school. Its a very very basic looking place made up with bits and pieces but its absolutely FANTASTIC! The pictures do not justify it. Its nice and peaceful and big. The first thing we did when we got off was got greeted by this guy. He kind of gave us this briefing and told us that we could choose any two activities. There are a lot of things to do on the farm. From painting, pottery, carpenter, carpet making and what not. He told us this is a place to come and find yourself, be yourself or be anyone you want to be. Be a child. Choose the age you want to be. 4, 5, 3, 12 whatever we fancied.He told us to take off and explore and see whatever we'd like!

So we took off!! The first thing we saw was these bunch of cots all lined up. They are all made with thick cotton and colorful strings. We got straight on and ran the way through to the other side like children! (well at least tried to run!!) To start with, this is what we did. Gave us the biggest smiles ever!

Then we went in further to discover that there were these strings up everywhere... WE could climb up onto them and plonk ourselves on them and be sitting close to the ceiling. Imagine to be like a HUGE hammock. That was seating about 12 - 14 of us at the same time! It was fantastic. Like monkey bars, or an obstacle course! :) After sitting and catching up with everyone we decided to get down to business. We all agreed that we would pick pottery and painting as our two activities! So first we hit the potters wheels.

There we all went and sat and found our wheels and started off... By the time we got to the second pot that we were doing.... started the clay fight! That was the end of the pot making!!! There was slush being thrown everywhere... We were running in all directions, chucking clay and mud on each other, making well sure that no one... I repeat NO ONE leaves clean. I managed to stay clean for some time to come, but them came the bucket of SLUSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Then no one was safe! The pictures dont tell you anything, because we were well clean while the pictures were bein clicked. After the cameras were put down, the dirt became soo much worse!It felt as though we had all gone back in time. Back in school when we used to have sand pits, and we used to get messy and not care. WE were all kids all over again! When you do whatever, not worrying about what others will think????!!!!! Who cares. This is something on children do. Do everything without judgment or the fear of being a football of other people's opinions. Its the most free feeling I've felt in yyyeeaaaarrssss!

After about a good hour or more I think we decided to kinda stop and try and clean up. But then again, every time someone would try and clean up we'd start up all over again. Anyhow, somehow we managed to stop and TRY to clean up! Time to clean up made us realize how dirty we all were. Slush and mud in our hair, bodies, clothes!! WE can't leave the chunks of clay to dry in the hair and had to get it out of our faces! Eyes, ears, noses alike! lol

Took some time off sitting and chatting and exploring the place while we waited for food! There were some swings about so we all headed there and sat there swinging and chit chatting and exploring the rest of the farm.

Food took some time to come, by which time people were all dead and waiting. We had ordered something called Fatir. It’s like this one big pie but this one was plain. You can have it in different ways, stuffed with all you want. But we had it plan along with honey, black honey (molasses) and some sort of cheese as the dips to go along! That was fantastic!After food we were all rejuvenated! It was time to PPAAIINNTTTT!!!Went up to the higher floor. The Floor and everything was covered in paint! It was great. WE were given a piece of wood each and bunch of water based paints and brushes and we were allowed to do what we liked. So we all plonked ourselves down on the floor and began. The idea was to be kids so the painting was like kids too. Finished our paintings and guess what we went onto doing. Of course... PAINT FIGHT! That was fabulous! It started in a very civilized manner, and then it just got down right ugly! Not only were we painitng on people, we were splattering our brunshed on people and then just blatently throwing the tiny tubs of paint on each other! Some people decided to be chiken and run away!! ;) But we managed to cover everyone with paint eventually! :D

After this we were well tired. Managed to find a comfy spot and stay put till the time came to leave. Whether it was out on the swings, or the weird high hammock things close to the cielings!This was such an eventful day. I came to meet a wonderfull bunch of people and spend a fantastic day with them, and share memories with them for the rest of my life. This is definatly one of those unforgettable days for me. Its made such an impact in my life.

In the whole rush of wanting to grow up... as children we loose the innocence and childlikeness that we all have. I think its high time we go out and find what we once lost.... Its something that keeps one sane. Think of it like therapy if you make. Some people do laughter therapy, others work out etc etc. Try and see if finding the child in you works for you. I think it works for everyone. Gives you the rush of energy that's needed and the break for the world of pretend that we live in. There are only a few times in life I feel like people can be themselves. And in times like these... those moments of being the way we really want to be.... are dissappearing...So make the most of things... and if you get a chance to do something like this... GO FOR IT... If not... I'll make sure I take you through a life changing experience once you come to visit me here in Cairo or at least try and make my own way to show you this anywhere in the world!

As always, with all my love and well wishes. Hope you enjoyed another day of my life! And maybe felt a bit light hearted :) I'm feeling as light as a feather and as innocent and playful as a child!!! :)