[ WP ] Please tell me about one of your fonder memories .

I had been in Egypt for around two weeks, and my departure was looming. Due to certain circumstances, I was looking forward to it, but had decided to make the most of my time there. A friend had allowed me to stay in his Cairo flat while he was away. I hardly knew anyone else in the city, and paired with the language barrier I faced every time I stepped outside, my days were long and lonely. So despite the constant chaos of Cairo, I lived in quiet solitude. It was a peaceful existence, aided by the beauty of the flat. It had European charm, with marble floors, high ceilings and small balconies with floor to ceiling shuttered windows. I woke up each morning and started my day by opening the shutters to let the sunshine in and look out over the Nile, which was directly across the street from the large flat. I watched street cats eating *koshary* and listened to the bustling noise and foreign voices of the dusty city. 
 
 
 I'd decided I needed to see the pyramids before leaving Cairo, or I would never forgive myself. And going as a lone, white, non-Arabic speaking female was unwise, so I called up an acquaintance, who happened to be leaving on a business trip the following day. However, he offered to introduce me to a friend of his who may be able to take me. They showed up at the flat later that evening and we all went out to meet up with friends downtown. I thought nothing of him at first. The friend of a friend, my new local guide. He seemed hospitable and interesting, nothing more. Before dropping me off we made plans to meet up the following day so he could show me the pyramids. Spoiler alert: To this day I have yet to see the pyramids up close. The following day he showed up at the flat and we just started talking. He came in, sat down with me on the marble floor of the white, empty living room, and hours disappeared. We got so caught up in conversation he did n't leave until the wee hours of the next morning. We did n't eat, we did n't sleep. We may have drank a little wine. He was the most interesting, open, well-traveled, funniest, kindest person I had ever met. Neither of us realized it at the time, but we were forging an incredible connection. However, there was no flirtation between us, no sexual tension. Just friendship. In Rumi's poetry he refers to mystical conversations such as these as *sohbet*. They are rare, but amazingly nourishing and beautiful. 
 
 
 The next night, after exploring Cairo together all day, we were accidentally locked out of the building. Knowing I could n't stay with him at his parent's flat ( it was Egypt, after all ), he suggested we get a bottle of wine and just enjoy the city all night. I thought that was a great idea. After some time downtown he suggested a *falucca* ride on the Nile. We drove over the bridge into Zamalek and towards a part of the Nile where we could catch a boat. However, while driving by the flat we both noticed the door of my apartment building was open, so we took the opportunity to get back into the flat. Once again we took our places on the floor cushions and the conversation continued to flow as we grew to enjoy each other's presence even more. I had n't realized it, but I had drank the majority of the wine myself ( he later admitted his stomach had been upset from dinner so he stopped drinking, but I kept on ). Before we knew it, the sun was peeking through the slats of the shutters. It was sunrise. We stepped out onto the balcony to enjoy the morning sunshine. We stood silently looking out onto the Nile. The city was quiet in those early morning hours, except for the sounds of birds. I looked up at a tree full of bright red blossoms and felt so truly calm and still. It was a deep and profound peace, the centre of true happiness. It was the most indescribably beautiful moment of my life. After some time we started talking again and after I had shared a story about my recent travels through India, he just looked at me and said, `` Screw it.'' Before I knew it he leaned over and kissed me. I was shocked. I was so surprised I actually tipped the glass in my hand and spilled wine over the balcony onto the roses below. I was even more shocked to find I was kissing him back. We stood on the balcony and kissed passionately and joyfully for a while. We were giggling, knowing the *bawabs* and young men washing cars in the street would see our public indiscretion, and we did n't care about the passing judgment. We existed in a moment of eternal perfection. Afterward, we immediately went into the bedroom and made love. That evening I skipped my flight home. I'd decided to stay in Cairo and see what life and love had to offer. 
 
 
 Our relationship was full of more of my fondest memories. Which are bittersweet now as we are unfortunately no longer together. However, we learned a lot from each other and now I truly know what real love is. I just hope there is more of it still to come. But I am certainly grateful for what I have already experienced in my life thus far: ) 

