The journey may be lengthy, but it’s rewarded with a fantastic Chinese meal in Egypt at China Red restaurant.
As I have arrived in Egypt, I thought there would be nothing better than have this installment focused on my experiences here. Be forewarned that this post is not what you might expect to see about Egypt.
After spending most of the last 24 hours either in airports or airplanes, there was nothing that I wanted more than to feel clean again after a shower. Next on the menu, literally, was to decide on a nice dinner. Staying at the Le Meridien at the Cairo airport, I did have the choice of 4 different restaurants with cuisines ranging from Lebanese to pub food, and Chinese. As I expect to eat plenty of middle Eastern cuisine over the next week plus, I chose China Red, the Chinese restaurant. I was not disappointed!
The atmosphere is great and welcoming and the menu is appealing, as it has focus and doesn’t try to serve everything, the way many American Chinese restaurants do. After I placed my order for a Sakkara Gold beer and some food, I was also provided with a basket of kroepoek…
Kroepoek
Kroepoek are deep fried crackers made from a starch and a flavoring, which in this case was prawn. They are very airy, as they expand tremendously during frying with lots of air pockets.
Next I had ordered some shrimp spring rolls, which were delicious…
Shrimp Spring Rolls
Of course, they were really hot on the first bite, so be careful; their flavor and consistency was wonderful! I ate these with my soup, which was a West Lake soup…
West Lake Soup
This is one of those fantastic Chinese soups that has a smooth, velvety feel when eating it and has a great balance of egg whites, tofu, chicken, vegetables, and mushrooms. This chef really understands how to create an amazing combination of flavors with none being overpowering the others.
I completed this meal with a fantastic beef and seafood stir fry, of which I forgot to take a picture; the smell was so good that I dug into it immediately, after which I realized my error.
In total, a fantastic meal at a reasonable price with attentive service. I highly recommend China Red for your next time in Cairo!
A Fresh Perspective
Photography is more than just a vehicle for capturing the world around me; it provides me with a palette and a set of brushes, with which I paint not only what I see, but also look to express the emotions that are evoked by the scene in front of me in that moment.
Growing up in the Netherlands exposed me to a wide cross-section of visual arts that laid the foundation of my photographic view of all that surrounds me. Early influences were the Dutch Masters of the 17th century, to whom I was introduced by my grandfather during museum explorations; favorites among them are the scenes of quotidian life depicted by Jan Steen and Frans Hals and the vivid landscapes of Jacob van Ruisdael.
My classical high school education was supplemented by the Boijmans Van Beuningen museum, where I spent many a lunch hour exploring its great collection. Here I was introduced to surrealism with a particular love for the approach taken by Salvador Dali; Dali also rekindled my appreciation for the work of Hieronymus Bosch, who often showed the folly of us mortals.
Universal Connections
My approach to any photographic subject is to look for understanding first; in this I look to establish either a connection between the viewer and the subject or capture the connection of the subject with its surroundings. The captured image then aims to portray this connection from a perspective that is part of my personal interpretation.
This interpretation is often a form of externalized introspection, which may alternately display the connection of isolated beings and items with their environment or highlight the whimsy of the profound world, in which we find ourselves. The universe is full of connections, many of which are waiting to be discovered; part of my journey as a photographer is to document these connections.
Any assignment, be it an event, a product shoot or a portrait session is always approached through communication with the client; this is where the first connection is established. Ideas are exchanged and a collaborative plan of action forms, ultimately resulting in a set of images that aim to exceed the expectations of each client.
And, lest we forget, it is important to have fun while practicing the serious business of photography!
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Wow! Amazing…
That is quite a big meal Frank. Although Prawn Crackers are melt away to nothing in the mouth.
It certainly was a sizable meal, even though I had no lunch. My excuse is that soup and prawn crackers don’t count 😀
👍🏼😂
Sounds like quite the meal…!!!
It was delicious