After 3 weeks of going to the supreme council of Luxor office and seeing more public relations people than I can count or care to remember with the exception of A young lady called Doua Sayed and given her cell number 0122678083, not sure if she wanted me to call her privately or not? But I have not seen Hyde or hair of her since that first day of promise to get my money back from the crook landlord Machmood.
Then I wanted to find out about the land in the west bank and was told to go to the office of Dr Samir Fawak at 10.00 on 21st of march.
On arrival at his office on said appointment time I was told to come back in 2 hours when he will arrive from Cairo, on leaving another official asked what the appointment was about. And he referred me to the new office in the new village of El-Gurna And wrote the full address out and the governors cell phone number 0106050767.
So off I go, strike while the iron is hot! well luke warm, the new office was easy to Find as it was near the Mosque and home of my dear friend Sheihk Achmed Tyib the new Grand mufti of Egypt.
On arrival at this rather sparse and in need of a lick of paint office in New gurna I was led upstairs and asked to wait as Mohamed had someone with him. I was then appointed a guy called Al Azab Ahmed Al Adly, not a name most Welshmen would remember . easy for me as I was given his card.
The reason for the card was this nice young man wanted to do private business, and I will explain later,
But first the reason I was appointed Mr Adly, he could speak English, it soon became apparent that he could speak English to his Egyptian counterparts. So another man was then brought into this rather sparse office, where the conversation took a rather long time and at the end of which no one knew exactly what was the reason I had come to The eminent dr Mohamed for, but see dr Mohamed I did, more time shaking hands was spent than actual talk. And his understanding of the English language was almost zero. He kept asking me if I spoke Arabic , each Time I said shway shwaya (very little) should just have said no understand, he then grasped why I was in his office I was wanting Land not just land but land that I bought 3 years ago or rather land that was bought with my money. And the council has deemed fit to steal from any one who has more than what they call one piece, 170 square meters, I had 14 pieces. And I wanted to find out how many pieces they had taken. Easy question. Or so one would think, but not to the Egyptian. First they wanted to see my papers knowing full well there are no papers for this so called government land, then I explained or tried to, that The Sheik has this problem of ownership in hand and all I want to know is how many pieces are left. Leave it with me and call back in a few days after we see the sheikh. Ah good I said and was courteously escorted out of the guvs office, now it was time for Mr Adly to also be courteous. Here is my card Mr Tony I will call you in two days, with the answer if you need anything just call me I am so sorry to hear of you problems , I will help I am nephew of the Sheikh.
The next day as promised Mr Adly phoned and said I have to come to office at 17.00 tomorrow.
23.3.10 I received 3 calls while out on my daily walk while my phone was on silent mode.
At 3. 40 I was on my mobile and noticed I had 3 missed calls but the number was not recognized so did not call back, its something they do here call 3 times then hang up because they have no money in the phone and want the receiver to call back. If I do not recognize the number I discard the calls. Then the phone went and it was Mr Adly , I will meet you at the Ferry at 5. Very courteous I thought!
But as always there is a reason for these people to be nice and as a stranger to this land its so easy to be fooled, as I was seven years ago, but not now I do not believe anyone here, will see, that’s my motto now,
So here we are on the West Bank and I was thinking we where going to the council office in Gurna. On the back of a 150 cc motorbike. Very nice you may think but all I had on was a pair of trousers and a thin cotton shirt. And its not my ideal mode of transport I have a problem Getting my leg over to get in bed never mind to straddle a motorbike. Not to mention my back and slipped discs.
After a few miles we passed the turnoff for the office and was heading in the direction of the OLD New Gurna. Where we go ?. To my home he said, why? To see the Sheihk. Oh ok.
We arrived safely after a very bumpy ride over rough unmade roads once we passed the Mosque of Tyib. Glad to get off the bike I was led into a very sparse home with lots of kids running about. Once inside what seemed to be Mr Adly’s office I was asked if I needed food ? no thank you! Tea? no thank you. I make sisha for you while we wait OK, that will be nice the pipe was already made and lying in wait as these people already know Mr tony likes his sisha !
Half an hour passed and some more kids came in to play the stare at the Welshman game. Then a guy walked in at first I thought it was a resurrected Mahat Magandi . and this guy I was informed was the translator. And brother in lay for Mr Adly then we was joined by Mahats wife adly’s sister. Then mahats second wife, of much younger years and Quite a buxom wench, and some very strange thoughts went through my naughty mind. Why you no take an Egyptian woman Mr Tony.
And I broke the ice by saying I am 90% deaf in one ear and 50 in the other with one wife I can sit on my deaf side. But if I have two where would she sit, and they answered on the other side, Exactly I said, one nagging is enough for me. And hysteric laughter broke out in the packed or shall I say over congested room of 3 x3 yards that had 3 benches and a large desk in, now mr Mahat Magandi
Wanted to know all my story on how I paid for land that I had no papers for . And I told him the main points as to what I have written on my blog http://justliars.blogspot.com. And all my story was translated to the whole family including Mr Adly who I was given as an interpreter two days before in the council office. Ok I said enough talk and enough sisha where is The sheikh ? we go to see him soon, I have learnt not to argue with these people all they will do is say another lie, so just put it in my head I am with the Egyptian and treat the whole scenario as a Joke Just say yes and no. and maybe or hopefully some good will come of the farce.
Ok I said as getting up to Leave, the little one came in with A teddy bear in a shawl that I was supposed to say oh nice teddy or something like that, as the shawl came off the piece of cloth only recognized now as a teddy after too many cuddles or beatings depending on the Childs mood. I noticed a large gash where all the stuffing was coming out. And said ooh its Mr Mubarek come from hospital.
And another roar of laughter broke the silence of the once crowded small room.
Once Mr Adly got me on my own outside I knew something was on his mind usually all the people including kids want to come out to say and wave and say their masalama’s.
Ok Mr tony I have land I can sell you. Oh fuck Here we go again, how much here in this village 200 egp per metre one piece as you want will be 200.000 egp. Oh very good I asked and can I build what I want on this land, oh Yes, will I have papers to say I can build on this land, ooh yes sir Mr Tony,
Now you really make my head spin I said with such a generous offer . I will think about it and let you know in 2 days, you sure mr Tony, ooh yes I am Sure gonna tell yah. And under my breath, where you can shove this piece of land where the sun does not shine.
Now it was time to head back to my home and all the way, you phone me. Ah yes I will phone you.
Boy was I glad to get off that bike and get away from yet another smarmy bloody Egyptian all that was said over the past two days he never understood one bloody word only Mr tony need land.
This I know as fact since 3 years ago and I keep up to date with prices, Land in this village is free as long as the dwelling is built within 1 year, or the land goes back to the council.
and at most if buying private land its 20Egp per square meter. not 200.
And this is Mr Aly's card, and yes he was a right star. not sure what an artest is it could mean con man attached to the council office, we are in Wonderland I am still wondering what will come next.
all good fun now I know what these people get up to even in the name of the grand Mufti of egypt.http://www.aawsat.com/english/news.asp?section=7&id=20304
