A little bit of Alexandria

Whenever I hear "Alexandria" I get a little whistful, and a little sad, and think of the ancient library that was once there and was destroyed. All those books. All that knowledge. All that history. Just gone. *sigh* What can say? I, like Belle from Beauty and the Beast, I just want the library.... I'm a book girl. 

Today, Alexandria has built itself a new and expansive library, which- while not quite the same thing- was an impressive and beautiful new building that we got to go into. (Strangely though, while Alexandria has several universities, and the whole place was filled with university students, the library closed at 4:00! I don't know how I would ever have finished my studies without having basically lived in the library, but... )

We didn't see too much while we were there, as what used to be there and marked Alexandria as an important historical city has been destroyed through time, but we did walk around to a few sites. As we went out to the area where the great lighthouse used to be (One of the 7 wonders of the ancient world) and the small fort that is there now, we were swarmed with several school groups who were taking school trips there that day. 

Immediately, the kids came up and clamored to get pictures with me again. Each one wanted to be in the picture alone with me, while others pushed their way in to try for the same. I took a picture with several of the boys until they got a little more adventurous and started to grab my arm to pull me this way or that for a picture with them, and I said "No more." ... only to then be accosted be a group of giggling girls who timidly wanted pictures as well. 

Walking back out of the fort, another group of boys wanted pictures (Though I took one of them first, seen below). I stood for pictures with them for a bit, until one boy gained up enough gumption to try and slyly pinch my ass. I whipped around before he could get away in the mass of boys, smacked his arm, and went on my way. Sneaky little bugger is the surly one standing up, second to the left below in the checkered shirt! Little boys the world over will be little boys. 

We also went into the oldest and largest mosque there, which was just beautiful inside. Instead of mearly being painted, the woodwork was carved beautifully and then painted.