"Alexandria" a Alexandria Travel Page by GerryFM

In August 1998 I was selected by my country to represent them at the 12th African Junior Basketball Championships as South Africa's FIBA International Basketball Referee.

It was a great privielage for me, and the opportunity to travel to magnificent Egypt, which I thoroughly enjoyed!

Egypt is mainly a muslim country, and although South Africa has a large muslim community and having worked for some muslims in the past, I had a fairly good understanding of thier beliefs and culture.

One thing I did find amazing is that when it comes time to pray, they will find anywhere to pray

Something I found some what amuzing though, was when I was preparing to referee a match between Egypt and Nigeria (the big game of the tournament). I was getting changed in the referees change rooms, when all of a sudden about 30 people all came into the change rooms, knelt down and begun praying!

If you were none the wiser and had pictured this scene one could of sworn they were all kneeling down and "worshiping me" ... which was obviously not the case (in case I offend anybody).

I did have a quite chuckle to myself though at the time ... still do!

Needless to say Nigeria won the match.

A lasting impression of my time in Alexandria, was obviously being involved in the basketball tournament.

The Egyptian people are fanatical about both basketball and soccer and the crowds for the Egyptian games were sell outs........ I would almost liken the atmosphere in the stadium to an English Football match, with all the singing and chanting.