TCW Travel Connection
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09/02/10
By Maureen Jenkins /

'Cairo Time' offers not only gorgeous scenery but food for thought

Of course Tareq is not only sensitive and charming, but downright gorgeous. You can guess what ends up happening, as the husband's delay stretches on and on. But the "what" isn't prurient or even obvious--it's what happens when two people, without the pressures of rush-rush-rush Western schedules, discover each other and themselves at the same time.

I've always found that in order to REALLY figure out who I am and want to be, I need to hit the road. In fact, I did it just last month, heading to west suburban Geneva and the LOVELY Herrington Inn (one of my absolute favorite places) for a weekend to contemplate life. And "Cairo Time" character Juliette--while she didn't travel to Cairo in search of a personal revelation--ends up finding one anyway, in a city so totally unlike her own, where nothing is familiar or even comfortable. Being in such an exotically foreign setting gives her the freedom to open up to herself. As one of the film's taglines says, "Sometimes you need to forget the rules and follow your heart."

Learning to slow down and listen to one's heart is at the center of "Cairo Time" and Patricia Clarkson's character Juliette.

It's impossible for me to watch a film like this, drink in its incredible scenery and cultural vibe, and NOT start planning my next getaway in search of personal clarity. I thought this summer's "Eat Pray Love" would have inspired this because of its American-woman-goes-abroad-for-a-year-in-search-of-self-discovery theme, but I felt no connection to Julia Roberts' writer character Liz Gilbert. But "Cairo Time" grabbed me and a week later, still has me pondering its meaning to MY life. (So much so that I'm heading back to the Landmark Century Cinema tomorrow to catch it again!

I'm curious: What Travel-related films have inspired YOU to make major life changes--or just to hit the road to visit that place? Nothing like a little cinematic therapy to set you right, yes?

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Maureen Jenkins s a food/travel writer and communications professional who's visited more than 30 countries and territories, lived in Florence, Italy -- and is spending the year in Samois-sur-Seine, a charming village near Paris, France. The self-proclaimed “urban travel girl” talks travel, food and wine – abroad and in Chicago – in “TCW Travel Connection.” Read more of her thoughts on living globally at UrbanTravelGirl.com.

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