We had rain. A few drops came down so hard that builders out behind us ran out to rescue bags of cement. We ran downstairs. By the time we got down, the rain was gone. The splatters on the sidewalk did not even cover the whole pavement - spaces were left between the drop marks. No puddles to splash in, so we played hide and seek. It rained a small amount more later in the evening, but that's all we got. Maybe this weekend?
60F is cold. I am a wimp.
"Obama is very good. Bush was not very good. Jimmy Carter was the best. Washington was also very good." This is the first Egyptian opinion about our Presidency that I've heard in awhile. I have to laugh about all the 'advice' given before we came over here. We are told to avoid discussing sensitive matters, like immediate family, religion, politics, etc. but that is NOT going to happen! Our hosts are very inquisitive and opinionated (in a friendly manner) and you will asked about and/or told about all of this and more by everyone you meet. When you come to Egypt, you are not a tourist, you are a guest. Be prepared to show pics of yours kids, state your religion, and discuss politics and current events.
Speaking of current events, and being a guest of Egypt, we have lived here for over four years now and consider Egypt our home, even though we will soon be leaving. We are guests, but I am also 'local'. I am feeling a very personal anger about the evil criminals who attacked the Khan. Anyone who has been to the Khan, even once, but especially someone who knows it well enough to have perpetrated this crime, knows that not only is the square in which the bombing occurred always be filled with tourists - it is- it is also filled with locals who work and shop there - always, day and night. It is filled with people - FAMILIES - having meals and tea at the cafes. It is filled with people visiting the mosque. It is filled with people who work there, including the police. And of all places through the whole Khan, it is a place where you ALWAYS see children, EGYPTIAN children, running and playing, day and night. The crime that was committed was evil enough, especially as it was children who were the victims, but the fact that it was committed - on purpose - in an area known to be filled with families and children... it was beyond a crime. There is a special place in hell waiting for those who committed this cowardly attack - and the sooner they go there, the better for us all.
11 comments:
The bombing the other day was horrible. They hurt so many people and for what? :(
Sadly, for me, this isn't the first time i've lived in a city where a bomb went off while i lived there. In fact, i think this is the third or fourth time its happened. Depressed, angry and saddened don't even begin to describe how I feel about what happened in teh Khan.
"60F is cold. I am a wimp."
I will end you. With love, of course, but I will still end you. I walked 2 miles to work in 25 degrees.
On another note, I think I've turned into my grandparents.
"In MY day, we walked 40 miles to school with weights on our legs...!"
Coming to Cario in a few weeks. Tourist travel in the Middle East is always a bit spicy, but bombings? Yikes. But I'm not discouraged.
Cairo Typ0 - I am sad for the victims and angry on behalf of Egypt. This type of cowardly behavior is criminal, and as you say, for what? Gain sympathizers??!! I do NOT think so!
Lilu - as long as there is love, there is hope, love ya grandfriend.
Simple Answer - Do not be discouraged! Egyptians are wonderful people and you will have fun. Holler if you have some down time while you are here, or if you have questions/issues. :)
I've read your blog a few times and figures I'd better delurk....the bombings were horrific indeed. I LOVE red cabbage and apples and always have, course I am german! lol....
I have always always wanted to visit egypt, it just fascinates me. Thanks for great stories about what appears to be a great place.
Sadly, it continues to be mostly locals, very often going about their very survival activities, who will really suffer the most, particularly when tourism is affected and the travellers stay away because of fear. That is when the terrorists win; when the fear becomes supreme. Hopefully that will not happen.
Hi kissashark - thanks for delurking :) I love to try new recipes, especially with veggies. My father was a gardener and he experimented with all sorts of produce in our little garden. Fortunately my family is very tolerant of my cooking! I try to keep my blog less of a news/tourist blog (although I do include some as a way of sharing our life with family) and more of a family of expats. I want to help those who may come after - I also plan on preparing for our next move by exploring expat blogs at our next assignment.
Limningedge - One newspaper quoted a shopkeeper who noted that he has 20 employees - 20 families who rely on his business. This does not count all the taxi drivers, hotel workers, etc. that it takes to bring his business. This type of attack is wrong on so many levels.
I like that you're treated as a guest and not a tourist. My grandfather used to say, "You never talk politics or religion with friends." But I've always wondered how you make friends without talking about them...
f.B - Isn't that the truth! In general, I agree with ideas like separation of church and state... it's a good thing... as long as people stay realistic enough to admit that our religions influence our values and mores, and that's what we use to make our decisions in life... including politics. As a society, we have to make religiously tinged compromises in order to keep our state. How do we talk about one, without the other?
I agree that the bombing was horrific.
Where will your next post be? Is your husband attached to the state dept?
I also love red cabbage with apples and my German grandma used to make it. I also love sweet and sour red cabbage.
Hi Tina - not 100% sure where home will be next, or for how long. State dept, yes. I do not like to speculate as i'm superstitious and don't want to jinx us ;D !
I made a sweet and sour type dish with the last red cabbage I rec'd in my veggie box delivery. The reception was 'eh'. Next recipe might involve stuffing the leaves with a rice and meat mixture. We'll see.
Post a Comment