Festival Time

Bare trees, red decorations, Christmas music, warm food, and chilly weather.

I've officially arrived back in the United States just in time for the holiday season. For that, I am thankful.

I thought I would freeze after being spoiled by Cairo's weather, but the warmness of family, friends, and the holiday season have treated me well. Wool socks, tea, and quilts haven't hurt either.

Thanksgiving was a success, and I'm so happy I was home for it. Thank God for America and a holiday focused on feasting, chatting, napping, and ad shopping! Now, I just need to gear up and bundle up for Christmas.

My friends in Egypt and Muslim friends around the world are also in the midst of holiday celebrations. During my time in Cairo I was fortunate enough to celebrate the end of Ramadan, Eid ul-Fitr. Approaching now is the Eid al-Adha (Eid meaning "Festival"). According to a BBC article (linked), "Eid al-Adha, the Feast of the Sacrifice, is a three-day festival that is celebrated after the Hajj - the annual pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca that every Muslim who can afford to and is capable is required to perform once." During this time individuals focus on the ideas of sacrifice, giving, and sharing.

Sound familiar Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrators? During this holiday season lets remember that people around the world have more similarities than differences. The joys of love, sharing, and good friends and family are bigger than religion, skin color, and nationally.

'Egyptians Gear Up for Eid al-Adha'

Let us remember our neighbors both near and far during this holiday season.

Bittersweet

Trying to soak it all in.

Mouse Trap

OhNo.

Khalda is scared of cats and I of mice.

Our apartment - has a problem.

SingSing

An interesting article from BBC about the upcoming changes to Cairo's call to prayer...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8344055.stm

Personally, I enjoy the chaos. In fact, I can hear it right now. :)

Out the Window

I've been asked what I'm going to miss most about Cairo (after Khalda, of course). Although there are many things: fresh fruit, the music - drums, hips, loudness, ridiculous nighttime dramas, warm weather, falafel & koshari, written Arabic ... I think, what I'm going to miss most is the sunset.

Perhaps it is because I came to Egypt in the last throws of Ramadan. When sunset meant it was finally time for millions to enjoy the first sips of water and tastes of food after a long day (and month) of fasting. It meant tables filled with family and friends and strangers on the streets with dates (the food) to share.

There is something about knowing that soon I'll be hearing the forth (out of five) call to prayer for the day. With about 4,000 mosques in Cairo the start of "Allahu Akbar" or "Allah u Akbar" generally saying, "God is the greatest" is sometimes early, delayed, echoed, distant or near ... but still for millions of people it is a time to pause and pray; for me, it is a time to reflect and soak in the one consistency in this country.

Everything seems just a little quieter when the sun is setting.

The colors are vibrant even through the frighteningly visible smog and pollution; hazy oranges and reds.

Unlike so many places I've experienced where the blink of an eye brings darkness after a day of sun- in Cairo, the sunset seems to stick around long enough for those who care to notice.

breathe

"Anybody can get worked up, if they have the intention. It's peacefulness that is hard to come by on purpose." - Barbara Kingsolver, Pigs in Heaven
Trying to see the bright side.

Dirty Rain

After spending too long washing my clothes in the semi-automatic washing machine (dirty water digging, rinsing, hanging them on the line, etc). It decided to rain in Cairo. You can see every polluted drop that hit my clothes in the approximately 30 seconds it rained.

& now, I just saw/tried to kill the biggest living bug I've ever seen. It was crawling around in the kitchen. (The fact that I was even in there is quite the feat as I've been avoiding that half of the apartment - rumor has it we have a mouse) I wanted some crackers that Khalda and I have been saving. When I opened the new package - ants came crawling out. I am now finding them on my body.

These are examples of my exciting parts of the day.

There are moments - when 12 days seems like an eternity.