Christmas greetings, dear Reader!
How time has gone so quickly! I can't believe we are more than 2/3rds of the way through our time in Egypt. Thankfully this last part of our vacation is mostly down time. We have been staying home for a good part of our day with the exception of family gatherings (we have a lot of these!) and quick trips to the store and church. After being gone for a week away from the babies, I am really enjoying this time with them!
On a related note, our second honeymoon was amazing! We flew from Cairo south to Aswan, which is on the southern most end of lake Naser (a really big man-made lake, fed by the Nile.) Our accommodations were incredible! Amir reserved us a VERY nice cabin on a 5 star cruise ship. It was a beautiful boat with amazing food and warm, friendly people. It was a 3 day cruise north to Luxor, in which time we made many stops at tombs and temples.
The banks of the Nile are absolutely breathtaking. They reminded me of the illustrations in the book 'Where the Wild Things Are.' The deep murky color of the thick palm groves mixed with the cheerful sugarcane fields were quite a contrast. I let my imagination run rampant with all the possible 'wild things' that could be living in these thickets and might be spying back.
We stayed a day in Luxor and then we flew the Sharm il Sheikh. This beautiful city is located on the Red Sea on the Sinai peninsula. Our time here was much more relaxed. We had no schedule, just a list of things we may want to do.
The hotel booked was originally thought to be 5 stars. It turned out to be a 4 star in rating, but I would give it at most a 2 star if only because it is on the sea and had a nice pool. The food was comically horrible, along with the bar ( no ice, and they served everything with warm flat Pepsi or warm syrupy Tang.) Throw in a few thousand rude, unhygienic vacationers from Russia and it was quite the experience! However, I want to emphasize that these things were not able to distract me from the soul grabbing beauty of the sea or the wonderful companionship of my beloved husband. We could have slept under a 3 legged goat and I still would have had a fabulous time.
Benny and Joy didn't seem to miss us too much. When we got back they had gained 10 lbs. And we did pretty well without them, although the closer we got to home the last day, the more I realized how much I wanted to kiss their little cheeks!
That is all for today. I just ordered some KFC (yes, all fast food here can be delivered! and yes, ordering KFC in a city full of yummy Egyptian food might be grounds for smiting) I hope I can get over the guilt and enjoy it...
Love,
Sara (in Egypt)
P.S. - Pictures load very slowly on this site, but you can view a very complete moment by moment record of our time here by checking out my Facebook.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
This December – From the notes of an Egyptian Christian
The following is a note from Amy, my sister-in-law. It gives a good description of what this time of year is like in Egypt. Enjoy!
Well, here in Egypt, we don’t celebrate Halloween or even Thanksgiving. But as Egyptians, we do have other significant occasions. Today is the first day of the Muslim Feast, where they celebrate and remember the story of Abraham sacrificing his son. But to them the son he was going to sacrifice was Ishmael, not Isaac. Yesterday streets were full of cows and sheep on their way to be slaughtered.
As Christians, this is a significant day for us where we pray that our brothers and sisters, those “sheep from the other fold” would know who is the real sacrifice, the Lamb of God who was driven as a sheep to slaughter so that He would take away our sins. Every year in our Arab countries, blood is shed for the wrong sacrifice. Many Christians pray on this day, and in some places we have overnight prayers all through the night before the first day of the feast. We pray and intercede for those in darkness, that the light would dawn upon them and they would know and accept the real Lamb of God come to save our fallen and broken lives.
On another more joyful note, we as Christians celebrate the real meaning of Christmas, the Christ Child. We don’t see many outward displays of Christmas around us. The streets aren’t decorated in this Islamic country, though some shops, malls and hotels in Cairo are. But as Christians, this makes it even the more precious to celebrate our Lord and Savior coming to our world in this land (The Middle East where Christ was born). Now what could be more special that that?!
Joy to the world, the Lord is come, may earth receive her King!
Well, here in Egypt, we don’t celebrate Halloween or even Thanksgiving. But as Egyptians, we do have other significant occasions. Today is the first day of the Muslim Feast, where they celebrate and remember the story of Abraham sacrificing his son. But to them the son he was going to sacrifice was Ishmael, not Isaac. Yesterday streets were full of cows and sheep on their way to be slaughtered.
As Christians, this is a significant day for us where we pray that our brothers and sisters, those “sheep from the other fold” would know who is the real sacrifice, the Lamb of God who was driven as a sheep to slaughter so that He would take away our sins. Every year in our Arab countries, blood is shed for the wrong sacrifice. Many Christians pray on this day, and in some places we have overnight prayers all through the night before the first day of the feast. We pray and intercede for those in darkness, that the light would dawn upon them and they would know and accept the real Lamb of God come to save our fallen and broken lives.
On another more joyful note, we as Christians celebrate the real meaning of Christmas, the Christ Child. We don’t see many outward displays of Christmas around us. The streets aren’t decorated in this Islamic country, though some shops, malls and hotels in Cairo are. But as Christians, this makes it even the more precious to celebrate our Lord and Savior coming to our world in this land (The Middle East where Christ was born). Now what could be more special that that?!
Joy to the world, the Lord is come, may earth receive her King!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Honey moon..
I found out not too long ago (maybe 24 hours?) that Amir is taking me on out honeymoon trip tonight! Well, we actually leave at 3 am tomorrow.
We are flying down to Luxor and then will be heading to the Red sea afterwards, making a grand total of 6 nights away! I literally feel like a princess :)
This also means a week away from the internet. I think I can cope...
We are flying down to Luxor and then will be heading to the Red sea afterwards, making a grand total of 6 nights away! I literally feel like a princess :)
This also means a week away from the internet. I think I can cope...
Monday, December 8, 2008
Egypt receives Joy...
Now, I love Joy and I think she is quite wonderful, but I don't really understand this. What I am going to describe next is plain ridiculous!
Amir and I went to the mall here and we decided to take Joy with us.
As soon as we entered the mall, people would come up and smile and talk to her. I'm used to this, she is a people magnet.
Then, people started stopping us, blocking our way in order to see her. Alright, she's cute. I know.
At this point, they started coming up to her and pinching and kissing her cheeks. I was somewhat taken aback by this, but thought, 'Ok, as long as she isn't getting fussy. It's a cultural thing, I guess.'
However, THEN, I noticed people taking her picture, as well as having their kids and friends pose with her. All the while she wasn't really smiling, but was acting apathetic to the attention and would stick her tongue out every now and then like a lizard.
If this happens again, Amir and I are considering making Joy shirts and selling them for a nice profit.
Amir and I went to the mall here and we decided to take Joy with us.
As soon as we entered the mall, people would come up and smile and talk to her. I'm used to this, she is a people magnet.
Then, people started stopping us, blocking our way in order to see her. Alright, she's cute. I know.
At this point, they started coming up to her and pinching and kissing her cheeks. I was somewhat taken aback by this, but thought, 'Ok, as long as she isn't getting fussy. It's a cultural thing, I guess.'
However, THEN, I noticed people taking her picture, as well as having their kids and friends pose with her. All the while she wasn't really smiling, but was acting apathetic to the attention and would stick her tongue out every now and then like a lizard.
If this happens again, Amir and I are considering making Joy shirts and selling them for a nice profit.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
You Have Watches, We Have Time.
Hello Dear Reader!
The title of this blog is a wonderful saying the Egyptians have regarding their concept of time. Althought this is a very busy city, I have noticed that people always have time to stop and talk (or invite you in for dinner, coffee, dessert, or all of the above!)
Hospitality and overflowing gratitude are common here and a heart could easily get used to it.
The days here are longer. Not the sunlight, but from rising to sleeping is about 16 to 17 hours. Sometimes more. The businesses here open at 9 or 10 am and don't close until at least 10 pm. This includes everything from larger tourist shops to the smallest allyway bakery.
The prices here would be something of great interest to any outsider. Here is the current currency conversion:
$1 (USD) = 5 Egyptian Pound (EgLE) so 1EgLE = $0.20 USD
Most things here are very cheap, especially food and services. I got a full French manicure and pedicure for a little under $4. We are able to get full meals from local eaterys for around $0.40-$0.60 each.
However, things like homes, cars, and any imported goods are much more pricey. Even though they end up still being a little cheaper than they are in the U.S., the average person here make about 600-1,000 pounds a month. Public workers (government) are paid much less than that.
Here are some examples of prices:
McRoyal with Cheese Meal at McDs: $5.00
Redbull: $2.00
1 kilo of Oranges: $0.50
1 gallon of Premium gasoline: $1.24 (this is incredibly high for Egypt)
Starbucks tall mocha: $3.50
When I meet someone who speaks English well, their first question is one of the two:
How is your family surving the economic bailout?
-or-
What do you think of Barack Obama?
Regarding the first question: There seems to be an idea that the Americans are suddenly poor and struggling to make ends meet. This might be true for some, but I tell people that a majority of the people suffering from this recession are the ones who have been living way outside of their means. However, I know that as the layoffs keep coming, more and more innocent people with been deeply affected.
The second question is the one I find the most interesting. I am often cautiously asked who I voted for. When I respond I voted for Obama, I am met with excitement in their voice as they express their happiness for America.
I feel it is not because they strongly dislike George Bush, but they associate all of the economic trouble and wanton war with his administration.
That's all for now.
Love,
Sara in Egypt
P.S.- At the old market I was asked very broken English: "You American?"
I replied I was, and the man shouted, "oh, Howdy!!!"
The title of this blog is a wonderful saying the Egyptians have regarding their concept of time. Althought this is a very busy city, I have noticed that people always have time to stop and talk (or invite you in for dinner, coffee, dessert, or all of the above!)
Hospitality and overflowing gratitude are common here and a heart could easily get used to it.
The days here are longer. Not the sunlight, but from rising to sleeping is about 16 to 17 hours. Sometimes more. The businesses here open at 9 or 10 am and don't close until at least 10 pm. This includes everything from larger tourist shops to the smallest allyway bakery.
The prices here would be something of great interest to any outsider. Here is the current currency conversion:
$1 (USD) = 5 Egyptian Pound (EgLE) so 1EgLE = $0.20 USD
Most things here are very cheap, especially food and services. I got a full French manicure and pedicure for a little under $4. We are able to get full meals from local eaterys for around $0.40-$0.60 each.
However, things like homes, cars, and any imported goods are much more pricey. Even though they end up still being a little cheaper than they are in the U.S., the average person here make about 600-1,000 pounds a month. Public workers (government) are paid much less than that.
Here are some examples of prices:
McRoyal with Cheese Meal at McDs: $5.00
Redbull: $2.00
1 kilo of Oranges: $0.50
1 gallon of Premium gasoline: $1.24 (this is incredibly high for Egypt)
Starbucks tall mocha: $3.50
When I meet someone who speaks English well, their first question is one of the two:
How is your family surving the economic bailout?
-or-
What do you think of Barack Obama?
Regarding the first question: There seems to be an idea that the Americans are suddenly poor and struggling to make ends meet. This might be true for some, but I tell people that a majority of the people suffering from this recession are the ones who have been living way outside of their means. However, I know that as the layoffs keep coming, more and more innocent people with been deeply affected.
The second question is the one I find the most interesting. I am often cautiously asked who I voted for. When I respond I voted for Obama, I am met with excitement in their voice as they express their happiness for America.
I feel it is not because they strongly dislike George Bush, but they associate all of the economic trouble and wanton war with his administration.
That's all for now.
Love,
Sara in Egypt
P.S.- At the old market I was asked very broken English: "You American?"
I replied I was, and the man shouted, "oh, Howdy!!!"
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
MarHaba!
Hello dearest friends and family,
We are here! It is almost 5 am and I am wide awake... waiting for the rest of of our family to wake up too.
The trip went very well. The first leg of the trip (the shortest one- only 2 1/2 hours) was the most difficult. The babies seemed to have fun overall. Benny and Joy made about 20 new friends. I will catch you up on the trip details later.
We arrived at Amir's parent's apartment at around 4 am. There are no houses here, so most people own apartments. We have a whole flat to ourselves! Amir's Grandparents bought an apartment a floor above Mama and Baba's place and they are letting us use it.
One of the most peculiar things about being here has been the Muslim call to worship- 5 times a day. I heard it for the first time a few hours after we got in. I had just gone up stairs by myself(at 5 am) when I heard the whole city come alive with moaning and singing- from people in their homes to Imams calling over the loud speaker of their mosks. It is a very solem but passionate cry.
Even though it is a calling out to Allah and the prophet Muhammed, I can't help be moved very deeply by it. It is also a great reminder: ' Yup, you're in Egypt!'
Today we will go to Teta and Giddu's (Benny and Joy's great grandparents) and hopefully see a couple of Amir's friends.
I am absolutly in LOVE with everything here. True, I am easily swooned, but I am positive even the biggest skeptic would be won over by the food alone. Throw in the sweetest, most wonderful family and I don't think it gets any better!
I am going to work on my Arabic now...
Lots and lots of love,
Sara in Egypt
P.S. It was 86 degrees, sunny with a slight breeze yesterday :)
We are here! It is almost 5 am and I am wide awake... waiting for the rest of of our family to wake up too.
The trip went very well. The first leg of the trip (the shortest one- only 2 1/2 hours) was the most difficult. The babies seemed to have fun overall. Benny and Joy made about 20 new friends. I will catch you up on the trip details later.
We arrived at Amir's parent's apartment at around 4 am. There are no houses here, so most people own apartments. We have a whole flat to ourselves! Amir's Grandparents bought an apartment a floor above Mama and Baba's place and they are letting us use it.
One of the most peculiar things about being here has been the Muslim call to worship- 5 times a day. I heard it for the first time a few hours after we got in. I had just gone up stairs by myself(at 5 am) when I heard the whole city come alive with moaning and singing- from people in their homes to Imams calling over the loud speaker of their mosks. It is a very solem but passionate cry.
Even though it is a calling out to Allah and the prophet Muhammed, I can't help be moved very deeply by it. It is also a great reminder: ' Yup, you're in Egypt!'
Today we will go to Teta and Giddu's (Benny and Joy's great grandparents) and hopefully see a couple of Amir's friends.
I am absolutly in LOVE with everything here. True, I am easily swooned, but I am positive even the biggest skeptic would be won over by the food alone. Throw in the sweetest, most wonderful family and I don't think it gets any better!
I am going to work on my Arabic now...
Lots and lots of love,
Sara in Egypt
P.S. It was 86 degrees, sunny with a slight breeze yesterday :)
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