Cola in Cairo: December 2013

Saturday, December 21, 2013

A little birthday celebration

Celebrated our December birthday with friends before our travels, including the family angel food birthday cake!

A week ago Cairo had rain. Not just a little sprinkle as was happening during the week, but rain rain rain. Flooded streets with no where to send the water. That is right, no drains. In the land of desert, no need for drains.

Our neighborhood

Streets of Cairo

And hail.

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Wedding gifts in Cairo (Amy )

I realized this week that a few wedding gifts from1992 were with us in Cairo and I was struck by their staying power. So today I took some pictures of the gifts.

My brother Peter gave us this great plate as a gift. I have always loved the colors and image and though I stored it when we lived in China, it had to come with us this time.

An Armatale platter - We do not recall who gave it to us, but here it is.

Our favorite cookbook - full of spills, sticky notes, and one of the kids practiced writing in it

This cookbook was given to us by John and Shannon Hanson and has been well loved. We took it to China, brought it home, held it together with duct tape and moved it to Cairo. I am considering having it rebound at the khan.

This is really from our first married Christmas. My mom gave us a set of Spode for the first 12 years and we bright four plates with us

China - many people gave us sets of our China and like good newlyweds we kept them in boxes in a closet. After we returned from China in 1998 and needed plates we decided to to use them everyday. Yes, they trimmed in gold and yes, we put them in the dishwasher daily. That is why there is such a contrast between the cup/ saucer and the salad/dinner plates. We had a generous shipping allowance so we decided to bring them with us.

There is also my favorite blanket my sister, Susan, gave us our first Christmas. It is keeping me warm as I write this.

this actually predates our wedding as I received the Michigan hot pad as a shower gift from My mother -in-law Wanda in May of 1992. As you can see, another well loved gift.

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Our "Christmas" Tree 2013

Whirling Dervish (David)

A week ago we went to the Khan at night and saw the whirling dervishes. Incredible. Inside an old stone building, music, and dancing - well spinning. The colors, the dancing and music we very unique. And while we were there, Aunt Susan, E, and I were interviewed about being there (at the event.). It was great. Before we got there, we asked for directions and ended up on a 1 hour wander through the market. Another great, though long, experience.