Cairo Take 2 (Amy)

We are happily back in Cairo after our three week family trip to Portugal, Spain and Turkey.   It was interesting to return to Cairo (without jetlag) and see it somewhat as a tourist might view and yet it was somewhat familiar.   The trip had many highlights and I laughed more in three weeks than I had in the first four months here.  In retrospect, my favorite part was the first few days in a seaside condo in Portugal with only a fireplace for heat and no wifi.   I don't think the four of us had spent that much time in such a small area without digital distraction in years and years.  

I got all my books read in the first 4 days and then went to a coffee shop so I could download some Overdrive books.    Also, we had a washer, but no dryer and it rained a portion of each day so we hung the laundry from the mantle and watched the steam rise off of it - this does serve as entertainment on day 4 and 5.

We loved seeing the Atlantic Ocean from the other side (we did wave) and all the beautiful tile work.  

We had not taken many presents for the kids because we didn't want to carry them and we tried to tell them the trip was part of their present, but they are smarter than that.  At one point Elliot said if we were ever inspired to give him coal for Christmas he thought this would be a great year for it.   When we checked into the no heat, no wifi condo I thought maybe instead of presents we would give them a night of heat and wifi for Christmas and book a hotel room.  We used all our Hilton points to book two rooms at the Lisbon Doubletree.  We figured it would also have a a Christmas tree, decorations, piped in Christmas music, etc.   But we were so wrong.  This is a "concept" hotel, but no one knew the concept.  There was extremely low lighting - which at time we all appreciate, but it was hard to see where you were going. The furniture was of high design and nearly impossible to get out of - not a place for pregnant women. 

The view below is what we faced when the elevator door opened.  The elevators were at one end of the hall. 

Black walls, black doors flush with walls, black carpet with lime green on edges and room numbers on the lime green carpet, and black ceiling.  Somehow on Christmas Eve it all seemed a bit strange and not one Christmas decoration to be found.  We did enjoy the Christmas brunch and the heat and wifi were appreciated in a way they never have been before. 

David and I had a king room and the added benefit of the king room is there is a glass wall between the bedroom and the shower - so you can watch the other person shower from the waist up.  Again, what the hell kinda concept is that??  There are no pictures of this - sorry!

Anna managed to entertain us with her various accents and personas for all three weeks.  If she ever makes it big on stage I think she can credit her skills to having the same audience for three straight weeks (plus all the nights we spent in curfew) and always having to create new material.

Another added benefit of our long trip was that everyone was happy to be "home."   Our own beds, pillows, food whenever you want it etc.    Of course now that we have been home a week we are already throwing around ideas for spring break ..

Family picture at a juice stand in Istanbul near the Grand Bazaar. 

Oh yeah, that's why I like Cairo (David)

Returning to Cairo reminds us why we like being here.   Sure, the streets have trash, there's pollution, and a couple protests, there are some nice perks:

We walked to the butcher and baker (no, no the candlestick maker) and got things quickly, easily and cheaply

We walked to the grocery store and veggie stand and got what we needed and it was delivered 45 minutes later to our home

At the veggie stand we asked the merchant if he knew of someone who could stuff some pillow covers (picked up the covers in Turkey).  Sure he said he knew someone.  We exchanged phone numbers and we would hear from him later.   Sure enough, $40 for six pillows and they will be delivered later tonight

We inquired online for a goo dry cleaner.  One minute later, a recommendation came in.  An hour later multiple people agreed that he was the best.  We called and he was at our door 40 minutes later and picked up the six items.  They will be returned in two days

It's the little things, but so very nice

Family Bonding through Europe (David)

Home in Cairo after about three weeks of travel through Portugal, Sevilla (Spain), and a stop in Istanbul, Turkey.  We rented a (small) car and visited friends through Portugal starting south of Lisbon in a coastal town of Sesimbra which allowed us to visit local area, Lisbon, and Sintra.  We then drove north to Porto, east into the Duoro Valley, and then south to Evora, spending a couple days in each location.  Being so close to Spain and all of us loving Spain, we couldn't resist a side trip there.  Three nights in Sevilla were a delight, though we were getting a bit weary of travel and he city was packed with people.  Returning to Portugal via a drive through the Algarve includi a stop along the Mediterranean Sea, we made our way back to the Lisbon area and spent the night in a windmill.  Our stopover in Istanbul was made possible by Turkish Airlines, no extra cost to get off for several days.  So we spent four nights there and greatly enjoyed wandering the multitude of sights and enioying the area.  Lots of walking and wandering.

Many many laughs along the way and new discoveries.  Some hightlighters below.

Lisbon

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Porto

Pais in Duoro Valley

Evora

Sevilla

Windmill Night

Istanbul

Blue Mosque

Topaki Palace, Istanbul

Agie Sophia, Istanbul