True Humility

Mira has a friend at school, Jasmine, and Jasmine's mother's name is Debbie. Debbie is married to an Egyptian. Jasmine also has a brother, Karim, who is 6. Debbie's husband, Hani, works in Sharm, so almost all of their time is spent apart.

Recently, Debbie traveled with Jasmine and Karim to visit Hani in Sharm over Spring break. They seemed to have a wonderful time. Then the Dahab bombs hit the area. I was worried about Debbie, but knew that they were not in Dahab, so I knew they were ok.

When Debbie came home I talked to her on the phone and asked her how her trip was to Sharm. She said they had a wonderful time spending time with Hani and was glad to have the family together for a week. (Debbie lived in Sharm with Hani and the children were born there.)

The other evening Hani made a surprise visit to Debbie and the kids. They were all thrilled to see him, and he was certainly thrilled to see his family. Hassan, Mira and I met them at the club where the children were swimming. Debbie and I thought this would be the perfect opportunity for Hassan and Hani to meet because they had never met before. We walked around the club, then went to a really good shisha bar in Rehab called "Amsterdam." Actually this had been only the second time I tried shisha, and it was really good. I took a few puffs, and that was it for me.

As the four of us were talking about Sharm and smoking shisha, and Hani was showing us a video of his "coffee shop" -- a rather large and beautiful one at that, Debbie casually mentioned that they went to the Sharm hospital the night of the bombings to assist the doctors. (Debbie is a dental hygenist, so she has a lot of medical training.)

Debbie described how the victims of the bombings were from all walks of life, and how it didn't matter if one was Christian, Muslim, or Jewish. She described how children and adults had burns all over their bodies, and she cleaned the patients, then delicately put burn cream on their charred skin to ease their pain. Remember, this was all said in a very casual fashion.

Hassan and I were in awe not just of Debbie's courage to assist those who had burns showing their knees, but moreover of her humility in not mentioning it before. She had never made mention her experience before about how they volunteered at the hospital, how they assisted the patients and doctors, or how they overcame language barriers to reach a common goal of helping their fellow human beings.

It just goes to show that in a crisis, people help out however they can -- sharing the gifts they have been given.

Ma'salaam,

~Marian

Updates

My Dad is home as of this posting. I called him a few days ago, and although we only spoke for a few minutes, I wanted him to know that we are all praying for him and his recovery. It was very emotional for both of us.

My colleague is recovering. She is at home and had surgery to remove the shrapnel that hit her during the bombing. I don't know when she will return, but it may not be for a couple of more weeks and we only have 4 more weeks of school (thank goodness).

I returned to work this past week after Spring Break and felt re-charged. But even though it was only a 3 day week, I went home on Thursday night (our Friday in Egypt) completely exhausted. I have no energy and seem to be missing the time I spend with Hassan. Contract renegotiations are supposed to begin in the next two weeks -- we will see . . .

Hassan, Mira and I went out with Aunt Olfat on Thursday night for dinner. Security is very tight around all of Egypt, but especially around military installations. We went to a military club where we ate dinner -- good food at a decent price.

Ma'salaam,

Marian

Sometimes lifes throws us a curve ball . . .

I was enjoying my Spring break from school until I read an email from my stepmom (my stepmom is great by the way:)). It was Sunday morning and I was scrolling through Yahoo when I saw a message saying "Joe is in the hospital." Oh my gosh, my dad is in the hospital.

I tried calling my stepmom, and one of my sisters, but couldn't get any information; I knew they were probably at the hospital. I eventually received emails from my stepmom. In the meantime, as well, I called my one sister after she messaged me on the mobile (mobiles are great) and she informed me that Dad is still in the hospital in stable condition. Alhamdulillah.

I felt helpless and very isolated. The physical separation from my family just got an ocean wider.

Alhamdulillah as of this posting my Dad is on the mend and he hopes to be home in a day or so. As soon as the doctor gave the OK, my stepmom made sure my dad was up and walking around the hallways in the hospital. My stepmom and dad are very active individuals who live healthy lifestyles (there's a lot to be said for eating healthy and exercising).

Insha'Allah he will continue to get better.

As I returned to school today with my dad and stepmom on my mind, in my heart, and in my prayers, I noticed that my colleague with whom I share an office was absent. I asked the principal where she was and if she called in. The principal said "Didn't you hear it in the morning staff meeting?" (I didn't because I was busy printing out documents for staff.) "She was injured in the Dahab bombings." What!? Not only was she injured, and requested some time off from school - I mean who wouldn't, but one of her friends was killed by the bombs. This is just getting too much for me to hear. I then found out that a teacher she traveled with was OK, but isn't talking about it.

I'm sure we've all thought that tragedies don't take place in our cities, towns, countries, etc. But this time it hit home. Senseless acts of terrorism are not reported or reported incorrectly, and this was one more act of terrorism, by whomever it may be, will never be forgotten.

Everytime I read a story about illness, terrorism, or destruction, I will think of those who suffer and try to place myself in their situation even if just for a brief
moment. And then I will say a prayer for their safety and well-being.

Ma'salaam,

Marian

The days are definitely getting longer

I found out recently that Egypt changes time one month after the US, both in the spring and in the autumn. Since we changed time last Thursday night (we are now 7 hours ahead of the US), our body clocks are off to say the least.
We are adjusting to the new time change, and luckily we are still on a break from school. We return to school on Tuesday, May 2, and with that, we are all going a bit crazy here at home.

It is getting too hot to go outside during the day - it is currently 95F so we need to keep ourselves busy indoors until sundown.

Mira is bored senseless; she loves school, Alhamdulillah; she thrives on structure. And her friend Jasmine is off to Sharm for a week. Since Mira is bored, I pulled out the big guns to keep her occupied: my scrapbook supplies. Yes, I know, I shouldn't let her use them, but I haven't used them in one year since I've been here and she is thrilled when she is allowed to pick out her own photos to scrapbook. Mostly, she decorates pictures of herself when she was younger (I love watching her build her self-confidence and self-esteem), but once in awhile she includes pictures of Hassan and I when we were first married (she's currently working on one of our wedding photos). I would love to scrapbook, but it is process for me to start working on this craft. First I have to decide what photos to use, then I need to select the theme - yes I am very compulsive in this area. I am the only one I know who puts photos in chronological order.

I am trying to finish a cross-stitch cardinal afghan I started making for Hassan before we were married. It isn't difficult, it's on evenweave fabric, but I became complacent with it and put it down for many years. I'll post a photo when it is finished, which I hope is in the next two weeks. I refuse to start any other stitching project until the cardinal project is completed. After that, I will pick something much easier and quicker to stitch; maybe some guest towels.

Ma'salaam,

~Marian

Living a Super Sized Life

No one can avoid hearing about or reading about the current high cost of oil in the US. It is difficult to believe that the US economy can be so strong that Americans can absorb paying $3.05 for one gallon of gas. I doubt many Americans have down-sized their super-sized vehicles for more energy efficient models, so I presume that gas can cost anywhere from approximately $46.00 on up for one tank full of gas (based on a 15 gallon tank).

Since living here, I have downsized my house, my car, and even myself. It is not out of choice, except for the weight loss, of course, but conforming to the society in which we live. Our home is much smaller than our last home in the US. Our two cars are much smaller than the three cars we owned in the US - and looking back, why, we ask ourselves, did we need three cars? We were just part of the American society that more is better and bigger is definitely better.

Yes, the US is more spacious, the ratio of human population to land mass is quite different than that in Egypt.

There are many things Americans can do right now to stop the price of oil from rising even higher.

First of all, the American media ought not blame OPEC and "the Middle East" for the cost of oil. I read today that ExxonMobil reported a record profit of $8.4 billion in the first quarter of this year alone. There are Republican Congressmen/women who want to let each State determine how to cut the cost of gasoline, and the Democrats want the Federal government to stop charging gasoline taxes for a 60 or 90 day period. These ideas are just band-aids for the larger problem of having oil corporations rake in record profits.

Weren't Americans told that when the US went into Iraq and Saddam was ousted from power that oil prices would fall dramatically because the US would have control of the oil fields? I don't recall anyone talking recently about the oil fields in Iraq. All I can recall is that the oil pipelines were sabotaged by "insurgents" in Iraq and the story ended.

Being a child of the 1970's, remembering the gas lines and only being able to get gas on odd or even days, I fear that those days could be repeated. Yes, there is a strategic reserve, but with one more Act of God such as Hurricane Katrina, there is no avoiding the inevitable.

Ma'salaam,

~Marian

The Mediterranean

We went to Marikiah (pro. Mariah) for a few days with Shabaan, Hayam and their daughters, Maryam (older) and Malak (baby). Uncle Yehia and Aunt Fatma let us use their chalet. It was a nice get away - just long enough. The weather was not warm enough to swim in the sea, but Mira, Maryam, Shabaan and even Malak managed to swim in the pool alongside the sea.

Ma'salaam,

Marian

A Birthday Party - Egyptian Style

Last night we went to a birthday part for Munno - Mira's cousin who just turned 4. It took place at the Cairo University Rowing Club downtown on the Nile. There was a DJ, cartoon characters, and a puppet show for the children. It was a wonderful evening.

Donald Duck kept pulling Hassan to dance, and of course Hassan never turns down an opportunity. I was a little jealous, but after finding out from Uncle Yehia that Donald was a boy, I was ok with it.

Like most Egyptians, Hassan's family always talks about food. There was a huge birthday cake with fondant icing, and little sandwiches served alongside the cake. After everyone ate, we went upstairs on the boat which is stationed on the Nile, and everyone started talking about eating Tammayya or kufta. My stomach was reeling from the cake and I couldn't even stand to think about food. After deciding what to order, it was hot dogs and kufta for all, except me. I don't know how people can eat so much food, especially after such a sugary birthday cake. I always find it amusing how many people say they're hungry after being served food.

This is what memories are made of; and with Hassan's family quickly aging, we need capture all the memories we can.

Ma'salaam,

Marian

Hijab

Since we have been in Egypt for one year, I have had many conversations with women and men concerning hijab, and their opinions. I suppose their opinions don't really count; what really counts is what I think and what is the right thing for me to do.

The Quran says: "And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers or their brothers' sons, or their women. . ." Sura XXIV Aya 31

The aya is vague and referencing how "beauty" and "ornaments" are defined, and by observing women wearing hijab in Egypt, every woman has her own interpretation. Some women believe that full coverage is best -- niqaab, but most believe that hijab is best.

After speaking with many women, and I would say that almost all women in Egypt wear hijab now, they say it is a personal preference. I do not want to be persuaded one way or another -- either to wear hijab or not wear hijab. And this reasoning has left me in limbo. I respect women who decide for themselves whether or not to wear hijab. What I do not agree with is having one person persuade another person to do or not do something (redundant, yes).

An American friend of mine who lives in Alex, moved to Egypt to marry her sweetheart, put on hijab a day after she arrived and has never regretted it since. Actually, I have not heard from any woman who regrets wearing hijab. I hear that women wish they could wear shorts, or short skirts or something like that - but hey, I have only seen one woman in shorts over the past year, and she was British. And her shorts were longer than most skirts in the US - just past the knees (at least as short as skirts were when I was in the US last).

Spouses have a part to play in all of this decision making. While Hassan said it's my decision, he also brings to light the fact that once I put it on it stays on. When a woman wears hijab and then decides to take it off and not wear it anymore, she is asked many questions as to why, what made her decide, etc.

A woman I work with wore hijab before I met her, and no longer wears it. Apparently she was influenced by her father to take off hijab because he told her something to the effect that her wear hijab was preventing her from getting married. I actually didn't hear it from her, but rather second and third-hand so it has to be taken with a grain of salt.

Hassan challenges me each and everytime the topic of conversation arises. He always asks me why. I tell him, it's not because of peer pressure (although at first it was), but because for me personally it holds me more accountable for my actions and my behavior. Then Hassan said it will change me. Well, maybe it will change me, yes, but for the better overall.

I know people will see me differently, but don't they see me differently already? I'm a foreigner in Egypt, not just a foreigner, but an American, who is trying to be a better example of a human being for my family.

Ma'salaam,

Marian

We are on Spring Break

We are officially on Spring Break until we return to school on May 2 -- a much needed and welcomed holiday by all. Hassan and I spent half the morning yesterday trying to decide what to do -- go to the club and swim -- go shopping to HyperOne -- go to Alexandria? We decided on HyperOne.

HyperOne is similar to Carrefour here. These stores are a new concept for Egyptian shoppers -- everything under one roof -- so to speak. Most Egyptians do their grocery shopping in the grocery store -- their clothes shopping in the various clothing stores (and even that is broken down into smaller stores for children, adult, women, shoes, etc.). Usually we go to Carrefour to hang out, but yesterday we decided on HyperOne.

HyperOne is located in 6th of October - we are in Rehab, so it is a little bit of a drive -- about 1 hour. We are used to it but to most Egyptians it is too far to travel. I don't know why we like HyperOne more than Carrefour, maybe it is because it reminds me of Target in the US with the store clearly divided between food and clothing. Mira enjoys pushing the shopping cart on the escalator (just like Target too) to go to the upper level to look at clothes.

The selection is better for us at HyperOne and the prices tend to be a little bit lower (5LE difference between Folgers in Carrefour and Folgers in HyperOne). Oh yes we must still pay for those few guilty pleasures and coffee is not one area to play around. There is excellent coffee here, actually better than American coffee, but we need to find out how to blend it, what kind, from where, etc.

And do you know the coolest thing about HyperOne -- much to my surprise -- I found the exact same chunky candles at HyperOne that I used to buy at Kohl's in the US! Now if I could only find some decent taper candles to match.

Ma'salaam,

Marian

One word can change the entire meaning of a sentence

I was watching the news today, ok, I admit it was FOX News, and saw a story from the US Pentagon regarding "the war." I heard the reporter say something about the Pentagon and the war against "radical Islam." I thought to myself, the war on radical Islam?? What happened to the war on terror?? Then I thought, well, maybe they're just being more truthful with themselves these days. After all, wasn't the war in Iraq always the war against radical Islam? No, the war in Iraq was supposed to remove Saddam and free the Iraqis. I'm certain the US military knew that there would be people who want to defend themselves in Iraq against the US. Then I thought, whose definition are they using with regards to "radical Islam?" I suppose they made up their own definition. I think the term has been changed from the "war on terror" to the "war on radical Islam" because maybe the government wants to include Iran and Syria.

Unfortunately, now Iraq is being "Balkanized" and instead of having one nationality of Iraqis, it's been turned into divided areas of Sunnis, Shias and Kurds. No one has ever reported on what the actual differences are between Shias and Sunnis anyways. (Ask me, I'll tell you sometime.)

I think President Bush said it best with the following quotes regarding the events of September 11th. "You're either with us or against us." OK, I can understand that type of quote; I mean after all countless innocent people were killed.

Then the next quote came out that ". . . we're on a crusade." A "crusade?" I couldn't believe what I was hearing. When I think of the crusades, I think of Christians long ago going out to convert and torture those who were not Christian. Is that what this is all about? What is wrong with Islam, or Buddhism or Hinduism or Judaism?

When the Serbs massacred thousands of Bosnian Muslims in the 1990's the Serbs were not called "radical Christians." (In fact, President Clinton was quite courageous to stand up for the Bosnians.)

Hitler and Milosevic were very much the same. Hitler first exterminated the Jews, then the Poles, the Slovaks, the Hungarians, and anyone else who didn't buy into his ideology. No one deemed him a "radical Christian" either.

One thing I have learned from living in Egypt is that we are all the same no matter what religion we are, what country we are from, or what language we speak. Maybe people ought to travel abroad to expand their minds a little and take off the blinders. Maybe just maybe people would like what they see.

First They Came for the Jews

First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me.

Pastor Martin Niemöller

Ma'salaam,

Marian

It's Easter Sunday in America

Some of my fondest memories of my parents surrounds the holiday seasons and Easter is no exception. I remember wonderful Easters at home, whether it was in Johnstown or Olney, when we would get the food ready for Easter Sunday.

The food would include hard boiled eggs, kolbassi (the best is Froelich's in Johnstown), homemade cheese, horseradish, and the ever present holupki with saurkraut; oh and don't forget the "pink stuff" which is a jello salad made with cool-whip, any red jello on-hand, crushed pineapple, and a graham cracker crust. Somehow we would manage to eat the pink stuff with the holupki -- it sounds a little gross, but actually all the flavors blended together to make the taste buds dance.

I hold the title in my family for the best holupki. Of course I do, because Grandma Tomera's idea of picnic food was cooking a huge pot of holupki and mashed potatoes. Anna lives!

It is Easter in the Roman calendar, and Palm Sunday in the Orthodox calendar, which many Egyptians follow because they are Coptic Christians. I am not familiar with Egyptian traditions, but will always hold my parents' traditions deep in my heart, along with fond memories of the years we spent together around the dining room table.

Ma'salaam,

Marian

Rumblings in my Tummy

Somehow I've managed to have off and on tummy trouble over the past few weeks. I am trying to figure out if I've been eating differently, or not washing my hands enough.

I keep my hands very clean -- Monk in my own way -- always taking soap and a towel with me to the bathroom -- no paper products are provided at school.

I wash my fruit and vegetables as best I can before eating -- and usually eat homecooked food for the most part.

A friend of mine, Debbie, says it's quite common to get a viral infection -- amoebae (sp?) in the body. She used to get them quite frequently while she was living in Sharm. There isn't a whole lot I can do other than stay away from the Immodium and let nature take its course. I got some medicine from the pharmacy last night and the man looked at me in sympathy. I guess I wasn't looking my best.

I've spent the entire weekend lying down and now it's time to go back to work tomorrow for another week of school.

Insha'Allah it will be over by tomorrow morning and I'll be back to my old self.

Ma'salaam,

Marian

A funny thing happened . . .

A funny thing happened when we were buying our balcony furniture on Monday which was a holiday - the Prophet's (saw) birthday.

We were downtown on Ramses Street where a lot of bamboo (rattan) furniture dealers are located. I was sitting in the car waiting for Hassan and Shabaan to finish giving the deliveryman directions to our flat. They were parked two cars ahead of us. Hayam - Shabaan's wife, wasn't feeling well (sinus problems). She was in the backseat closing her eyes and Mira and Maryam (Hayam's daughter) were playing in the back of the car while little Malak (Hayam's little baby) was sleeping.

A youngish looking man - maybe in his late 20's early 30's walked in front of the car and made eye contact with me. Of course, me being the person that I am, smiled at him. Big mistake. He walked over to my side of the car (and me seeing him out of the corner of my good eye - haha), and stood there. I saw him but didn't want to make eye contact with him because it was a strange situation about to get even stranger. The man walked up to my car door - the window was down, and asked me my name. He said "Welcome to Egypt." I responded with a polite thank you. He introduced himself as "Engineer" - somebody - can't remember his name. Everyone here has a title - "Mohandiss" is "Engineer" so just about everyone is either a "mohandiss" or "doctor." Then he reached out to shake my hand and I shook his hand and then he went to kiss my hand. I pulled my hand back. Of course Hassan didn't see anything - his back was to me, but thank goodness Shabaan saw, told Hassan, and Hassan came and asked the man what he wanted then asked him to move along. The man said all he wanted was to welcome me to Egypt. Yeah, right. OK so I'm overweight and have gray streaks running through my hair -- best of all, I wasn't even wearing make-up that day. I guess it just doesn't stop some people. The man walked off - Alhamdulillah.

Then I started to think in a stereotypical type of way -- maybe it's a defense mechanism -- do Egyptian - Arab men think "western" or "American" looking women are easy? Who knows. I don't wear hijab or long sleeves when it gets hot, but at the same time I don't wear shorts either. I'm trying my best to dress modestly and compromise on my clothing, but I just don't seem to feel comfortable.

I've thought about wearing hijab and will probably wear it somewhere along the line. This is a different blog topic altogether which I will write about as the weather gets warmer.

Ma'salaam,

Marian

Out and About on a Saturday

We went to get my Egyptian driver's license on Saturday. What an experience. First of all, we had to go downtown to Dokki because that's where Hassan's apartment is located. Secondly, to my surprise it is outdoors. I am not opposed to getting my license outdoors, because if it were indoors it would have been very hot.

Hassan took my information up to a teller window and she read my name. OK so my maiden name in Arabic translates to "peas." The teller started laughing. Little did I know that I had to move to Egypt to have people pronounce my Eastern European name correctly. Can you believe it? With all the Hispanics in the US no one could pronounce the name correctly -- go figure.

In any event, she was tickled and we immediately won her over with the name.

Next we had to go to another building where we waited for a man to call my name. We went in and sat down with this intimidating looking police officer who looked at my license, stamped my papers and sent me out.

Then we went back over to the same teller, gave her the papers and she started processing the paperwork. In the meantime, Hassan disappeared into a crowd of men (hardly any women there) and paid our outrageous fee of 45 LE ($7). He came back and then I went to get my picture taken.

While we were waiting for the license photo to be processed, Shabaan met us. What a wonderful surprise.

The whole driver's license process took about one hour.

After getting the license we were off to Ramses Square (where the original Ramses statue is located) to look for patio furniture. We looked at wicker and bamboo (or rattan) furniture and while looking w found a great set of bamboo furniture for the patio. The set consists of a sofa (or loveseat), four chairs and a coffee table. The furniture looks decent, but most of all it is very comfortable.

All Hassan needs to get now is his sheesha.

Ma'salaama,

Marian

Hassan and his "boys"

Here is a photo of Hassan with his best friends. Left to right: Gamal (who owns the store they're in), Hassan, Ehab and Shabaan. Whenever Hassan goes out at night he can always be found in Faisal with his best friends. Thanks guys! for making Hassan so happy.......

It was one year ago today . . .

It was one year ago today we left the US. I don't remember much of the flight except for the fact that Aliatalia will never get our business again. The attendants were rude and non-caring. They treated Europeans one way and Americans another way -- definitely not better than the Europeans on the flight.

I remember flying over Europe and seeing the Italian Alps. That part of the flight was beautiful.

It was difficult not talking to my family the day we left -- but something I felt was better than calling them because I would have been in tears. I called my Dad and said good-bye once again. Lainie called me and we talked and cried. I miss them terribly.

There are things I wish we would have brought which we didn't and things that I brought which I wish we didn't . Does that make any sense?

Overall, this past year has been a tremendous learning experience, but I suppose life is one large learning experience.

My international driver's license expires tomorrow so we are going out today to get my Egyptian license. We need to go downtown to Dokki Street to get the license -- it's crowded to say the least. Egyptian government buildings have absolutely no comforts for customers. It's alright, though because once this is over and done, there isn't much left to do in terms of the Egyptian government. And we need to take care of this today or else I will need to take the driving test all over again.

While we are downtown we hope to find the section of Cairo that sells the garden furniture -- wicker or rattan for our front balcony. Because the weather is so beautiful here, the balcony is an extension of the home -- an additional room where we can sit all day and all night. Our front balcony faces north so we shouldn't get too much sun in the summer -- maybe just the sunsets if we're lucky. We have been going back and forth on what type of furniture to buy for the balcony -- wrought iron is very popular here but not very comfortable. I wanted to make the balcony "baladi" or local, like an Egyptian sheesha bar, but after we got the dining room it wouldn't be as appropriate. So we're going for wicker and rattan which ought to be nice and comfortable. Everything and anything is available here we just need to know where to find it.

That's where Hassan's friends Shaaban and Gamal come in. They have been very helpful in guiding us through the neighborhoods of Cairo to find exactly what we are looking for. Not only have they been helpful but they have also been extremely patient as we try to decide what we want for the flat.

Ma'salaam,

Marian

I fixed it!

I just fixed the comments section so anyone can leave a comment on the blog --thanks Lainie :)

School Daze

Another school week is over. Let's see now, it's April 6 and the first full school week of April is over. Alhamdulillah. Wait a minute, we are into the 4th term - or quarter (and final term of the year), and we have a parents' night next week. After that it's all downhill.

I agree with our school's policies in terms of discipline, but as the year moves along it is easy to just let some of the student behaviors slide by without noticing. And again, if I let something just slide by me, I'm giving into the students. I'm stubbourn -- anyone who knows me can attest to this, and I have learned to stand my ground and even dig in my heels at times in regards to students.

For instance, one of my routine jobs at school is to get the girls out of the bathroom between classes. Every period, I see the same girls in the same bathroom primping themselves day in and day out. I tell the girls "Why do you keep looking at yourselves in the mirror, you all are naturally beautiful, you don't need to come in every hour and look at yourselves." They just smile and move along to their next class. Other times I find myself yelling "Move along to the next class! Get out of the bathroom now!"

Some days I get to take a mobile phone away from a belligerent 12th grader. How many times have we discussed the issue at school that mobile phones are not permitted; or that students must wear the full school uniform everyday? Too many times to count, believe me, but I keep telling myself to stand my ground, be firm, show respect and in turn hopefully receive respect. I can't believe this is coming from me!!! The girl who couldn't get up for school in the morning; whose mother used to yell "Marian, the bus!" I would run downstairs in 5 minutes to catch the school bus. Someone who would never be home on time and then face the consequences of my Dad. I'm the timekeeper at school! Can you believe this? Can you believe I am one of the first lines of authority when it comes to asking students why they skipped class, why they didn't wear the school uniform, why they use their mobile, why they eat in class?

If you are young and reading this blog let me give you a piece of advice from my own life experiences: If you are lucky enough, you will mature into the opposite of what you were in your youth, especially if you were irresponsible and immature.

I am grateful for the person that I am, and I have my experiences to thank, no matter how petty or how serious. I can't imagine what I would have been like had I not experienced life the way I did when I was younger.

Ma'salaam,

Marian

Happy Birthday to you!

Today is Hassan's birthday. April 4th is a great time of year to be born - actually any time of year is great time of year to be born.

My favorite of Hassan's birthdays was the the one we spent in 2002 at the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC. I distinctly remember it because Hassan, Mira and I went to the Tidal Basin in DC and rented a paddle boat and just paddled our way out into the water of the Potomac -- don't worry it wasn't too far. We enjoyed the spectactular views of the cherry blossoms against the backdrop of the Washington Monument and Jefferson Memorial. It was so picturesque that I have never seen a postcard as beautiful as that day. It was a beautiful sunny spring day with a few white puffy clouds in the sky. The sky was an awesome shade of blue.

Not only is it the time of year for the cherry blossoms in DC, but it is also the time of year where pansies have outlasted winter and the daffodils are blooming in clusters, if one planted them properly in the autumn.

I have learned to grow plants and flowers at which I succeed, and perhaps that is the way I ought to look at life -- dwell on the successes in life no matter how small, and learn from the challenges that face me from time to time.

Ma'salaam,

Marian

Fuzzy Wuzzy was a bear . . .

I do not consider myself a high-maintenance person in terms of make-up, hair, or even clothes. I have always worn make-up, trying to keep it at a minimum because as Hassan says "You don't want to look like an Easter egg." I think if a person takes care of themself, it will show in their face. In terms of hair, I'm a horse of a different breed. I've permed, colored, and now have natural streaks of silver in my hair. All I can think of when I look in the mirror is the Eagles song "Oooh, ooh witchy woman, see how high she flies..." although I've been told by friends that it's actually the contrary. I suppose we are our own worst critics, indeed.

It is well-known that the ancient Egyptians used to remove unwanted hair by using sugar. Oh, we have all been victims of Nads, haven't we? It is a commercialized product that is supposed to remove hair like the famous sugar concoctions of ancient Egyptians, but Lainie and I found out the hard way that it is extremely painful.

Maybe it's because my face is exposed to the sun all the time that it has a natural glow to it; I'm not sure. In any event, as my face glows, the little fuzzies glisten blonde. Oh, did I say fuzzies?

I recently went through my second "stringing" at the beauty salon. Yes, the lady gets a very long piece of string, puts it through her teeth, twists it (imagine 'cat in the cradle' with yarn with half of it in her mouth) and then rolls it over the face removing all the little fuzzies. I never realized how many fuzzies were on my face until I experienced the pain first-hand.

It wasn't too bad along the cheeks (does fuzz actually grow there?), but when it came to the forehead, goodness gracious, I pictured myself as a wolf-woman. Let me say one thing: if you're going for a stringing, prepare yourself for the upper lip. The first time made my eyes water, and the second time, I was gritting my teeth in pain trying to be strong but cringing inside. The most satisfying part of the whole experience was having my eyebrows shaped. Finally, someone can do something with my eyebrows. It can't get any worse than when I shaved my eyebrows in the 8th grade.

After it was all done, my face was red but glowing, of course.

Whenever I return to work after my stringing, people say "you look different" but don't actually know what I did. This past time, a friend of mine at work said "Your face is gamila -- very beautiful." I said "Thanks, I'll let her know."

I am supposed to go to the beauty salon once a month for my stringing. I have to remember the end result is worth the pain.

Oh, the price we pay for beauty.

Ma'salaam,

Marian

When it rains, it pours

If anyone is old enough to remember there is a song " . . . it never rains in California, but boy let me warn ya, it pours, man it pours. . . " or something to that effect. The same is true here in Egypt; at least in Cairo.

We have had rain around Cairo over the past several days, almost a week now if I remember correctly. There are no drains on the roads here in Cairo, so the water puddles and then turns into a sort of flash flood.

We were driving in Nasr City (a suburb or section of Cairo) yesterday on our way to visit Aunt Olfat, and I got a glimpse of how puddles are cleaned up. The government hires people to take big buckets -- imagine the huge 5 gallon buckets you buy from Lowe's or Home Depot; they scoop up the water with the buckets and throw it in the grass. The puddles are few and far between here, but wherever there are puddles, they are usually large enough to stall the small sub-sub compact cars many Egyptians drive.

The rain storms here remind me of the tropics - not that I've ever been to the tropics but living around DC is as close as I want to get. The sky clears quickly, the sun shines with big white puffy clouds in the sky and a brisk feeling of spring is in the air -- OK, so brisk in Egypt is 70 degrees Farenheit.

It reminds me of May in DC and Maryland and the clean smell of flowers blooming. Ahh, the smell of flowers . . .


Ma'salaam,

Marian

American Culture

OK, so I'm probably the only person driving around the Egyptian desert singing along with the Dixie Chicks, Shania Twain and Sheryl Crow. It sounds like a contradiction when I'm living in a country surrounded by love ballads and belly dancing music, but music soothes my soul. I probably wouldn't have bought Sheryl Crow or Shania Twain had I still been living in the US, but honestly the Dixie Chicks "Home" is something I've wanted to buy for a long time and it took a move halfway around the world to buy it. (Lainie, I finally got it, even though you offered to burn it for me, I just never got around to it.) I find myself singing "Landslide" as I drive to work every morning with Mira in the car. We sing together and a picture comes to mind. I go back to when I was in high school in the girls gym dressing room and I remember seeing the words to "Landslide" written on a blackboard. Only at the time it was the original version by Fleetwood Mac that was popular.

American culture means something different to every person. To me American culture right now means country music; music with feeling, words, and emotions. I love driving in the desert listening to the harmonies of American country music as the fiddles play in tune with the banjos. Somehow the music contradicts the Egyptian society I am now a part of, but at the same time one harmonizes with the other just as smoothly as the Dixie Chicks, Sheryl Crow and Shania Twain.

By the way, does anyone know where I can find Faith Hill music around here?

Ma'salaam,

Marian

Sami Yusuf and the Message

I was looking for a photo from the deluge of rain and subsequent flash floods we had last night here in Cairo; instead, I came across this article about a well-known singer named Sami Yusuf, but he is much more than just a singer. His message transcends religion, culture, ethnicity, and class.

Ma'salaam,

Marian

The following article appears as the cover story for the magazine available online, "Egypt Today."

A Voice for PeaceWith God in his heart and the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) at his side, British-born singing sensation Sami Yusuf is taking the world by storm — and even has non-Muslims humming his tunes — but don’t make the mistake of calling the widely acclaimed ‘King of Islamic Pop’ a preacher
HE HAS THE GOOD looks, chart-topping music and stylish video clips of a bona fide pop star, but sings about God, the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) and the inherently peaceful message of Islam.
Today, both the devout and the non-religious have taken notice of the musically gifted, British-born 25-year-old, who has proven himself to be more than just a one-hit wonder. In 2005, his website, www.samiyusuf.com, recorded more than 2 million visitors. The live chats he hosts every six months have attracted fans from around the world; 4,000 people tried to participate in the last one, which took place in early February, and the site was shut down for two days afterward to upgrade to a more robust server able to meet the demand.
Children love his catchy tunes, parents applaud his integrity, and the teenagers and twenty-somethings who make up the bulk of his fan base have taken Yusuf as their new role model.
The secret of Yusuf’s success? He presents himself in a way that no other Muslim performer ever has, proclaiming that you can look hip, sound cool and still be a good Muslim. That approach has made him a pop idol throughout the Muslim world, where youth and adults alike have bought into his message of a moderate lifestyle that embraces ‘modern’ amusements while glorifying God.
The region’s budding boy bands are taking notice after word spread throughout Egypt of the thousands of (mostly female) fans who recently descended on Virgin Megastore in Heliopolis for the launch of his new CD, My Ummah: God is cool. Sami Yusuf is someone Muslim fans can really relate to; he’s one of their own and they are proud of him and what he stands for.
As trite as it sounds, little of Yusuf’s success appears to have gone to his head: Yusuf as the ‘public personality’ is indistinguishable from Yusuf the ‘private citizen.’ He speaks as he sings — from the heart. Casually dressed in jeans and a button-down shirt, his unpretentious nature comes through loud and clear before he even utters a single word.
Unlike some Islamist figures now in the spotlight, he has no problem shaking a woman’s hand and looking me straight in the eye.
“I never intended to become a role model,” says Yusuf. “I’m just trying to do my best and make the best music I can. The fact that I get recognized and people like what I do is overwhelming. The love is overwhelming. But my fans don’t just love me because I’m a singer; it’s because I talk about things that are dear to them. They love me because I am proud of my faith.”
Yusuf, whose family originally comes from Azerbaijan, was born and raised in the United Kingdom and claims that when he first embarked on Al-Mu’allim, he was targeting Muslims living in the West. Both his lyrics and music swing back and forth between East and West in a manner that reflects the stew of cultures in which he grew up.
“I wanted to give Muslims living in the West some kind of identity, something that would help make them proud of Islam; alhamdulillah we have succeeded in doing that. What I didn’t expect was that my music would become such a hit in Middle Eastern countries like Egypt, where the Islamic identity is already very strong,” says Yusuf. “I think people here have embraced my music because of the values that it portrays. In the video for Al-Mu’allim it was clear that it was all about values that transcend the rigid structures of religion. It’s not just about haram, halal and fiqh,” he adds.
Yusuf extended a planned trip to Egypt into the first two weeks of February as the British Embassy in Cairo, in cooperation with British Petroleum (BP), hosted the Nazra Festival, a delegation of British Muslims working in various fields including the media, art, music, politics and business to discuss what it means to be a Muslim in Britain. The festival included a number of open debates, online discussions and performances by British Muslim artists including Yusuf.
“The Nazra Festival is really about British Muslims and their contribution in every field. It’s a great initiative. The UK is very unique in that it promotes multiculturalism. I feel more British than Azeri or anything else, and the reason that I love England so much, other than that it is my home, is because the values that it holds dear are values that we hold dear as Muslims. These are the universal values of diversity and respect for others, regardless of their faith or race,” says Yusuf. “Yes, discrimination exists on some level but the problems are minimal.”
“Even after the 7/7 bombings, there was no widespread violence toward Muslims. Instead, the reaction was one of calm and reflection. I think that the vast majority of the people in the UK realized that the perpetrators of such a catastrophe cannot represent the religion of over a billion people. They represent a loud minority who have lost their mind. What they did was entirely un-Islamic and inhumane.”
Yusuf claims that growing up as a Muslim in the UK was as difficult in some respects as it was easy in others.
“I went to a public school in England, so naturally you see a lot of things that you just have to abstain from, but I think ultimately I had it easy because I was free to think, which is one thing many Muslims growing up in Muslim countries don’t allow themselves to do. God says in the Qur’an that people who know are the people who ponder. I think one of the problems that we have in the Muslim world among youth is that they are scared to think, afraid that thinking will lead them to doubt their religion. It’s not true. There is nothing wrong with thinking. I think it’s the whole system in the Arab world that discourages thinking — not only on issues of religion.”
Although Yusuf calls himself “a proud Brit,” he admits he doesn’t always agree with his country’s foreign policy. “There’s good and bad everywhere, we just have to be fair and objective enough to acknowledge that.”
A Preacher He’s Not
If there is one thing Yusuf hates, it is to be called ‘preachy.’ In the course of our two interviews last month, he made it very clear that he is not preaching anything to anyone.
“We are living in a day and age where individualism is held in very high regard. No one likes to be preached to, including me. I’m very comfortable with the ‘do your own thing’ philosophy. I am just an artist sharing his culture, identity and beliefs through his art,” explains Yusuf.
With a voice and talent that could lend themselves to any musical style, Yusuf chose to wade into uncharted waters when he came out with Al-Mu’allim. Asked if it was his strong religious beliefs that kept him from trying for a mainstream pop-music career, Yusuf says he always wanted to do something with music that was “dignified and respectable.”
Al-Mu’allim was the outcome.
“For something to be commercially successful and at the same time dignified and balanced is a very difficult formula. Art these days has been hijacked by the commercial world. For a long time I just forgot about music as a career. I was going to study law at King’s College, but I picked music in the end.”
Yusuf considers what he is doing now to be a form of pop music.
“It’s popular and people are listening to it, so it’s pop,” he says. His current hit single, “Hasbi Rabbi,” which he sings in Turkish, Hindu, English and Arabic, is not only popular in Egypt and countries where the Islamic identity is strong; it has also topped the Turkish charts.
“Turkey, of course, is a very secular country, but they loved the song. Every artist throughout history has shared his ideas through his art. That’s why people write and compose. It’s a means of self-expression. Take the “Moonlight Sonata” by Beethoven, for example: It was inspired by his feelings. When one listens to my songs, there will be a strong Islamic feel to them. It is because Islam is important to me, not because I am ‘an Islamic artist’.”
Yusuf claims that his next album will probably be more mainstream. “There will be songs about the Prophet (PBUH) because I love him very much and he will always be the baraka of my albums, but there will definitely be songs that just talk about humanity at large.”
Growing Up
Yusuf’s musical talents manifested themselves early on. The son of an accomplished musician, composer and music instructor in the UK, Yusuf was born with music in his blood. He taught himself to play his first instrument, the Persian drum known as a tombac, when he was just seven years old.
“My father gave me a book he uses to teach the basics of the tombac, went out to make tea, and came back half an hour later to find that I had pretty much mastered a book that took some of his students months to finish. From that moment on, he noticed my musical talent and nurtured it carefully,” Yusuf smiles.
From the tombac, Yusuf, the youngest of three children in his musically inclined family, quickly moved on to the santoor, piano, violin, oud, sitar, tar, and duf. He says he now plays “nine or ten instruments,” but considers himself accomplished in four: the tar (a Persian instrument similar to the Indian sitar), tombac, oud and piano.
“I am a piano player, not a pianist, which means that I use the piano as an accompaniment to my voice and I compose with the piano. There is a difference: pianists don’t make mistakes while piano players often do, which is fine,” notes Yusuf, a self-proclaimed perfectionist.
Yusuf went on to study music and composition at the prestigious Royal Academy in London. Ironically, he never imagined himself to be a singer. “I was more into composing and arranging and never really knew I could sing before Al-Mu’allim,” says Yusuf, who admits he was always fond of singing in the shower.
“My father, who is an accomplished vocalist as well, used to compliment my singing in the bathroom all the time,” he says with a laugh, adding that his father, a pivotal figure in his life, never wanted him or his siblings to follow in his footsteps and take on music as a career.
“He knew how volatile and unpredictable the music industry was and that most musicians die poor,” Yusuf says. “He would have preferred me to go into academia. Unfortunately, the commercial art industry is not very healthy. Even if you choose to live a certain way, it’s very easy to get dragged into the whole ‘artist’ lifestyle. It’s not the art per se that makes you that way, it’s the commercial side of it — and if you want to make money you have to be commercial to an extent.”
But Yusuf insisted on following the path that he loved, drawn from his love of everything from folklore to classical music. “I love listening to Chopin, Bach as well as Egyptian icons like Abdel Wahab, for example. But the one thing that really inspired me to make Al-Mu’allim was the life of the Prophet (PBUH), his example, his light and his prophetic universal message of peace and love.
“I do not come from an excessively religious family, though. I had a very normal Islamic upbringing and graduated from a normal public school in England. I used to pray on and off until I became ‘more practicing’ at the age of 16. My father was always very spiritual and a great lover of the Qur’an and the writings of Sufi poets such as Rumi, so the spiritual influence was always there,” says Yusuf.
Al-Mu’allim’s anasheed-style music and lyrics have a clear Sufi feel throughout, particularly on tracks such as “Allahu.”
“I wouldn’t label myself as a Sufi in the negative sense that I hold my faith inside my heart and I’m withdrawn from the outside world,” he quickly adds. “That’s definitely not it, but if you look at the historical context of spirituality and Sufism, you will find that they play a huge part in our faith. The greatest of sahaba (companions of the Prophet (PBUH)) and the greatest of Muslims were Sufis in the proper understanding of the term. Tasawuf (Sufism) definitely plays an important part of my life, but so do other things.”
In just about every interview that Yusuf has ever given, he talks about his father as one of the greatest influences on his life and talent, yet never mentions his name.
“That’s the way I’d like to keep it,” smiles Yusuf. “He has been very influential in my life, but I am a very private person by nature so I don’t like to put my family in the limelight.”
Yusuf does, however, proudly tell me that he has been very happily married for the past 10 months. His wife, Mariam, comes from Bavaria, one of the most Christian and conservative areas in Germany, but embraced Islam five years ago.
“We have been very blessed, but again I like to keep that part of my life as private as possible. To this day, the public does not know what my wife looks like because she hasn’t been photographed, even though we do spend a lot of time together,” says Yusuf.
When he is not working, Yusuf claims that his favorite thing to do is compose, which is almost an oxymoron: “I’m doing what I love, which is music and composition. I have an iPod with a mike, so sometimes when I’m walking, a favorite pastime of mine, I hum melodies. To the casual observer it looks like I’m talking to myself. People who see me are probably asking themselves, ‘Is he nuts?’ The answer is no, that’s just me. I love music.”
Although not a big football fan, Yusuf caught soccer fever while he was in Egypt and attended the Egyptian national team’s quarter-final match during the Africa Cup of Nations last month. He’s an avid reader and reads everything from the Qur’an to works of history and novels by the likes of Dan Brown. “I read The Da Vinci Code in three days. It’s an exquisite book. I think everyone should read more often. A nation that doesn’t read can never revive itself. In England if you have 10 people on a train, at least eight of them have to be reading. I rarely see that in this part of the world.”
Yusuf paid a visit to the Cairo Book Fair during his stay, loading up on as many Arabic books as he could carry. He even bought a copy of the Bible in Arabic.
“I was a bit disturbed to see completely separate Christian and Muslim [floors] at the Book Fair. We don’t have this kind of marginalization in the UK and it’s not something that I like to see anywhere.”
Yusuf hopes that his grasp of the Arabic language will soon be strong enough for him to read the books he purchased. He has studied and continues to study Arabic, but is a bit reticent about speaking the language in public for now.
“I speak only fus’ha, so I sound like I come from a museum or something,” says Yusuf, who speaks fluent Farsi and a little bit of Azeri.
The Message is Peace
With all the negative images that Islam has to contend with today, Yusuf’s constant influence on peace is refreshing.
“There is nothing new about the message that Islam is peace, that has always been the rhetoric, but we can’t just keep on saying that while we walk around with an attitude that is the complete opposite. There’s a lot of aggression and that has to change. We have to go back to our history and look at the Prophet (PBUH) with his merciful attitude.”
Yusuf believes that only a revival of art will put the Muslim world on the same page as the Western world. “The artistic, literary and creative horizons are so huge right now because there is a vacuum in terms of art, music and film. I think artists and creative-minded people, the composers, journalists and poets of the Muslim world, have to seize this opportunity to revive a civilization that has been lost.
“It cannot be the Islamic scholars who are specialized in issues of fiqh alone who will do the job,” says Yusuf.
While many have embraced Yusuf’s message of peace and tolerance, a vocal minority has been highly critical of his music and message. Mixing music with stories of the Prophet (PBUH) is taboo among fundamentalists who believe that music is in and of itself haram.
“These people do exist, they are a minority — but a very loud minority,” says Yusuf. “The vast majority of Muslims and the vast majority of human beings are very civilized. They just want to get along with their lives. But if you want to take the fiqh perspective, there is a school of thought that says music is haram. I obviously don’t prescribe to that view. I have gotten some criticism, but it has been very minimal.
“What we need today in the Islamic world is more balance. It’s a pity that people are either becoming more conservative or more liberal. A balanced person in my view is someone who can sit with someone who is a Wahhabi and someone who is the most secular person in the world and not only listen to them, but also respect their opinion. Unfortunately, there aren’t too many people today who can do that.”
My Ummah
My Ummah is a departure of sorts from the simple melodies and heavy reliance on the anasheed-style music popular with Sufi traditions on his debut, Al-Mu’allim. The new album is much more musically complex, deploying a range of musical styles and featuring lyrics that tackle hot issues in the Muslim world.
“Muhammad,” for example, is dedicated to the schoolchildren who died in the Russian town of Beslan after Chechen Islamist terrorists took their school hostage. It condemns violence in the name of Islam with a chorus that goes: “Mohammed, the light of my eyes; About you they spread many lies; If only they came to realize; Bloodshed you despise.”
“Free” is about a Muslim woman’s right to wear the veil and was inspired by the ordeal that Muslim girls went through when France banned hijab in public schools.
“Try not to Cry” is a rap song performed with the Danish trio Outlandish, which has two Muslim and one Christian member. “They are doing a great job, particularly with their latest album, which is very spiritual. They asked me to feature on their album, and I asked them to feature on mine,” explains Yusuf, who writes most of his own lyrics in collaboration with Bara Kherigi, one of his closest friends in the UK.
“This one is a little deep,” says Yusuf of his latest release. “We really put a lot of work into it, and I think it’s deep in the sense that there are a lot of variables in the music. I didn’t want to make another Al-Mu’allim because I like experimenting. I wanted to do something creative, and insha’Allah it will turn out well.”
Yusuf expects that it will be another year to a year-and-a-half before he can start working on his next project. In the meantime, he’s debating new video clips, having already succeeded on that front with both Al-Mu’allim and My Ummah.
“I am indebted to a great team with great passion,” says Yusuf. Egyptian director Hani Osama directs all his videos; the two videos supporting My Ummah to date are Hasbi Rabbi, shot on location in England, India, Turkey and Egypt, and Mother, filmed exclusively in Egypt.
“For the Mother clip, Osama asked me to provide him with pictures of myself as a child, and sobhan’Allah he found models who looked just like me when I was five or six. My mother cried when she saw the clip and started a whole deluge, with my nephew, sister and sister-in-law following suit. It was crazy.”
An International Star
Muslim communities worldwide have embraced Yusuf’s music. Last month, he was among the 150 US and Muslim leaders and opinion-makers invited to participate in the Brookings Institute’s third annual US-Islamic World Forum held in Doha, Qatar, which aims to narrow the growing gap between the US and the Islamic world. Yusuf has performed in sold-out concerts in the US and is planning a five-city concert tour there this coming summer.
He will also be busy touring for the next few months with concerts scheduled in Algeria, Qatar, Bahrain, Germany and a six-city tour in the UK in April, where he will be performing at prestigious venues including the Royal Albert Hall in London.
Despite the demand, Yusuf says that performing live is not his favorite thing to do.
“It’s not a matter of stage fright, because I’ve been performing on stage from a very young age, it’s just that I’m a perfectionist. If one chord goes wrong, I will stare back at my chorus for a few seconds, so I often have this kind of tension when I’m performing live; that’s why I keep my concerts to a minimum. If I wanted to, I could probably do concerts every other day.”
Yusuf held only one live performance at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina during his month-long stay in Egypt. The February 12 concert, sponsored by BP, sold out five days before the curtain rose. Encouraged by the excellent feedback he received, Yusuf is entertaining the idea of future performances at Egyptian venues including the newly renovated Sayyid Darwish Theater in Alexandria and the Cairo Opera House.
“I contemplated living in Egypt for a while to study Arabic last year, but it didn’t happen. Still, I’m always in and out of the country, even outside my work. I love being here. The spirit of Cairo is amazing. The fact that you can walk outside at three o’clock in the morning and everything is alive and people are drinking tea at the cafés is something you won’t see elsewhere,” says Yusuf.
“I think people here love life and are for the most part balanced when it comes to religion. All of the prominent voices that have helped shape Islam are Egyptian, like Sheikhs El-Ghazali, Sharawi, Qaradawi and even Amr Khaled.”
Yusuf speaks highly of Amr Khaled, who is not a sheikh but a sometimes controversial — and highly popular — self-proclaimed preacher now in a form of self-imposed exile in London. “Amr Khaled is an amazing person and a dear friend of mine. He supports what I’m doing and I support him. Regardless of what some people say, he is a very sincere person. I can see it in his eyes and face. I know that what he speaks he speaks from the heart. He has no hidden agenda; he just wants Islam to rise up to the challenge and revive those values and morals that we hold dear to our heart.”
As for Yusuf’s goals? “I’ll shock you,” he laughs. “I want to see myself on MTV one day. I want to pick up an award, a Grammy maybe, and walk on stage in front of the whole world and say ‘Salam Alaykum, peace be upon you, thank you very much, this is Islam.’
“That’s my professional goal, but my personal goal is very simple: It all boils down to is what kind of person you are. I’m not interested in just the art or the material contribution. I’m interested in humanity. I want to be a good husband to my wife, a good friend to my friends and a good Muslim. Actually, when I say ‘good Muslim,’ everything else will just come with it.
“It’s as simple as that.” et

The first photo on the left is our new dining room. It's amazing to find such terrific craftsmanship at a price we can afford. No more MDF although it is sold here and quite expensive. Since this photo was taken we bought a new silk rug for the dining room and moved this green rug to Mira's bedroom. The photo on the right is the view from our front balcony. We are on the top floor so we have a blanket of stars above us at night. During the day we have a blanket of garden area below us. I still have the urge to cut grass and trim hedges. This photo was from January.

Spring is Here!!

Spring finally arrived and we survived the month of Amsheer or as it is called "sandstorm season." Sandstorms are similar to snowstorms only sand flies around and the sky looks like it's snowing tan or brown. Everything is sandy dirty and there is lots of cleaning to be done around the home.

We have made some purchases over the past few months: a dining room set, rugs, chandeliers without crystals, which are hard to come by here in Egypt without the chandeliers looking like using all the antlers for decorating (courtesy of Beauty and the Beast). You cannot imagine how many times I sang the song ". . . I use antlers in all of my decorating. . . " good old Gaston. We also bought a beautiful wall-size tapestry, and had our window curtains and drapes made by a professional decorator. Labor is quite affordable here and if you are one who can afford great fabric, the world is your oyster.

The weather is really pleasant. The hibiscus is blooming, along with the geraniums, jasmine and gardenias. I have been fighting spring fever as I get up at 5 a.m. every day to go to work by 7.

I love waking up early and hearing the adhan (the call to prayer). There is just a sense of peace that comes with listening to the adhan any time of the day. It makes me remember Allah - God and the beauty and gifts that he gives me in my life. I doesn't matter what one's religion is, just hearing the adhan reminds me to be grateful of everything, Alhamdulillah - thanks be to God.

We hope to go to Alexandria sometime this spring and start looking for a beach apartment. I don't know what we'll find, but as we buy new things for our home we have furniture that would make great beach furniture; you know too good to sell or throw away, so let's put it in a beach apartment. We want something we can use year-round and since Alex is only 2 hours away it's a great weekend destination, and somewhere I can drive on my own.

Ma'salaam,

Marian

What do I do with all this time on my hands?

The Eid Holiday is over, and believe me I don't want to eat lamb, beef, or even chicken for at least a month. I've been filling up on fuul (beans) and lots of tamaya (falafel). There is plenty of good food in Egypt that is healthy, just be sure there isn't any fat added, such as butter or ghee (clarified butter). Oh, and stay away from the pastries -- Egyptians are high carb people by nature. I have been feeling quite satisifed throwing out cookies and bread that have gone stale.

I went into work yesterday to prepare the payroll deduction summary for staff, and I in turn got paid as well. In Egypt I get paid in cash and have to count the money and sign for the pay before I take it home. I joke that I'm a good wife of an Egyptian and give my husband all my money (it's only a joke). Historically, Egyptian women do not turn over their paychecks to their husbands, whatever they earn is theirs to keep. The husband is required to provide the home and spending money for the family.

I'm not working for the money, but rather to meet people and interact with others. I can't figure out yet if working is easing the culture shock or throwing it into overdrive; perhaps it's a lot of both.

I am off of work and Mira is off of school until we return on February 5th, which gives me plenty of time on my hands. Hassan watched Mira yesterday and when I got home from work he said "I'm going out with my 'boys' -- Mira is just too much to take care of." Really? I hadn't known that, but I agree.

What do I do with all the free time? Well, for starters there's always laundry - I enjoy doing laundry and now that we have a southern exposure I can do several loads a day. Oh, by the way if you ever want to know if I'm doing laundry, just check the weather report for Cairo, for if there's a cloud on the horizon I must be hanging laundry out to dry - and not just socks and jeans, but sheets and towels. The majority of Egyptians do not have dryers because the sun dries the laundry faster and doesn't heat up the home from April - November. I'm still debating on whether or not to buy a dryer. I have to wait and see what February and March hold in terms of weather. We have yet to enter the sandstorm season. Oh joy.

This brings me back to the time issue. I want to go shopping, but still feel that I am at a disadvantage because of the language barrier. My confidence is a lot better than it was when we moved here, but I am still timid to get out there and shop on my own -- without Hassan.

On or around February 3rd I will probably figure out what to do with all this time on my hands and then scurry to get a month's worth of work completed in two days.

Ma'salaam,

Marian

There's Nuttin' Like Mutton

If you are a lamb (meat) lover, then this is for you. If you are a PETA activist or care about animals in any way, you may want to skip this post.

I love animals, and yes, I eat meat - mostly chicken, beef not too much of and lamb, I think they ought to ban the slaughter of sheep.

Every Eid (meaning festival) it is a ritual similar to Greeks where each family will go to a farm, pick out a sheep and slaughter it, giving one third to the poor, one third to the family, and keeping one third for themselves. Well, we finally got around to slaughtering our first sheep.

Hassan is not religious in the least bit, actually he believes religion has its place but no one religion should be forced on to people -- I kind of agree with him on this point, but not to his extreme.

We went to the "farm" (military base where the farmer draftees raise sheep), picked out our sheep and kept it in the basement of Aunt Olfat's apartment for two days until this morning. Being the first day of the Eid holiday we went to Aunt Olfat's and waited for our sheep to be slaughtered. It wasn't too bad, I've seen worse things on television, but the hard part for me was having to eat lamb soup, lamb rice and lamb lamb lamb. I couldn't watch anyone else eat much less look at the food on my plate. Luckily the day ended and we came home.

Now we have one whole lamb in Aunt Olfat's freezer along with three other poor le moutons.

Everytime we go to someone's house for a lamb festival (which luckily has only been twice in 9 months), I think of two things: Jerry Seinfeld in the mutton episode where he would spit out the mutton into blue fabric napkins and then have dogs chase him down the street; and, My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Only my episode would be My Big Fat Egyptian Family. There are no vegetarians allowed, and if you happen to be a vegetarian, you can eat lamb, because lamb really isn't meat, now is it?

Peace,

Marian

Kolahagga and Mafeesh - Everything and Nothing

Happy New Year! Wow, 2006 already!? I remember when it was a year ago and we put our house on the real estate market hoping it would sell. Alhamdulillah (Thanks be to God) it sold as well as it did at the time.

So much has happened since my last post. Let's see -- well, first of all we moved to a bigger apartment in the same development. It is helwa owie (really beautiful). We thought we would never find anything in this hot real estate market until the spring. We've been here two weeks and are finally settling in -- can't you tell the pc is hooked up once again?

Christmas was interesting. I really missed being with my family with all the traditions that my parents raised us on. The pierogi, split pea soup and holupki are sorely missed, but I was able to find saurkraut at a large supermarket chain so I'm going to be rolling cabbage this weekend. I was very sad on Christmas, but the day passed quickly and I was able to get my mind back on to my work.

Mira had a nice visit from Santa. We were able to put up a tree and now know where to shop for next year's ornaments. I hope to bring the ornaments back with me from the US that my one brother is holding for us.

Every January marks bittersweet anniversaries: it will be 9 years since my Mom died, and just a week later, Hassan and I celebrate our 13th wedding anniversary on January 30th. And if that's not enough, I turn a year older in February. Ugh, I hate to mention how old I'll be, but Valerie, you know the true age.

We have one month off from work beginning January 6 and ending February 4. The vacation combines the Eid al Fitr (the Hajj) in Islam and a winter holiday that we must take. I will probably work some of the time just to catch up on paperwork and hopefully we will do something fun like go to Luxor and visit the temples. And maybe, if I'm lucky we will be able to look for a nice dining room set for our apartment. We'll have to see how things play out.

I hope everyone had a safe and happy Christmas and New Year.

I wish everyone the very best for 2006!

Ma'salaam,

Marian

November came and went . . .

Now that it's the holiday season in the US, I am becoming very homesick and meloncholy. Maggie's birthday came and went and I have yet to call and wish her a happy birthday. Thanksgiving came and went and I miss my family terribly beyond words right now. It's not that I don't love my family, I love them so much it's just that when I call it will be one of "those" calls where I cry and say "everything's ok" in between the crying.

First of all, Happy Birthday Maggie. Two years old what a big girl she is by now getting into everything and creating a marching band with all the pots and pans while she watches Barney.

And then there's Thanksgiving. Wow, our last Thanksgiving was at our house and we had a grand time. I made everything from scratch and enjoyed the aromas in the air that reminded me of my mom preparing the Thanksgiving turkey at 5:00 a.m. to put in the oven by 6 and on the table by 12 so everyone can watch the football games on TV the rest of the day and snack on leftover turkey for the next few days.

This Thanksgiving was spent at Amy's home. Amy is the principal of the school and invited all staff and their families to her home where she "whipped up" turkeys and all the traditional American fare including, yes, canned cranberry sauce and pumpkin and apple pies. Yum!! Amy had a lot of help from the school coordinator along with the vice-principal, his wife a teacher, and three of their children. Just walking into Amy's building reminded me of my mom. I could smell the turkeys roasting from five floors away. There was a good turnout of teachers at Thanksgiving dinner. I really enjoyed it, but Hassan and Mira decided not to come because we didn't realize how many spouses would be there. Now we know.

Thanksgiving at Amy's eased the pain of missing my family; and then I realized that I am on my way to creating new friendships and feeling a sense of community in the school where I work.

I just wished I could speak a little bit more Arabic to communicate every thought that goes through my head in an average day; and believe me there are many thoughts to be communicated but I don't always feel comfortable speaking through a translator. I hope that the people I work with understand me through my smiles and the little Arabic I know.

Ma'salaam,

Marian

Sometimes things just aren't meant to be

Driving in Cairo is like -- well, imagine the worst traffic jam you've ever been in and then multiply it by 100. Egyptians don't pay attention to traffic lights, streetcars, turn signals or lanes. So imagine . . .

Last night Hassan's friend Shabaan came over with his family to our apartment. We went to a local outdoor restaurant/sheesha bar (water pipe) bar and Hassan and Shabaan smoked sheesha, I craved for a cigarette which I do on occasion and Shabaan's wife who is lovely but speaks no English and I very little Arabic just sat there and smiled at each other while Mira and Maryam (Shabaan's daughter) played.

After smoking two sheeshas Hassan and Shaaban suggested we go to Al Abbas al Akkad -- now get this the "k" is not pronounced at all in Egyptian Arabic so it's pronounced (Albessra Edd). This area of Cairo/Helipolis is very popular for shopping. So we drove our used car (which we drive for such occasions) and Shabaan was driving his "rental" car (long story) following us in the traffic jam. Hassan becomes this alter-ego person when he is driving and riding in the passenger seat is not for the feint of heart. It is quite normal to come within millimeters of touching another car on either side of you. Anyway, the car in front of us stopped suddenly and Hassan hit his brakes really hard and then the car behind us smashed right into us. We haven't had this car long, it's a used Hyndai Excel but we use it for driving in case of accidents. Anyway, we caused a large back-up on Albessra Edd Street. So now we've experienced our first car accident -- I've heard about how things are handled here.

The man who hit us came out of his car - luckily he has money. Hassan drove directly to the car shop and got a quote to get the car fixed. So now he's been gone all day today getting the car fixed. There is no such thing as car insurance here, actually insurance in general is pretty non-existent except for some health insurance. So the man who hit our car did the right thing and paid to get the car fixed.

The point of the story is that I still need clothes and shoes and need to plan for another day. I think I'll ask a friend from school to go with me -- she lives around El Bessra Edd and she's about one size smaller than me at this point.

Another person came and looked at the apartment today when Hassan was out. Let's see there was an Egyptian man and another man who I thought spoke English but he's Egyptian and speaks Italian. In any event, whoever can find us a nice big apartment/house here in Rehab can buy our apartment. Hassan thinks the incentive program will work, I think we ought to just put an ad in the paper to buy an apartment in the area where we live and rent out our apartment and just sit on it until it doubles or triples in value.

Peace,

Marian

Now's that is't finally "cooling" off . . .

My body is having a difficult time adjusting to "cooler" air. Cooler air here is about 75 degrees. Although it may sound very warm, there is absolutely no humidity here which makes it actually feel 10 degrees cooler. And since the buildings are all made out of concrete, it is difficult to have a warm home in the cooler weather. Additionally, the school where I work is "open" meaning there are no doors, so I go from my office which is quite warm and extremely sunny (my office faces south) to the cold hallways where the wind always blows from the north. I know it's no NJ, MD or PA, but it is still cold in its own way.
I've been either very warm or freezing, which has resulted in a cold.

We had our parents' meeting last night where about 300 parents descended on the school to sign out their child's report cards. What a fiasco. The Egyptians I'm dealing with are pushy and very persistent. You have to be pushy and persistent here or else nothing gets done. This place is definitely a good place to grow a backbone.

I have been working non-stop day and night inputting about 400 report card grades on excel. It was a terrific program to work with; the vice principal of the school created. I input the grades into a very general spreadsheet and then he converted the files to Access. I keep wondering why DateAble never used this approach in dealing with its database, but that's water under the bridge so to speak.

We are looking for a larger apartment to live in here in El Rehab, but the market is very tight. Anything that becomes available is gone almost the same day. We've missed out on two apartments. There is no sense of contract or allegiance when it comes to buying a place. One seller met with us and then he turned around and sold the apartment to someone else. We could look outside of Rehab but we're not giving up the fight right a way. If we look outside of Rehab we will have every convenience in the worl, moreso than what we have here, but we will be in the city - Heliopolis, the greatest area inmy opinion to shop in Cairo - next to the Khan e Khalili.

I found an area in Heliopolis that only sells sewing machines so I hope to pick up once again on my quilting. I met a seamstress who hemmed some pants for me -- now get this the pants cost all about $2.00 to hem, and $4.00 to put a new zipper in one of Mira's jackets, anyway the seamstress told me, "In Cairo, buy either a Pfaff or Brother sewing machine. Stay away from Singer." Wow, I can actually afford a Pfaff? Incredible. The prices are comparable to the US, but in overall assistance, they repair absolutely everything here. An item has to be in pretty bad shape to get thrown out.

Ma'salaam,

Marian

It is About Time!

There is no excuse for my lapse in writing. Well, no excuse except for the fact that I've been working full-time since August 16th. I'm the only Administrative Assistant for the American school Mira is attending. Currently school attendance from KG to G 12 is at approximately 496. My resopnsibilities take every bit of energy the Bishops' meetings used to require of me.

I will be re-naming my blog, possibly opening a new blog and new look. I haven't really decided yet. There is so much to write about regarding the newest chapter of my life. I hope to describe Egypt as best I can through my personal observations and experiences.

Ma'salaam,

Marian

Keep on Truckin'

OK, I know it's been a week since I posted. A few things have happened. For starters, I met my friend from Alexandria and her husband. They came to Cairo for an interview at the American Embassy. They are so easy to talk to and we get along so well, I wish we lived closer. We went to Fuddruckers for dinner. It was really exciting to finally meet her since we've been emailing and exchanging blog entries for months now.

Secondly, I have been working on my resume. It is in desperate need of updating -- ok it needs a complete overhaul. I know it will take some time to completely finish the resume, but I have time because I want to put at least a couple of months of my new position here in Egypt on my resume to send to the US.

We have a small amusement park here in Rehab for children. It reminds me of what Sea Isle City, NJ used to have in terms of rides. Mira went on these two bunjy cords that sprang her in the air like Wile E. Coyote. She was scared to death after awhile but all in all it was a great time. She has no desire to do it again any time soon.

Love,

Marian

Where do we go from here?

I watched Willy Wonka last night and I've come to realize that there are many great lines in the movie. Mrs. T.V. said "Mr. Wonka I want to go back." Willie Wonka replied "Oh my dear, one must move forward in order to go back."

I think this is where we stand right now in regards to living in Egypt. I know we need to move forward in order to go back (to the US). Hassan is happy here, it's a good thing. I'm glad that Mira is having fun; the main reason for having fun here is that she swims just about everyday. And then there's me -- still grappling with the fact that we've been here almost four months (I can't believe it).

After doing some internet research, I've decided to go ahead and post my resume so I can find full-time work in the US with benefits. It is vital to have health insurance benefits for the family. Then I was thinking -- do I post my resume for the Maryland/DC/Virginia area? Do I post it for another part of the country? I told Hassan the other day this may be the "kick in the pants" i.e. the catalyst I needed to throw me back into the working world.

As for Mira, she would do fine in any school - but of course we would want it to be a good public school system.

A few of the American women I've met while here in Egypt are on anti-depressants to help them cope with living and trying to adjust to life in Egypt. I really don't want to go on anti-depressants because it won't solve anything for me, except for taking the edge off of life for awhile. One woman is from New Jersey and I just found she's returning to New Jersey with her 5 year old son while her husband continues to live here for a year. She will be staying with her sister.

Maybe that's the answer for us -- but for how long?

Peace,

Marian

The Whirling Dervish

The whirling dervish twirls around onstage with two several skirts on around his waist. Then he lifts the one skirt up over his head - (first photo) and spins for several minutes as though he's in a trance. Then he takes off the first skirt, and twirls in just the second skirt until he takes that off too and walks around the room with the skirt over his head. This has always been a personal fascination of mine even before I met Hassan. I had no idea whirling dervishes were Egyptian in origin, courtesy of Turkey and Greece. The colors are magnificent and the embroidery unimaginable (to those of us who admire embroidery). Egypt can keep the belly dancers, just give me a whirling dervish anyday!

Ups and Downs

This past week has been interesting to say the least.

Mira handled her punishment very well. When Mira goes out to play, she will need to check in with us every hour until we decide she is once again "off the hook" as she likes to say.

Hassan hardly ever goes out with just his friends. He finally had planned to go out with his friends one night and was kind of in between on whether or not to go out to begin with, but decided to go which I thought was a good idea. He left, arrived an hour later at his friend's business. About the same time he arrived to his destination, Mira called him to tell him I was stuck in the bathroom. Yes, for some reason the latch was jammed and I could not get out. I felt awful. So, of course Hassan returned home with his friend, Shabaan, and they got me out. Hassan then took Shabaan home and returned around 2:00 a.m. with dinner in hand, and dessert.

Last night we went out with one of Hassan's friend, Ehab and his wife Jihan on a Nile cruise/dinner ship. It was really nice, except Ehab and Jihan do not get along. Mira danced with the belly dancer and other tourists on the ship and I stood underneath a whirling dervish (a lifelong fascination of mine). It's truly amazing how they keep spinning for minutes on-end.

We had a really nice time and returned home. For some reason we all feel like tourists and look every bit like tourists, but that's ok. I keep thinking this is one long vacation/sabbatical from life and someday in the near future we will return.

Mira has been battling allergies and/or her asthma over the last couple of days. We are still trying to get to see the doctor but he is not in until 7:30 p.m. so we will see.

All in all it was a very exciting week, with many reasons to be happy, but for some reason I've been feeling quite down nonetheless. I can't place my finger on it -- some of it is homesickness (which includes everybody and everything), some of it is still feeling like I don't belong, and some of it is just plain old sadness.

Peace,

Marian

"Eyes Optionable"

A few days ago Mira went out to play with a little girl from the neighborhood named Aya. Mira was playing so nicely with Aya. The day passed and as the sun was setting I was wondering about Mira's whereabouts. I asked Hassan and right before he took a nap he said "I'll go look for her in a few minutes." Well, a few minutes turned out to be at least an hour later. I wasn't worried about her safety because we have outstanding security where we live and everyone pretty much knows each other and children will come to your door if something is wrong with your child. I decided to go downstairs into the garden area and find out for myself what Mira was doing.

I found Mira sitting on the curb of the parking lot (gasp) with children she's not supposed to play with (double gasp). I asked Mira where her bicycle was and she said "I don't know." She gave me this look like she never owned a bicycle before in her life. One of the children that she's not supposed to be playing with, Zacharia said "My brother Mohamed is riding her bike." I just about blew a gasket. I said "You go find your brother right now and bring him back here. He is not allowed to ride Mira's bike." Eventually I found Mohamed and I said in a loud stern voice "You get off Mira's bike right now. You are never allowed to ride Mira's bike again because you broke it too many times. If you want a bicycle, ask your parents to buy you one." He just said "OK."

I took Mira upstairs, and told her she is punished from riding her bike for one week. Then I asked her to surrender the key to her bicycle lock, which she did. I told her, for the next few days she is grounded from playing with children. She is never allowed to play with Zacharia, Mohamed and their little sisters again. Mira JUST DIDN'T GET IT!! So we went back and forth for several hours of her crying and carrying on "Nobody loves me." "You don't love me." Unfortunately, she has no idea what kind of child I was because she met her match when I became her mother. I know every trick in the book, backwards, forwards, sideways and upside down. As my Mom used to say "Don't pull that crap with me."

Mira is the only child in the neighborhood who plays with these children. They trash all the toys; call kids really bad names and throw rocks at people. We've told Mira before not to play with these kids but we got soft on them for some reason. Never again.

So Mira went to bed that night with her eyes red and swollen from crying, hyperventilating one too many times (another old trick of mine). Usually we lay in bed and say "OK 5 minutes of quiet starting now." We rarely go beyond 5 minutes. We used to say "Eyes closed." Now Mira says "Eyes optionable." Oh, how can I be angry at a child who wants to use such a big word as "optional" and instead replaces it with "optionable." We love her so much and realize that she is growing too quickly for us to hold onto, but it doesn't mean that we stop correcting her and punishing her. It's all a part of love and wanting to raise her with a sense of responsibility and accountability; something I really didn't understand until I turned 29, but there's always hope for Mira.

Peace,

Marian

Some Days are Diamonds, Some Days are Stones

Mira has been wanting to spend the night away from home for quite some time. When we were in the US we tried to get Mira to stay at my one sister's house, but when we would really talk about it, Mira would back out. Last night was the exception; Mira finally spent her first night away from home. She kept asking me: "Was Kelsey afraid?" "Was Frances ever nervous sleeping at Baba's?" (my Mom's house) Of course I told Mira that they were nervous. Then Mira told me how much she was going to miss me -- I really felt her words and just wanted to drag her home, but I knew this was a big step for everyone.

It was all planned (at least in my mind): we would drop Mira off at Aunt Olfat's, sit for an hour, maybe two at most, and then leave Mira with Aunt Olfat. After visiting for a little while, Hassan and I would go shopping for a few kitchen items, you know spending some time alone for a change. Let me just say that things never go as planned -- at least not in my case.

We dropped Mira off at Aunt Olfat's (that part worked out). We stayed for six hours during which time, Dalia (Olfat's daughter) and her son Omar went with us (Hassan, Mira and me) to the store to shop for kitchen items. There is never a lack of opinion in Aunt Olfat's family when it comes to anything especially shopping. I know that people are trying to help us, inform us about the items we were shopping for, but one would get an entirely different impression had they actually experienced it like I had.

We finished our shopping, went back to Aunt Olfat's and sat for another hour at which time I told Mira she can stay or she can come home with us; it was her decision. Mira decided to stay.

Hassan and I went downstairs, Mira went with us along with Dalia, and we said goodnight. Mira went upstairs with Dalia. We looked in the rearview mirror to see if there was a little girl with a cat t-shirt following us up the street. We were comforted to see the street empty.

In the car, I told Hassan that I cannot believe how people eat all night long. Then I asked him if he wanted to go for shrimp sandwiches. At this point I was trying to salvage any notion of a romantic evening; as romantic as shopping for kitchen supplies can be in my mind. After 12 years of marriage, I'll take what I can get.

Hassan and I ate our shrimp sandwiches in the car on the way home. We got home, Hassan went to bed and I stayed up until I thought Mira wouldn't call. Then I went to sleep.

This morning Aunt Olfat called saying that Mira did very well. Well, Mira's growing up and stretching her wings ever so slightly. I guess there's no stopping her at this point.

As for Hassan and I, maybe we'll spend time alone some day, without people, phone calls or children. I don't know when it will be; but I keep hoping.

Peace,

Marian

Counting the days . . . or not

I realized yesterday, or was it the day before, that I have stopped marking the days off the calendar since we moved to Cairo. Perhaps life is becoming a bit more normal for me, however "normal" is described by Egyptian society, and perhaps I'm really beginning to realize that we're here for awhile, so I might as well enjoy it.

Yesterday, Hassan and I dropped off Mira at Aunt Olfat's so we could do some shopping. We went into Cairo - an accomplishment in itself -- and met his friends, Ehab and Shabaan, who took us to a downtown shopping area. Our intention was to shop in a very famous area called "Attaba" for low-priced, high quality housewares. Needless to say, we never made it to Attaba. Instead we settled (unbeknownst to me) for shopping in another nearby area close to Attaba. We ended up purchasing one adult bicycle which Hassan and I will share, along with two cotton long sleeve tops for me which cost 15 LE each (equivalent to $3.00 each). We also managed to buy one chandelier for the living room, and two light fixtures, one for each bedroom. We desperately needed these lighting fixtures as we were tired of looking at raw lightbulbs hanging out of the sockets in the ceiling.

We ate shrimp sandwiches at a small cafe (seafood is everywhere here in Egypt), and then went to an ice cream shop for dessert. I've never seen two grown men eat ice cream so quickly as Ehab and Shabaan. Luckily the restaurant was air conditioned.

It was about 7:00 p.m. and as I was people-watching, which I love to do, I noticed that more and more people surfaced on the streets and sidewalks as the sun made its descent into the horizon. Sure it's great to go shopping in the late afternoon such as we did, but it's much smarter to start shopping after sunset.

Peace,

Marian

A Hen Party in Egypt

Over the past several years, I have been a member of a few email groups dedicated to women married to Egyptians and one dedicated to women living in Egypt.

Yesterday, I finally had an opportunity to meet some of the women with whom I have been communicating over the past few years. It was quite refreshing to finally meet these women I've only known by email names and addresses. There were approximately 15 women in attendance at a baby shower for one American woman about to give birth. While many of the women were from the U.S. (ok, here Egyptians say "America" I still say "U.S."), there was a woman from Iceland, one woman from Australia (of Egyptian parents), a Slovenian/Syrian woman currently living in Slovenia, and a woman from Germany. I was very nervous about going, but was put at ease after being given a warm welcome. There were no judgements made, no gossipping about others; just a room full of women speaking English, passing along motherly advice to the mom-to-be, and eating good food.

Peace,

Marian