My beautiful Middle Schoolers. So fun-loving. See post below.
My boab Rabeya. We barely understood each other, but he was so kind and giving and gracious. I hope that he knows how much I appreciated him and how much I valued his care of building 1/3.
lemon-mint juice. Whoever realized that freshly squeezed lemons/limes went with mint, you are a genius.
Cost and availability of fresh fruits and vegetables. Mangos, pomegranates, strawberries oh my!
Mohamed the fruitman. Even when I moved away from the fruit stand, he still sent delivery boys to my apartment, and still made sure I was looked after.
The church of St. John the Baptist, Ma'adi. Never have I been part of a church that knows and understands its situation and mission so well. Let by Paul-Gordon and Ben, I have been pushed, fed and nurtured and will miss Friday morning church so much.
Friends from the church of St. John the Baptist, Ma'adi. I should write a paragraph about each of the wonderful people who have become such dear friends.
Revolution and the pervasive national pride shown afterwards. Finally Egypt has something to be proud of. I swear you could see Egyptians walking all a bit taller in March this year.
Riding in taxis everywhere. This has been the source of two years of entertainment. Negotiating, arguing about prices, giving directions in half-English and half-Arabic, but almost always arriving safely and in one piece, being spared the need to navigate Cairo's streets on my own.
A constant sense of “What's going to happen next” whenever leaving the door of apartment 12. (Although this could also be put in the previous Things I will Not Miss post as well).
Delivery everything. When the above-mentioned sense of adventure became too much, I did not have to leave apartment 12. Everything can be delivered.
Being cold at 25 C and wearing a scarf and a light sweater
Being sick of sun, and wishing for a cloudy day.
Nadia the housekeeper. I regret not hiring her until January of this past year, but have absolutely loved the feeling of coming home to a spotless apartment once a week. I wonder if she will immigrate to Canada???
Being the centre of attention. People stare and point, and I have grown used to it.
Shokran, ya Masr, for all of you have been.
I loved these posts! I think they were completely appropriate-especially the one about what you will NOT miss. Didn't see it as complaining but legitimate things that you didn't appreciate and we learn to take for granted. I am very surprised you got sick of sun though!
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine having dirty feet for two years. I love my sandals, but I always get so excited in the fall when the socks and shoes come back on and I don't have to wash my feet before bed. What an experience! I'm glad that Hendrik has a bib from Cairo that will prompt him to ask you for stories from Egypt when he's older!!
ReplyDelete