We became
friends with the grooms and were invited over for dinner.
The food was
unbelievable. The women take great pride in their cooking. They
really
go all out.
We sat on
cushions around a small round table. The woman laid the table with lamb,
chicken, salad, soup and fresh baked bread. Vegies in sauce. I was in
heaven.
I can not
believe they can balance these BIG aluminum trays on their heads covered in
dishes. I could not balance it empty.
The homes are
simple but spotless. We ate from communal plates. (no double dipping)
You use the
bread or your fingers. Spoons were the only cutlery for the soup.
I love the
food.
Finished off
with tea , fruits and pastries.
The last day
we were there I bought toys for the kids at a toy store in Maadi.
I noticed
there is not many toys in the village. They do not go into Cairo often..
The average
income is $60 to $140 per month so it does not leave much for extras.
We loaded up
the donkey cart and Farag the groom drove us to the village.
Quite a stir
was caused. 2 western woman in a donkey cart makes everyone smile and laugh.
They stopped working in the fields to laugh and wave. They yelled greetings.
Linda was Lady Di. She gracefully waved and greeted everyone with a
hello.
The kids
loved the toys. I bought bags of marbles so everyone could have a
few.
I bought a
baby doll, beads , play dough.
The kids were
so excited. They showed me how they could count to ten and say hello welcome to
Egypt. I taught
them colors in English. These kids want to learn. They are smart.
When it was
time to go I felt like the pied piper. I had so many children walking me to the
donkey cart.
We were
invited to lunch and for a tour of the Bin Laden stables. The horses were breath
taking. What a beautiful place. They even had a set of twins which is very
unusual in horses. They rarely live.
Lunch was
great! The houses are really nice. Marble flooring is cheaper then lino or
carpet.
I found a
house I want to buy. It looks like something out of Disney land. I would turn it
into a guest house and offer belly dancing lessons on the front lawn . Yoga in
the back garden. I would love it. Just cannot convince hubby to move. Darn his
love of snow.
It is right
next door to my friends place. I would hire gardens since my thumbs are all
brown.
That brings
me to shopping again. Anyone want me to bring them home a belly dance
costume..lol
I did so
much, saw so much I can not even think of it all.
Driving. You
would never want to drive there. It goes by the bumper rule. Whoever gets the
bumper in front gets to go. The 3 lane freeway has 7 lanes and in the mix is
horse and donkey carts. Pedestrians dodge traffic. Traffic is a zoo.
Maryanne has
a driver who will drive you where ever you want to go. It is included in the
tour package.
I actually
saw a pickup truck with 3 water buffalos and 2 donkeys in the back in downtown
Cairo.
Housing is
interesting. The parents build a house then they build a second floor for the
oldest son. When he gets married they finish it. The next son goes up a level.
Got 4 sons 4 levels. They build houses but they are not finished until they are
ready to be moved into.
Stop by my
booth at the AERC convention. I am bringing horse tack, scarves and
pictures.
A little bit
of Egypt for you
all to enjoy.
Maryanne has
a groom who is her right hand man with the horses. He is coming to
Canada this
summer to stay with Dave and I. Part of the money from the tack and scarves will
go to help him pay for a ticket. It is more for his ticket then he makes in a
year.
I have
arranged for him to learn trimming and shoeing from farrier friend
Susan.
Wayne Delbeke
has offered to work with him and Teena teaches English as a second language. Got
it all covered just need to get him a ticket.
There are few
pictures on my home page as a link to flickr
I am not the
storyteller Steph or Merry are but I hoped you enjoyed it.
