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Tuesday, February 26, 2019
Update 54
We've been to the zoo where the thing that you do is....watch a multitude of domestic cats crawl in and out of the cages that held flamingoes, ducks, ostriches, etc.
Really...one made a duck his lunch! Unlike the aquarium, no animals were stuffed or pickled!
The Cairo Zoo reminded us of the US zoos about 50 years ago. Animals in small concrete floored cages. Also reminded us of why we quit going to zoos for a while. Though there was a decent number of species, usually only a few of each. We did see some hippos out of the water for the first time!!
We especially enjoyed watching many young Egyptian families having a splendid day. We didn't see any other foreigners there and since we were asked several times to be included in their photos...even had one couple sit their child between us & then take a photo...we got the idea that we were a rare breed on exhibit too!!
Really...one made a duck his lunch! Unlike the aquarium, no animals were stuffed or pickled!
The Cairo Zoo reminded us of the US zoos about 50 years ago. Animals in small concrete floored cages. Also reminded us of why we quit going to zoos for a while. Though there was a decent number of species, usually only a few of each. We did see some hippos out of the water for the first time!!
We especially enjoyed watching many young Egyptian families having a splendid day. We didn't see any other foreigners there and since we were asked several times to be included in their photos...even had one couple sit their child between us & then take a photo...we got the idea that we were a rare breed on exhibit too!!
Sunday, February 24, 2019
Update 53
I just love how often we just happen to be in the right place at the right time!
Take Thursday night....we were headed out for dinner around 7...a bit later than usual. As we approached the exit gate, one of the RE staff, Mr. Boka stopped us & said, "You gotta stay! There's going to be a Sudanese wedding here anytime!" Looking around we saw a decorated canopy in front of the church and a few dressed up people lingering around. Mr. Boka went on to tell us that the wedding was suppose to start at 5...yup 5...but the bride was coming in a limo and it was stuck in traffic. So, of course, we lingered too. About 7:10, we spotted the limo trying to turn down the narrow street leading to the church. It had to go back & forth until it was lined up straight on. Slowly it crawled toward the church barely missing the parked cars. The church opened the gate...but then 4 cars needed to be moved to make room for the limo. Finally around 7:30, the limo door open and 3 bridesmaids in deep red dresses stepped out...and then the bride lavishly dressed in a sparkling, laced, enormously full skirted white wedding dress with a long train!
I was trying to be discreet & get a few pictures. Several of the local maids that we'd gotten to know had gathered and kept urging me to get closer. By now, the groom & groomsmen had entered the elegantly decorated church. The musician was singing beautifully (later learned the real singer had not shown up so the staff tech person was filling in). The maids almost pushed me into the church & Rog followed begrudgingly saying, "We shouldn't!" But I said, "Why not?? When else are we going to get a chance to see a Sudanese wedding?"
So there we sat in our sweatshirts in the back row with 3 maids in their pinstriped uniforms. One of them got the giggles & another kept slugging her & frowning...which made me laugh...which made her giggle more...pretty soon all 4 of us were trying hard to control ourselves. Rog trying to ignore us.
Though I couldn't understand the words...it appeared to be similar to our weddings with vows & rings exchanged and then hands joined ...all the while the camera man's bright light in their faces. Similar except for as each part of the ceremony ended, the guest let out a loud, high pitched shrill call...maybe a tribal call??? It was a sound that pieced the air & one that sent shivers up my spine.
We snuck out before the end but got caught by a guest who'd also snuck out...he told us we must stay for the party. We told him we'd come by after we ate dinner.
So we came back maybe an hour later... and it was over...almost cleaned up. The whole wedding reception had disappeared...kinda like a Cinderella story!
Really...this happened...you just can't make up stories like this!!
Take Thursday night....we were headed out for dinner around 7...a bit later than usual. As we approached the exit gate, one of the RE staff, Mr. Boka stopped us & said, "You gotta stay! There's going to be a Sudanese wedding here anytime!" Looking around we saw a decorated canopy in front of the church and a few dressed up people lingering around. Mr. Boka went on to tell us that the wedding was suppose to start at 5...yup 5...but the bride was coming in a limo and it was stuck in traffic. So, of course, we lingered too. About 7:10, we spotted the limo trying to turn down the narrow street leading to the church. It had to go back & forth until it was lined up straight on. Slowly it crawled toward the church barely missing the parked cars. The church opened the gate...but then 4 cars needed to be moved to make room for the limo. Finally around 7:30, the limo door open and 3 bridesmaids in deep red dresses stepped out...and then the bride lavishly dressed in a sparkling, laced, enormously full skirted white wedding dress with a long train!
I was trying to be discreet & get a few pictures. Several of the local maids that we'd gotten to know had gathered and kept urging me to get closer. By now, the groom & groomsmen had entered the elegantly decorated church. The musician was singing beautifully (later learned the real singer had not shown up so the staff tech person was filling in). The maids almost pushed me into the church & Rog followed begrudgingly saying, "We shouldn't!" But I said, "Why not?? When else are we going to get a chance to see a Sudanese wedding?"
So there we sat in our sweatshirts in the back row with 3 maids in their pinstriped uniforms. One of them got the giggles & another kept slugging her & frowning...which made me laugh...which made her giggle more...pretty soon all 4 of us were trying hard to control ourselves. Rog trying to ignore us.
Though I couldn't understand the words...it appeared to be similar to our weddings with vows & rings exchanged and then hands joined ...all the while the camera man's bright light in their faces. Similar except for as each part of the ceremony ended, the guest let out a loud, high pitched shrill call...maybe a tribal call??? It was a sound that pieced the air & one that sent shivers up my spine.
We snuck out before the end but got caught by a guest who'd also snuck out...he told us we must stay for the party. We told him we'd come by after we ate dinner.
So we came back maybe an hour later... and it was over...almost cleaned up. The whole wedding reception had disappeared...kinda like a Cinderella story!
Really...this happened...you just can't make up stories like this!!
Saturday, February 23, 2019
Update 52 by Roger
Sometimes Egyptian kids follow us saying "Money, money, money". Even beggars have done nothing more than hold out their hand or put it to their mouth indicating hunger. Some adults have approached us saying, "Money". Many nights we walk by an older lady sitting on a chair in the same spot holding out a small package of Kleenex. She simply smiles and never says anything. We have about 15 packages in our drawer. Another man lies on a blanket propped up by a wooden crate surrounded by vases of flowers...often reading a newspaper. He always smiles at us too. No one has threatened us even when we don't choose to give to them. They simply leave us alone thinking about our choice.
I have seen many Egyptians reach into their pocket & slip an Egyptian pound or two into the hands of these marginalized people. Several times our taxi driver pulls over and rolls down his window to give money to a person sitting beside the road with hand outstretched. He has a bit more than they do and it is his choice to share what he has. I admire his quiet acknowledgment of their plight.
I am also proud of our country because I know many Americans give from their abundance to help others in all parts of the world.
Update 51
Another day...another school!!! We'd never even visited a school for the deaf, yet today we were asked to observe and make recommendations. We questioned Francine's idea of sending us there but she was sure we'd be helpful...so off we went.
The school is one of only ten for deaf children in Egypt & houses 60 students—mostly from poor families. They have a K-10 program with class sizes between 5 and 10. Several teachers and staff were former students...two couples met there and now all 4 work there & their deaf children attend. The sense of caring and love permeated the whole campus!!
Besides teaching Arabic sign language and American Sign Language, they also teach math, carpentry, sewing, & crafts. The students were delightful and very excited to demonstrate what they could do and projects they had made. Especially enjoyed watching the maintenance many teaching two young men how to replace a door jam.
We spent over an hour with the director who is new and very determined to improve all aspects of the school but especially teaching reading. I never thought about how difficult that would be—how do you explain: the, but, what etc...when you've never heard a conversation???
Funding is a huge problem as well. There get no government money & very little money from the families. So they need to search for ways to cover the $20 per week it cost to teach and board these students. The Anglican & Coptic Church and Embrace Africa (UK NGO) are their main sources of funding right now.
The director picked our brains for suggestions: presentations to churches, organizations & NGO; Go Fund Me; Airbnb spare room; more selling venues for projects made by students; more sellable projects made by students; reach out to world wide deaf community.
We will have a follow up visit with the young lady, Youstina who is going to be responsible to raise funds. Her enthusiasm, love of the kids and youthful ambition will certainly be the key factors in raising funds!
After each of our school visits, we were asked to write a report so that has consumed much of my time lately. Kinda felt like the good ol' days writing reports!
A most interesting story we heard today was about a the deaf priest here who is translating the gospel of St Mark into sign language! He is also making a video with deaf kids acting the parts. He has just finished after working on it for ten years!! He's awaiting final editing and then it'll be available! Would love to see it!
The school is one of only ten for deaf children in Egypt & houses 60 students—mostly from poor families. They have a K-10 program with class sizes between 5 and 10. Several teachers and staff were former students...two couples met there and now all 4 work there & their deaf children attend. The sense of caring and love permeated the whole campus!!
Besides teaching Arabic sign language and American Sign Language, they also teach math, carpentry, sewing, & crafts. The students were delightful and very excited to demonstrate what they could do and projects they had made. Especially enjoyed watching the maintenance many teaching two young men how to replace a door jam.
We spent over an hour with the director who is new and very determined to improve all aspects of the school but especially teaching reading. I never thought about how difficult that would be—how do you explain: the, but, what etc...when you've never heard a conversation???
Funding is a huge problem as well. There get no government money & very little money from the families. So they need to search for ways to cover the $20 per week it cost to teach and board these students. The Anglican & Coptic Church and Embrace Africa (UK NGO) are their main sources of funding right now.
The director picked our brains for suggestions: presentations to churches, organizations & NGO; Go Fund Me; Airbnb spare room; more selling venues for projects made by students; more sellable projects made by students; reach out to world wide deaf community.
We will have a follow up visit with the young lady, Youstina who is going to be responsible to raise funds. Her enthusiasm, love of the kids and youthful ambition will certainly be the key factors in raising funds!
After each of our school visits, we were asked to write a report so that has consumed much of my time lately. Kinda felt like the good ol' days writing reports!
A most interesting story we heard today was about a the deaf priest here who is translating the gospel of St Mark into sign language! He is also making a video with deaf kids acting the parts. He has just finished after working on it for ten years!! He's awaiting final editing and then it'll be available! Would love to see it!
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
Update 50
Made another visit to St. Raphael school today...the one for Sudanese refugee children we talked about in Update 35. We'd found a place in Cairo to purchase a few classroom supplies...including laser flashlights, posters, mounting tape, etc..so we came bearing gifts. The English teacher took us to observe in several math classes taught in Arabic. In a religion class, the students had some pretty deep questions for us...How do you know there really is a God??? How do you know what God wants you to do??? We could only give our personal thoughts...and made sure they knew "it wasn't the right answer" necessarily for them. The teacher encouraged the students to think deep.
Back in the principal's office, we spent time with the English speaking teacher showing him several simple teaching activities that he can pass on to all the other teachers. (Headbands, Hangman, Line Game, self correcting flashcards).
The principal had a TV set up in the hall showing a documentary about the UN refugee camp in Sudan that showed them performing their ceremonial dances and traditions. Several parents & older students had gathered there to watch. You could see the longing in their eyes. You could almost feel the homesickness in the air.
The English teacher rode back to RE with us just to make sure we got back safely. He said he hoped to make it to USA but it is extremely hard to get a Visa...might take him 10 years. We wished him luck and gave him our email address....hoping for him for a miracle!!
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Back in the principal's office, we spent time with the English speaking teacher showing him several simple teaching activities that he can pass on to all the other teachers. (Headbands, Hangman, Line Game, self correcting flashcards).
The principal had a TV set up in the hall showing a documentary about the UN refugee camp in Sudan that showed them performing their ceremonial dances and traditions. Several parents & older students had gathered there to watch. You could see the longing in their eyes. You could almost feel the homesickness in the air.
The English teacher rode back to RE with us just to make sure we got back safely. He said he hoped to make it to USA but it is extremely hard to get a Visa...might take him 10 years. We wished him luck and gave him our email address....hoping for him for a miracle!!
Sent from my iPhone
Update 48
About Face! Yesterday we were in a home in Mokattam/Garbage City...today we were invited to the one of a clerk for the Canadian ambassador & her husband who is a professor at Cairo Univ (raised in Mexico City). Shocking the contrast!!
One about 10' x 10' with closet size kitchen & bath??off to the side...the other 150' x 50' with well stocked kitchen & a bathroom almost as big as the other. The contrast was startling...the only similarity was both host were warm and pleased to have us visit. We'd met Stella & Steve at church. They'd prepared a delicious, homemade meal of scrumptious chili, warm corn bread with honey butter, a salad & moist yummy carrot cake. John (Scot engineer consultant) & Margaret (English) that we'd also met at church were also there. I do love the British humor & accent. (Hello Mrs. Doubtfire!).
After dinner, we played a card game. Not trying to brag but I did win all 3 hands.
It's funny how 3 couples from all over the world get together in a country so different than all of theirs...can enjoy a fun evening & feel at home...though WE did feel a bit like we were the country bumpkins!
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One about 10' x 10' with closet size kitchen & bath??off to the side...the other 150' x 50' with well stocked kitchen & a bathroom almost as big as the other. The contrast was startling...the only similarity was both host were warm and pleased to have us visit. We'd met Stella & Steve at church. They'd prepared a delicious, homemade meal of scrumptious chili, warm corn bread with honey butter, a salad & moist yummy carrot cake. John (Scot engineer consultant) & Margaret (English) that we'd also met at church were also there. I do love the British humor & accent. (Hello Mrs. Doubtfire!).
After dinner, we played a card game. Not trying to brag but I did win all 3 hands.
It's funny how 3 couples from all over the world get together in a country so different than all of theirs...can enjoy a fun evening & feel at home...though WE did feel a bit like we were the country bumpkins!
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Update 49
Gotta write about the roads here in Cairo. Roger thinks anyone who is ticketed for road rage ought to be sentenced to "driving in Cairo for a week." First imagine multiple dented cars in no particular lane, buses & taxis pulling over whenever someone waves (no bus stops), motorcycles with several passengers often sitting side saddle with a baby in arms or with huge warming food boxes or loaded with a variety of cargo (ladders, bread racks, chairs and my favorite, broken glass), bicycles also with passengers & cargo, constant pedestrians crossing (no crosswalks), peddlers hawking their wares weaving between moving cars, occasionally horse & buggies and cars parked most anywhere including sidewalks. Add to that scene horns blasting continuously ...especially taxis when they see us because they think we might want them to pick us up. Only one or two traffic lights.
Though the vehicles come with in inches of each other...we have not witnessed an accident...but we hardly ever see a vehicle without a scratch, missing mirror, broken taillight or dent so the evidence of accidents is prevalent!
This scene takes us back to our days in Calcutta. There and here each time you cross the road, you're playing the game of Frogger! It's best to cross with the locals.
Once you get out of Cairo & you go onto an entrance ramp (where a herd of goats are munching garbage), there's a newly constructed toll road!! It's got signs, dotted lines, guard rails and a shoulder. It has it all!! We heard they plan to extend it to Alexander in the north and Luxor in the south.
Just gotta find a better place to feed the goats!!
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Though the vehicles come with in inches of each other...we have not witnessed an accident...but we hardly ever see a vehicle without a scratch, missing mirror, broken taillight or dent so the evidence of accidents is prevalent!
This scene takes us back to our days in Calcutta. There and here each time you cross the road, you're playing the game of Frogger! It's best to cross with the locals.
Once you get out of Cairo & you go onto an entrance ramp (where a herd of goats are munching garbage), there's a newly constructed toll road!! It's got signs, dotted lines, guard rails and a shoulder. It has it all!! We heard they plan to extend it to Alexander in the north and Luxor in the south.
Just gotta find a better place to feed the goats!!
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Update 47
Francine (RE fundraiser) asked us to speak at church for the prison ministry so we found ourselves up front again. We both told the stories about the individuals we'd met in prison & then asked the church members to personally support with their time and/or money.
Right after church, we went to a Thai restaurant with Monica (RE education director) & Steve, her husband and their two little ones. They've been in Egypt for 6 years and as I wrote in an earlier update, they run a Sudanese community center & live in their settlement. It was nice to be "out with friends."
Then we took an Uber till we got to the Main Street in front of Mokattam....better known as Garbage City.. From there we had to take a Tuk Tuk into the bosom of the area. As you can guess, this is where the garbage collectors live & recycle the garbage of Cairo. There actually was a documentary recently made about them that claimed they recycle close to 90% of what they collect.
How do you describe the scenes?? Small rooms with piles of sorted trash being stuffed in grain bags or metal being pounded flat or welded together or cardboard bundled...kids of all ages, dogs, cats, chickens all dodging between Tuk Tuks, trucks with a mile high loads of trash & carts bringing in more loot.
When we got to the top of the rather steep hill, we were in front of the Coptic Cave Church...a local priest's mission to provide a church & also a hospital for the people who live in this "city." In an actual cave, the church seats up to 10,000 & the walls have impressive carvings of bible scenes.
On our walk down, we turned into an alley way, walked behind a trash pile & knocked on the door of Monica's friend. Inside was a small room with a bench coved with a slightly worn blanket, a bed, an old frig covered with stickers, rusty wash machine, table covered with a sheet & a pile of who knows what...and a woman delighted to visit with us & offering us sodas & treats. Her daughter & small grandson joined us. With Monica to translate, she shared pictures of her birthday party and her daughter's wedding (really how'd they pull that off???). She was as proud as any Mother of the Bride.
When it was time to leave, she invited to dinner anytime. I knew we wouldn't chance eating there which made me feel snobby.
Being able to get into the guts of places we visit happens because we get to know and be trusted by locals. It's what makes our trips deep & real.
Cherif (our Dexter friend, Jo's family) had asked us to stop in so we swung by his house on our way home. We showed him some pictures ...he looked at them and said, "He is my patient, Steve Mehaffey!" He even had his number so immediately called Steve to tell him that we were at his home.
In this city of 20 million+ where Monica and Steve live far from Cherif who's related to our Dexter friend..What are the chances???
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Right after church, we went to a Thai restaurant with Monica (RE education director) & Steve, her husband and their two little ones. They've been in Egypt for 6 years and as I wrote in an earlier update, they run a Sudanese community center & live in their settlement. It was nice to be "out with friends."
Then we took an Uber till we got to the Main Street in front of Mokattam....better known as Garbage City.. From there we had to take a Tuk Tuk into the bosom of the area. As you can guess, this is where the garbage collectors live & recycle the garbage of Cairo. There actually was a documentary recently made about them that claimed they recycle close to 90% of what they collect.
How do you describe the scenes?? Small rooms with piles of sorted trash being stuffed in grain bags or metal being pounded flat or welded together or cardboard bundled...kids of all ages, dogs, cats, chickens all dodging between Tuk Tuks, trucks with a mile high loads of trash & carts bringing in more loot.
When we got to the top of the rather steep hill, we were in front of the Coptic Cave Church...a local priest's mission to provide a church & also a hospital for the people who live in this "city." In an actual cave, the church seats up to 10,000 & the walls have impressive carvings of bible scenes.
On our walk down, we turned into an alley way, walked behind a trash pile & knocked on the door of Monica's friend. Inside was a small room with a bench coved with a slightly worn blanket, a bed, an old frig covered with stickers, rusty wash machine, table covered with a sheet & a pile of who knows what...and a woman delighted to visit with us & offering us sodas & treats. Her daughter & small grandson joined us. With Monica to translate, she shared pictures of her birthday party and her daughter's wedding (really how'd they pull that off???). She was as proud as any Mother of the Bride.
When it was time to leave, she invited to dinner anytime. I knew we wouldn't chance eating there which made me feel snobby.
Being able to get into the guts of places we visit happens because we get to know and be trusted by locals. It's what makes our trips deep & real.
Cherif (our Dexter friend, Jo's family) had asked us to stop in so we swung by his house on our way home. We showed him some pictures ...he looked at them and said, "He is my patient, Steve Mehaffey!" He even had his number so immediately called Steve to tell him that we were at his home.
In this city of 20 million+ where Monica and Steve live far from Cherif who's related to our Dexter friend..What are the chances???
Sent from my iPhone
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
Update 46
We are again asking ourselves, WHY US?? Today we were driven to Menouf about two hours north...into the Nile delta where lush green rich fields were growing a mass of food using manpower & donkeys. The only single family homes we saw between Cairo & Menouf were a few old adobe homes .Next to them were fairly newer tall buildings of reinforced pillars & framework with bricks filling in the open spaces. Most had reinforcement rods still sticking out on top...ready to add more stories. No money wasted on exterior paint. We didn't see any "live" construction but we imagine that not long ago...the old adobe homes were demolished to make room for the new tall buildings.
It was market day in Menouf and the road was nearly impossible to get down...overloaded tables, trucks, cloths spread on the ground all covered with food, clothing, household items, etc...and people!! People cleaning chickens, washing eggs, picnicking, etc...and shopping!
We were taken to a school...the only Anglican school around, 1000 students, 25 P-10th classrooms. We were asked to observe & make recommendations. Who told anyone we were qualified to do that?? Two old retired teachers??
Soon after we arrived, we were eating tameya (bean pita sandwich)& visiting with the principal, Mr. George. He explained his school was all inclusive...anyone could come...and he wanted to offer the very best education so that the school would continue to thrive & grow. They had plans to add on. Under Nasser, it was closed for many years & was reopened in 1984. Today the school still has many government controls forced to charge a set amount & take a certain number of students. More students than they have room for...
The school was neat & clean(especially compared to the rest of Menouf) and the halls & classrooms were filled with attractive & educational displays.
We visited 6 English classrooms for about 30 minutes each...enjoying the lessons, taking notes & feeling like who am I to suggest anything?? All of the teachers were good...two exceptional! Lessons were well presented & students engaged.
We were in Mr. George's office when the dismissal bell rang & many kids walked in to shake his hand & say good bye. He obviously enjoyed his students! After serving us a feast prepared by school staff, then went for a quick tour of the church & met the Indian pastors before being to taken to the room they'd arranged for us. Not the Ritz!! Mr. George said, "Doable for 1 night." Cold...and no hot water...and no towels...made us appreciate our nice room in Cairo!!
He left & we crashed. He was back 2 hours later & we walked our streets...literally because there were no sidewalks. It's a busy city with lots of new businesses & 6 million people. We stopped for dessert & then a friend of his picked us up in his horse & buggy & delivered us back to our room. You'd think we were celebrities...well except for our room that night. We brainstormed for tomorrow before wrapping up in the wool blankets and went to sleep wondering WHY US??
Day 2 in Menouf—
7:30 am Mr. George picked us up & at 8 all the students gathered in the sports field & we were introduced. Then we were asked to speak. Yikes no time to prep! Roger talked about their deep history & that the future of Egypt was on the shoulders of these young students. I followed talking about goals, importance for a good education & the necessity of being kind to all.
We observed the rest of the English classes till about 12:30. Then we sat around a table with all the English teachers...dedicated, hardworking & eager to learn teachers. I admired them! What they (and most) teachers needed was a pat on the back which we gave them ...pointing out many best practices we'd seen. We suggested that they teach each other their most successful strategies. We did have a few new ideas for them prefacing them with the fact that they know best...and they need smaller class size (average 45) and some type of projector so they didn't have to write everything on a whiteboard with their backs to the class. They readily agreed and asked that we make sure we told Mr. George (which we did).
I felt so comfortable sitting there with them...such comradely. Teachers are my kindred spirits! They were so appreciative with all our suggestions & so pleased to have us there!
As we enjoyed a huge bowl of koshari (national dish of noodles, rice, lentils w/ a tomato sauce), we summarized for Mr. George our observations...especially the teachers request. He talked about his deep desire to give these kids a great education and to have God's love shine through him...not by words but by his actions.
Our driver picked us up at 2:30 & by 4 we were "home"...exhausted & still wondering WHY US???
Sent from my iPhone
It was market day in Menouf and the road was nearly impossible to get down...overloaded tables, trucks, cloths spread on the ground all covered with food, clothing, household items, etc...and people!! People cleaning chickens, washing eggs, picnicking, etc...and shopping!
We were taken to a school...the only Anglican school around, 1000 students, 25 P-10th classrooms. We were asked to observe & make recommendations. Who told anyone we were qualified to do that?? Two old retired teachers??
Soon after we arrived, we were eating tameya (bean pita sandwich)& visiting with the principal, Mr. George. He explained his school was all inclusive...anyone could come...and he wanted to offer the very best education so that the school would continue to thrive & grow. They had plans to add on. Under Nasser, it was closed for many years & was reopened in 1984. Today the school still has many government controls forced to charge a set amount & take a certain number of students. More students than they have room for...
The school was neat & clean(especially compared to the rest of Menouf) and the halls & classrooms were filled with attractive & educational displays.
We visited 6 English classrooms for about 30 minutes each...enjoying the lessons, taking notes & feeling like who am I to suggest anything?? All of the teachers were good...two exceptional! Lessons were well presented & students engaged.
We were in Mr. George's office when the dismissal bell rang & many kids walked in to shake his hand & say good bye. He obviously enjoyed his students! After serving us a feast prepared by school staff, then went for a quick tour of the church & met the Indian pastors before being to taken to the room they'd arranged for us. Not the Ritz!! Mr. George said, "Doable for 1 night." Cold...and no hot water...and no towels...made us appreciate our nice room in Cairo!!
He left & we crashed. He was back 2 hours later & we walked our streets...literally because there were no sidewalks. It's a busy city with lots of new businesses & 6 million people. We stopped for dessert & then a friend of his picked us up in his horse & buggy & delivered us back to our room. You'd think we were celebrities...well except for our room that night. We brainstormed for tomorrow before wrapping up in the wool blankets and went to sleep wondering WHY US??
Day 2 in Menouf—
7:30 am Mr. George picked us up & at 8 all the students gathered in the sports field & we were introduced. Then we were asked to speak. Yikes no time to prep! Roger talked about their deep history & that the future of Egypt was on the shoulders of these young students. I followed talking about goals, importance for a good education & the necessity of being kind to all.
We observed the rest of the English classes till about 12:30. Then we sat around a table with all the English teachers...dedicated, hardworking & eager to learn teachers. I admired them! What they (and most) teachers needed was a pat on the back which we gave them ...pointing out many best practices we'd seen. We suggested that they teach each other their most successful strategies. We did have a few new ideas for them prefacing them with the fact that they know best...and they need smaller class size (average 45) and some type of projector so they didn't have to write everything on a whiteboard with their backs to the class. They readily agreed and asked that we make sure we told Mr. George (which we did).
I felt so comfortable sitting there with them...such comradely. Teachers are my kindred spirits! They were so appreciative with all our suggestions & so pleased to have us there!
As we enjoyed a huge bowl of koshari (national dish of noodles, rice, lentils w/ a tomato sauce), we summarized for Mr. George our observations...especially the teachers request. He talked about his deep desire to give these kids a great education and to have God's love shine through him...not by words but by his actions.
Our driver picked us up at 2:30 & by 4 we were "home"...exhausted & still wondering WHY US???
Sent from my iPhone
Monday, February 18, 2019
Update 45 by Roger
Our class continues to go well and as we get to know our students better, their personalities are being revealed bit by bit. Many are quick to smile and those who come to class regularly show us that they have courage to try to do something that is very difficult. Alfadel is tall and is often smiling or laughing. Dalya is quiet and polite but also confident of her ability to speak English and would respond to every question if given the opportunity. Zebeb seemed a bit distant at first, but now appears to be comfortable and trusts us to help her learn. She is probably close to 40 and we noticed this week that she couldn't see the board very well even when she moved to the front row. Jane spoke to the director of Refuge Egypt and they plan to get her eyes checked and get her some glasses. When Jane told her she was so excited I thought she would cry. Rose has several children, Tayeba struggles to learn and is visibly shaken when her answer is wrong.
We recently gave them a quiz and have to admit we thought they'd do better. Many did not follow directions or understand what to do. So Jane & I gave them a big pep talk telling them if they are thinking this is too hard, it is. If they are telling themselves they can do it, they will. We passed out erasers and told them to fix their mistakes because the best way to learn is by studying their mistakes. We also gave them a copy of the test & the answers so they could keep practicing.
At the end of the class and actually each class most say, "Thank you, Teacher." and shake our hands as they leave.
We want them all to succeed and hope it will get them a better job...a better life!!
We recently gave them a quiz and have to admit we thought they'd do better. Many did not follow directions or understand what to do. So Jane & I gave them a big pep talk telling them if they are thinking this is too hard, it is. If they are telling themselves they can do it, they will. We passed out erasers and told them to fix their mistakes because the best way to learn is by studying their mistakes. We also gave them a copy of the test & the answers so they could keep practicing.
At the end of the class and actually each class most say, "Thank you, Teacher." and shake our hands as they leave.
We want them all to succeed and hope it will get them a better job...a better life!!
Update 44
Rog has been scouring the travel books & found a cultural show close by so off we went. It was in an old palace in the open air courtyard. It was packed so we were lucky to find a seat. The show started with a live band of flutes, drums, a type of violin & finger cymbals which made lively Egyptian music. Then the Suni dancers came on stage spinning wildly which made their heavy colorful skirts flare out. This went on for over 30 minutes!! Another set of spinners came out tossing their skirts in the air while still spinning...again for 30 minutes! We were dizzy watching! How those guys stopped on a dime, took a bow & walked off stage without staggering was beyond us!!
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Sunday, February 17, 2019
Update 43
Made a trip to Saqqarah. 4700 years!! That's how old the pyramids there are! Yup, you read that right. These pyramids, known as the Step Pyramids are a generation older than the famous Giza Pyramids. Prior to the Step pyramids, pharaohs just had a huge slab places over their graves...than someone suggested putting another one a bit smaller on top of that one...than 3...till it created steps to the top. Blows our minds how old these are..and we could walk right up & touch them. We could also walk down into their tomb chambers & see more incredible drawings.
Also nearby was the Serapeum...an underground tunnel where about 20 "sacred" bulls were mummified & buried in polished marble 80 ton caskets. Can't imagine how or why they did that! But it was fascinating.
The museum there housed the oldest known arch, pillar & door...also hands-on displays.
My appreciation for history has certainly deepened & heightened on this trip!
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Also nearby was the Serapeum...an underground tunnel where about 20 "sacred" bulls were mummified & buried in polished marble 80 ton caskets. Can't imagine how or why they did that! But it was fascinating.
The museum there housed the oldest known arch, pillar & door...also hands-on displays.
My appreciation for history has certainly deepened & heightened on this trip!
Sent from my iPhone
Update 42 by Roger
I joined about eight women and two men today for another visit to the prison for foreigners here in Cairo. Men's prison this time.
I first met John, a man who came from the Seychelles Islands by boat. He came to Egypt for a better life. Someone had told him to carry something for them and then threatened to kill him. He seemed confused about reasons why, but the final outcome was his imprisonment. He has a life sentence and has been here for 16 years. He was calm and our conversation was easy. His belief in God gives him peace.
Hisham also has a life sentence. He told me about loving to be out in the wilderness off-roading....always far from other people. He described himself as having been a young man who would often get into fights and had been in a gang. After his sentence he found himself in solitary confinement (for fighting).
A woman visited him and left a Bible for him. He had never before taken any interest in religion but remembered his mother reading some verses from Psalms. His tiny cell had no light but for a faint glow entering under the door. It was just enough so that by putting the Bible on the floor he could read some verses from Psalms. It gave him hope. The light of the world opened up to him and changed him. He thanked me for visiting and listening to his story.
Metardo has been in the prison for 30 years. He has studied and now is a priest/minister. At the end of our visit he had all visitors and prisoners join hands and sing-giving thanks to God. He then thanked all of the visitors who "humbled" themselves by giving up their comforts and time with their families to visit the prisoners.
In two weeks the men will again have the chance for a visit and I expect that the same group of dedicated visitors will be there for them.
Jane adds: I also made another visit...kind of scary this time as the warden is such a tough cookie. While waiting I talked with a regular visitor from the church and asked him if he thought arresting drug carriers was helping Egypt clean up the drug scene. Nope, he said. They don't catch the drug lords...just the peons that are easily and quickly replaced.
These prisoners made a bad decision...they are not bad people.
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Friday, February 15, 2019
Update 41
Our buddy at the gas station downloaded A Private War for us. It was the story of Marie Colton, a war zone reporter. Her story touched a chord in me. When someone asked her why she goes into such terrible places, she answered, "I come to see for myself. And so that people know." The movie vividly showed why these refugees fled from their homes in the middle of war zones. Horrid & unsafe conditions. No food. They flee for their lives & the lives of their children.
Here I see for myself these refugees. Their pain & their frustration as they wait in endless lines to get a small handout or to get an interview for a cleaning job. They search through their purses for legal papers. They sit or stand for hours holding babies who are uncommonly quiet.
Yet they smile at me and are kind to each other. I see them pick up fallen items for others and offer their chair to an older or crippled person. There's no pushing. I wonder how they manage to get up each morning, find & cook food, wash clothings & get to this center on time for an appointment??
The enormity of the situation...5 million...baffles my mind and I have to force myself to concentrate on what I can do for the moment to make things a tiny bit better for them.
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Here I see for myself these refugees. Their pain & their frustration as they wait in endless lines to get a small handout or to get an interview for a cleaning job. They search through their purses for legal papers. They sit or stand for hours holding babies who are uncommonly quiet.
Yet they smile at me and are kind to each other. I see them pick up fallen items for others and offer their chair to an older or crippled person. There's no pushing. I wonder how they manage to get up each morning, find & cook food, wash clothings & get to this center on time for an appointment??
The enormity of the situation...5 million...baffles my mind and I have to force myself to concentrate on what I can do for the moment to make things a tiny bit better for them.
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Update 40
Cairo has what seems like an endless number of blah brown brick 5 to 20+ story buildings where the 20 million live. On the outside of these giants are so many balconies and at first I thought, how nice to have someplace to get fresh air, see the sky & feel the sun. But after being here over a month, I 've only seen people on their balconies 3 times...my favorites was a young man tenderly holding a small baby. It's funny how moments like that can glow in your memory.
Another warm time was while we were in a taxi...traffic was heavy, as usual & the driver spoke more English than most (usually less than 10 words). While we waited in a traffic jam, we asked our driver about his family. His face lit up instantly as he said several times, "I love my children!" He pulled out his phone and showed us pictures of his six kids...until he had to drive on...but at the next traffic jam...he repeated "I love my children..and I will have one more soon" and showed us more pictures.
We asked him about how much of the day he had to drive—7 am to 9 or 10 pm. And how many days—-oh, everyday...everyday.
We'd arrived at our destination, tipped him heavily & handed him balloons for his children as he drove off.
A loving dad...who worked 14+ hours every day. We wondered when he had time to give his kids all the love he had for them?!?
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Another warm time was while we were in a taxi...traffic was heavy, as usual & the driver spoke more English than most (usually less than 10 words). While we waited in a traffic jam, we asked our driver about his family. His face lit up instantly as he said several times, "I love my children!" He pulled out his phone and showed us pictures of his six kids...until he had to drive on...but at the next traffic jam...he repeated "I love my children..and I will have one more soon" and showed us more pictures.
We asked him about how much of the day he had to drive—7 am to 9 or 10 pm. And how many days—-oh, everyday...everyday.
We'd arrived at our destination, tipped him heavily & handed him balloons for his children as he drove off.
A loving dad...who worked 14+ hours every day. We wondered when he had time to give his kids all the love he had for them?!?
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Wednesday, February 13, 2019
Update 39
Since we were planning to be at a school in Menof on Valentine's Day, we decided to take a day off & celebrate it early. Unfortunately, the night before, Microsoft decided to shut down our email...really, hadn't they figured out we were in Egypt??? So instead of heading out for an adventure, we headed to an Apple Store that luckily we'd spotted earlier. It wasn't an easy fix so we were told to come back later...when the tech was in. So we stopped in to visit with Jo's relatives which delighted them...especially Granny.
Back at the Apple store, more bad news. The tech had to delete my account & wait for 24 hours. (Meanwhile back home, Bekah logged into our account & reported that all the activities were ours. Fast forward: it worked!!)
Finally, about 3 pm, we climbed aboard a felucca...just the two of us & the captain. As a gentle breeze caught the sail, we glided away from the chaos & noice of Cairo. So peaceful and relaxing!
The sun slowly slipped toward the horizon and a glorious sunset painted the sky and the Nile River. How's that for a romantic scene??
Back on land, we went to a lovely Lebanese restaurant and each ordered a meal (we usually share) and then to top off the evening, we stopped for dessert in the oldest bakery in town. My pie was like eating pure fudge & Roger's like caramel walnuts.
I hadn't eaten that much in a long time...and my stomach was overwhelmed! Thank good this glutton had some Pepto Bismol!
Rog, of course, had no problem & slept like a well fed baby!
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Back at the Apple store, more bad news. The tech had to delete my account & wait for 24 hours. (Meanwhile back home, Bekah logged into our account & reported that all the activities were ours. Fast forward: it worked!!)
Finally, about 3 pm, we climbed aboard a felucca...just the two of us & the captain. As a gentle breeze caught the sail, we glided away from the chaos & noice of Cairo. So peaceful and relaxing!
The sun slowly slipped toward the horizon and a glorious sunset painted the sky and the Nile River. How's that for a romantic scene??
Back on land, we went to a lovely Lebanese restaurant and each ordered a meal (we usually share) and then to top off the evening, we stopped for dessert in the oldest bakery in town. My pie was like eating pure fudge & Roger's like caramel walnuts.
I hadn't eaten that much in a long time...and my stomach was overwhelmed! Thank good this glutton had some Pepto Bismol!
Rog, of course, had no problem & slept like a well fed baby!
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Tuesday, February 12, 2019
Update 37
Mainer Anis is the Bishop of the Diocese of Egypt with North Africa & the Horn of Africa. Bishop Mainer honored us with a private visit. He spoke to us about his hope that all denominations of Christians (10%) & Muslim (90%) would work together to improve Egypt. Perhaps someday all religions, atheist, races & tribes in this world would accept each other and see that we are all the same. Couldn't agree more.
When he heard that we were Methodist, he told us that John Wesley was part of the Anglican Church. (Same as his.). He was proud of that.
The Bishop gave us a brief history of the Coptic Christian church (called Coptic Orthodox) in Egypt. It was founded by St. Mark, the writer of one of the books of the Bible who had come to Egypt as a refugee from Libya by walking along the Mediterranean Sea. He started the church in Alexandria in about 60 AD.
Maybe that's why this church, All Saints Church embraces the refugees today!!
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When he heard that we were Methodist, he told us that John Wesley was part of the Anglican Church. (Same as his.). He was proud of that.
The Bishop gave us a brief history of the Coptic Christian church (called Coptic Orthodox) in Egypt. It was founded by St. Mark, the writer of one of the books of the Bible who had come to Egypt as a refugee from Libya by walking along the Mediterranean Sea. He started the church in Alexandria in about 60 AD.
Maybe that's why this church, All Saints Church embraces the refugees today!!
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Update 36
Probably the spark that lit our fire to come to Egypt was a chance conversation with a most caring lady, Jo Penzien McDonald who attends our church. I think of these random coincidences as nudges from God.
Jo had had a terrible fall & we were there to take her a meal when in spite of her pain, she asked us about our winter plans. Having not really made any, we rattled of several possibilities. When we said Egypt, she excitedly told us that her late husband's cousin & family lived in Cairo. Jo looked up his contact info for us right then and there. So I did contact him. He replied, "Come...there's lots of volunteer work here!" So after quite a bit more internet search & prayers, I hit the jackpot...Refuge Egypt. Working with refugees just seemed to be the right thing to do this year.
So tonight we got to meet Jo's Egyptian family...who turned out to live just 2 minutes from where we are. Jo's cousin in law-they called Granny, her son Cherif & wife, Sharine and their two darling daughters who put on their fancy red dresses just for us.
We sat in their lovely living room nibbling on decadent desserts and had a lively conversation ranging from the old family homestead in Michigan to the current political scene in Egypt & USA.
Though I'm sure we could have talked for hours, we knew Cherif had to be at the hospital early (he's a pediatrician) so we said our good byes. Cherif insisted on walking us home & genuinely invited us to come back again soon!
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Jo had had a terrible fall & we were there to take her a meal when in spite of her pain, she asked us about our winter plans. Having not really made any, we rattled of several possibilities. When we said Egypt, she excitedly told us that her late husband's cousin & family lived in Cairo. Jo looked up his contact info for us right then and there. So I did contact him. He replied, "Come...there's lots of volunteer work here!" So after quite a bit more internet search & prayers, I hit the jackpot...Refuge Egypt. Working with refugees just seemed to be the right thing to do this year.
So tonight we got to meet Jo's Egyptian family...who turned out to live just 2 minutes from where we are. Jo's cousin in law-they called Granny, her son Cherif & wife, Sharine and their two darling daughters who put on their fancy red dresses just for us.
We sat in their lovely living room nibbling on decadent desserts and had a lively conversation ranging from the old family homestead in Michigan to the current political scene in Egypt & USA.
Though I'm sure we could have talked for hours, we knew Cherif had to be at the hospital early (he's a pediatrician) so we said our good byes. Cherif insisted on walking us home & genuinely invited us to come back again soon!
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Sunday, February 10, 2019
Update 34
Another food distribution day...
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Sometimes someone speaks broken English to us, telling us a little bit about them.
Jakob is from Ethiopia. He says he is not safe at home because there is so much violence. He says he is also not safe in Egypt because Egyptians hate Ethiopians because of Ethiopia is building a dam on the Nile. He is proud to wear a cross and prayer before each meal even though he's been told not to. He recited Matthew 10:39 to me:
He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.
A young Mom holding a child about 18 months old told me so is struggling . Her husband was killed in Sudan.
A lady with tears running down her cheeks looked so tired. She let me hug her for a long time but said nothing.
I did some research on their home countries and the current political state:
Eritrea: dictator/no media allowed/all must join & remain in the army...forced labor/imprisonments for any whim of disagreement/no religious freedom.
Sudan & Syria: still war zone with many random killings
Ethiopia: violence especially against certain ethnic groups
These are the refugees we meet.
That is what they are running from. Who leaves their home & all they've known? People who are desperate to find safety...a better life. Wouldn't you??
Update 35
We visited a school, St. Raphael
Center about an hour drive from here that is for Sudan refugee students. We drove through the recently developed and rather nice area called New Cairo....wider roads, cleaner but still tall & close together housing & many nice shops...it's where the government buildings have relocated...therefore no need to fix up the old Cairo. And then we turned off that new road and onto a muddy alley crowded with people, small stands, and a variety of trash. Two 6-8 story buildings with laundry hanging out every window meant we had dot squeeze through. I felt sorrow for our driver...he drives the bishop around & has a nice car...one of the very few without scrapes, dings & smashed corners. It was hard to locate & our driver had to ask many times to find it.
Finally, found the principal waiting for us at the bottom of a stairway only partially broken. We climbed up a few flights to his neat office. He was so delighted to have us there & explained that all 210 students (1st-8th) were from Sudan and had very little education due to the war. They could not attend Egyptian schools. UN and some donors were funding the school. He asked us to please observe and make suggestions.
How do you make suggestions to a teacher whose classroom is crammed with rowdy displaced kids & only a white board? We observed two English classes—2nd & 6th grade. You could immediately tell both teachers loved their students & were passionate about teaching. They used the repeat method where teacher says it, kids repeat it. Over & over. The 6th graders were learning about treasures...seemed appropriate here in Egypt. He had examples of aluminum & steel. He was trying to explain gold & diamonds so I handed him my wedding ring. His eyes popped out & he held it up like it was the Hope Diamond. He asked if the students could hold it as they'd never seen real gold or a diamond. It was a dazzling time! In the 2nd grade, I read aloud, Leo, the Late Bloomer to attentive, wide-eyed students. We played Doggie Doggie Where's your Bone & 7 Up.
After class we met with the teachers and made a few suggestions which they were excited to get. It felt wrong but we did try to suggest only things we thought feasible in their situation. Example: pointer, don't talk until students quiet, have students come up to whiteboard & point out words/answers to comprehensive questions, reward good behavior by leaving a few minutes to play one of the game we taught at the end of the day. The teachers were overwhelmingly thankful and excited to use our suggestions.
We will go back to this school next week & see other classrooms. Sure wish we could take them loads of teaching materials that were so readily available to us when we were teaching!!!
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Center about an hour drive from here that is for Sudan refugee students. We drove through the recently developed and rather nice area called New Cairo....wider roads, cleaner but still tall & close together housing & many nice shops...it's where the government buildings have relocated...therefore no need to fix up the old Cairo. And then we turned off that new road and onto a muddy alley crowded with people, small stands, and a variety of trash. Two 6-8 story buildings with laundry hanging out every window meant we had dot squeeze through. I felt sorrow for our driver...he drives the bishop around & has a nice car...one of the very few without scrapes, dings & smashed corners. It was hard to locate & our driver had to ask many times to find it.
Finally, found the principal waiting for us at the bottom of a stairway only partially broken. We climbed up a few flights to his neat office. He was so delighted to have us there & explained that all 210 students (1st-8th) were from Sudan and had very little education due to the war. They could not attend Egyptian schools. UN and some donors were funding the school. He asked us to please observe and make suggestions.
How do you make suggestions to a teacher whose classroom is crammed with rowdy displaced kids & only a white board? We observed two English classes—2nd & 6th grade. You could immediately tell both teachers loved their students & were passionate about teaching. They used the repeat method where teacher says it, kids repeat it. Over & over. The 6th graders were learning about treasures...seemed appropriate here in Egypt. He had examples of aluminum & steel. He was trying to explain gold & diamonds so I handed him my wedding ring. His eyes popped out & he held it up like it was the Hope Diamond. He asked if the students could hold it as they'd never seen real gold or a diamond. It was a dazzling time! In the 2nd grade, I read aloud, Leo, the Late Bloomer to attentive, wide-eyed students. We played Doggie Doggie Where's your Bone & 7 Up.
After class we met with the teachers and made a few suggestions which they were excited to get. It felt wrong but we did try to suggest only things we thought feasible in their situation. Example: pointer, don't talk until students quiet, have students come up to whiteboard & point out words/answers to comprehensive questions, reward good behavior by leaving a few minutes to play one of the game we taught at the end of the day. The teachers were overwhelmingly thankful and excited to use our suggestions.
We will go back to this school next week & see other classrooms. Sure wish we could take them loads of teaching materials that were so readily available to us when we were teaching!!!
Sent from my iPhone
Update 33
We've been jam packing our days with so much that I've not taken time to write...so I'll try to catch up.
Our English class is going well and since we pass out candy to students that get there on time, we have been able to cover more material. Today we gave our first quiz—haven't checked it yet—but most students were working hard on it.
We bagged up almost 300 bags of rice & beans for another distribution day...and again it felt so rewarding to hand out the food bags...only wish there was more in it! A grain bag of beans & rice is about $18...it fills 25 family size bags...so they get 70 cents worth of each.
I went to the prison again this time with the agenda of writing a first person story. I accomplished that and will post it later...but it was a bit scary as there was a fracas about my coat with a zipper. The wardens there are toughened, hard women. What if I'd left a candy in my pocket?? They might think it's drugs. So I'm not going back. The thought of getting put in there is too scary...even though I've heard the US ambassador would get me right out.
Fridays (Muslim's holy day) & Sunday are our days off so off we go. We went to Aisha Fahmy Museum which was the former home of King Farouk, the last king of Egypt who went to exile on his yacht. When Nasser took over, most previous statues, bust, paintings & belongings of the previous Kings were destroyed...but a few were saved & now are prominently displayed in this lavish home.
We visited the Hanging Church...called that as it is built above the gatehouse of the Babylon fortress...3rd century. Next to it is the Coptic Museum that is filled with the remains of many of the Cairo churches & monasteries over the last 18 centuries. They actually have a Book of Psalms from the 4th century. Both were exquisite!
Not so exquisite was a puppet show we went to. Granted it was geared for children...but let's just say it was entertaining for them! Really thought the puppet making & movements was quite simple.
That same afternoon, we went to the Cairo Aquarium...and we thought the puppet show was "simple!" Inside a crudely cave formation, dirty glassed boxes displayed stuffed, dusty fish, turtles, alligators & coral...or pickled jars of them! There were a few 10 gallon tanks with small fish...goldfish being the most predominant. Really!!
Finally the local cinemas was showing a Hollywood movie, A Star is Born so of course, we went and munching popcorn & sitting in that elegant setting felt like home.
There's no place like home...or Cairo!!
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Our English class is going well and since we pass out candy to students that get there on time, we have been able to cover more material. Today we gave our first quiz—haven't checked it yet—but most students were working hard on it.
We bagged up almost 300 bags of rice & beans for another distribution day...and again it felt so rewarding to hand out the food bags...only wish there was more in it! A grain bag of beans & rice is about $18...it fills 25 family size bags...so they get 70 cents worth of each.
I went to the prison again this time with the agenda of writing a first person story. I accomplished that and will post it later...but it was a bit scary as there was a fracas about my coat with a zipper. The wardens there are toughened, hard women. What if I'd left a candy in my pocket?? They might think it's drugs. So I'm not going back. The thought of getting put in there is too scary...even though I've heard the US ambassador would get me right out.
Fridays (Muslim's holy day) & Sunday are our days off so off we go. We went to Aisha Fahmy Museum which was the former home of King Farouk, the last king of Egypt who went to exile on his yacht. When Nasser took over, most previous statues, bust, paintings & belongings of the previous Kings were destroyed...but a few were saved & now are prominently displayed in this lavish home.
We visited the Hanging Church...called that as it is built above the gatehouse of the Babylon fortress...3rd century. Next to it is the Coptic Museum that is filled with the remains of many of the Cairo churches & monasteries over the last 18 centuries. They actually have a Book of Psalms from the 4th century. Both were exquisite!
Not so exquisite was a puppet show we went to. Granted it was geared for children...but let's just say it was entertaining for them! Really thought the puppet making & movements was quite simple.
That same afternoon, we went to the Cairo Aquarium...and we thought the puppet show was "simple!" Inside a crudely cave formation, dirty glassed boxes displayed stuffed, dusty fish, turtles, alligators & coral...or pickled jars of them! There were a few 10 gallon tanks with small fish...goldfish being the most predominant. Really!!
Finally the local cinemas was showing a Hollywood movie, A Star is Born so of course, we went and munching popcorn & sitting in that elegant setting felt like home.
There's no place like home...or Cairo!!
Sent from my iPhone
Wednesday, February 6, 2019
Update 32
Here's a story I wrote which will be used for fundraising for the prison ministry here at the church where are we are staying and that houses Refuge Egypt. I wrote it after my visit to the prison.
"I was in prison and you came to me." Matthew 25:36
It was a tiny slice of the life of the woman prisoner we met…mostly because of the hours of boredom and cold as we waited to be admitted to the visitation room. Hours but not three years waiting as she has already endured. Finally, we were led into a chaotic and noisy room filled with female prisoners dressed entirely in white and family members with bags of food, blankets and books for their loved one. The woman I came to visit had no family in Egypt.
My visit had been arranged by the Prison Ministry of the Episcopal/Anglican Diocese of Egypt. This outreach program provides transportation to/from the Kanater prison as well as funds to purchase many items necessary to survive in prison to women and men from foreign countries. Those funds come from generous donations by individuals and groups. We are writing to invite you to be one of those generous individuals. Perhaps hearing the rest of my story will inspire you to donate.
The woman I met with was from Italy. She had come to Egypt on a holiday with a friend. For some reason beyond her understanding, the police invaded her hotel room and arrested her for "thinking of buying drugs." She was taken to prison and now for three years, she has waited for her day in court. Her family in Italy has spent thousands of dollars on lawyers yet there has been no opportunity for her to plead her case.
Her young daughter grows up without her. Her husband visits when he can. In the meantime, the Prison Ministry visitors are her only outside contact. She tells me prison has strengthened her faith as it is all she has now. She says she will be brave and bold. Just before I left, the other women who had been visited by Prison Ministry volunteers joined hands and as a group, they sang "You are close. Alleluia!" Dressed in all white tunics, (required outfit) it was like a choir of Angels singing.
Please help fulfill Jesus' words, "I was in prison and you came to me" by donating to this most worthy cause.
Update 31 by Roger
You probably have heard...
"you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone! They paved paradise and put up a parking lot."
In Cairo, the opera house burned so they replaced it with a parking lot.
We find ourselves in a place where we are constantly reminded that what we've got is SO much more.
The refugees travel a good distance to wait in line for hours so that they can register to get some food. Then they return another day to wait again and finally get a bag that will feed them for only a few meals. They will qualify to come back in about one month for another bag. There is no way to know how they manage between visits. Few appear to have jobs.
Maybe we don't know what we've got, but we know that it feels very wrong for these friendly, grateful people to have so little. They are beautiful people with gorgeous babies and they deal with all of the issues that others face but with very few resources and almost no money.
When asked about eating, Hazma, man in our class, said that he doesn't eat breakfast...he doesn't eat lunch, either. He does not complain about it. It is just how it is.
"you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone! They paved paradise and put up a parking lot."
In Cairo, the opera house burned so they replaced it with a parking lot.
We find ourselves in a place where we are constantly reminded that what we've got is SO much more.
The refugees travel a good distance to wait in line for hours so that they can register to get some food. Then they return another day to wait again and finally get a bag that will feed them for only a few meals. They will qualify to come back in about one month for another bag. There is no way to know how they manage between visits. Few appear to have jobs.
Maybe we don't know what we've got, but we know that it feels very wrong for these friendly, grateful people to have so little. They are beautiful people with gorgeous babies and they deal with all of the issues that others face but with very few resources and almost no money.
When asked about eating, Hazma, man in our class, said that he doesn't eat breakfast...he doesn't eat lunch, either. He does not complain about it. It is just how it is.
Sunday, February 3, 2019
Update 30
It's so nice having a grocery store close & a frig so we can have lunch & snacks in our room. Most mornings Rog goes to the breakfast room for coffee, cheese sandwich & yogurt with honey and brings me back boiled eggs, cheese, bread & yogurt. I chop the eggs & add mayo and tada...we enjoy egg salad sandwiches for lunch along with Pringles, fruit & a Coke Lite. Some days we make PB sandwiches...PB is expensive at $7 a jar. Since we're working here on campus all day...it's nice to be so close to lunch. We have cheese & cracker & yogurt for snacks. My supply of M & M's I brought from home keeps my sweet tooth happy.
We almost always go out for dinner. There's a huge selection of restaurants close by...cheap Egyptian street food to some elaborate places we probably will not go to. We usually share a meal for about $6 or less and that's enough. There's Lebanese, Syrian, Sudanese, Thai, Chinese, Mexican, Pizza Hut, McD, KFC and lots of just family owned no names. There's a Syrian place right on this campus which we've been too several times...service is slow & we've never gotten what we thought we'd ordered...but the owner loves us & he and all his workers touch their hearts & say thank you and shake our hands when we leave. It's hard to sneak by there as they stand at the door and invite us in. We have to say we're just going for a walk!
Desserts are expensive and usually only in coffee shops. We've indulged a few times. There's a bakery on the corner we turn on coming & going and often it has warm goodies cooling & calling our name when we walk by. Why not???
I've must say I've enjoyed the food here more than anywhere else we've traveled to...even without real Diet Coke. Probably won't be losing my normal 5-10 lbs this winter!!
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We almost always go out for dinner. There's a huge selection of restaurants close by...cheap Egyptian street food to some elaborate places we probably will not go to. We usually share a meal for about $6 or less and that's enough. There's Lebanese, Syrian, Sudanese, Thai, Chinese, Mexican, Pizza Hut, McD, KFC and lots of just family owned no names. There's a Syrian place right on this campus which we've been too several times...service is slow & we've never gotten what we thought we'd ordered...but the owner loves us & he and all his workers touch their hearts & say thank you and shake our hands when we leave. It's hard to sneak by there as they stand at the door and invite us in. We have to say we're just going for a walk!
Desserts are expensive and usually only in coffee shops. We've indulged a few times. There's a bakery on the corner we turn on coming & going and often it has warm goodies cooling & calling our name when we walk by. Why not???
I've must say I've enjoyed the food here more than anywhere else we've traveled to...even without real Diet Coke. Probably won't be losing my normal 5-10 lbs this winter!!
Sent from my iPhone
Update 29
We made it to the Pyramids!!! It is a sight to behold!!! They've certainly stood the test of time...4500+years and counting.
We'd met a guy at the Metro stop (our white skin says tourist loud & clear) who led us right to the carriage & horse stables where he set us up with a guide & ride (we're sure he got a cut) and in no time, our guide maneuvered us through the huge crowd of 99% Egyptians ...mostly by squeezing around the barriers & pushing and shoving, making a space for us.
The panoramic view you get as you enter is surreal. Massive. Iconic. Dusty. By carriage we passed the majority of the visitors and reached the base of the pyramid quickly. Then we climbed onto two kneeling camels who then rose up to about 7'. We rode around the base of a pyramid which once stood 146m high but has been lowered by the wind & rain by 9m and it's limestone finish all but gone. At one point, my camel refused to step over a chain, broke his lead rope & headed back to where we started. Luckily rather slowly. Many guides kept saying, "It's okay lady!" After about 200' of unleashed freedom...another guide slowly reached up & grabbed my camel's bridle. I kinda thought it was exciting!
Next we crawled down into the tunnel leading to the tomb inside the pyramid. It was totally dark so good thing our phone had a flashlight! The tunnel ended at the sarcophagus. Eerie . It was a heavy thought just thinking about the weight above you! We hiked around a bit then got back in the carriage to get to the sphinx that has stood guard in from for all these years. He still sits proudly and majestically in spite of some missing pieces.
These pyramids & the sphinx are the only one of the Seven Ancient Wonders that remains.
Sooo...you'd think after over 4000 years of being a tourist site, they'd have it set up perfectly. Far from it!!! The entrance gate was jammed & we were literally pushed through it. The area all around the pyramids was congested and chaotic. Horsing galloping, carts, camels & people going in every which direction. Poop everywhere. People climbing up on the pyramids and picnicking on fallen blocks. The tunnels into the pyramids completely dark with only a dirty fluorescent light lying on the ground by the sarcophagus.
All I can say is, it's a good thing those ancient Egyptians built mighty strong & durable pyramids cause we were thrilled to be able to see them!!
Sent from my iPhone
We'd met a guy at the Metro stop (our white skin says tourist loud & clear) who led us right to the carriage & horse stables where he set us up with a guide & ride (we're sure he got a cut) and in no time, our guide maneuvered us through the huge crowd of 99% Egyptians ...mostly by squeezing around the barriers & pushing and shoving, making a space for us.
The panoramic view you get as you enter is surreal. Massive. Iconic. Dusty. By carriage we passed the majority of the visitors and reached the base of the pyramid quickly. Then we climbed onto two kneeling camels who then rose up to about 7'. We rode around the base of a pyramid which once stood 146m high but has been lowered by the wind & rain by 9m and it's limestone finish all but gone. At one point, my camel refused to step over a chain, broke his lead rope & headed back to where we started. Luckily rather slowly. Many guides kept saying, "It's okay lady!" After about 200' of unleashed freedom...another guide slowly reached up & grabbed my camel's bridle. I kinda thought it was exciting!
Next we crawled down into the tunnel leading to the tomb inside the pyramid. It was totally dark so good thing our phone had a flashlight! The tunnel ended at the sarcophagus. Eerie . It was a heavy thought just thinking about the weight above you! We hiked around a bit then got back in the carriage to get to the sphinx that has stood guard in from for all these years. He still sits proudly and majestically in spite of some missing pieces.
These pyramids & the sphinx are the only one of the Seven Ancient Wonders that remains.
Sooo...you'd think after over 4000 years of being a tourist site, they'd have it set up perfectly. Far from it!!! The entrance gate was jammed & we were literally pushed through it. The area all around the pyramids was congested and chaotic. Horsing galloping, carts, camels & people going in every which direction. Poop everywhere. People climbing up on the pyramids and picnicking on fallen blocks. The tunnels into the pyramids completely dark with only a dirty fluorescent light lying on the ground by the sarcophagus.
All I can say is, it's a good thing those ancient Egyptians built mighty strong & durable pyramids cause we were thrilled to be able to see them!!
Sent from my iPhone
Update 28
I was out in search of a Coke Lite...my regular vendor was not open...and I not only found a Coke Lite but also ended up with US movies!! How?? Long story...
It all started when the clerk (who turned out to be the manager) of a nearby store spoke English to me. We chit chatted for a bit and then I asked him where he learned his English. He grinned & said, "Hollywood movies! I Love Hollywood movies!" I said we had not been able to find any movies in English on our tv and asked him what channel they were on. Again the big grin when he told me, "I download them. I have so many. If you want I'll download for you!" He told me to check to see of our tv had a USB port & if so, let him know. We did, so I did. Rog joined me. We asked our newest friend where to buy a flash drive. He said to follow him. We did. He left work & walked us to a shop. We took the flash drive back to his store, he pulled out his computer, showed us many movies to pick from. We picked out a few & while he downloaded them, insisted on treating Roger to a cup of Turkish coffee. In about 10 minutes, we had 10 movies. I think he was more excited than us!
We made a stop at the grocery store where I'd previously spied microwave popcorn which I came home, popped in the breakfast nook microwave...and BabbaBingBabbaBoom...
Movie & Popcorn Night!!
(The Bird Box)
Sent from my iPhone
It all started when the clerk (who turned out to be the manager) of a nearby store spoke English to me. We chit chatted for a bit and then I asked him where he learned his English. He grinned & said, "Hollywood movies! I Love Hollywood movies!" I said we had not been able to find any movies in English on our tv and asked him what channel they were on. Again the big grin when he told me, "I download them. I have so many. If you want I'll download for you!" He told me to check to see of our tv had a USB port & if so, let him know. We did, so I did. Rog joined me. We asked our newest friend where to buy a flash drive. He said to follow him. We did. He left work & walked us to a shop. We took the flash drive back to his store, he pulled out his computer, showed us many movies to pick from. We picked out a few & while he downloaded them, insisted on treating Roger to a cup of Turkish coffee. In about 10 minutes, we had 10 movies. I think he was more excited than us!
We made a stop at the grocery store where I'd previously spied microwave popcorn which I came home, popped in the breakfast nook microwave...and BabbaBingBabbaBoom...
Movie & Popcorn Night!!
(The Bird Box)
Sent from my iPhone
Saturday, February 2, 2019
Update 27
The priest here had mentioned to us that there would be a special musical performance on Friday night so we planned to attend for a while just hear some of the local talent. Why not??
We have noticed very little music here on the streets or even in shops and restaurants, so it was a surprise to find the church full of people excitedly awaiting the performance.
The performance started (20min late/known here as Egyptian time) with a grand piano soon followed by a violin. It was soon clear that they were both very talented and they played music that was not familiar to us but it was excellent. Possibly classical Egyptian if there is such a category?
In the hands of the performer the violin seemed to come alive and live on its own. It was hard to believe that the man was actually using it to make the sounds that we heard.
Again there was a plan to honor us as volunteers and have us recognized but we had slipped out early to have popcorn and a movie. How gauche of us! As we left the director actually followed us and asked if we liked the performance. How can you explain that it was great but you also chose to leave early?
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The performance started (20min late/known here as Egyptian time) with a grand piano soon followed by a violin. It was soon clear that they were both very talented and they played music that was not familiar to us but it was excellent. Possibly classical Egyptian if there is such a category?
In the hands of the performer the violin seemed to come alive and live on its own. It was hard to believe that the man was actually using it to make the sounds that we heard.
Again there was a plan to honor us as volunteers and have us recognized but we had slipped out early to have popcorn and a movie. How gauche of us! As we left the director actually followed us and asked if we liked the performance. How can you explain that it was great but you also chose to leave early?
Sent from my iPhone
Update 26 by Roger
We were invited to attend an opening of a new tech room which is in the 2nd floor of the building where we are staying. We thought they were just being polite asking us to come. We were told that we would meet the Bishop of the Anglican Church whose office is also in this building.
We arrived on time but as usual waited about 1/2 hour for others to arrive. Then we were told that the Director of the Alexandria Library was coming. When he arrived he shook our hands along with clergy and priests who were there. They asked us to move to the front. We were being treated like very special visitors!
After consuming a plate of sweet desserts, there were some speeches which focused on the the importance of using technology to help Egypt advance.
It was also emphasized that all religions and atheists, too, should work together to make Egypt a better place for all.
Then we, along with all of the notable priests and directors, were escorted into the new tech room. It is modern and everyone admired the fine job that had been done to complete it.
We felt more than a little out of place to be included with this group, then they passed out souvenir gifts to all of the dignitaries who attended-a plain black pen in a nice box. Again, we were included.
Never did actually get introduced to the Bishop; however, we did meet his wife. They have shown appreciation for our presence here in many ways!We just never know what's will happen next around here!
Friday, February 1, 2019
Update 25
On Sunday, we decided to check out other areas in or near Cairo. We headed for a large park marked on our map...of course Roger got us there...but the park was totally over grown, dilapidated & full of dogs & litter. What a shame!! Where do the almost 20 million people living in Cairo go to enjoy nature & open space?
On our walk back, we went by an enormous pink complex with spacious & manicured gardens. We just got a glimpse of it when the thick medal door opened to let someone out. We asked the guard about the complex and he said, "Police Night Club. For police only." Guess it's a fringe benefit for the policemen here!
Rog had studied the metro system & since Monica (American RE staff member) had invited us to visit her at the refugee community center she & her husband run, we headed there by metro.
The metro was quick, clean & not very crowded on a Sunday afternoon. We rode for about 40 minutes & got off near her center.
Monica had arranged for us to meet her at the only US restaurant around, KFC. It was a bit of a challenge to wade through the bustling market streets of this impoverished area, over the tracks & around a block...but we found it. We enjoyed a KFC meal while we waited. Two of their staff timidly asked for a picture with them. We do stick out as foreigners ...especially in this area.
Monica found us & we all climbed into a TukTuk which took us to their center. Two mattresses & a pile of lumber blocked the door. When we started to move them, a man (probably the one who owned the stuff) came to help.
Their center's goals are to empower the refugees and encourage & build positive relationships between the refugees from all countries. They teach life skills, provide activities & teach English.
We sat in on the English class Monica was teaching. She is a natural—though was only trained as an engineer. She asked for our input so Rog pulled out a balloon & we played a review game that went well. Then she splint the class into 3 groups & each of us spent time practicing reading. I was in my happy place!
I'm amazed that not only did Monica leave the comforts of USA behind but also now lives with her husband & two small children in such a poor area and spends her free time lifting up the refugees there. In her RE office there are many bible quotes about what Jesus says about helping other and the question, "What Would Jesus Do?" She knows and does it wholeheartedly !!
An image I will carry for a long time is of a young boy in torn shorts & no shirt sitting on the tracks fanning a small fire in the cool evening.
Sent from my iPhone
On our walk back, we went by an enormous pink complex with spacious & manicured gardens. We just got a glimpse of it when the thick medal door opened to let someone out. We asked the guard about the complex and he said, "Police Night Club. For police only." Guess it's a fringe benefit for the policemen here!
Rog had studied the metro system & since Monica (American RE staff member) had invited us to visit her at the refugee community center she & her husband run, we headed there by metro.
The metro was quick, clean & not very crowded on a Sunday afternoon. We rode for about 40 minutes & got off near her center.
Monica had arranged for us to meet her at the only US restaurant around, KFC. It was a bit of a challenge to wade through the bustling market streets of this impoverished area, over the tracks & around a block...but we found it. We enjoyed a KFC meal while we waited. Two of their staff timidly asked for a picture with them. We do stick out as foreigners ...especially in this area.
Monica found us & we all climbed into a TukTuk which took us to their center. Two mattresses & a pile of lumber blocked the door. When we started to move them, a man (probably the one who owned the stuff) came to help.
Their center's goals are to empower the refugees and encourage & build positive relationships between the refugees from all countries. They teach life skills, provide activities & teach English.
We sat in on the English class Monica was teaching. She is a natural—though was only trained as an engineer. She asked for our input so Rog pulled out a balloon & we played a review game that went well. Then she splint the class into 3 groups & each of us spent time practicing reading. I was in my happy place!
I'm amazed that not only did Monica leave the comforts of USA behind but also now lives with her husband & two small children in such a poor area and spends her free time lifting up the refugees there. In her RE office there are many bible quotes about what Jesus says about helping other and the question, "What Would Jesus Do?" She knows and does it wholeheartedly !!
An image I will carry for a long time is of a young boy in torn shorts & no shirt sitting on the tracks fanning a small fire in the cool evening.
Sent from my iPhone
Update 24
We teach around 20 students...mostly 18-23 yr olds...two days a week for 1/1/2 hours each. What a joy! Rog and I bounce the main teaching back & forth and add humor & jabs. We and the students laugh often. We teach Level 3 which means they can converse some with us but between their accent and use of grammar, we strain to understand bu there's progress each time we meet...both in them and us. We've also subbed in Level 1 & Level 8 so we've seen the range. It was good to get that perspective. The course was developed by Cambridge and the teacher's manual is much like many of the ones we've used before but with the ESL (English as Second Language) component added. Rog & I study and plan out the lesson so it flows well. The hour & a half flies by. As the students leave, each stops to shake each of our hands and say thank you teacher.
Did you ever stop to think how lucky we are not only to be born in our rich & bountiful USA...but to have English...our own language...the universal language? It's the language that so many people want and need to learn to be more successful!
Sent from my iPhone
Did you ever stop to think how lucky we are not only to be born in our rich & bountiful USA...but to have English...our own language...the universal language? It's the language that so many people want and need to learn to be more successful!
Sent from my iPhone
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