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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Tuesday, February 12, 2019
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!
Sent from my iPhone
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!
Sent from my iPhone
Sunday, February 10, 2019
Update 34
Another food distribution day...
Sent from my iPhone
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!!
Sent from my iPhone
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!!
Sent from my iPhone
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?
Sent from my iPhone
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
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