Cairo with Michael

Last Thursday, my friend Michael (from Tanta) and I went to Helwan, a suburb on the outskirts of Cairo. Our goal was to visit the Wax Museum and Japanese Garden. Crazy things to have in Egypt, right? Well...both were closed! But we got to see a hot spring which made Helwan famous as a spa location for the rich and famous in the early 1900s (but now it's an industrial area with lots of pollution and cement factories).

We walked around the outside of the Japanese Garden and what did I discover across the street? An old hospital and palace! Follow links for more information on those b/c that's what I had to do. I never knew about these places and the people we met in the area couldn't tell us much about them, either.

Since places were closed, we had some extra time, so I took Michael to the Khan el Khalili, the famous market in Cairo. We sat at Fishawy's Cafe and tried to escape the heat a bit!

From here, Michael went back to Tanta and I hurried over for the first Going-Away Party of the season. It was in a nice part of town, at the home of the pastor of an English-speaking church in Cairo. Good to see friends, munch on some tasty food, and have nice conversations.

Friday, I went to church in the morning and to another Going-Away Party in the afternoon for our MCC'ers from Beni Sueff. I've known them for their full 3 years here and it's been wonderful to have them as friends and watch their kids grow up. I'm sad to see them go... But it's always good to have a reason for a party! This one was also to christen our new MCC office.

After that, I went with one of the MCC'ers and his visitor from Canada. They were headed to...Khan el Khalili. *laugh* 2 days in a row? We also did some shopping and I made it to a few shops that I hadn't been to in a couple of years! Nelson got a very nice painting. If he takes a picture, I'll try to link to it or put it here.

Saturday, I played tour guide for another MCC'er (Gloria) and her niece from Canada. Canadians – they're everywhere!!! They wanted to go to the Islamic area of Cairo and the Khan el Khalili (3 days in a row, if you're counting). We started early to beat the heat and were fairly successful in doing that. We went to a beautiful 400 year-old Arabesque house called Beit el Suhaymie.

After a nice tour of the place (which I didn't get on my first trip there 2 years ago), we walked out onto the street and a doorman ushered us into the office across the street. What was the office? Well, it was for the engineer/architect/manager who did most of the planning for the renovation project at Beit el-Suhaymie and is now directing things for other renovations in the area. Very cool to talk with him and get a bit of info about current projects! Great guy!

This was all in the morning and then after Gloria/niece left, I did more walking by going from the Khan all the way to the Citadel. This was my first time to see most of the monuments on this walk and it was really nice! (but tiring, as it was several kilometers of walking each way) To cap the day off, I dragged my tired body to watch the Whirling Dervishes.

Sunday, I rested.

*grin*

I started reading the Yacoubian Building and enjoyed the cool morning. Good that I did that b/c the A/C was broken on the train I took back to Tanta in the afternoon! Hot, hot, hot!

Back to teaching this week. More details about things in Tanta soon!