So do you ever hear yourself think or say things like...
I feel so badly...
I think I got hit by a bus! I think I got hit by a Mack Truck! I got hit by a semi!
Well, I can now say that I feel so badly, I think I got hit by a palm tree!
I know, you're all thinking that spazzed out Wendy walked into a tree....
nothing of the such!!
A tree almost hit me! No joke!! Yes, I was walking..BUT SO WAS THE TREE! at a **much** faster speed than me....and it was a "head on" - wait, is that a head on? Well whatever....here's the story!
Aaaaaaaaaaaaah....a respite to myself, of course thinking in Arabic and hearing English spoken in broken words and strong accents is not a real respite, but I went to the market by myself for meat and veggies / fruit. Of course I have to dodge traffic, be quicker than a squirrel and merge between lanes...but....it's becoming old hat....all the beeping, it's just the way it is, I dont really look! I know what direction it's from if it's intended to make me move, notify me of presence or if it's just cuz they all beep ;)
Today...lots of beeping, me walking "against" traffic because it swerves a bit and I like it on that side of the road better no matter which direction I'm walking ;)
And coming towards me is a big truck - I mean bigger than a pick up but not quite as big as a typical UPS delivery truck, it's open in the back, almost dump-truckish looking....I notice it not only because it's so big but I need to watch the big mirrors, right...well....then I notice people are honking back and there's strange banging/scraping noises...and I'm cofused, but I'm not between the vehicles...I'm OK....
then suddenly I realize
IT'S HAULING A TREE!
a PALM TREE!
ok - so yeah yeah we've all seen trucks haul trees....GET EGYPTIAN AND THINK MAADI PEOPLE!
it was hauling it HORIZONTALLY PERPENDICULAR to the road (that's a big word, how'd I do Tanya, Betty and Sara S?) anywho.....you understand, right???
I had to duck and take the stroller DOWN with me.....it would've taken me out at the waist...thankfully they're doing 20 like everyone else on the busy road...so I had a lot of reaction time...
but goodness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So you may be laughing, you may be horrified...I'll take the time to tell you that recently a road I walk that has no side walk...was redone in asphalt!
Oh the joy when I thought "the road will be so much smoother!"
You know, to be honest, the road **is** smoother....but you see, they don't chew it up, reuse and lay it down..they just keep laying it down...the DROP OFF (no slopes) to the small drives to the buildings is approx 2' (two feet) tall, the manholes - well ever hit something and said "MAN THEY NEED TO FIX THAT POTHOLE, I COULD'VE LOST A....small child...tire...etc.."
ok...they don't build up the manholes either
THEY
DIG
THEM
OUT
so..when I say if you hit it, you'd loose a VW or an entire man in it....you know I'm not exagerating, RIGHT?
Off to the Maadi House for the homeschooling play group! Thanks for laughing together this afternoon! So happy to go think and speak in English by Americans speaking English..aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! Even tho I don't drink alcohol, I almost feel at home when Miss J drinks it at 2 pm! LOLOLOL
Mahsehlehmah!!
Wendy
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Wadi Degla Protectorate, Eastern Desert Preservation
Today after school, Iemon came for us and drove us on a new adventure. Iemon had not yet been here, so it was fun to see him light up too ;) We even roped him into taking a couple photos! Ha! Wadi means "valley" Degla or Digla is an area of Maadi. Cairo is like a "territory", Maadi is a city, Digla is a "sub." Got all that? ha! In reality, we didn't go too far.
The first photo is at the entrance "gate."
Wadi Degla is further proof of a massive quick flood killing all life quickly so that decay and animal consumption couldn't happen. Joshua found a fossil!!!!!!!! And some shell casings from automatic rifles - eek! Wadi Degla is also translated sometimes to "Egypt Canyon."
It was so great to get away from the hussle of the city noise and all the people. Iemon drove us back into it about a mile, then we hiked approx 2.5 hrs. We even had lunch under an overhang up high - very great day! Melaluca sunscreen is my best friend here ;) We are determined to go back in a couple weeks, have Iemon drop us off even further in (where we stopped at today) and hike further. :-) He probably drove 5 mph and under ;) REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEALLY wild terrain for a vehicle of any sort, but especially these old b/w taxi's! You remember his photo and car from weeks ago, right? :-)
I was struck also by the way the desert floor heated up - by about 11:30, the heat from the ground up was much more intense than the sun coming down..and trust me..that's saying a lot ;)
We saw 5 small lizards - likely anoles of sorts and thankfully NO snakes - tho of course the boys were disappointed ;) We were VERY cautious about our treks ;)
We didn't finish our exploration. Iemon came back for us and boy were we glad for a ride! :-) I was also surprised at how "hardy" the plantlife is there....it looks all dry and crusted, but they are in fact..alive...very strong little buggars ;)
We were all quite disappointed not to see any fox, next time we plan to start out at 8 am instead of 10 and maybe see more "life" now that we sorta know what we're doing there ;) We brought binoculars (neh darruh) and saw neat birds!! It is EVEN drier out on the desert, hard to explain since it's dry HERE at home - but seriously our clothes were sopping wet and we felt dry....weird!?! (scary scenario) Quite amazing valley!! It was firm..the chips of course were dangerous for steep areas, but we looked for good ways up/down/around. Thanks for looking!
and OH MY GOODNESS! don't you just LOVE that I'm wearing shorts? I decided TOO hot for long pants....TOO treacherous for skirt....going to 'walk on the wildside' in my bermuda-length shorts ;) Iemon was the only Egyptian who saw me and he didn't look twice ;) So I was good for the day!
you should also know that we all survived the Jazzyberry Jam meat eating episode and hope to never repeat it ;)
Thursday, March 25, 2010
6" high flames!
I'm so glad you like the "real" me - not the "oh lets make this sound professional" me! I want these posts to be "real" and to feel connected :-)
Today was the last day of school- it *is* truly getting more of a routine and such for both kids and I am not in competition w/ his wonderful teachers from Michigan anymore for the way things "should" be - ha ha! I really never felt intimidated or jealous, it was cute ;) but it was a barrier hard to get thru with my boy! :-)
Rob found out the hard way why I don't shop at this bigger grocery store that's aimed at Europeans and Americans....when the meat I opened was PURPLE not from food colorings but actually from NASTY DYES THAT...smell like cleaning chemicals and....
guess what?
CATCH ON FIRE!
oh yes, I was making hamburger patties......and in the past, I have had flames shoot up an inch or so and die down.......you know, most of us have those bad cooking days, right? OK MAKE ME FEEL BETTER! RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT?! yes..good..ok..moving on...
I walked into the kitchen and low and behold..the pot with some noodles in it is as high as my palm to almost the tip of my middle finger...
THE FLAMES WERE CONSISTENT, THE SIZE OF THE BURGER AND HIGHER THAN THAT POT BEHIND IT!!!!!!!!!!!
I ran and ducked, seemed to cross the tiny room in one long stretch, turned the heat off and watched it die down
YIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!??????????
The burger is deep purple, I think Crayola might call it...Jazzyberry Jam (consult Wikipedia for a description if you must) and the spaghetti w/ meat is a strange combo reminding me of summer days making crayon art in the skillet w/ the kids...
I told the family - A. never get meat there again, we'll go vegetarian or even hungry first! B. One night won't have any ill long-term affects
RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT?! eeek!!
yesterday I decided I could come up with a "you know you're an Egyptian and not an expat anymore when...."
list..you know like "you know you're an 80's child when like you say like alot" or "you know you're from Michigan when you know that snot freezes"
so here's the start to my list..
When....
you announce casually and nonchallantly "hey, no water, no flushing and if you have to poop, you tell me and we'll plan accordingly" - you say this as if you're telling your kids - hey, there's a cool bird outside, check it out when you get time...as if it's just a natural routine in the day no more annoyance or panic
you nonchallantly add in safety rules before a walk like....
don't eyeball the wild dogs, don't pick up rocks cuz you know it's likely poop, and remember to heed my speed warnings.
because you see..sometimes we "march" with traffic between cars...and sometimes we run for it and sometimes we stop on a dime......
off to a little corner of America - a patch of grass near the American embassy, German beer, BBQ pork ribs, while watching Mary Poppins on a sheet outside w/ new friends!!! :-)
Mahsehlehmah wi Salaam!
Good bye, good night and God's peace to you all!
Today was the last day of school- it *is* truly getting more of a routine and such for both kids and I am not in competition w/ his wonderful teachers from Michigan anymore for the way things "should" be - ha ha! I really never felt intimidated or jealous, it was cute ;) but it was a barrier hard to get thru with my boy! :-)
Rob found out the hard way why I don't shop at this bigger grocery store that's aimed at Europeans and Americans....when the meat I opened was PURPLE not from food colorings but actually from NASTY DYES THAT...smell like cleaning chemicals and....
guess what?
CATCH ON FIRE!
oh yes, I was making hamburger patties......and in the past, I have had flames shoot up an inch or so and die down.......you know, most of us have those bad cooking days, right? OK MAKE ME FEEL BETTER! RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT?! yes..good..ok..moving on...
I walked into the kitchen and low and behold..the pot with some noodles in it is as high as my palm to almost the tip of my middle finger...
THE FLAMES WERE CONSISTENT, THE SIZE OF THE BURGER AND HIGHER THAN THAT POT BEHIND IT!!!!!!!!!!!
I ran and ducked, seemed to cross the tiny room in one long stretch, turned the heat off and watched it die down
YIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!??????????
The burger is deep purple, I think Crayola might call it...Jazzyberry Jam (consult Wikipedia for a description if you must) and the spaghetti w/ meat is a strange combo reminding me of summer days making crayon art in the skillet w/ the kids...
I told the family - A. never get meat there again, we'll go vegetarian or even hungry first! B. One night won't have any ill long-term affects
RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT?! eeek!!
yesterday I decided I could come up with a "you know you're an Egyptian and not an expat anymore when...."
list..you know like "you know you're an 80's child when like you say like alot" or "you know you're from Michigan when you know that snot freezes"
so here's the start to my list..
When....
you announce casually and nonchallantly "hey, no water, no flushing and if you have to poop, you tell me and we'll plan accordingly" - you say this as if you're telling your kids - hey, there's a cool bird outside, check it out when you get time...as if it's just a natural routine in the day no more annoyance or panic
you nonchallantly add in safety rules before a walk like....
don't eyeball the wild dogs, don't pick up rocks cuz you know it's likely poop, and remember to heed my speed warnings.
because you see..sometimes we "march" with traffic between cars...and sometimes we run for it and sometimes we stop on a dime......
off to a little corner of America - a patch of grass near the American embassy, German beer, BBQ pork ribs, while watching Mary Poppins on a sheet outside w/ new friends!!! :-)
Mahsehlehmah wi Salaam!
Good bye, good night and God's peace to you all!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Soft Toilet Paper, Clean Public Bathroom and 5 Story Mall
That's just the highlights! ha! First, I'll start last and work backwards ;)
We *finally* made it w/o incident, to the Maadi Homeschooling Group Playdate. They meet once/week on Wednesday afternoons at 2pm to play for an hour or so...well at 5 pm, I hauled us out very reluctantly ;) Good thing I had already made beef stew 2 days ago - ha!
It was WONDERFUL! Not only is there a clean bathroom with soft toilet paper....(yes that's the most important part!) but I
1. Enjoyed speaking English openly with people who not only understand it, but "get" the idiotic humor and all the little slang stuff we do constantly in America
2. Felt a real connection with the women I met - Cindy (Korean American who gave me a tip on a family style authentic Korean restaurant), Jill (who works for the American embassy and this is how we get in here for free every Wed), Ee-yee (spelling phonetically) a funny Chinese American woman who orginated from Burma, Jennifer (who started the group and originated from America until 17, Sweden until 20's then Belgium until 3 yrs ago), Nancy who is very shy and is here on a student visa with her husband, Rachel who will never give birth in this country again (ha!). I'm giving myself a quiz by saying all that ;)
3. Got invited to a "bbq pork ribs and movie night" tomorrow outside on a patch of grass - and is going!! $5 per person!! PORK RIBS? DID SOMEONE SAY PORK RIBS? ok sorry, off topic a bit
4. Used the bathroom and not only was it EXCEPTIONALLY clean but the tp was ABUNDANTLY available AND soft...AND there was ANTIBACTERIAL SOAP! as well as PAPER TOWELS! A well - maintained bathroom - a "corner" of America, I'm telling you!
We were at "The Maadi House" - it is SIGNIFICANTLY smaller than The Maadi Sports club, but it is the American Embassy "club house" and really it was a bit of America - really boosted me :-) I do think that speaking English, hearing English was the best part - tho the bathroom experience I had, did create a long conversation when I re-joined! HA HA!
Earlier today, the kids and I went on a small adventure to the "Maadi Mall" - ok go ahead and think American on a lot of ways - except the indoor smoking - ICK GAG GAG! and the lady who "shooed" me out of her store (no exaggeration here) so she could clean - umm..like..ok, you don't want my money? Here are some shots on the way there...the place itself.....and the way home!
Remember awhile back, I showed you a train track we walked down cuz...like...it isn't used...oh IT'S USED! we found out JUUUUST after getting off it! Got a quick shot of the "antique" train crane ;) Could this be "Cranky" the Train's great grandfather ;) Marufsh! I dunno!! but it had me oohing and aahing! ;) Tho it's not a great shot, I **had** to show you!
The expensive stores had clothes that were just so nice......REALLY WOW! $18-$30 US for stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't wait to start shopping to return to the US - ha ha ha!
I also found the FULL covering swim suits I've read about in magazines that the women wear here...they even have "hoods" and gloves...and it's - ok it seems to be a body suit where you cover head to ankle in black or brown swim suit material...then a swuim suit material dress over it...yep...they swim in it! Neat! :-) I'm glad they DO get to cool off sometimes! :) ok, nuff rambles...here's some pics!
As the photos load, I'll tell you more...the kids under the "hut" or what not - I'm not sure what this is? there was nothing around it, but it was clean and it was like a little restaurant, tho it was near the big "sandpit" where I took their photo by a "grafiti" 'd wall - I have no idea what it is? but it was cute and adorable...there was another spot about 20' from it that was similar and had outdoor lighting? Do families own these spots and come to bring supper, I dunno!!??
The giant wooden wheel was fabulous! We saw some antique farm equipment here along w/ the man who makes these benches that I *really* want to bring to the US but cannot..anywho - I think it's a disc of some sort in one photo.
The mall exterior and interior shot - we had to take an escalator w/ the stroller NOT FUN poor Jasmine almost fell, eek!! The elevator doesn't work..
again, pushing the buttons.....man says "read sign" and I laugh..
I
DO
NOT
READ
ARABIC
and it cracks me up! apparently there's a sign saying it's out of order or something? dunno! or maybe being cleaned? or maybe under construction? MARUFSH!
We *finally* made it w/o incident, to the Maadi Homeschooling Group Playdate. They meet once/week on Wednesday afternoons at 2pm to play for an hour or so...well at 5 pm, I hauled us out very reluctantly ;) Good thing I had already made beef stew 2 days ago - ha!
It was WONDERFUL! Not only is there a clean bathroom with soft toilet paper....(yes that's the most important part!) but I
1. Enjoyed speaking English openly with people who not only understand it, but "get" the idiotic humor and all the little slang stuff we do constantly in America
2. Felt a real connection with the women I met - Cindy (Korean American who gave me a tip on a family style authentic Korean restaurant), Jill (who works for the American embassy and this is how we get in here for free every Wed), Ee-yee (spelling phonetically) a funny Chinese American woman who orginated from Burma, Jennifer (who started the group and originated from America until 17, Sweden until 20's then Belgium until 3 yrs ago), Nancy who is very shy and is here on a student visa with her husband, Rachel who will never give birth in this country again (ha!). I'm giving myself a quiz by saying all that ;)
3. Got invited to a "bbq pork ribs and movie night" tomorrow outside on a patch of grass - and is going!! $5 per person!! PORK RIBS? DID SOMEONE SAY PORK RIBS? ok sorry, off topic a bit
4. Used the bathroom and not only was it EXCEPTIONALLY clean but the tp was ABUNDANTLY available AND soft...AND there was ANTIBACTERIAL SOAP! as well as PAPER TOWELS! A well - maintained bathroom - a "corner" of America, I'm telling you!
We were at "The Maadi House" - it is SIGNIFICANTLY smaller than The Maadi Sports club, but it is the American Embassy "club house" and really it was a bit of America - really boosted me :-) I do think that speaking English, hearing English was the best part - tho the bathroom experience I had, did create a long conversation when I re-joined! HA HA!
Earlier today, the kids and I went on a small adventure to the "Maadi Mall" - ok go ahead and think American on a lot of ways - except the indoor smoking - ICK GAG GAG! and the lady who "shooed" me out of her store (no exaggeration here) so she could clean - umm..like..ok, you don't want my money? Here are some shots on the way there...the place itself.....and the way home!
Remember awhile back, I showed you a train track we walked down cuz...like...it isn't used...oh IT'S USED! we found out JUUUUST after getting off it! Got a quick shot of the "antique" train crane ;) Could this be "Cranky" the Train's great grandfather ;) Marufsh! I dunno!! but it had me oohing and aahing! ;) Tho it's not a great shot, I **had** to show you!
The expensive stores had clothes that were just so nice......REALLY WOW! $18-$30 US for stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't wait to start shopping to return to the US - ha ha ha!
I also found the FULL covering swim suits I've read about in magazines that the women wear here...they even have "hoods" and gloves...and it's - ok it seems to be a body suit where you cover head to ankle in black or brown swim suit material...then a swuim suit material dress over it...yep...they swim in it! Neat! :-) I'm glad they DO get to cool off sometimes! :) ok, nuff rambles...here's some pics!
As the photos load, I'll tell you more...the kids under the "hut" or what not - I'm not sure what this is? there was nothing around it, but it was clean and it was like a little restaurant, tho it was near the big "sandpit" where I took their photo by a "grafiti" 'd wall - I have no idea what it is? but it was cute and adorable...there was another spot about 20' from it that was similar and had outdoor lighting? Do families own these spots and come to bring supper, I dunno!!??
The giant wooden wheel was fabulous! We saw some antique farm equipment here along w/ the man who makes these benches that I *really* want to bring to the US but cannot..anywho - I think it's a disc of some sort in one photo.
The mall exterior and interior shot - we had to take an escalator w/ the stroller NOT FUN poor Jasmine almost fell, eek!! The elevator doesn't work..
again, pushing the buttons.....man says "read sign" and I laugh..
I
DO
NOT
READ
ARABIC
and it cracks me up! apparently there's a sign saying it's out of order or something? dunno! or maybe being cleaned? or maybe under construction? MARUFSH!
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Al Ahlzar Park
**some people have said they can't see the details of what I've photographed**
WELL - if you click on any photo one time, it'll load full size, you can see the amazing details! on any post..at any time and it still never downloads to your computer!!** HAPPY VIEWING!
We had asked the Lewis family to come to the club together today...they said yes...then rethought it and decided that we should all go to Al Ahlzar Park. It is on a hill across from the Citadel which also holds Muhammad Ali Mosque. It was lush here and really calm and beautiful. We had a wonderful picnic lunch together and just....enjoyed friendship!! We left at 11:20 and got home at 4:30 - it was marvelous! The weather is still holding at low 70's but the wind has kicked up a bit more today so my sinuses are really funky tonight :-(
Everyone's showered, kids are about to fall asleep for the night, so I put on a Veggie Tale's movie while I post photos...and make us something for supper.
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, FRIENDS!!!!!!!!! Mother's Day in Egypt!!! :-)
I love you women for showing me how to be a better mother, for loving those who are not even your children, for loving me! xoxoxoxoxox Happy Mother's Day!
Melanie D - I took a pic JUST for you! It's 2 pics actually....a tree and the label below it.....I felt like givin you a big ole hug...instead...I took these for you! It'll become obvious as you scroll thru!! Joshua's working on a letter for Gage this week - shhh..don't tell him! no idea WHEN I'll get to the post office again!
you can see there's a big playground in one area...after about 45 min, our kids were sick of Egyptians wanting to touch their skin or have photos taken together..so we moved on ;)
the fancy ceiling/water pool, etc is all part of a VERY nice restaurant. The park is .... well park is an understatement really ;) I'm up high enough for you to see the smog even across the city.
I think like 5 more pics you see this....such extreme poverty..but they have to have satellite tv - yeesh!?! priorities! These are the people who sometimes beg me, who doesn't have tv - for money - goodness! I'm picky about who I give to ;) Sorry to sound like a snob - lol.
a shot from the back of the restaurant......John said I should say HEY HERE'S A PHOTO OF OUR HOME FINALLY! ha ha ha!!
WELL - if you click on any photo one time, it'll load full size, you can see the amazing details! on any post..at any time and it still never downloads to your computer!!** HAPPY VIEWING!
We had asked the Lewis family to come to the club together today...they said yes...then rethought it and decided that we should all go to Al Ahlzar Park. It is on a hill across from the Citadel which also holds Muhammad Ali Mosque. It was lush here and really calm and beautiful. We had a wonderful picnic lunch together and just....enjoyed friendship!! We left at 11:20 and got home at 4:30 - it was marvelous! The weather is still holding at low 70's but the wind has kicked up a bit more today so my sinuses are really funky tonight :-(
Everyone's showered, kids are about to fall asleep for the night, so I put on a Veggie Tale's movie while I post photos...and make us something for supper.
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, FRIENDS!!!!!!!!! Mother's Day in Egypt!!! :-)
I love you women for showing me how to be a better mother, for loving those who are not even your children, for loving me! xoxoxoxoxox Happy Mother's Day!
Melanie D - I took a pic JUST for you! It's 2 pics actually....a tree and the label below it.....I felt like givin you a big ole hug...instead...I took these for you! It'll become obvious as you scroll thru!! Joshua's working on a letter for Gage this week - shhh..don't tell him! no idea WHEN I'll get to the post office again!
you can see there's a big playground in one area...after about 45 min, our kids were sick of Egyptians wanting to touch their skin or have photos taken together..so we moved on ;)
the fancy ceiling/water pool, etc is all part of a VERY nice restaurant. The park is .... well park is an understatement really ;) I'm up high enough for you to see the smog even across the city.
I think like 5 more pics you see this....such extreme poverty..but they have to have satellite tv - yeesh!?! priorities! These are the people who sometimes beg me, who doesn't have tv - for money - goodness! I'm picky about who I give to ;) Sorry to sound like a snob - lol.
a shot from the back of the restaurant......John said I should say HEY HERE'S A PHOTO OF OUR HOME FINALLY! ha ha ha!!
Friday, March 19, 2010
Sudanese Camel Market and Small Reptile Farm
Hello! Busy busy week with two outtings, homeschooling, keeping up w/ the house and market stuff! Today was such a great day! Our guide, Hala (Alla but add the H sound) was marvelous! We really enjoyed her! We rode in a very nice 12 passenger van (counting seatbelts). Chuck and Laura are from Bay City, Michigan, they both teach at a college here in Cairo. Sonya and I seemed like sisters from the first meet! I really enjoyed everyone today! Our driver was a wonderful driver, he stopped a couple times just for me to take photos. The drive was over 1 hr in each direction. Sonya is from Pennsylvania - she came for a 3 mo internship and never left - she's been here 10 mo and has no desire to leave. She was SUPER with the kids....I really could've done it w/o another adult, but she just came right alongside me, we were great friends!! I got her number, she has mine...she lives probably 20 min walk...I am hoping we can get together sometimes :-) I told her when Rob is home,I'd like to meet her at an Egyptian restaurant and just INDULGE! :-) A girls night :-)
The camel market is a rare adventure. It is an auction to sell camels. Some Egyptians trade sheep or goats, but mostly it's a cash trade. The camels and men of the family have almost a 2 mo WALK to get to the Egyptian market. The camels are sold and used for labor and meat.
This is not an "American friendly" market. We were the only women there and we were urged not to talk to the locals, tho I did talk to the kids if they were Joshua's size or smaller - typically the Eygptians are 10-13 yrs old and Joshua's size. Same with the Sudanese. It was not as people-scary as the pyramids, but the 10's of thousands of LOOSE camels being BEATEN and run thru the area is...ummm....well blood pressure medicine is required ;)
The smell just reminded me of being on a farm, it wasn't really "sickening" but definitely OVERWHELMING....thankfully it was only 23 today (celcius) - what is that...maybe 74 degrees? and no real wind gusts. Some soft breezes made some trouble for us off and on, but nothing to complain about!
Jasmine didn't want to be carried, she wanted to be like Joshua - insert eye roll please - ha ha! But she was definitely intimidated!! I had to place her and then show her Icould still reach her even w/ the camera ;) And take her photo - she was especially interested in a couple ponies we saw wondering..and did get a couple cute shots with her!
She was very excitd about the small reptile farm we visited on the way back - lets just say that if it were hot, I'd have passed out likely....I did use my "panic voice" and over react a couple times, but no one was offended, they just patted my back and said "I agree!" everyone was REALLY great, The cameleon on Joshua's head nearly did me in.....but it was the angry cobra's that made me taste bile! I wouldn't even take a photo of the scorpion.....and I pulled Joshua back - making him angry, but made me more comfortable - YES IT WAS JUST OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUT in a container...BUT OUT!!
We saw some unique varmints!! and Joshua held a couple - there's your warning, mom!! Don't look any further if it'll scare you! ha ha! smooches!! Even skunks!!! This type doesn't have the capacity to spray, apparently, but they have their smell!! The ducks you'll see just prior to the reptiles are the ducks dating back to Pharaonic times...the ones used in heiroglyphics (there I go trying to spell that word again!) and other misc ancient images. They seemed smaller than mallards. But not "small."
Today the kids and I tried Egyptian tea - apparently, according to Hala, it is sweeter here than usual - but it was WONDERFUL! A type of herb we don't know or use, no translation even - yummy!! Tasted to be sweetened like honey not a sugar sweet, if that makes any sense? This was at the reptile farm.
OH THE SMELL!!!!!!!!!!! When we were at the repitle farm, I went to kiss Jasmine's head and cringed! We all smelled each other and cringed then laughed pretty hard! NAAAAAAAASTY! Us girls washed our hair two times!! I put our clothes thru the wash cycle 2 times..and even the backpack!!
Joshua's asthma is still doing GREAT!! I did have him do one treatment of xopenex (rescue med) because he was coughing....just to be safe.....we're home and he's still ok. I'm using my arabic more and more and understanding more than I thought I would by now!! I'm getting more excited about classes starting April 11, same as Jasmine's preschool (Sun and Tues, me 9-11, her 8-1)
My mom had an MRI yesterday...we'd sure appreciate prayers that the reading goes smoothly and can have some solid direction next Thursday at the next appt!!
Well, thanks for reading!! Thanks for looking! Thanks for all who enjoyed that bird I photographed at the museum! We saw 8 today in one spot!! We have never seen them on trees like a woodpecker, always on the ground. The tuft on it's head can get bigger and smaller....I am completely unsure what it is! Oh another interesting thing - no squirrels in this country! I asked Hala today, she said she knew exactly what I meant and they have no such creature...nothing similar!
In the photos - Hala has brown/red hair, Sonya has black hair.
Joshua and I got the house cleaned in 2 hrs! HOORAY!! fresh house! every 3 days we start over, it's amazing how much black silt is around after such short time! Hiring Cecil was a good idea, he did a good job w/ some things I haven't gotten to do yet...sorry no bed moving pics ;) lolol - tho you girls had me chuckling!! But now I have a bed for my parents! I am thinking we'll move the sofa into our bedroom and be like Lucy and Ricky ;) And maybe save to buy another sofa for the living area ;)
I don't like the new mattress either....in fact, I hate it. So if Rob agrees he hates it, we'll change back AGAIN....and he'll be back to the sofa anyway...sigh...oh well! Rob and I **really** are a good team here! He has more downtime than in the US, even w/ his newest job there...it really is good here for us! We need each other much more than we ever did as independent Americans ;)
you see above, Joshua after playing football (soccer) at the field ;) VERY dirty!! ha! VERY happy! and a shot of us driving today - I'm still WHOA! about seeing pyramids - lol!!
don't you see Jasmine there and wanna yell STAMPEEEEEEEEEED! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES! it was like that a couple of times ;) but only a couple! lol - the camels are VERY peaceful! horses would've flipped out and killed us all ;)
you can notice it may seem like the camels have 3.5 legs, but they use rope to tie it up at the knee so they can't run (as fast cuz they can still go quite fast!). We saw almost white camels, tan camels, GREY camels and very dark brown camels. Apparently the whiter the camel (not clean, but hair color) the more desirable. I was surprised how HAIRY some of the camels were!!! And oh the noises they make...they do that horrible noise even w/o a 36 yr old woman on their back! lol
inthe next batch you can see the REALLY tall camels - they were grey, there were 4 of them QUITE astounding!!!!!!!! These men were taller than me and standing RIGHT next to it!! it was a GIANT BEAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! but truly gentile....they directed their anger at the ones w/ the beating rods...and steered clear of us...sometimes even stopped to say hello ;) Very gentile! I want one! You'll also see a baby or two....somewhere in here ;)
Above we also caught a quick shot of their "home away from home"
And for those who think - yes, yes, just more shots of more camels HAVE NO APPRECIATINO FOR THEM! lol - we were TRULY in a a herd and it was ASTOUNDING! OVERHWELMING! MAYA MAYA! You also see I took a shot of a camel butt and you think "why did she take that shot?" Remind yourselves WHO took it - oh yes...Wendy "would" think that's cute, wouldn't she? Even their little tails are adorable!! Plus, I have a rhino hiney shot from 20 yrs ago....I needed a camel one too!
No, we did not get spit upon, tho we saw lots of drool and we didn't get w/in 6' of the ones who were sick - front NOR backs! eek! I will spare you the image, if you don't figure it out on your own ;)
And you must admit they're adorable in the back of the trucks headed to their new homes! They would look back and forth wide-eyed...and if one would complain, they'd all look at him like "what's your deal? at least you're sitting down!" ha ha!
Next is the reptile farm - we saw two baboons, a turkey vulture and plenty of angry german shepherd doggies...
first is a shot of one farm near the area....the strange shot is the "shack" we're inside....the big birds are emu's. VERY skiddish and unfriendly - ha! They don't sell eggs, Teri L in MO, I did ask!! :-) I had 200 LE on me, was ready to make a buy for baking! MmmmMmmmMmmm! Eggs I can bake w/ for Joshua! Camels go for much more $$ - drats! not enough to get me one!
warning - the following photos may make some tummies uneasy ;)
There are 2 chameleons...yes...I let one on me...but when it got to my shoulder, I freaked out a bit - understatement of the year ;) The man removed it promptly, as they all chuckled! But, only Joshua was braver than I, w/ it ON HIS HEAD!!
We also saw a desert fox.....really beautiful!
I simply HAD to get in one more shot of the camels! :-) LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
The camel market is a rare adventure. It is an auction to sell camels. Some Egyptians trade sheep or goats, but mostly it's a cash trade. The camels and men of the family have almost a 2 mo WALK to get to the Egyptian market. The camels are sold and used for labor and meat.
This is not an "American friendly" market. We were the only women there and we were urged not to talk to the locals, tho I did talk to the kids if they were Joshua's size or smaller - typically the Eygptians are 10-13 yrs old and Joshua's size. Same with the Sudanese. It was not as people-scary as the pyramids, but the 10's of thousands of LOOSE camels being BEATEN and run thru the area is...ummm....well blood pressure medicine is required ;)
The smell just reminded me of being on a farm, it wasn't really "sickening" but definitely OVERWHELMING....thankfully it was only 23 today (celcius) - what is that...maybe 74 degrees? and no real wind gusts. Some soft breezes made some trouble for us off and on, but nothing to complain about!
Jasmine didn't want to be carried, she wanted to be like Joshua - insert eye roll please - ha ha! But she was definitely intimidated!! I had to place her and then show her Icould still reach her even w/ the camera ;) And take her photo - she was especially interested in a couple ponies we saw wondering..and did get a couple cute shots with her!
She was very excitd about the small reptile farm we visited on the way back - lets just say that if it were hot, I'd have passed out likely....I did use my "panic voice" and over react a couple times, but no one was offended, they just patted my back and said "I agree!" everyone was REALLY great, The cameleon on Joshua's head nearly did me in.....but it was the angry cobra's that made me taste bile! I wouldn't even take a photo of the scorpion.....and I pulled Joshua back - making him angry, but made me more comfortable - YES IT WAS JUST OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUT in a container...BUT OUT!!
We saw some unique varmints!! and Joshua held a couple - there's your warning, mom!! Don't look any further if it'll scare you! ha ha! smooches!! Even skunks!!! This type doesn't have the capacity to spray, apparently, but they have their smell!! The ducks you'll see just prior to the reptiles are the ducks dating back to Pharaonic times...the ones used in heiroglyphics (there I go trying to spell that word again!) and other misc ancient images. They seemed smaller than mallards. But not "small."
Today the kids and I tried Egyptian tea - apparently, according to Hala, it is sweeter here than usual - but it was WONDERFUL! A type of herb we don't know or use, no translation even - yummy!! Tasted to be sweetened like honey not a sugar sweet, if that makes any sense? This was at the reptile farm.
OH THE SMELL!!!!!!!!!!! When we were at the repitle farm, I went to kiss Jasmine's head and cringed! We all smelled each other and cringed then laughed pretty hard! NAAAAAAAASTY! Us girls washed our hair two times!! I put our clothes thru the wash cycle 2 times..and even the backpack!!
Joshua's asthma is still doing GREAT!! I did have him do one treatment of xopenex (rescue med) because he was coughing....just to be safe.....we're home and he's still ok. I'm using my arabic more and more and understanding more than I thought I would by now!! I'm getting more excited about classes starting April 11, same as Jasmine's preschool (Sun and Tues, me 9-11, her 8-1)
My mom had an MRI yesterday...we'd sure appreciate prayers that the reading goes smoothly and can have some solid direction next Thursday at the next appt!!
Well, thanks for reading!! Thanks for looking! Thanks for all who enjoyed that bird I photographed at the museum! We saw 8 today in one spot!! We have never seen them on trees like a woodpecker, always on the ground. The tuft on it's head can get bigger and smaller....I am completely unsure what it is! Oh another interesting thing - no squirrels in this country! I asked Hala today, she said she knew exactly what I meant and they have no such creature...nothing similar!
In the photos - Hala has brown/red hair, Sonya has black hair.
Joshua and I got the house cleaned in 2 hrs! HOORAY!! fresh house! every 3 days we start over, it's amazing how much black silt is around after such short time! Hiring Cecil was a good idea, he did a good job w/ some things I haven't gotten to do yet...sorry no bed moving pics ;) lolol - tho you girls had me chuckling!! But now I have a bed for my parents! I am thinking we'll move the sofa into our bedroom and be like Lucy and Ricky ;) And maybe save to buy another sofa for the living area ;)
I don't like the new mattress either....in fact, I hate it. So if Rob agrees he hates it, we'll change back AGAIN....and he'll be back to the sofa anyway...sigh...oh well! Rob and I **really** are a good team here! He has more downtime than in the US, even w/ his newest job there...it really is good here for us! We need each other much more than we ever did as independent Americans ;)
you see above, Joshua after playing football (soccer) at the field ;) VERY dirty!! ha! VERY happy! and a shot of us driving today - I'm still WHOA! about seeing pyramids - lol!!
don't you see Jasmine there and wanna yell STAMPEEEEEEEEEED! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES! it was like that a couple of times ;) but only a couple! lol - the camels are VERY peaceful! horses would've flipped out and killed us all ;)
you can notice it may seem like the camels have 3.5 legs, but they use rope to tie it up at the knee so they can't run (as fast cuz they can still go quite fast!). We saw almost white camels, tan camels, GREY camels and very dark brown camels. Apparently the whiter the camel (not clean, but hair color) the more desirable. I was surprised how HAIRY some of the camels were!!! And oh the noises they make...they do that horrible noise even w/o a 36 yr old woman on their back! lol
inthe next batch you can see the REALLY tall camels - they were grey, there were 4 of them QUITE astounding!!!!!!!! These men were taller than me and standing RIGHT next to it!! it was a GIANT BEAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! but truly gentile....they directed their anger at the ones w/ the beating rods...and steered clear of us...sometimes even stopped to say hello ;) Very gentile! I want one! You'll also see a baby or two....somewhere in here ;)
Above we also caught a quick shot of their "home away from home"
And for those who think - yes, yes, just more shots of more camels HAVE NO APPRECIATINO FOR THEM! lol - we were TRULY in a a herd and it was ASTOUNDING! OVERHWELMING! MAYA MAYA! You also see I took a shot of a camel butt and you think "why did she take that shot?" Remind yourselves WHO took it - oh yes...Wendy "would" think that's cute, wouldn't she? Even their little tails are adorable!! Plus, I have a rhino hiney shot from 20 yrs ago....I needed a camel one too!
No, we did not get spit upon, tho we saw lots of drool and we didn't get w/in 6' of the ones who were sick - front NOR backs! eek! I will spare you the image, if you don't figure it out on your own ;)
And you must admit they're adorable in the back of the trucks headed to their new homes! They would look back and forth wide-eyed...and if one would complain, they'd all look at him like "what's your deal? at least you're sitting down!" ha ha!
Next is the reptile farm - we saw two baboons, a turkey vulture and plenty of angry german shepherd doggies...
first is a shot of one farm near the area....the strange shot is the "shack" we're inside....the big birds are emu's. VERY skiddish and unfriendly - ha! They don't sell eggs, Teri L in MO, I did ask!! :-) I had 200 LE on me, was ready to make a buy for baking! MmmmMmmmMmmm! Eggs I can bake w/ for Joshua! Camels go for much more $$ - drats! not enough to get me one!
warning - the following photos may make some tummies uneasy ;)
There are 2 chameleons...yes...I let one on me...but when it got to my shoulder, I freaked out a bit - understatement of the year ;) The man removed it promptly, as they all chuckled! But, only Joshua was braver than I, w/ it ON HIS HEAD!!
We also saw a desert fox.....really beautiful!
I simply HAD to get in one more shot of the camels! :-) LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
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