We were invited for lunch with friends. We started out with nuts and a beer in the sun on the patio by the pool, gradually shedding jackets as the day warmed up, but then it began to darken as the clouds gathered from the north. Rain began to fall, pushing us under the shelter of the roof for a few minutes. After about half an hour the rain stopped but the water on the patio reflected the trees and the black clouds in the sky promised more of the same.
Monday, January 24, 2011
And Sometimes It Rains
Friday, January 21, 2011
Ubiquitous
There might be people who think that donkeys have no place in a city, but I would beg to differ. A few more donkeys and we might have fewer traffic jams. We certainly would have fewer accidents...unless motorists took to picking on the donkeys. They at least have the brains not to run into each other. I'm all for donkeys. Easier on the environment.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Using Every Corner
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Excuse Me. Come Again?
Some cattle egrets decorate the top of a sign saying "Shubramant, the door to the date". Right. Clear as mud. Probably they meant "the door to the past" as this village is on the road to Abu Sir, Sakkara and Dahshur, but we had fun figuring out wether maybe the date was yesterday, tomorrow, or next Wednesday.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
One of Those Cairo Things
We were coming out of City Stars and found this rather peculiar construction either being built or taken apart immediately outside the exit. It almost looks like part of a stage set.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Park Bench
Maybe our trees simply don't grow straight? We don't grow trees for lumber in Egypt. Building wood is generally imported, making wooden projects very expensive. But that hasn't stopped local bench makers who make lovely seats out of the curving local logs.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Camel Riding 101
Most tourists want to try riding a camel while they are visiting Giza, but it isn't really something within their usual bounds of experience. So once they find themselves about two metres off the ground on an amazingly enormous animal that is actually moving, a certain level of anxiety - or even abject fear - takes hold. Happily, most of them make it back in one piece.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Motherhood
On New Year's Eve about 4 in the afternoon, our water buffalo Amar gave birth to a son that we named Kofta. This was her first offspring and it took her a while to figure out just what this creature was and what she was supposed to do with him. (That's right, guys, we have to figure this stuff out too...it isn't entirely hardwired.) Mother and son are doing well and while Kofta will be loved and petted for about 10 months, he is, unfortunately destined to be, well...kofta and kebab. That is the fate of most male bovines, after all.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Antique Seating
I was in a large village nearby and we were parked on the side of the road to pick up some things from a hardware store when I noticed these stone posts placed against a wall. Then I realised that these were large chunks of stone pillars, probably some that had been dug up by someone plowing.