When The World Disappears

We had plans for a day long horseback ride this morning but as we were about to leave a huge sandstorm blew up. We went out anyway, but when the wind and sand didn't die down, we headed back home through the dust.

Black Pyramid on a Winter Day

Riding near the Black Pyramid at Dahshur is an amazing experience any time, but yesterday was one of those crystal clear days with high rain clouds passing by. Truly incredible.

When Is A Cloud Not A Cloud?

Riding back from Dahshur today with friends we found the sky full of black and silver rainclouds that, happily for us, did not end up soaking us thoroughly. Looking to the southeast, I noticed a thick black cloud roiling across the cities on the other side of the Nile. It was the cloud of pollution from the brick kilns and cement factories of Helwan and the pressure of the clouds above was keeping it low to the ground.

Managing Summer

Our fields are amazingly fertile and supply Egypt with its vegetables. This is all done with irrigation since essentially it doesn't rain. Summers are hard here for my work, riding and teaching, because they are so hot but shady trails and the cooling effect of evaporation help a lot.

Liftoff in Ten Minutes

This looks like a UFO parked on a roof but it is actually the cover for an air vet in an old house in the old section of Cairo. The cover helps keep rain from coming in on the off chance it may rain, but lets the hot air escape. This is probably about 100 years old and was constructed of wood covered with stucco.

And Sometimes It Rains

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.

The Only Place To Be

The temperatures for the past two days have been ridiculous! We've been sweating through days of mid-40's C or around 110 F. Too bloody hot. On days like this the feluccas do good business, carrying dehydrated weary Cairenes out onto the water for an hour of peace. Photo by Kelly Anderson

Can't Breathe That

It was over 40 C (about 105 F) today in the shade and there wasn't a breath of wind to blow the dust/smog/pollution out of the valley. Total misery. The Nile should have been visible just past the buildings.

Early Spring Mimosa

We haven't really had a winter, unless you count a random hail storm last Thursday. The temperatures have been in the April range all of January and February. This gorgeous mimosa tree in full bloom on the road along the road by the lakebed at Dahshur is eloquent testimony to the off-season warmth. Photo by the Photography Elf...I'm on a horse.

We're Back Finally

And what is all this white stuff on the road in Maadi? Although many Egyptians thought it was snow, it was hail that ranged in size from pea-sized to golfball-sized. A puppy who was walking along the sidewalk when it began falling ran all over to try to get away from the stones that were being thrown at him until he found shelter under a car. The storm was most impressive with crashes of thunder and bold flashes of lightning lancing down in the distance (thank heaven!). We suspect that one of the flashes may have played a bit of havoc with our local mobile relay tower, the giant palm tree at Sakkara Country Club. The storm was Thursday night and they only just restored service to our area today...after another storm of angry phone calls to Mobinil.

Picture Of A Possible Disaster

These are mango flowers. In February. Our mango trees should not be flowering now and if we have a week or so of cold weather in March or April, as is entirely possible, we won't see any mangoes because the flowers will fall.

Just Read The Tree

A tree trunck makes a convenient place to post notices outside of a Cilantro coffee shop on Road 9 in Maadi. Some people find it cool enough in the shade to enjoy a drink outside, while others (like me) slide into the air conditioning indoors.

Finding a Breeze

While visiting some mosques in Old Cairo, in this case Sultan Hassan, it was readily apparent as we strolled through that they'd been built in such a way as to maximise air flow to reduce the summer heat. At doorways and windows (which are usually open to allow for the air to flow) there would be anything from a gentle whisper of a breeze to a refreshing blast of air. A young man sitting inside the mosque takes advantage of this flow and the shade to find relief on a summer day.

Concealed Shelter

This is not a model of a rocket but a folded umbrella out in front of the mosque of Hussein in Khan el Khalili. The shape models a minaret and when opened the umbrellas provide shelter for the overflow from the mosque during prayer or for people in the plaza below. The umbrellas are a modern addition to a very old mosque but somehow don't violate the design.

Traveling At Ease

Traveling on the roads in summer here is hot business. If you have a car with airconditioning, it can be a welcome break from the heat, but pity the passenger in a less luxurious transport. As a mini-bus full of wilting passengers passes a donkey cart, it's hard not to reflect that maybe a donkey cart on a day like this has an advantage. There is a good breeze and the chance to stretch out for a nap.

Bridge Season

When summer comes, Cairenes head for whatever cool air can be found in the evening, and the best place to be is near the water. The banks of the Nile are fairly built up, but their are walkways along the water in most areas. One of the favourite places for getting a breath of fresh air is the nearest bridge, however and summer nights see picnicking families, fishermen, and young lovers hanging over the railings watching the Nile flow by on the way to the Mediterranean. This photo was taken at 2 am. Enterprising businessmen rent chairs and tables, sell food and drinks all night long.

Come In Out Of The Light

Shade takes on new meaning in an Egyptian summer. Standing in the shade can reduce the heat by at least five degrees and if you can catch a bit of a breeze, even more. Gazing out of the darkness of a Khan el Khalili alley into the glare can make you appreciate the darkness of these medieval twists all the more.

Lost: One Garden Fence

As I was sitting with a couple of friends this morning the wind began to blow from the west. Soon it was strong enough that we decided that the umbrella should come down, and I retreated to the house. An hour or so later, the sky outside the window turned a dark brown and the wind absolutely howled around the garden. One of our wonderful spring sandstorms hit us with a vengeance. The garden fence, which is barely visible in the photo was only about 15 metres away.

One Reason I Love Egypt

This is a picture of a blue sky behind thirty foot tall date palms and rubber trees. Nothing terribly exciting, but I remember being a grad student in Canada caring gently for a variety of indoor plants, including some palms and small rubber trees, to give me some green through the cold white winter. I never imagined that they could grow so big in a friendlier climate.

A Good Day To Stay Home

Well, there was a general strike called, but the morning itself was enough to keep me indoors. It's a pretty close call whether politics or concern for one's lungs caused a lot of empty streets today. I've heard that the traffic was wonderful for a change.