Hafla Kabeera (Big Party)

Some fun after the workshop.
Out of respect, we blurred their faces.

I’m on what I call a “Union Break.” This means that I have completed a list of tasks that I had set for myself and am now sitting directly under the A/C in our bedroom cooling down with an iced beverage. (I’ll let you guess what that might be.)

Annnnnnyway, it’s been quite the week. Tuesday we concluded a training session with teachers in a village across the Nile. They liked it so much that they asked us to start a different workshop next Tuesday. So…here we go. But inbetween they invited us to come to their Kindergarten Graduation and Party on Thursday night. Of course, we agreed. We love hanging out with them in these special moments.

Adorable.

Two of our Egyptian friends picked us up and we headed to the ceremony arriving at around 8:15 pm. Yes, you read that right. And guess what? We were early! The graduation was being held in the “Association Building” which looked like it could hold 300 people in chairs and hundreds of others along the sides and hanging off of the second tier. 

As soon as we walked into the sea of people, the “waters” began to part and all eyes were turned on us. I try to keep myself calm in these moments and say inwardly, “Smile and wave, Pam. Smile and wave.”  We tried to stand along the sides to wait for the festivities to begin, but the teachers there would have none of it. The headmistress greeted us and ordered 4 chairs be brought out and put in the front row. We thanked her and then asked if we could move them to the side so that the mothers who had shown up early for good seats would not actually follow through with the murder in their eyes. (Mothers of preschoolers with video cameras are the same everywhere…DON’T BLOCK MY VIEW OF WOO-WOO!) The headmistress obliged and we exhaled.

This is the Paparazzi crowd...

Some came to greet us, but many of the mothers were giving their children the final primping before sending them up on stage. The headmistress returned with a small fold up table which she placed in front of our chairs. She smiled as she saw the puzzled looks on our faces. Next came another woman who had a satin tablecloth. After she put that down, still another woman arrived with 2 trays of sweets and drinks. 

Now we are in social purgatory. They brought us their very best cakes and even put it on China. They expect us to start eating…which wouldn’t be a bad thing except that there are around 200 pairs of eyes looking at the cake and then at us…then back at the cake. The rest of the crowd doesn’t get their celebratory cake until after the program. What to do? What to do?

Our Egyptian friend who is a beautiful woman and great friend of the villagers picked up the plate, shrugged and started eating. We laughed as we said how good we had been on our diet up until now.

Oh, the Sugar Humanity!

The program finally started complete with special lighting and DJ. The principal of the school opened with a reading from the Q’ran and a blessing. The adorable kindergartners then came up in groups of 2 and 3 to recite various poems, songs and portions of the Q’ran. The DJ believed that our village across the river needed to hear the program too so he had all speakers at full capacity. My ears are still ringing.

After the recitations, a cartoon character named Karumbo came to greet the children and presented them each with a gift. He then stood with the children holding their kindergarten graduation certificates. They looked adorable in their miniature caps and gowns.

This is Karumbo. Now you know.

The headmistress then presented gifts to each of the teachers and the parents clapped in appreciation. As I looked around the courtyard, I surmised that we might have broken a village record for most bodies in a confined location…but no one seemed to care.

Our friend gave us the nod and told us that it was time for us to go. She explained later that the party would continue until 1 or 2 am in the morning and that she had another meeting to attend. As we departed, some of the teachers from our workshop hugged us and told us that they would see us next week. I smiled and told them I would see them then. One said in her best English, “I. will. see. you. later. Teacher!” She was very deliberate, but she got it just right. I responded in Arabic and she laughed. (I hope that was a good laugh.)

After a slow start to our morning, we kicked into gear today to prepare for some college guys coming our way tomorrow. For John, that means organizing a schedule, arranging transport, locating housing.  For me, it means to cook lots and lots of food and keep it coming. So far I’ve made African Curry, prepared the toppings, brownies, pumpkin bread, banana chocolate chip muffins, washed and cut up the vegetables, prepared the fruit, made the welcome baskets and realized I forgot about 5 things that I’ll need to pick up before noon tomorrow. Whew! 

This guy was just too cute.

We love company, but we have to pace ourselves and our guests during the summer months. You can fry your brain pretty quickly here in the desert before you even know what’s happening. That’s why our local friends hold all their events at night. Smart. Still there are some things here best seen during the day, so we’ll do our best to keep all visiting friends hydrated thus preventing camel-jerky syndrome. (I just made this up but you can imagine.)

You may not hear from us for a few days. We’ll want to give our guests our full attention. Thanks for visiting with me during my break. Now onto my next glamorous task…(drumroll)…UNDERWEAR FOLDING! Well…maybe one more refill.

Village People

I know from the title of the post that you’ll now be humming “THE SONG” through the rest of the reading. Sorry. Not sorry. :)

Tonight marks the third and final session of the teacher training workshop that John and I have been teaching in a Nubian village just across the river (The Nile, that is). It’s been a good group. We’ve averaged 12-15 women who are teachers and moms interested in building foundations for reading among young children. To put it in their words, “How to Teach A, B, Cs.”

We are holding the workshop inside the village elementary school. The room we’re using has a side that is open to the elements. We knew that we would be teaching in a variety of locations and environments so when we purchased our projector we tried to think through all the scenarios. Will it be bright enough to show up in daylight? Is it small enough to transport? Does the bulb cost a fortune to replace? One question we DIDN’T think to ask is, “If the temp is 110º what will happen to the projector?” Well, the answer is that as soon as you turn it on it will flash “overheating.” No joke. Now we’re trying to think of a way to keep it cool while not electrocuting ourselves…We’ll keep you posted. Any of you engineering types that have a quick answer…send it. Help a sister out!

Twinkies, water  and juice boxes for us on a silver tray!

The first session only 2 women were present when we arrived. Once we were there and they actually believed we were coming, one got on her cellphone and began calling the others. Soon they arrived and we were able to start reasonably on time. The second session we arrived and the group was already there sitting on the benches waiting for us. (That brings joy to ANY teacher’s heart!)

This last session is really a 2-parter. Tonight we will finish up the concepts we have to present followed by a variety of learning activities where we will all participate together. Then on Thursday they’ve invited us back for the End of School Year Village Party. All the families from the village will be there to celebrate. It’s quite an honor and one we’ll gladly attend.

I’ve even been invited to the engagement party of one of the teachers, but that doesn’t happen until October. However, she made me promise that I’d come. They are a fun group and when I visit with them during breaks they tell me about their lives, their families. We even joked together as they asked if I had any sons they could meet. 

It’s a privilege to be included and we take every opportunity seriously. Open doors come and go. We want to make the most of the time while we have it. Speaking of… we are currently talking with some Desert Sands* headmasters who have agreed to come to our location for a training conference. Please pray with us that all the details and logistics would come together. This is a first step in testing the waters for our return to Desert Sands. So we seize the moments we have now with those the Lord puts in our path here and also continue to walk in faith believing for those in Desert Sands.

Sing with me, "It's fun to teach all the A---B---C---Ds!" (To the tune of "YMCA", of course!)

*Send me your email if you would like to hear more about Desert Sands...

Our local friend helping us with translation...
Educational terms are difficult in any language!

Gomer in the Big City

Shazam!

We are in Cairo this week and I'm thrilled to be back in the big city. Since this was the first place we ever lived abroad as a family, it will always hold a special place in my heart...and ears...and lungs. Cairo is known as "The City of a Thousand Minarets" but in truth there are many more. Horns are the second major language spoken here and certain days the smog will only allow you to view 1 of the 3 pyramids even up close. Still it's endearing...

We've been meeting up with some friends, doing some shopping and eating at the innumerable amazing restaurants available.  I experienced a bit of culture shock from our small city living when I sat down at a French pastry restaurant and looked at the menu. I just couldn't get over the options. It was a happy conundrum.

Every meeting location requires thought and process...How far away is it? What time of day is it? How heavy is the traffic?

One appointment we had was an hour away by taxi when the traffic was lightest...Still it's the way of the city. Sometimes we take the subway and I'm reminded of the endless trips the girls took on it as 15 and 17 year olds going to their Arabic classes. They were and are very brave, independent souls. (That was pre-Revolution and security was different then.)

We tried to go to the U.S. Embassy but new rules have been put into effect and we may not get in this trip. Sigh.

Our Egyptian friends are simply some of our favorite people in the world and they always welcome us with open hearts.

So it's a good week. We're grateful for a chance to see friends, stock up on some supplies and take in big city offerings.

Still our quiet village calls to us with big smiles and warm greetings. We return to a culture that insists that tea time is priority and afternoon naps a necessity. Ah, yes...

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The Price Is Right!

Celebrating 28 years of wedded bliss at Chili's.

Why would you NOT want to be the center of style?

Um...Are we still in Egypt?

Dancing Waters Show

Hibiscus Tea Guy for Commuters

Geometric Mosque

With some of our dear friends...