Wow-how to capture Egypt! So since I last updated here’s what’s happened. We went to Dahab on a night bus which was on the Sinai Peninsula. Technically that’s Asia, so I have checked another continent off my list. We went snorkeling which cost about 2 dollars and was incredible. I felt like I was in Finding Nemo. Awesome coral and really bright fish. We spent the day eating and reading and then at 11 left for Mt. Sinai on a mini-bus. We arrived around 1:30 or 2 in the morning and began our dark climb to the top. It was incredible—there were thousands of people all walking up the mountain. There were tons of people offering camel rides and the silent night was broken up by the camel groans, the prayers of travelers, and the songs of worshipers. The stars were absolutely gorgeous and I saw tons of shooting stars. The closer we got to the top, the colder it got and in true Sarah fashion I began shivering uncontrollably. Ghana just doesn’t do cold and apparently neither do I. We reached the top at 4 am and I couldn’t wait for the sun to rise and bring some warmth with it. It was really beautiful though despite my shivering and the sunrise was gorgeous. It was incredible to be at the site where Moses supposedly received the Ten Commandments and in the presence of so many who view the mountain as a religious holy ground. The hike down the mountain was quicker and we got a glimpse of the monastery. After the bus back to Dahab we ate, read, and napped a little. That night we took the night bus back to Cairo. It was the 5th night without sleeping in a hotel. Craaazy. When we got back to Cairo Katie and I were both hardcore grouchy and didn’t feel like doing anything. Luckily after a delicious croissant and cappuccino we convinced ourselves not to waste the day and went to Islamic Cairo. Early in our trip there we ran into this guy Ahmed, who goes to AUC and he offered to show us around. He took us into this awesome little shop where a man was making wooden boxes by hand that were decorated with camel bone and abalone. They were absolutely beautiful and I was dumbfounded by the amount of precision it would take to create the pattern on the boxes. Then he took us to a spice, perfume, and medicine shop. As Katie said, it seemed like a potion’s shop. This adorable little man proudly showed us articles where he was mentioned in the newspaper and letters from individuals who had used his herbs to cure illness while Ahmed translated. We sniffed and tried on various spices and perfumes. Then Ahmed took us to his father’s Papyrus shop. The paintings were beyond gorgeous and we got to see Ahmed’s work too. He made us tea and he talked to us about all the stories behind the paintings. After leaving Ahmed we entered the Al-Ahazar mosque where we were required to take off our shoes and cover our heads. We got to see all of the architecture pointing towards Mecca and learn about the history of the church. We also got some really interesting Islamic tracts telling us why Islam was correct. Then we did some shopping in the market. It turned out to be a wonderful day.
Monday we slept in and then met up with Linda, women I knew from church who has been living in Egypt for 5 years. She showed us around Coptic Cairo and gave us great information on the situation for Christians in Egypt who are at times discriminated against. She explained that Christians in Egypt have their own Pope and Saints which was something I had never heard of. She also explained some of the roles of Mennonite Central Committee in Egypt. Then she took us to an area where the people collect the trash from the city and sort through it for recyclables. It reminded me so much of Guatemala. The women in this community also use the trash to make cards and other paper products as well as cloth to make incredible bags, rugs, and even stuffed animals. It was such a different side of Cairo then we had seen before. Linda explained that Egyptians are very concerned about how Egypt appears to outsiders and make attempts to hide anything that would not be seen as developed. Egypt is clearly far ahead of Ghana, but this helped point out some of the areas that it still has to work on. Poverty is still prevalent. For me I think that is one of the reasons being in Egypt felt relaxing, the desperation was not so ever-present. In Ghana, when you go to the market your choice to buy from one person rather than the other literally can be life or death. In Egypt there is a little more breathing room. I don’t know at all how you get Ghana there though. I wish I did. Tuesday we ate our way through Cairo. Croissants, Foul with Tahina, Falefel, hummus, bread, ice cream, Koshiri, chocolate cake. Yeah, we are fatty’s. I definitely gained weight in Egypt but the food was just so delicious and cheap!
Some fun things about Egypt:
Here are my favorite people we met
1. Mustafah-he was a hotel worker at our hostel and not only was he super cute, but he had the best attempts at English. When he found out it was Katie’s birthday he looked down for some time concentrating, and then pulled his head up in excitement and said “Happy Birthday”. We loved him
2. Fake Italian Guy- our 2 encounters with this Egyptian were hilarious. Ask me for the details, but suffice to say it was classic.
3. Mohammed from the dessert-Our guide the night in the sand dunes was fantastic. He made us laugh more than I have laughed in years. He taught us hilarious games, Bedouin dancing, and created one of the best nights ever.
4. Ahmed-The fun Egyptian who led us through Islamic Cairo
5. “Ramses” (as Katie and I refer to him but actually named Mohammad.) He worked at the hotel and was always making every attempt to help us and now we are face book friends!
6. Ramses II- Also worked at the hotel and always said things were “more better”. Katie’s hair without braids, no boys in the room
7. Another Mohammed, who told me I was an angle. Ha-ha, I finally realized he meant angel.
8. There were so many more!
The luxuries of Egypt
1. Hot showers
2. Sheets on the bed
3. Air conditioning
4. Soap/Hand sanitizer
5. Food variety
6. Tissues
7. Street lights
8. Real stores
9. Refrigeration
10. UNDERGROUND SEWAGE AND DRAINAGE!!
As fun as Egypt was though, I am glad to be back home in Ghana. I had a blast telling Sophie about our trip and this morning we had a pillow fight. I am going to miss her so much. I wish I could take her with me back to the US. Today she asked me if I would come to her wedding if she got married. I hope that I will be able to. She is so special to me and always will be J She is a huge part of my life in Ghana and I am so grateful for all that she has taught me.
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