My new job

This week I began a new job. It's been about 6 months since I quit being a teacher at the university day care centre, so the time had come for me to start 'earning my keep' again. For the next three months I am interning at IOM - International Organization on Migration. IOM is an NGO that handles migration and resettling all over the world. I am a part of the Baghdad Team that are working on the cases of Iraqis who have worked with the US and multi-national forces, and now qualify for resettlement into the US.

My ID badge at IOM.

Weird and Wonderful Egypt - pt.1

I see many weird and wonderful things day by day in Egypt. I will try to capture, and share with you, as many of them as possible.

This photo was taken during a recent shopping trip. It is labeled as Dite (Diet) Honey - for Obesity & Diabetes!!! Go figure!!!

Eid al-Adha

This week the Muslim world celebrates Eid al-Adha. It is commonly referred to as 'the big feast', as opposed to Eid el-Fitr at the end of Ramadan which is the 'little feast'. Eid al-Adha commemorates the Muslim story of Ibrahim being willing to sacrifice his son Ishmael. It is celebrated these days by the slaughter of an animal, which is then shared with family and friends, and some is also shared with the poor.

Last year at this time, when we lived Down Town, a bull appeared outside a neighbouring apartment building. We anticipated what was coming, and were able to witness the slaughter and subsequent skinning of the bull right there in the street. Not something for the faint-hearted!! A few days ago, with us now living in 'the suburbs', pens of animals began to appear in the open-air market area. We knew what was coming, but did they????


Guess who's coming for dinner - we are!!!

Camel Trek - White Desert

Less than 48 hours after returning from Australia, I was on a bus with Dave and about 20 others, heading about 400 kms SE of Cairo into the White Desert. Ahead of us was 3 days riding camels and 2 nights camping in the desert. It took about 7 hours to get to the edge of the desert, where our camels were waiting along with their bedouin keepers.

The important task of selecting your camel.

After a spot of lunch we mounted our trusty steeds and headed for our campsite, about 2 hours away. It took a bit of getting used to the stride of the camel, and working out who was in control (us or the camel!!), but in the end we all made it safe and sound to the campsite.

And away we go!!

Tents were already set up and waiting for us, so while we got ourselves settled our bedouin hosts prepared dinner. Being Thanksgiving, turkey was the order of the day and it was delicious roasted over the open fire.

Home away from home.

Beyond the light of the campfire, the desert was absolutely black. The night sky was magnificent and many constellations were visible. I saw a couple of shooting stars and one other camper said he saw the International Space Station as it crossed the sky. Without TV's or such to keep us up, we found ourselves ready to sleep by about 8pm, drifting off to the sounds of our bedouin hosts making music and singing. Many of us had a restless night, either because of the cold or the somewhat lumpy sand under our bedding, but that aside we were up with the sun ready for our full day with the camels.

After breakfast we again mounted our even-toed ungulates and set off to explore part of the 300-sq-km White Desert Protectorate. We rode for about 2 hours to our lunch site, which was in the midst of some of the fantastic rock formations that are unique to the White Desert. The photos barely do it justice and this place certainly should be on the list of places to see before you die. The journey back was a little harder going as it was getting quite hot and the butt was getting quite sore!!!

Just one of the 'other worldly' rock formations in the White Desert.

Back at camp we chilled out watching the sun set, before another tasty dinner cooked over the open fire. We slept better the second night - whether from tiredness or our rearranged bed, I'm not sure. Our last morning, we ate breakfast, packed up camp and prepared to mount our dromedaries one last time. I chose to walk back rather than ride, but my butt and thighs are thanking me for it. The bus was a welcome sight, though I could have done without the 7 hour ride back to civilization. But we made it back and a shower never felt so good!!!

Dave and I in the White Desert.

Last two weeks in Oz

My last 2 weeks in Australia have flown by. Mum and I completed our road trip with some 'family time' - seeing aunts and uncles, cousins, etc. I was also able to hang out with some old friends.

With my mum, my sister and her family.

I also took the chance to stock up on some aussie 'essential' - wine, beer, chocolate biscuits and that nectar of the gods - VEGEMITE!!! I also bought an aussie flag which, significant of the times we live in, was made in China!

Some of the 'essentials' that filled my suitcase.

Road trip with mum

On Wednesday mum and I set out on a mini road trip. For the first leg we drove to Werris Creek, to the home of my cousin and her husband - Chris and Wayne. Wayne is a farrier - he makes horse shoes!!!

While in the area we explored Tamworth, the nearest large town/small city. Tamworth is Australia's country music capital and the home of the Big Golden Guitar!!!

The Golden Guitar at Tamworth.

"Home"

November finds me 'home' in Australia. I say 'home', as Australia doesn't feel like home these days. It will always be the place I was born and raised, but I consider my physical home to be in Egypt (at least for the moment) with David.

Currently I am in a small town called Molong. This is where my mother was born, and it is definitely her home!! In case you are wondering where exactly is Molong (which incidently I believe to be Aboriginal for 'place of many rocks'), it is in the central western part of New South Wales, about 4 hours drive west of Sydney. It is a thriving metropolis of 1,400 people, all of whom I think know my mother!!! The recent spring rains here have brought many flowers out to bloom, including one of my favourites - the native Australian Bottlebrush.

Bottle brush blooming in my mum's yard.

The other day I had a chance to catch up with an old friend from high school. I was trying to figure out when I last saw her, and she was quick to point out it was about 21 years ago!! It was fun to see her again. Now I'm just trying to figure out where those last 21 years have gone.