Exploring Cairo

I went to a Mall by taxi twice (driving is actually CRAZY- watch out or you'll get run over!) and bought a microwave, a printer/ scanner/ copier/ and fax, and a cell phone. Also many other things. At the end of September I will purchase a water cooler.

Friday night the Staff - old and new - were taken by the Administration out for dinner to a place called Al-Azhar Park. It was a magical breathtaking place... music... excellent food... decor incredible. (See more of my pictures on Flickr.)

Saturday we went for a walking tour, checked out some stores, then ended up with dinner. There are Mosques are on every other corner -- amazing buildings.

On Sunday - School events........Everyone (Staff and Administration) are so congenial and help us with presentations of life in the Middle East, Cairo and Egypt specifically, and life at the school. It is a 10 hour day from when we leave at 7:00 am till when we get home at 5:00 pm!! I have a wonderful helper "A lady in blue" who helps me in my class all the time. My class looks great right now. I'll have only 5 pupils!!!

I learned where to go to get my hair done..for massages.... cleaning lady...etc...

First day of classes is Sunday, September 3rd.

If you can spare a moment please add comments to the BLOG.

Into the sunshine of life some rain must fall!

2 "rainy" events:::::::

First... I spent 2 full mornings getting my 9 boxes out of Lufthansa Cargo...6 on the first trip and 3 more on the second. Left at 9:30 and got home at 12:30 each time. What a farce!! I went through around 15 steps of precariously with an agent showing me where to go and accompanying me.

Each person had to see my passport - have me sign papers... and of course $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ tip-tip-tip..... Up the three flights (no elevator) down the 3 flights up again and down again around 5 times. I was wiped out however halleluiah!! I finally got my boxes after they searched through the contents. With all the paperwork no wonder there are not many trees.

And then... I thought I had a strong constitution however this morning and today and again tonight I have had the revenge: the trots-- the runs!!! Steve Keay said that everyone has to get it at least once. I hope this is the once and the last. Maybe I lost some weight!!!

Getting settled in my new home...

This is my bedroom in Cairo (Heliopolis). I have a picture of my grand daughter, Samantha, on my dresser and of course pictures of the rest of the family (and friends) on Flickr so I can see all of you whenever I like.

I am using the Flannel embroidered pillowcases my daughter, Karen, made for me when she was in Grade 8.

Photos of the living room, dining room, sitting room, and kitchen are online here.

the angel has landed

According to the online arrivals board at Cairo International Airport, our Adventuring Angel's flight landed safely at 13:33 - 17 minutes ahead of schedule.

Note: The blog is now operating on Cairo time. :-)

(posted by stillpoint)

fly away!

Later today, I board the plane for my flight to Cairo, Egypt. I'll be in the air for a total of 11 hours and 30 minutes (more or less) with one brief stop to stretch my legs and breathe some fresh air. I should be in Cairo by Wednesday afternoon after travelling a total of 9,283 kilometers (5,768 miles)!

Having a goodbye coffee with Bea on the day I left for Egypt.

Monday . . .

Tomorrow, Adventuring Angel takes flight!

Sunday . . .

Check out the "links" section on the left for handy
Toronto/Cairo time and weather information.

Saturday . . .

Here it is Saturday morning and I'm still packing and cleaning at the condo! I got a reprieve on the Thursday move-out deadline because my tenant's plans changed. He'll be moving in later today, so I have to be out by noon — that's less than an hour from now. (My friend and "ghostwriter" is compiling this post for me from a flurry of notes I emailed to her last night.)

Thank goodness for the extra time, because I had to have emergency root canal work yesterday! Ouch. Glad to get that over with here in Canada, though. Going to the dentist is one thing I'd really rather not do in Cairo.

On a more pleasant note, my long time friend Ronnie, from Sudbury, helped me with some of the packing. My sister, also named Ronnie, and some of her amazing friends, held a luncheon for me and gave me a cute magnet that says: "Teachers make children count". My sister Geraldine and her husband Allan gave me some lovely bracelets and a scarf with maple leafs on it. I'm going to enjoy wearing that in Cairo! They have gone back to Vancouver now, but here's a happy picture of us with Ronnie last week. Later today, my good friend Marjory is having a BBQ. I'm looking forward to that — and to putting my feet up for a while!

I'm truly amazed and grateful for all the wonderful family and friends I have and for all their beautiful cards, gifts, good wishes, prayers, and also concern for me. I will be back next July for five weeks as the school pays my way to come home for a holiday. Hope to catch up with all of you in person then. Meanwhile ... click the link and leave me a comment!

Friday . . .

Everything was right on schedule until...

My countdown-to-takeoff has now reached 6 days and I'm really starting to feel the excitement. People ask if I'm nervous about the big changes to come but, really, I've been too busy to feel nervous! You see, until Monday, I thought I'd be able to use the next six days to pack up, move all my personal items out of the condo, and get things ready for the person who'll be renting it while I'm away. But then, just like the old saying, my best-laid plans went awry.

My tenant, a student from Saudi Arabia, arrived in Canada last weekend, needing the condo right away! Obviously, that wasn't possible, but after some negotiation, we struck a deal. My move-out date moved up. Instead of next Tuesday, it's tomorrow!

Fortunately, I'll be able to stay with my son until I fly out next week, but I had to cancel a few plans and rearrange others to make time for a flurry of last-minute packing and countless trips to the storage unit.

Two things didn't get chopped from the schedule yesterday. The first was a lovely, relaxing, lavender-scented massage at Nouvelle Maria — a gift from my son and his partner. Ahhh, bliss. (Thanks so much, both of you!) The second was dinner out with a couple of friends — a bon voyage treat for me. It was a perfect evening for street-side dining at Byzantium, one of my favourite Toronto restaurants. The peach Mojito was another cause for ahhh, bliss and we all had fun.

Now, with only 24 hours left to pack up and move out, all that relaxation seems like a distant memory!

Signing off and heading back to my boxes...it's time to fold all my beautiful clothes from La Crème in St. Jacobs [waves to Heather].

9 days and counting!

So much left to do before I leave for Cairo, and so little time!

Today's picture is Medinet Habu Temple. Thanks again to Anita and Jim for sharing their vacation photos. For anyone interested in Egyption history, check out the Egyptian Museum.

Awesome Antiquity

Only eleven more days to enjoy the Canadian summer, then I'm off to Egypt. Today's photos are of Karnak Temple, one of the most visited sites in Egypt and the largest religious site in the world. Awesome.





Photos by Jim and Anita. Thanks for sharing!
(Click pictures for larger images.)

The good, the bad, and the traffic!

Twelve days and counting!

What is something I haven't been doing lately that I will do in Egypt? Fitness training. (the good)

What is something I hope I don't have to do in Egypt? Go to a Dentist! (the bad!)

I've heard the traffic in Cairo is really bad and here's proof! I think the camels have the right idea. Looks like a hot spot for a nap, though.



Photos by Jim and Anita. Thanks for sharing!
(Click pictures for larger images.)

My 'stuff' is on its way!

I took 6 boxes to the cargo area at Lufthansa yesterday. Each box weighed between 30 and 45 pounds but I didn't have any trouble. I'm feeling pretty brave doing all this on my own! (Mostly because I don't have a choice!)

Still counting down the days to takeoff...thirteen to go!

Two contrasting photos today, both taken in Luxor. On the left is the view from horse-and-buggy tour through the back streets of Luxor. On the right, a lush and peaceful scene on the Nile. (Click on pics for larger images.) Thanks once again to Jim and Anita for sharing their beautiful photos.

A Cairo state of mind...

Only fourteen more days until I board the plane and fly off to Cairo, my new home-away-from-home.

To mark the countdown and get us all in the mood, I'll be posting images of Egypt—a few each day. On the left is a view of Khan al Khalili Bazar in Cairo. (Click photos for larger versions.) It looks like a fascinating place to explore.

Below (left) is the Great Sphynx with the Pyramid of Kahfre in the background; and (right) a policeman on guard at the pyramids. "Mounties" have a different sort of ride in Egypt!

These photos are generously shared by stillpoint's friend's Anita and Jim, recently returned from a two-year stint in Dubai. They enjoyed a holiday in Egypt before coming home to Canada. Thanks, Anita and Jim!

tick...tick...tick...

Hi there;
Not many days left to pack and plan for this big venture!!

My destination...

I have taught for 30 years, 12 of which were in Kindergarten. In Cairo, about half the students in my class will be Canadian or American. About 37% will be Egyptian children who are there to learn English and the rest of the kids are from various backgrounds.

The school looks quite large, as you can see in the photo. Many of the teachers are from Canada - even one of the Superintendents used to be with the Toronto Board.

Counting down the days...

Still in Toronto, I'm counting down the days to August 22nd. That's when I board the plane and set off on the first leg of my trip to the other side of the world.

My son is having "Farewell Party" for me and suggests that everyone wear costumes. I am going as Cleopatra! My daughter is having a dinner party and I am sure she will get help from my granddaughter. My sister and brother-in-law are in town from Vancouver and we were out for dinner tonight. So - it's all in the family!