Normal Cairo

Armed Forces Day: In Egypt, Armed Forces Day is celebrated on 6 October, the date on which the October War of 1973 began with the Egyptian Army's successful crossing of the Suez Canal that culminated in the capture of the Bar Lev Line, a chain of fortifications built by Israel along the eastern side of the Suez Canal. This is a source of national pride and an important day in the country. However, unless you were listening to President Morsi's speech at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier where he laid a wreath on October 4, an event organized by the widow of the late leader of the crossing, Jehan Sadat, or had business at an office that might normally be open on Saturday (although it's part of the weekend), Cairo was a large metropolitan city going about its business–or less business since it's the weekend and a holiday. Church: I attended church at St. Andrew's and met a person who had once worked for the Egyptian Fulbright office, Nazli Rizk, who lives very close to me. Communion served (offered every 1st and 3rd Sunday). Found a clothes pressing shop, which also does tailoring. Can now get a pair of pants shortened.

StARS: Picture at left is of areas where St. Andrew's Refugee Services (StARS) carries out its programs. StARS was founded over 30 years ago and sustains today a children's and adult educational program for about 1,200 refugees each week. Other programs include legal assistance to refugees seeking resettlement and a project, which offers counseling and referrals for the psychosocial needs of refugees. The church has a lot of Romanian Bibles left from the time when refugees from that country fled to Egypt over 20 years ago.