Halloween in Egypt

Nagy and Nahla Fathy: Mike and I had a wonderful visit with his internet puzzle partner in Cairo (New Maadi) and his wife. We met Nagy and Nahla at The Coffee Shop Company and had huge cups of coffee and sweets (cheesecake, cheesecake with berries, and a tort made with Mars bars). Nagy gave Mike a chess set; and they played a couple rounds which Nagy won. Nahla told me about her work as a kindergarten teacher. Though the students are still on holiday for Eid, the teachers have to go to work anyway. She teaches English and helps supervise the 4-5 yr. old pupils during the school day.

Maadi Grand Mall: After interesting conversation and learning how much my Arabic pronunciation needs improving, we took a taxi to the Maadi Grand Mall, the oldest one in Maadi. It has many floors, probably five. I needed thread and a needle, since I couldn't find any in the small shops near where I live. I found them at the mall. Then, it was to hand sanitizer at a pharmacy. And finally, we looked for towels–of Egytian cotton, of course. Three stores carried them. However, since we had just started looking for them, Mike made a waypoint for the mall on his GPS, so that we could come back, if these turned out to be the best. What fun to see all of the shops and products available in the mall.

Playing Halloween: After shopping (can you believe it after all of the coffee and sweets?), we looked for a place to eat, although it was early by Egyptian standards. We found a great fūl and ta'imiyya (falafel) restaurant, El Shabrawy. Starting with a mezza of tahina, babaganooj, salads, pickled eggplant, and Egyptian olives (which turn yellow when pickled), we each had our orders of different kinds of fūl and ta'imiyya. Fūl is an Egyptian dish of cooked and mashed fava beans served with olive oil. Other ingredients may be added: eggs, vegetables, chopped parsley, onion, garlic, and lemon juice. Mike had brought some vinyl Hex boards for Nagy, so sequences of this game were played. Then, since we had a few treats and it was Halloween, we played Halloween. Nahla and Nagy knew what it was from watching television. We improvised our masks on the spot. Nagy shaped aluminum foil; Nahla used her hijab; Mike used the cover of his King Tut book (which shows the golden funeral mask). We did talk politics. Nahla and Nagy supported the revolution but are waiting for conditions to improve. They are a charming couple.

Nahla and I playing Halloween. She was happy to get the package of Skittles (which I don't like). She used part of her hijab as as mask.

Mike as King Tut for Halloween.

Me and Mike in New Maadi. Some Egyptians think he could be a Muslim brother.

Nagy, Nahla, Carol, Mike.

Playing chess at The Coffee Shop Company café.