Oh Dear!

This morning I spilt my tea all over the front of my shirt! It was a bad start to the school day - with the stain located in a spot that doesn't need attention drawn to it. To the washroom I went, trying my best to wash it away and dry it up fast in the twenty minutes I had before first class. Luckily, Phil was willing to take shifts on "dry duty" and we alternated holding my shirt in front of the blasted AC, while trying to remain stable on an uneven desk chair. What a silly sight! With 5 minutes to spare, my t-shirt looked "not bad" and I rushed off to class.

Scrumdiddlyumptious!

I am CONVINCED that Phil's friend Dain is the real WILLY WONKA. Last night, he arrived from Belgium - bearing gifts of CHOCOLATE, CHOCOLATE and MORE CHOCOLATE (you like him already too, right?!). Dain, or shall I say, WILLY, claims it is "the very best in the world", and with my very favourite animal as the Cote D'Or logo, I BELIEVE IT!

Hmmmm.....becoming his friend may be my golden ticket!

Kickin' It Old School....

And to this day, he STILL hates to match :)

Thank you for the picture Mom P!

An Un-success Story.

Lindsay: (after spotting a wee, orphaned kitten) Awwww....HUNNIE! She needs a home!

Phil: Absolutely NOT.

Lindsay: But darling...it is so hot outside....and she is just a baby....

Phil: Let's go. You're NOT getting a kitten.

Lindsay: But I've already named her!

Phil: What - DEATH CAT FOR CUTIE?

Lindsay: No - Calliope!

Needless to say, we got back to the house sans kitten.

The "Prego" Man

Recently it seems that Lindsay has been having some bad luck here in Cairo when it comes to creepy Egyptian men. More often then not we head out of the house together, but there are occasions when this is not possible. She has had it out with a taxi driver who was overcharging her (even though she was already overpaying to avoid such a conflict), she has been asked to "go out on a date to another cafe" by a waiter at our local internet cafe, and then there's the infamous "Prego" Man...

Returning from my softball game last week, I found Lindsay, her sister Dana, and friend Aimee reluctant to open the door to our apartment. "Who is it?" they whispered, as I was knocking on the door eager to come in and shower. Once the door was unlocked, the deadbolt released, and the door finally opened, it seemed that all three of the girls held a moment for a sigh of relief.

"What in the world is going on?" I inquired. The girls began to explain that earlier in the evening there was a knock on the door and a delivery man from "Prego" restaurant was at the door. He had gone to the wrong apartment, and Lindsay dismissed him. Immediately the doorbell rang a second time, and I am told that he introduced himself, shook Lindsay's hand, and then had the nerve to enter our flat and try and introduce himself to the other girls. The girls ended his dreams of making new friends, and pushed him out the door hoping I'd be home soon.

Needless to say, I was furious about what had happened, and couldn't believe his nerve. I pondered calling the restaurant and reporting this incident, but brushed it off hoping that it was an honest mistake.

A couple of days ago I was watching TV in bed when the doorbell rang again. I got up, walked to the door, and there he was! Oh, what I would do to replay this moment! You see, in Cairo it happens from time to time that delivery men will ring the bell of the wrong apartment, but I now realize that it was him!!!! At first I wondered why he was stumbling his words, why he looked afraid, why he took off so quickly when I told him he must have the wrong apartment. But then I thought about the situation more closely. He was a delivery man with no delivery in hand, he had a hat on that read "Prego", and he was shocked that a man answered the door.

Hey "Prego" man, I dare you to knock on our door again... I promise that I will put 2 and 2 together next time :)

Three Minute Threats

Training on a treadmill can be quite boring, but it is simply impossible to navigate the crazy traffic and numerous potholes that characterize Cairo's streets. Alas, Phil and I have had to make our own fun while running on the treadmill at the gym! With the invention of "three minute threats", our training time has reached a ten out of ten on the "FUN" scale.

How it works: Each of our runs is divided into three minute segments that are controlled by either Phil or myself. The person in charge can dictate the speed and incline during that time, and must have a creative lead-in to explain why such parameters were chosen. For example, the other day we had to chase down an outstanding 82 year old, climb to the top of the city's highest hill, slow down for an unexpected rainstorm, and race to the nearest water station to avoid dehydration. Each run is different and every three minutes is a surprise.

Tonight we conquer the next 5 km on our training calendar. I can't wait to experience today's terrain!

Happy Mother's Day!

Yesterday at school, I searched and searched for the perfect mother's day gifts online. There were four mothers that Phil and I wanted to celebrate and we were sure to write them each a little note to say THANK YOU and GREAT JOB!

Well, apparently Phil had ANOTHER mother on his "mother's day list" - ME. At 9 o'clock last night, a special delivery came to the door. It was a big, beautiful bouquet of flowers from my son, Oscar!

Thank you BOYS! You made my day :)

Goodbye MORE Innocence!

Living here I have seen alot. Usually I keep things sensored...but THIS thing has to be shared.

The other day I took Aimee and Dana to "the" silver man. They wanted to purchase some souvenir-jewellery and so I took them to the trusty man who has accessorized my outfits for the past year and a half. Recommended to me by Emily, I instantly knew why she shopped there as the silver man found, created and sold whatever you were looking for at a "friendship" price. His shop is the only silver shop I purchase from, and I made sure he knew this when I told him, "No - of course I didn't buy any silver when I was at the Khan El Khalili market! I only buy from YOU!" It was at this moment that I believe I lost any remaining innocence that existed in my grown-up, "I live in Cairo" self. The silver man reached into the top drawer behind the counter and pulled out a gun. "You better not buy anywhere else," he laughed - shaking the gun in his hand. "Haha..." I awkwardly laughed and turned to look at Aimee and Dana.

So we paid and left.

"Was that a real gun?" I asked my action-movie-loving sister.

"Ya, clip was in, but safety was on," she replied.

AY, AY, AY! At least Santa is real.

"Adventure Day, Part Deux"

I was covered with a green cape after being busted for "inappropriate" clothing at the Muhammad Ali Mosque. Dana demonstrated excellent bargaining skills at the Khan El Kahlili market and fell in love with "Salah the Spice Man". Aimee practiced rock and fossil identification while exploring the Citadel grounds. And Phil remained sick at home - sentenced to a strict "watch Survivor" regimen.

That Explains It!

Phil has "food poisoning" and I have "a cold". While touring Cairo today, I thought - B.S.! And days like this make you miss home...