I’m back in Egypt and I feel right at home!

The flights from Des Moines to New York to Cairo were uneventful. I had a lovely reunion with a long-time friend during my 11-hour layover in NY. And, no offense to past fellow travelers, I really like traveling alone; I can people watch and stroll the concourse to my heart’s content. I must say, the many children on the long flight from JFK to Cairo were the best I have ever shared an airplane with!

The passport check on arrival was a little different—there was a card to fill out with in-country contact information and I had my picture taken, all for flu control. They are really concerned about it here. That sounds good—pro-active—but one of the unfortunate measures the government took was to order the destruction of all pigs in the country. Most Egyptians don’t eat pork—only Christians keep pigs. And lots of pigs are kept by the Zabaleen garbage-worker communities to consume the wet garbage they pick up. Many of the poorest workers in Cairo lost an important business “partner” as well as an income source.

As soon as I got my suitcase and passed down the last corridor, I saw Dr. Nabil Sisostres smiling and waiving. Much nicer than a driver with my name on a card! Off we drove to Ramses College, my home base in Cairo, where I was met with a big hug from Denise England, PCUSA mission co-worker in Egypt and my dear friend from the Audubon, Iowa Presbyterian Church. Denise showed me to my room where she had stocked the refrigerator with breakfast supplies; we chatted about her past year of work in the geriatric center and hospital; we walked a short ways to buy our take-out supper (koshary—yum!); and I went to bed for a much needed long night’s sleep.

I’m looking forward to all the visits to artisan groups around Egypt with Carrie Hawthorn from Partners for Just Trade. We have a very full schedule for the next couple of weeks. I’ll keep you posted as often as I can.