The interview and assessment of producer groups is a very interesting process.

Our first meeting with one of the Egyptian Hands producers—a brass and leather workshop—took place today.We traveled across Cairo to a three room shop where the owner and ten employees make brass jewelry and accessories and leather purses, computer bags and wallets.The products were nice quality—I had seen some of them last year in the Egypt Crafts shop.But when the questions, answers and analysis got underway I saw what a comprehensive process it is.Carrie really tried to get to know the group and the craftspeople were very eager to show her what they had to offer and how they understood fair trade principles.I know there were gaps in fair trade ideology, but I am hopeful that dialogue can continue and Partners for Just Trade can see ways to accommodate cultural differences, and producers in this part of the world can see the value in the models PJT employs in Peru.

The meeting lasted five hours! If it hadn’t been for the hard wooden bench where I was parked for most of that time, I don’t think I would have noticed how long we talked.I suspect each of our upcoming meetings with the various producers will be equally involved.It is a really great experience.

We headed out from the meeting for El Fayoum—with a “fast food” stop for shuwarma, and falafel.The traffic was horrific—Thursday night is the beginning of the weekend.We did the usual dance trying to find our lodgings for the night, asking directions from people who don’t really know but want to help anyway, and we finally found it.We’re staying at an ecolodge, located on a nature preserve near the Valley of the Whales (a tremendous fossil sight), and Lake Quarun.The buildings are quirky, sort of southwest freeform adobe-like, decorated with pebble designs and children’s drawings. I love it!We enjoyed a great supper of shish kabob, lentil soup and all the extras.We have a big day tomorrow, visiting area pottery groups, and Carrie and I have a night of lost sleep to catch up on…