Installment #3:
Wow, a post a day, you guys are gonna get spoiled for sure. But I have to keep this one short, I'm due for a fitting with the costumer in a bit. I'm so excited to see how my idea is interpreted by her. I have to remember to ask her to make some sequinned banana appliques for me. Not Kidding (I know you wish I was!).
OK, the sleeper train itself wasn't too bad this time, but ohmigawd the station looked like it had been bombed--half the concrete flooring broken up and in chunksm rebar sticking out, thick thick clouds of dust pervading the air. Violence? No. Welcome to upgrades, Cairo-style. Apparently it's been in progress for several years now.
So straight off the bus this morning we toured the 3,000 year old pyramids at Memphis/Sakkara. They are the oldest pyramids discovered thus far in Egypt, I believe. Thousands of years before Christ. And in every nook and cranny lurk the trinket sellers. I have mastered the art of dismissing unwanted salesmen (and they're all men), and I've been trying to teach some of the others how as well. It's so funny to see them leave at a few words from me, but they will *hound* the others unmercifully. It's all in the confident attitude, baby. After this, I'm gonna be well-equipped to handle anything the LA garment district can dish out.
Oh, and then afterwards we went to a carpet weaving school, complete with kids working the looms. Now before you get your panties in a wad, read on: The kids work 4 hours a day, get schooled 4-5 hours a day, get paid for their work, etc. It's not a sweat shop (that I saw, anyways), and I was allowed to talk to them and offer the kids (aged 8-15) gum and pens. What did they ask for instead? Cigarettes. Yeah.
Anyways, it seems a better alternative than the other kids I saw working herding goats or sheep, or selling trinkets to strangers, barefoot in the mud, no hope for education. The carpet kids were clean, fed, all that. and they got to work in a clean, protected environment. So...I'm sure there are many sweatshops elsewhere, but that's not what I witnessed at this place.
Oh guess what? We got Jack's luggage back today! I unpacked it and rummaged through, felling like a Survivor challenge winner: Allergy meds! Antibiotics! A thingy that will stick on you and warm your back! And most of all CAMERA AND PHONE CHARGERS! It was an amazing feeling, being so excited over a bottle of pepto bismol...
Well, time to hit the bank before the fitting. Still enjoying myself here, but yes, I'm looking forward to home as well. Someone mentioned cheeseburgers on the bus, and my stomache growled audibly, lol! So fire up your BBQs for when we return.
*hugs to all*
Renee