Installment #4, final one from the road:
It's midnight in Cairo on Sunday, which means it's Sunday 2-ish in Cali, yes? We're gettng ready to leave for the airport in about 3.5 hours. Still don't have my costumes...apparently the designer's brother is on the way. No Problem! But I got to see them/try them on last night...oh boyo. This is gonna be so hot. The custom one wasn't finished, but I like the direction it was headed at that point, and I trust the designer, so there you go.
I had a 2-hour dance class with the world-famous Raqia Hassan today, it was wonderful! Afterwards I cruised the streets of Cairo and the bazaar with friends and by myself, it was great. I really enjoy Cairo, which is surprising...I don't usually enjoy the big cities of the countries I've traveled to. But I feel completely safe, the people are wonderful, and believe it or not, I groove on the driving. I think I could do it, and if I return for any length of time, I just might give it a try. It makes sense (to me), it has a rhythym.
We just returned from a Zar, which is a...releasing of energy via chants and music and dance. Very very ancient. We took part, didn't just watch the musicians. It was interesting, surrendering to the group energy, but it's basically like really getting your groove on in a dance club. Madern zar, yeah.
Yesterday Kat and I made our way to the bazaar, but ended upon the wrong side of the street. Instead of crossing, we poked around the food displays there, and a gentleman approached us. His name is Ali, and he told us we were in the Egyptian section, where the Egyptians shopped, but not the tourists. He said we should stay there, we'd see real Egyptian life, not just the tourist traps. Ali ended up escorting us to a spice shop where Kat *finally* got to buy some spices (as did I, but not near as many). After the Spice shop, the son of the owner decided to come with us, and the four of us wandered around the streets we kept seeing and driving by on the roads and highways, but never went down. It was fantastic! We could point out things and ask any question..."What does that banner say?" "Who is on that poster?", and they encouraged our questions. They took us to the workshops where the handcrafted items were made to be sold to the Egyptians who can tell real stuff from the cheapie tourist trinkets. Eventually they asked if we wanted to break the Ramadan fast with them (as it was that time, it's important to do it at the appointed time), and we did. We sat across from the "poor table" where free food was made available to the poor of Cairo in that area so everyone could fulfill the religious obligation by eating at sundown. It was beautifully decorated and the tables were filled with food just as good as everyone else at the restaurant across the street. A guy handed out packages of 3 dates to everyone, and Ali said it was a tradition to break fast with 3 dates first, as that's what the prophet Muhammed ate when he broke his fast long ago. We ate, we talked about belly dance, politics, world affairs, religion--all the things your mother told you not to discuss at the dinner table, especially with Middle Eastern people, LOL! Eventually we had to return to the hotel for the Sufi show (whirling dervishes), and we parted as friends. The Sufi show was amazing, but I'll have to fill you in on that later, I need to see what is going on with the costumes. Plus I'm tired, heh. I haven't slept more than 5-6 hours any night since I left. I'm going to be GREAT company when I return.
We are due to land in LAX about 3:30pm Monday. I hope to be home around 5-5:30, but that's only if everything goes on time. When the Paris airport is involved, that's a slender hope. Cross your fingers for us.
Take care, chat at you soon,