Sunday, August 23, 2009

Clothes are piling up

They were suppose to call today before delivering the new washer and picking up this wonderfully damaged one, its 11:15PM no call.

This is not strange. I was thinking they may just call before midnight and say they will be here in an hour. Cairo is crazy like that. Those of you that read along here know I have had an RE appotintment or two at 11PM at night in the past.

We plan to go to the store tomorrow and see what the problem is. I assume they will not call tonight.

Its the second day of Ramadan (رمضان ) here and schedules are adjusted a bit during this month. It is the most beautiful place in the world, Cairo that is, during Ramadan. Fasting is from morning (approx. 4am) to sundown (approx. 6:30PM) each day. At sundown the fast is broken with a meal, usually with friends and family.

You see lots of colorful lights everywhere (like Christmas lights in other places) on houses, in shops its really festive.

There is something called a fanous here, it is the symbol of Ramadan in Cairo and the rest of the Muslim world. Fanous is the Arabic word for lantern. The fanous is similar to the old stype lamp, and it used to be lit by a candle instead of oil. Today they are lit by electric bulbs. They are generally made of brass and colored glass and range in size from small to really large. They used to be all handmade here in Egypt, but now like many other things, they import them from China. You can still find the authentic Egyptian made ones, but it is very rare and not easy to find.

Heres our fanous in the garden. See the babies sleeping in the second picture...more pics of the kitties soon.

13 comments:

  1. That's so beautiful. Enjoy all the festivities and the beautiful lights.

    I hope your washer gets to you soon.
    *HUGS*

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  2. I'm not sure how many days I could make it without a washer. Note to self to buy more underwear. (-; I hope it's there soon.

    Love the pics and those kitties are looking pretty comfy...

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  3. Your fanous is truly gorgeous. Can't wait to see more kitty pics. And, I hope they hurry up and get you your washer.

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  4. Lovely pictures - I love hearing about Cairo and your traditions there. Hope the new washer arrives soon - and is intact and not dented up!

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  5. I love the babies! LMAO @ Lost's comment because I just bought more, why? Because I have to wash my separate (allergies) and my husband gets mad at the incredibly small load size (the panties themselves are huge but apparently a decent size load they do not make) so I had to buy more so I could make it to the appropriate load size. Why don't I just wash the small load and not tell him? IDK, it's a reason to buy new underwear.

    Sorry for the sidetrack, the lamp is beautiful! It would be interesting to emerged in another cultures celebrations.

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  6. Beautiful pictures as always.

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  7. I hope you have clean clothes soon! Lovely fanous, and lovely garden!

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  8. wow living in Cairo!! what a wonderful experience. I traveled to Egypt with my parents and sister a few years back and was pleasantly surprised. I must say though I was surprised there was a Taco Bell in background of the pyramids! :)

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  9. Hey Brooke, no taco bell in Egypt. Wish there was though. Tons of American chains but no taco bell, not yet.

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  10. Maybe it was a subway ? I never realized that smack dab in the middle of the desert there would be fast food chains. I will have to dig up the pic but I am at the pyramids and some fast food place was in the background. It was a fun place to visit but how do you deal with the heat? I assume you have A/C??:)

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  11. Yeah maybe Subway. Its a trip, here you have thousands of year old pyramids and fast food chains next to it. There is actually a McDonalds in that area, walking diatnce from the pyramids. Most things here are based on tourism and what better a place than to have the golden arches, LOL! A/C of course girl!

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  12. Very beautiful!
    And the kitties - too cute :-).

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  13. The lantern is so beautiful. I love those and all things like that. I collect hanging lanterns when I find ones I love and that is beautiful.

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