Waaaaadi??

This and That

Photos will come, but I'm in the hotel business center for now and a few words will have to suffice. 

In less than two days time, our trip home begins.  Mostly, we are only looking forward to returning.  Hotel and suitcase life has started to nauseate and frustrate.  Home.  It's what we want. 

We found a swingin' pad and are set to review the contract tomorrow.  The spot is dog-friendly, offers up tons of light, and has a big round tub for all our laboring needs, garden with mango tree, extra beds, and rooftop terrace.  Dust off your piggy banks and come visit us!  We'll cook you food and dance to Jonathan Richman all night!

Hmm...  what else?  Oh, we explored the Grand Canyon of Egypt.  Wadi Degla rests at the edge of our neighborhood and seems, basically, to mark the beginning of the surrounding desert.  Mountain bikers, trail runners, homeless dogs, and hikers peppered the landscape, but the land is so ever-reaching that each creature looked more like a wind-up toy on some distant part of the horizon.  And if it's possible to hear silence, one can hear it throughout this canyon.  Silence had volume...  until the desert wind took center stage.  I practice no religion religiously, but I swear something holy was riding that wind.  At some point, the call to prayer rang out, met up with the wind, and swept us away in wonder and awe.  Again, come visit!

Other highlights...  for your pleasure and imagination...  include navigating the city, a dog, getting lost, yoga, a wedding, soccer balls and toy guitars, food hits, food misses, Ahmed, pictionary, panpipes, shawerma, Egyptian youth, hard work, and hope.  Oh, and finally dislodging a thorn from J's head that had been stuck since before Thanksgiving was super satisfying.

Peace, everyone.  If snow has fallen where you are, roll around in it for us.  We love you all.

Our friends in Cairo

So, last night Patricia and I went out to the movies with a bold plan to make some friends (and see Rise of the Guardians).  And guess what... we totally did!  Walk with me as I take you on a photo tour of our night out.

the road behind our hotel

"Fly Over" (that's what they call bridges here)

some chicks on the street

friends?  (look close)

friends!  (look real close)

WTF?

الأطفال من الذرة

creeeeeeeepy

brrrrother!

the baby looks concerned

The movies have an intermission here.  Totally awesome.

Protests and Care Providers

Protests by both supporters and the opposition continue in Tahrir Square, Heliopolis, and even here in Maadi.  Until Monday, I'd only read about the excitement in newspapers and watched updates on the BBC.  And I'll quickly suggest checking out the BBC or Aljazeera if your primary news source is American media.  It's just different and to even possibly develop a clear understanding of what is going on over here, one must take in outside perspectives.

As we drove to a hospital on Monday, we passed a demonstration organized by Morsi supporters.  The gathering spot was a prominent courthouse located just up the road from our hotel.  From a passerby's perspective, the protest seemed tame.  All was quiet, with supporters camping out in a few tents or standing in groups.  Food vendors and police were nearby.

More than ten independent newspapers went on strike yesterday protesting the draft constitution and it's articles regarding free press.  The draft is set for a popular vote on December 15, but the Supreme Judicial Council is divided on this decision.  From my understanding, some judges have agreed to supervise the referendum and others are calling for a boycott.

This is an awfully brief, shallow, and totally disorganized account of the political happenings in Egypt.  What's going on is super complex and my knowledge of it all is as immature as the twelve-week sprout in my belly.  Nevertheless, we're both growing and seeing and feeling new things every day.  I'm fascinated by the world around me; have soaked up every conversation I've had over here; and grateful to be near an historical uprising that for the most part has been entirely non-violent.          

Yesterday wrapped up with a visit to a potential care provider.  I entered dubiously, knowing the doctor is male and I feel strongly about working with women throughout this process.  The feeling upon entering Ghaly Medical Center was, however, instant relief.  Just a gut response to the environment that probably had to do with sights, smells, lighting, temperature, sounds, etc.  Then the doctor...  he was calm, kind, patient, and a good listener.  I was clear in what I wanted and did not want out of our initial consultation; he was entirely supportive.  We shared our request to have Justin and a midwife present at the birth and he was more than accommodating.  In the end, we checked my blood pressure, weight, and heard the sprout's heartbeat.  WOW.  An unfolding, a molting, a shift.  WOW.  Insh'Allah, we have found the space we want.

First World Problems

The past four days have been chock full of apartment searching.  It was a weird zone to adjust to, neither familiar nor comfortable.  That is, being whisked around by various realtors, catered to, and offered myriad possibilities that rather exceed our needs.  In the end, we toured over twenty cribs and returned with heads spinning.  The experience reminded me of why I loathe shopping malls and mega-stores.  While it might seem that options and variety are a good thing...  a thing within which the perfect fit must exist...  I feel like it ultimately leads to great indecision.

So many flats, so little time.  That is the first world problem.  In the end, we're lucky and grateful to find a neighborhood that will be a happy and healthy space for two to become three.  Here are a few photos from the hunt.  Captions courtesy of my darlin' J-Duffy, as he prepares to assume the title of Dorky Dad.

Coach K to Groove-a-tron Deck 4 for hyperspeed Funkokinetic Transfusion!

"Dammit!  I sleep-planted a garden full of plants!"

What is this?  A living room for ants?

Come party with us.

Recommended by this guy.

Patricia thinks these are cute beds.

le sigh...

Inside!

Night Walk in Maadi

A few scenes from yesterday's night walk through Maadi, the neighborhood of Cairo we'll be living in.  The evening stroll was DEE-lightful.  So atmospheric; felt like a movie set.  The photo with J's silhouette shows the entrance to a ground floor apartment we really liked.  Highlights from day two of the hunt will be up soon...  and hopefully an update from J!  

BEHOLD THE STARFISH.  A symbol of hope, optimism, and determination...  and one we serendipitously came across in an old church two days before Thanksgiving.  Cosmic wink?  Well, I've worn the starfish in pin form on my jean jacket ever since.

BEWARE THE SCREEN.  An overdose on televisions, computers, and cell phones brings totally opposing energy.  For me, anyway, too much time with the screen beast and I feel desperate, pessimistic, and irresolute.  Side note, hotels offer gross and unlimited access to computers and cable television.  

Seems the past two days this pair of opposites has met me wavering on a threshold and vied for my attention.  Transitioning to a new and distant time zone...  and imagining the new and distant time zone as Home...  is an ocean unto itself.  Whatever the universe has in store for we three, I think it intended for us to stumble upon those starfish pins.  The small reminder has lent a large and positive affect here in Egypt. 

Cairo Motherhood Center was a miss, but no big deal.  Onward.  First round of apartments was a miss, but s'okay.  Onward.  The misses were studded with sea stars.  Posters educating on active birthing hung on the walls of the motherhood center and I met a nice woman named Fatima while touring apartments.  She was kind and expressive and has a two-year-old daughter.  I left thinking to myself, I SHALL MAKE HER MY FRIEND.  MWAH HA HA HA...

Other highlights from the past two days include decent pizza, carrot soup, non-violence, hospitality, making the concierge laugh, hot sun, still no traveler's diarrhea, Egyptian youth, 7-Up, free newspapers, and a trip to the movies.  Beware the screen, but I love everything about going to the movies and here in Cairo the experience totally satisfied.  Grand Slam.  Bright lights, not-too-buttery popcorn, previews, usher with flashlight, intermission, and a laugh-out-loud kinda audience.  Skyfall was on the big screen and entertained for a full two and a half hours.

That's all for now, folkssssss.  Starfish, HO!  

It is afternoon.  I'm sitting by a pool, typing this first post; Justin is taking a much-needed nap.  We're not sure what day or time our bodies feel it is, but are happy to let them rest as they demand rest...  and reset themselves at their own pace.

Cairo.  From our room on the fifteenth floor of Sofitel we see the Nile River.   Our room faces west; northward flows the great river.  Parallel runs a busy street, bustling with a rainbow of vehicles, sirens, and horns.

An early morning lap around the hotel brought something of Delhi to mind.  Wires amid cars, amid rubble sidewalks, amid wandering dogs and dust and shoppes.

Tomorrow morning Justin heads to the FabLab in Mohandessin.  At two we meet up and head to our first appointment concerning the little plum.  The Cairo Motherhood Center...  just the name eases my mind and body.  One of many centers we will visit; one of many doctors we will meet.  "Insh'Allah," said the woman I spoke with as we confirmed a time and said good-bye.  The word or phrase translates to "God-willing" and is used frequently in all manner of conversation, here in Egypt.  It's a phrase I'll take with me as the three of us move forward.

The sun just set, so I'll be on my way.  Thanks for checking in and reading!  So much more to come.