This fascinating Egyptian marketplace was built in the 14th century. This is the best place to get souvenirs, but I had to be prepared to haggle! I am somewhat acquainted with haggling for prices, but I don't really like doing it. I had downloaded a currency converter so I knew the exchange rate between Egyptian pounds and the US dollar, so when they quoted me a price I knew what I would be paying. When they quoted me a price I would always say, it was way too high and begin to leave. Then they would lower the price and tell me that, of course, they would make no money on the sale, but they would make an exception and sale me the item at a special discount only for me. I would imagine they were certainly make a good profit even if they slashed the price by seventy-five per cent. I didn't stay too long. I was with my guide and the next day was a holy day for her and I knew she wanted to get home and get prepared. Also, I knew if I stayed I would be spending way too much money on souvenirs. When you visit these exotic places, it's really tempting to to buy more stuff than you need for yourself and friends and family back home, so after visiting about three shops I decided I had about as many souvenirs as I could stuff into my suitcase, so we headed for the Naguib Mahfouz Cafe.
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Egyptian Fytir Mashaltit. This beautiful flaky Egyptian specialty is served with honey, molasses, and cheese.
Saladin Citadel of Cairo
The Saladin Citadel was built by the ruler Salah al-Din between 1176 and 1183 to protect Cairo from the Crusaders. My guide told me that he used limestone blocks from the pyramids to build this citadel. Hieroglyphs have been found on many of the blocks creating the fortifications. From the top of the wall you can see the entire city.
Muhammad Ali Mosque
Commissioned by Muhammad Ali Pasha, this mosque was built between 1830 and 1848. It was built in memory of his oldest son, Tusun Pasha, who died in 1816. Because it is situated within the citadel, it is one of the first structures to be seen when coming to the city of Cairo.
Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church
This is one of the oldest Coptic churches is Egypt. It is believed that this is where the Holy Family rested at the end of their journey into Egypt where they stayed hidden for three years until the death of Herod the Great.
The Coptic church in Alexandria, Egypt, is said to have been established by Saint Mark at approximately AD 42, making it nearly 1900 years old. The Coptic Christians believe they are the subject of the Old Testament prophecy written by Isaiah in chapter 19:19. "In that day there will be an altar to the Lord in the midst of of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the Lord at its border."
There are between 10 and 14 million Coptic Christians found in Egypt which is roughly 4.5% of the population.
Winding down the 2017-2017 School Year
These preschooler are all dressed up for Girgain, which is the Kuwaiti answer to Halloween. Girgain happens during the holy month of Ramadan. The children go from house to house singing for candy.
I just did the math. I have been teaching since 1977, so that makes this my 40th year in the teaching profession. I have taught every age from three year old nursery students to high school choir. I remember my professor in my elementary music methods class telling us that we should be prepared to teach a lot of things we may not have thought we would ever be asked to teach.
He was sure right! I started out in a little dot on the map in rural Nebraska called Inman:
population129 as of the last census taken in 2010. I taught K-8 music and 5-8 English and spelling. I did that for one year, then I taught K-12 music in a couple of different communities for five years. We moved to Iowa where I taught elementary music at BCLUW in Conrad for seventeen years and then three years teaching half time elementary music at Carol Kuemper Catholic school and half time at Coon Rapids public schools. The last nine years in the states I taught K-12 music at Baxter, Iowa. I even taught 5th grade band for two years. My ears still remember those beginning clarinet players!
It has been not always been easy, but never boring. And that professor was right. In order to survive in this profession, I had to be prepared to put on a lot of hats that I wasn't quite sure I wanted to even try on! I sure never dreamed I would someday be teaching three year olds here in the Middle East. I have had to be adaptable in order to survive. God gave me a love for music and children and I went where I was led, not always willing. But God has been beside me every step of this journey and it's not over yet!
"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden." Matthew 5:14
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