Garbage City

We went to see "Garbage City" today. This area of Cairo is located on the out-skirts of the city on a mountain. The name "Garbage City" comes from the main occupation of the people that live there. These families collect all of the garbage from all over the city by donkey or foot, bring the garbage back to their city and sort through all of it to obtain any useful items for living. It was a very difficult thing to see. This area is made up of 90% Coptic people. At the top of the mountain is an amazing Coptic Church set in the side of the mountain.
Below are some of the pictures. There are a lot but even these don't show or "smell" what we really experienced today.

So many of the children are left alone to play on the street.

How many of you could balance your Wal-Mart sack on your head?

This is how most Egyptian women carry their babies! Isn't it creative?In the city there is a recycling center that is amazing. It is an entire compound made up of a training center for trades such as sewing, a free medical clinic to treat the people in the city, a garden fertilized with compost to help the polluted air, and a school for the children in the area. Here are some of the pictures of the school. There are no books for this school, all of their work is done on the recycled paper from the center and most of the teaching is done outside.

This is the trade center for teaching quilting, sewing and looming. All of the material is left over scraps that are being recylced. They call their program "Learn to Earn." Girls and women here are so thankful to have this facility. While Stacey was there she got to buy several rugs and purses from them!




Finally, we were able to see the Coptic Church set in the side of the mountain. Here are some of the amazing carvings in the side of the mountain.

In a Dry Land, we still have water!

Some of you have heard about how our washing machine functions. But for those of you just now catching up I will explain the washing process: Put VERY SMALL load of clothes in washer, turn unmarked nob to someplace hoping it is the right setting, push red button because that has to be the way to turn it on, leave for about 2 hours to wash the load. During the two hour wait there are many noises sounding like a bomb exploding in the bathroom. One such noise happens in the spin cycle-when the spinning begins the entire washer jumps up and down and moves it's way to the toilet. The clothes are finished when noises completely stop. To take the clothes out we have to push the washer back to the wall. We pull out the clothes to hang them outside and HOPE they are clean. (Exciting, huh??!!)

This particular night the jumping caused the door of the washer to fly open causing water to flood all over the bathroom. All bathrooms and kitchens here have a drain in the floor. Here is Meredith using the squeegy to push the water in the drain. You just never know what a day will bring here!!!!!

Egyptian Face Painting

We visited a local store tonight. While there the kids discovered the "face painter." We had seen many children around town with their faces painted like this but had never found who did it. Apparently it is common in some stores and McDonald's throughout the city. It was something special for them.

A Night on the Town

Several times a week we go out and walk around the area where we live. We decided that we would take our camera out tonight so you could see what we see almost everyday. We are always the center of attention because we look so different but this night we got even more attention because we were carrying a big camera. We looked like silly tourists!

Here are a few of the favorite foods that we enjoy.

Baked Breads:


Nuts of all kinds:


Talmeah:


Shwerma:


Fresh Sqeezed Orange Juice:


Lamb-doesn't it look delicious???? No, we really don't buy this on the street because Stacey can't seem to muster up the courage!


Along the way we met several children who really seemed to love Meredith. They met us at a store and then stayed with us the rest of the evening while we shopped. They didn't speak any English but they held Meredith's hand the whole time and wanted her to tell them things in English. We went to a local grocery store and they took her up and down all of the isles asking her the English name for all of the products. Meredith had a great time with these precious girls.



Matthew Ray is always on the move. Here he is enjoying himself in front of a clothing store.


By the end of the evening we were all pooped! We only got a shot of Madison looking this way but this is how we all felt!

Mediterranean Sea Trip

We have been here for 2 months now and this was our first trip out of the city. We had a chance to stay on the Mediterranean Sea for 3 days. It was such a great time to get away and refresh!



Some older kids were burying themselves in the sand, so the Dunavants kids thought they should do the same! ( We are still getting sand out of our clothes.)

Gifts from Home!!!

Comfort food and toys came just in time! Many family and friends from home sent us some of our favorite foods and toys. We were just about out of "strawberries and cream" oatmeal when the box arrived. It also contained many of our favorite things to snack on (ie. famous Carley Cookies and apple caramel wraps)! Then about 2 hours later another box arrived with lots of fun toys for the kids. Thanks everyone!!!!! We love you (and the comfort food)!

Special People

So many people love our children here! We appreciate them so much for making life fun for our kids! Here are just a few pictures of them.

Mr. Amr-Sherry's mom's husband. He made a "Strawberry Tart" just for the kids

Ms. Hannah-We love to "hang out" with her!

Madison and Matthew Ray with Julia-they like playing with her at school.

Madison and Matthew Ray with their teachers.

Meredith and her School Friends

Our social butterfly is on her way to making many new friends here. She loves her school and as always loves talking and playing with friends.

Meredith with friends from Asia, Europe and Africa!!

Meredith standing in her school entrance

Meredith and her teacher

Total Tour

We have finally made our flat a home! It took a little work, time, patience, and language learning to get it done but we "think" we are finished!!! Notice the word "think." Many of you have known of our stuggles with repairs-new hot water heater (after 3 repairs), electrical work in several rooms, new stove, floor repair for hole, replacement of broken faucets, everything painted including ceilings, and washing machine repair (it just dances a little now). We think repairs are common here- We told our plumber we would just make a room for him!

So, here's the tour!

Meredith's Bedroom

Madison and Matthew Ray's Bedroom

Kid's Bathroom
View of Dining Area from Front Door
Family Living Room with Balcony in Back

Formal Egyptian Visiting AreaMaster Bedroom
Master Bathroom