Kiss the Camera!

Madison and Matthew Ray are missing their backyard back in the states. So, as all kids do-they adjust! Here's a video of them playing on one of our balconies. Matthew Ray ends the video with a big kiss to all of you!

Dr. Mohammed...Iraq Street...Gall Bladder in a Jar???

Not long after we moved here Stacey began having a little stomach trouble. This is common for people who move to a new place so we just kept thinking she would get better. About 3 weeks ago she went to see a doctor and he said that she just needed to live here for 1 year and eat the food and then she would be fine. WRONG!!!

This past week Stacey had another stomach attack that was unbearable so we knew we had to do something. We contacted another doctor by the name of Mohammed and he told us to have an ultrasound and then come see him. The results showed gall stones, and Stacey was admitted into the hospital the next morning. We were given directions to the hospital so we could tell the taxi driver where to go. The final destination was on Iraq Street!!!!

We arrived at the hospital the next morning by taxi after we dropped off all of the children at school. We had several visitors keep us company while Stacey waited for surgery. THANKS, GUYS! Finally after a few hours of waiting it was time for surgery.

The nurses wheeled me (Stacey) into the surgery room where I was greeted by MANY Arabic speaking people. I said, “Hi, how are you?” in Arabic and they all crowded around my gurney to see what other words I knew. The nurses were so sweet saying things like, “You are so sweet! You are so beautiful! You are a sweetie!” Then the anesthesiologist told me to count backwards from 10 to 1, so I thought it would entertain them even more to count in Arabic. All I remember after that was the sound of laughter.

The next thing I remember was rolling back into my room and the nurses showing Matt my Gall Bladder in a Jar!!!! He was then presented with a DVD of my insides!! The rest of the stay was great in the hospital and I was released the next afternoon.

Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine that I would have surgery by a doctor named Mohammed, on a street called Iraq, have my gall bladder delivered to me in a jar and ride home in a non-air-conditioned, bumpy riding taxi in Africa! You just never know what a day will bring in this N. African life!

Like Father Like Son

Matthew Ray did a little dancing at the engagement party, too! Just click on the arrow to watch this little cutie. If you are just logging in, scroll down to the next YouTube block to see Matt dancing! You don't want to miss it!

New Culture, New Language, BIG SURPRISE!!!!

Well, we have now discovered that our understanding of the Egyptian culture and language is not where we thought it was. Mr. Siede, our taxi driver, has a very limited English vocabulary and our Arabic vocabulary is even less. We thought he had been telling us for weeks that his daughter was getting married and had invited us to her wedding. Stacey had surgery this week and Mr. Siede came to visit her in the hospital. While he was there our language teacher was also there. We started talking about the "wedding" and then came the BIG SURPRISE!! We didn't attend the wedding-we attended the engagement party!!! We thought it was a little strange that her dress was red but we just thought dresses could be any color here. We also thought it was strange that the only thing that happened that evening was dancing. So, now we have been invited to the real wedding that will be held sometime in the next few months when the couple's apartment is ready.

Below is the rest of the story of the eventful evening! Scroll to the bottom to see Matt do the unthinkable!!!

After the couple arrived the mother came out with a tray full of chocolates covered in colorful foil with the "wedding jewelry" snuggled in the middle. She paraded around the room to show off the jewelry. All of the children in the room wanted a piece of candy but all were refused except for our three children-another priveledge of being an honored guest. The jewelry was then presented to the couple to make the engagement final.

Then the party really started with dancing, dancing and more dancing. Meredith even joined in the fun with the bride. Many of the women even did belly dancing motions without their bellies showing!

Matt doing the unthinkable!!!!

All Dressed Up With Somewhere to Go! Part II

Finally, many people began arriving. The room soon filled and then the bride and groom entered. They stood at the door just like this for about 10 minutes while we listened to some Arabic song. (nothing like the wedding march)





Matt and I then waited for the "CEREMONY" to begin........

All Dressed Up With Somewhere to Go! Part I

We attended our first Egyptian wedding this week. What an experience!!!! We really don't have time to tell you everything in one blog so we will spread out the interesting details over the next several days. Let's just say, YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS THE END OF THE STORY! YOU WON'T BELIEVE WHAT MATT DID AT THIS WEDDING!!!

The wedding was for the daughter of our taxi driver, Mr. Siede. He insisted that he pick us up for the wedding. The plans were to be picked up at our apartment at 6:30 on Thursday evening. We were told the wedding would begin AROUND 8 pm. Mr. Siede knocked on our door at 7:30 and said in Arabic, "Come, we must hurry!!" So, we all hurried out the door, down the hallway, down the elevator and into the taxi. He drove very fast and didn't talk very much at all but what he did say was that the day had been crazy. We could tell he was a very nervous "Father of the Bride." We arrived, expecting to be late to the big celebration only to find we were the first ones there. We then helped Mr. Siede turn on the air conditioning and lights in the apartment where the wedding was to take place.

At 9 pm some family members began to trickle in as we took on the role as the welcoming party! All of them were so excited that we had come. We were then asked to take pictures with all of the family!!! You have to know that we didn't know anyone at this wedding except for our taxi driver. We took pictures with the family just like we took pictures with our family before our own wedding!

So, that's how the adventure began - Stay tuned as we unfold the events of the evening-Don't forget - YOU WON'T BELIEVE WHAT MATT DID AT THIS WEDDING!!!

****Below are just a few pictures of how the evening began*******

Matt with the Father of the Bride, Mr. Siede (our taxi driver)


Stacey and kids with the mother and aunt of the groom. (Stacey just met these women one minute before this picture was made!)


Stacey with the Mother and sister of the Bride.

No Sleeping in Carseats Here!!!!

Back in America our children always fell asleep in their carseats when they had had a long day. Well, we don't have a car here and we don't have carseats! We either walk or take a taxi everywhere we go. Last night Matt took Matthew Ray out with him to find a barber shop. They walked many miles and did not find an open barber shop that looked clean. While walking back home Matthew Ray's little legs were DONE. So, Matt carried him on his shoulders. When they arrived home this is how they looked! Matthew Ray was sound asleep on his daddy's head. So, neither got a hair-cut and both were exhausted but it was a sweet daddy and son moment!

Egyptian Shoes

Meredith has now crossed over to become a true Egyptian lady. Egyptian women are all about shoes! We live on top of about 10 shoe stores! Meredith needed some dressier shoes so she picked these cute wedge heels! It took her a few hours of walking to get used to them but now she loves them! (She's growing up way to fast!)

Easter fun!

We had a great time coloring Easter eggs. We also attempted to make resurrection cookies but they didn't turn out! The Easter Bunny could not find regular Easter Baskets so he had to "make do" with what he found in the Middle East. The baskets are not shown but just trust us that they were not like any basket that you had this Easter!

"I am a HAM!!"

One of our friends here took this picture while we were on vacation. I just had to add it to the blog! He is such a cutie!

Vacation-Part 3-Stranded in the Desert

After a wonderful 3 days of vacation it was time to head back to the city. Our precious taxi driver, Mr. Sayed came to pick us up and take us home. He arrived early and decided to enjoy our final day of vacation with us. In the afternoon, we left for the 1 1/2 hour drive home and then.....
THE TAXI STOPPED!!!!! Well, this is somewhat of a problem when you are in the middle of the desert. After seeing that the taxi could not be fixed on the side of the road, Mr. Sayed called his brother to come and get us. While we waited the children roamed in the desert sand and found rocks. They had such a great time! After about 45 minutes a police car pulled up with a big truck. They insisted that the truck tow us back into the city because "Americans can't be seen on the side of the road-It is not honorable!" SOOOOO... they hooked up the taxi to the back of the big truck with a chain that looked to be at least 50 years old and a rope at least that old and told all 6 of us to get back in the taxi! We then were pulled about 30 miles down the desert highway. DON'T WORRY-THE ROPE AND CHAIN ONLY BROKE TWICE DURING THAT 30 MILE STRETCH!!!

We weren't really sad-just thought this would make a great story for the blog!



Mr. Sayed and the truck driver doubling up the 50 year old rope to make it stronger!



Matt and Mr. Sayed talking while the truck pulls us down the highway.

Vacation-Part 2

When we arrived we were ready to jump into the beautiful pool. We soon learned that not everyone wears what we wear to the pool. The wind and water were pretty cold but our kids didn't care. They were ready to swim! I think we may have been warmer if we had bought these swimsuits:



Matthew Ray and his bathing beauty friend!



Meredith hanging out in the room and listening to her MP3 player.



Matt and Stacey having a great time away from the difficult language lessons!



"Look, Mom and Dad! I can swim!" (even though I am shivering all over!)



Each day after swimming Madison and Matthew Ray would fall asleep while playing. Sometimes a vacation can just wear a person out!



This was not the end of all of the fun!
Stay tuned for Part 3-Stranded in the Sahara Desert!!!!

First Vacation- Part 1

It is the beginning of Spring so we decided to take a fews days of vacation, get out of the city and enjoy the weather. We went about 1 1/2 hours (in a normal car that runs well) out of the city and stayed at a beautiful hotel.
Below was our means of transportation and one shot of our final destination.
Stay tuned to the events that unfolded during this vacation!

Is it Christmas in Egypt, Mommy??

Yesterday we saw an unusual sight outside! Lights were being hung right in front of all 4 of our balconies. These weren't just any lights-they were big painted light bulbs hanging from the top of our building and cascading all the way to the street! We couldn't imagine what they were for. We thought they may be for the celebration of Mohammad's birthday which is this weekend. When Madison and Matthew Ray saw them flashing outside their balcony they said, "Is it Christmas in Egypt, Mommy?!?"
Today we learned that some stores hang these when there is a grand opening. When we arrived home today the lights were already gone. We watched the men hang them yesterday afternoon and it was a lot of work! Today they are gone????? Oh well, we enjoyed them for the 2 hours that they were flashing.

Creative Kids!!!!

Meredith's school had a "Paint the school" day. All families were invited to come and show their creative painting ability. None of us are very artistic but we were eager to join in the fun. The first picture is the beginning of our work and the finished product is next. Meredith, Madison and Matthew Ray did all of it themselves. I think we had the most colorful square. It really shows the bubbly and outgoing personalities of all of them!!

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.