Got here a few days ago to spend Eid with the family. Interesting bus ride(s) it was, Ramallah-Jerusalem-Eilat-Taba-Suez-Cairo. Potential post and photos of the trip itself later.
Unlike my previous visits, where going to Cairo was a temporary but undesired last resort, my visit to Cairo this time is a real ‘expat visit’. Which is a little uneasy but not very cumbersome.
I spend my time perusing my brother’s broadband connection - no internet at home in Ramallah -, binge eating ka7k (Eid cookies - see photo), watching old Egyptian films, and skillfully avoiding my aunts, otherwise known as the Harpies (and Dependents).
I’m generally amused with the reaction of relatives when they are told I work in
“You’re crazy! It’s dangerous!”
“The Jooz!”
“The Palestinians work for the Jooz!”
and of course “You’ll give your mother a heart attack!”
I usually reply by saying that my next posting will be in
Made friends with my delightful new niece Nada (well, she’s almost 7 but the one time I saw her she had just been born). She declared that she likes me and wants to put me in her backpack to take home. I am so grateful!
Nada directed the pose.
Have received a couple of marriage suggestions from elderly relatives so far - “you should definitely meet my cousin’s daughter! She’s lovely and pretty and educated and well-raised. I’m not saying you should marry her quite yet (!!!). Just meet her!”
The prospect of meeting someone - just meeting - this way gives me the creeps. Eeeeeew.
(wrong onomatopoeia, I know. Which one would you use for ‘the creeps’ anyway?)
Also Doing some catching up with old friends, with daytime coffees now an option due to the end of Ramadan, and trying to arrange my outings with groups of friends who don’t hate each other (yet). It’s hilarious how ‘alliances’ have shifted while I was away... In a sense I’m grateful I missed this.
So, overall, all good here. A blessed Eid-ul-Fitr to all.
And happy new year 5769!
9 comments:
Nada is adorable. Just how big is her backpack exactly? :-)
I hear that Darfur is lovely this time of year...
Looking forward to grabbing a proper coffee or a meal with you when you return!
Happy Eid!
Cute pic :-)
De verdad vas a Darfur? Cuándo?
Un abrazo enorrrrme!
Tu me manques
Liza: I look forward to it too! Am back next week or so.
Nada's backpack, like Santa Claus' sack, is magical: it can contain anything she wishes.
Htur: Todavia no... Darfur se queda un fantasia. Quizas pour el ano proximo... :)
She is a wonder! Mind her carefully, she'll always repay it (My own niece is just eight years old and a greater joy you couldn't find.)
Thought you might find this interesting....http://www.esquire.com/features/fun-couple-21st-century-1008
Hey, long time no see, good to have you over :)
Thanks for the advice! As well as for the article. It is true - the "Powerstein" couple (remember: you read "powerstein" here first!) would be the academic equivalent of Brangelina. And I'm quite sure they are going to impress us somehow...
Co-teaching a class, they say! I would love to see that! Can anyone at Harvard report? Mali?
u really have that much faith in meeting someone randomly at a bar? at least if someone (even if it is family) introduces you to her, it's saying SOMETHING.
i only have one single girlfriend (whose blog u evidently peruse) otherwise i'd offer to set u up as well.
Your family sounds like MY family! Almost. And Nada looks exactly like my best friend's just-turned-8-year-old---pretty and precocious!
Put her in your backpack and bring her with you.
Coffee when you get back. I linked you, BTW!
Forsoothsayer: it does say something alright. Desperate.
Besides, are those really the only two options available? Meeting someone at a bar, or Aunt Nany's sister-in-law's daughter?
Plus, thanks but not thanks. Me is happily committed and dating a wonderful woman :)
Sarah: Thanks! Will do as well right away. :)
I'll see if Nada fancies a trip to holy land. Backpack space shouldn't be a problem...
Ah, families are the same everywhere, eh?
Like Ronnie Khalil's father told him: "Son, it doesn't look how a person looks like... All it matters is (pointing to his heart + silence pause).... money! :D -- Gotcha, eh?
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