The Holidays arrive in Cairo

The run-up to the holidays is usually hectic and often awash with other priorities, but this year was more than that. Jack and I chose not to exchange gifts, a choice we’ve made in the past, as Christmas really isn’t about the commercialism. I had baked some cookies for friends and parties, but otherwise, there was no visual indication that the time of year was special. All logic aside, I was TOTALLY depressed about the lack of Christmas-y feeling and was homesick for the usual traditions.

One family tradition endured – the Christmas eve bowling! Jack and I rented a couple of lanes and invited friends to bowl with us. A total of 11 people bowled on da Nile on Christmas eve. It was a lot of fun.

I got up on Christmas morning in a complete funk – “This just isn’t Christmas!!” I sat, drinking my coffee with Amarula (MMMMM) and decided that lights on the palm tree were needed. I had purchased them, but never put them up. So Christmas morning I put the lights on the tree. AHH – very pretty! It almost looks like Christmas, but…still homesick for the “usual”.
Jack to the rescue – he’d been complaining and moaning about the slow downloads here at our apartment, but I really didn’t know why. On Christmas night, he suprised me with a wonderful and familiar tradition. He had successfully downloaded (over the last 6 days) the movie “A Christmas Story“. We always watch it at home on Christmas. I nearly cried watching that silly movie, but it finally felt like Christmas!

We has “orphans” Christmas dinner at a friend’s apartment, complete with stuffing, turkey and the best SPICY sweet potatoes I’ve ever had. Perhaps this ex-pat Christmas could turn out ok…

SHHHH – Even Santa visited Cairo this year! Look closely!