So, there was not a living creature in sight. Not a human, not a bird, not a wild dog. The sprinklers from the green area across the street were not even on. It was hot, bright, and silent . . . .I waited. Nothing. It was still hot. I waited. A car or two slowly went by - no taxi. Hmmmmm, maybe I wasn't going into Ma'adi afterall. Just when I though maybe not I see what looks like a taxi coming from far away! Yes, it was driving slowly but indeed it was a taxi. I waved. They were going to have no trouble seeing me. Even though they were on the other side of the road me and the taxi were going to connect! But, darn! I saw a passenger in the back! Grrrrrrr. The taxi drove slowly around the great big rotary and I was a little sad watching it. But, here it came along towards my house and it stopped . . .right in front of me!!! Out stepped a worker type guy and he paid the driver!! He was getting dropped off right in front of my house!! I was going to Ma'adi - simple as that I hopped in said Ma'aid and we were off. Me and my older gentleman Egyptian driver who had a voice like Popeye - only in Arabic.
Here is the sweet little sanctuary of St. John the Baptist Church in Ma'adi. Beautiful stained glass windows. And of course when you look at them . . . it hits you. The stories they tell happened in the very neighborhoods where we spend our days . . . along the Nile and in the dessert.
As I got out of the taxi I met my friend Maggie and her husband so my good luck continued! The service was packed since the expat high school students were being confirmed and the bishop of Northern Africa and Jerusalem and the cost there. He was very interesting to listen to, a former medical MD. He talked about the most important thing that Jesus gave to people was peace, his own peace. And that the kids there were committing themselves to a life that would open them up to that peace.
Anyway, it was a lovely service. I've been worried recently about a little girl at home so said my prayers and paid attention. So nice to see and speak with so many people from home - embassy and NGO workers. And we had some decent cake too! Very Western - like I have not had in such a looooong time! I have had quite a few cakes recently too since my kids keep bringing them in to celebrate my imminent departure, which they swear they are very sad about! I will miss this group of people and if I were to stay longer I am sure that I would rely on them as a resource for socializing much more than I did this year.
After church we were off to breakfast. Tried to go to Lucille's but ended up a Villa 55 across the way - nice!
It was time to say good-bye to Maggie and Kevin which is a little sad since each time I do this I think it is probably the last time we will see each other, at least for quite a while. Who knows where I will end up in this world in the future. But with only 8 days left I say good-bye and just leave it at that.
After lunch it is off to the local grocery mart to . . .reach up very high . . .and buy cereal!
Really high - see the man working at the cash register. And the stack . . .makes it interesting to pull a box out of . Sort of like cereal Jenga!
Afterwards . . into a taxi and home James. It was soooo hot I was glad to be in for the afternoon! Today again too and then again tomorrow.! Whew!! and 8 days left . . . . wow!
Oh, and yeah - had a fun time eating dinner with Lizza Obremski and her friend Kat who just flew in from Beruit and with the others in the villa. A good time was had by all and these kinds of days are what I will miss of Egypt.
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