Entering the 21st Century

After realising I haven't sent a 'Letter from Cairo' since December 2006 I sat racking my brains to remember what's been happening over the last 9 or 10 months. It occurred to me that there must be a better way of keeping in touch so I decided to try this route. Not sure I can cope with the techie aspects but we'll see.

Life in Cairo ticks over - some days better than others. We're in the midst of Ramadan so I suffer frequent sense of humour failures. Not with the underlying ethos of Ramadan (although I do have some issues with it) but the way it's practised. I'm sure the prophet didn't intend them to stay up all night, sleep all day and drive like maniacs (even more than usual that is). Can you imagine going without water from about 4am until 6.30pm in temperatures of 30 Deg C ++? Suffice to say tempers are very short and angry outbursts are frequent. Even though to get angry negates the fasting, so that's another black mark. And woe betide the woman who shows a knee or shoulder in public!

But on the whole we have a good life - our standard of living is good and we have lots of leisure time. Actually, that should be I have lots of leisure time. The kids still have to go to school and Pete works long hours and travels quite a bit. My attempts to play golf haven't progressed too far and even tennis is on hold at the moment as I've injured a tendon in my right hand (hit the ground very hard with a golf club a few months ago - ouch). I go to the gym a lot and think I'm finally seeing results. I did have to do my own housework for a few weeks after I sacked the lazy maid (that was a fun time!) but now I have a Sudanese lady working for me who's doing a great job. And at least I appreciate just how hard it is to keep this apartment clean and tidy with the constant sand and dust coming through the gaps in the windows and doors. And boy, are the kids (and Pete) untidy!

Speaking of the kids - Jon is now studying for A levels (English, History, French and Economics) after getting good GCSE results. Out of school he socialises! Oh to be 16 again (maybe not). We see him at mealtimes and occasionally he condescends to watch football on the TV with Pete. Apart from that he lives in his room. And the maid cleans up after him which is wonderful. Next February he'll be taking part in a trip to climb Mount Kenya as part of the International Award (overseas equivalent to the Duke of Edinburgh award). It'll look good on the UCAS form! Opportunities for extra curricular stuff are limited here (well, the sort you want to put on a CV or application form!) but I think I've mentioned that before.

Jessica (or Jess as she now prefers to be called) also works hard at school and is getting excellent grades. She's playing football regularly and will be taking part in the school play - Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy - with the part of Marvin the Paranoid Android.

I'm hoping the kids and Pete will add their own postings to this blog so you'll get an idea of what life is like here from their point of view.

Some of you may have read how Egyptian 'bloggers' are being arrested if they write stuff criticising the government or other authorities here. Bad things really do happen here to people who don't conform. Two of my friends have had to leave this summer after their British husbands were refused re-entry despite having valid visas. They were both active Christians. I'll say no more.

The call to prayer has just started (very loud) and iftar (the meal to break the fast) will follow shortly. The streets will be empty for about 2 hours and then the partying starts. And the shops re-open until about 2am. No wonder they sleep all day!

If I've understood the technology anybody should be able to post comments on this blog. I'll try and remember to post updates when anything interesting happens.