Category Archives: Egypt

The Nile in style

Posted on 13 Apr 2019 by lornaofarabia

There are so many ways to enjoy the Nile. You can take a Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan. Andreas calls this trip Egypt’s E ticket ride (I try to remind him that the number of people who actually remember … Continue reading →

Posted in Around Egypt, Cairo, Egypt | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Amarna

Posted on 31 Mar 2019 by lornaofarabia

Once again I return to the blog after a long absence. I made a January resolution to get back to it, but here it is already the end of March. Well. Let’s pick up right where we are, and if … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Egypt | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

When the apricots bloom

Posted on 11 Jun 2017 by lornaofarabia

There’s a saying in Egypt -“bukra fil mish-mish” بكرة في المشمش Literally it means “when the apricots bloom,” but people say it to mean “never.” Sort of like “when pigs fly.”  That’s because in Egypt apricots (mish-mish) have a very … Continue reading →

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Tent-makers’ alley

Posted on 18 Mar 2017 by lornaofarabia

In the Khan el-Khalili, the big old market in the center of old Cairo, you can find just about anything you want.  A visit to the Khan is on every tourist itinerary so of course there is no shortage of … Continue reading →

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Sinai weekend: Saturday on Mt. Sinai

Posted on 4 Feb 2017 by lornaofarabia

It was our friend Jeff who had the idea for the weekend in Sinai. He is leaving at the end of this year and Mt. Sinai had been on his must-see list since arriving in Egypt three years ago. Jeff is interested … Continue reading →

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Sinai weekend: Friday in Dahab

Posted on 3 Feb 2017 by lornaofarabia

We try to get out of town whenever we have a three- or four-day weekend, but most of our regular Fridays and Saturdays (that’s right – weekends in Egypt are Friday/Saturday) are spent close to home catching up with household and school tasks. This … Continue reading →

Posted in Around Egypt, Egypt | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Should I stay or should I go?

Posted on 17 Nov 2016 by lornaofarabia

The recruiting train for international teachers is proceeding full steam ahead. At this time of year, educators looking for new horizons are researching schools, sending out resumes, and interviewing via Skype.  Administrators are seeking out the best candidates to fill the vacancies the … Continue reading →

Posted in Cairo, Egypt, Expat experience, Teaching | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Whale watching

Posted on 15 Nov 2016 by lornaofarabia

Whales? In the desert? Many millions of years ago, when this part of the world was partly underwater, some land animals were making the transition to becoming sea mammals. Early whales died and sank to the bottom of the ocean, … Continue reading →

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Three part two: new beginnings

Posted on 25 Jun 2016 by lornaofarabia

I am not a superstitious person. At least that is how I see myself, as a not-superstitious person. But I am alert to what some people would call signs. I like to think this is my folklore training; it’s a universal human tendency … Continue reading →

Posted in Egypt, Expat experience | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Ms. Lorna in the conservatory with the scanner

Posted on 19 Jun 2016 by lornaofarabia

Week 3 in the Cairo Greenhouse for Books.  I inquire periodically as to when we might expect the AC repair person.  “Two or three days, inshallah.” It’s the inshallah that gets you every time. Last Tuesday the plant man came and … Continue reading →

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