European Christmas Bazaar in Cairo

This has been a busy week-end amid a flurry of yuletide cheer as I attended several Christmas parties and the annual European Christmas Bazaar at the Conrad Hilton Hotel. There are over 100 embassies in Cairo, and each year the European embassies get together to host a charity bazaar at Christmas time. It was a splendid wintry morning in the high 60's F, as I headed downtown to shop to my heart's content.

The Conrad had white-lit Christmas trees throughout its lobby; an anomaly in the Middle East.

My first purchase was a homemade gingerbread loaf from this charming Gingerbread House.

The Christmas Bazaar was packed with so many international sponsors and shoppers!

I liked this homemade sign that was displayed at the Russian table.



I thought Hungary selling food was funny. Hungry folks for Hungary! LoL.

They also had some delightful handmade Christmas items for sale.

Greece had a plethora of delightful yuletide treasures too.

I have a weakness for funny holiday hats, so I bought this cap on the spot!

There were plenty of vino to be had, as each country hawked their international brands.

These Canadians sold an assortment of handmade aprons, bags, and hats. Needless to say, I broke down and bought me a colorful apron.

I thought these powdered figs from the Montenegro table looked like little wreaths and were very clever!

I started getting hungry by the time I made it to the Serbian table. I ordered a hamburger, which came out looking exotic. I loved the pita-like buns. My Serbian burger was juicy and delish!

Switzerland had a baked potato and cheese stand, and used - what else? - Swiss cheese! LoL.

While the Irish sold Irish coffee. Yummers!

Norway sold baked goods and Christmas decorations.

Spain sold vino, sangria, and tapas (appetizers).

The Czech Republic sold elaborate crystal ware.

I bought a pair of these hand carved angels from the Slovakia table.

Hansel and Gretel (LoL) were selling homemade German gingerbread cookies. Needless to say, I bought several of these!

Loved these homemade Christmas Trees from Portugal's table! I bought one of these too!

Belgium sold - duhhhh - Belgium waffles!

It was the perfect day for the Christmas Bazaar! The temp was just right since it was held outside on the Conrad's expansive patio area.

Before I left, I enjoyed the festive Christmas carols sung by the charity bazaar's sponsors. It was a nice touch.

I'm sooo glad that I attended this event, bc for a few hours I forgot that I lived in the Middle East.... the Spirit of Christmas was alive and well at the Conrad Hilton Hotel!

Last Day in the White Desert

On the last day of my White Desert camping trip, I got up for a morning hike to catch the sunrise over the desert. Slowwwly it peeped over the horizon, and rose to blazing glory.



Light streaked across the lavender sky, and made the white patches of limestone and quartz look like glistening snow.

I captured this morning self portrait of me: 2 days without shower and make-up. Ugh!



During my explorations, I collected petrified debris as souvenir treasures of my White Desert trip. Later, I found out from one of the geologists at the camp that this was a petrified shell estimated to be 50 million years old when the desert used to be the bottom of the sea. Whoa!!!



I thought this embedded imprint below was verrry kewl.



I hurried back to the camp to start packing up, and walked past the Bedouins' durable open-air tent where they slept.



People were packing up their gear, readying for the trip back.



And then it was back on the camels, for our last camel trek in the White Desert.



Wearily we rode back, not really wanting to leave, but ready to sleep in our own beds again.



We gladly gave our camels back to the Bedouins when we arrived at our pick up point.



We loaded our gear, and rode the lonnnnng 6 hours bus ride back to Cairo. Thus, putting an end to an amazing National Geographic-esque week-end.

Picnic at Mushroom Rock

The sun rose bright and early over the camp on Black Friday, but unlike the masses that were pushing and shoving their way to department store bargains, I was basking in the beauty of the White Desert, and enjoying the quietness of its surroundings. I loved my cozy little tent! Our tents were close together, and they were plentiful. However, we were the only ones out there. The Bedouins rose early to start the campfires to boil water for our morning teas and coffees. I drank my usual cup of hibiscus tea. I found the taste exotic and soothing. Breakfast was light, but was more than enough. Campers began stirring and going through the breakfast line. Everyone gathered around the campfire to enjoy the warmth of the fire. Camels waited patiently for us 50 yards away. After breakfast, we mounted them again for a 2 hour exploration into the White Desert. When this Bedouin started walking, that was our signal to follow him. And so we were off! I loved the fact that Dee Dee, a friend's daughter, brought her book to read along the way. LoL. She was a precocious and delightful girl! During our exploration, we found out why this region was dubbed the "White Desert" by the constant evidence of limestone and quartz covering the grounds. It was a surreal experience riding camels through it, because everything around us looked like snow but the day time temps were in the low 70s F. Dontcha think this limestone formation looks like a camel? Here's Dee Dee again. She got bored and decided to ride her camels backwards. LoL. She maneuvered around without getting off her camel. She was an utter daredevil much to her parents' dismay. LoL. We rode for 2 hours and lower backs, rumpuses, and shoulders were aching. Riding camels was overrated, but we still enjoyed ourselves nonetheless. Pretty soon, our landmark loomed ahead in the distance, and the Bedouins signaled us to halt our camels. We had arrived at our destination! Yippeee!! Behold Mushroom Rock. What a beautiful natural monument! At Mushroom Rock, the Bedouins prepared our lunch and we were treated to a yummy meal. It was amazing to watch them prepare our lunch in the middle of the desert! We picnicked under the shade of Mushroom Rock. Utterly delightful! Afterwards, we found more natural monuments. I thought this one looked like a large head. These Bedouins signaled for us to return, and we rode the 2 hours back to camp wearily. Upon arrival, we found our campsite to be a welcoming sight! It was wonderful to gather around the campfire to relax, play games, and chat about the day's events. Several of the older kids read by the fire, while the younger ones toasted marshmallows. Dusk settled quickly bringing a certain stillness to the oncoming nightfall. The Bedouins grilled chicken over the campfire for yet another scrumptious meal, which consisted of lentil soup, basmati rice, grilled eggplant doused in Middle Eastern spices, and more yummy salads. After dinner the Bedouins suprised us with an impromptu desert concert! They pulled out exotic instruments, and started playing lively Middle Eastern music. It was the perfect ending to a perfect day. One more day remaining..... wait for it!