My First Week

I believe this picture is an excellent representation of my first week in Egypt. A little bit blurry in spots (due to the jet lag), but with enought clarity to see the bright spots and appreciate the overall picture.
No time was wasted in introducing me to my new work. I was happy to see the familiar face of PPIC-Work project director, Richard (see B&J’s blog for a pic of Richard), in the wee hours of the morning when I arrived at Cairo International Airport, and perhaps just as happy, or even happier, to see my pillow at my hotel at 4am. It wasn’t long before I was up again though to attend meetings with PPIC-Work staff and consultants, including a very alert and wide-eyed Richard, by noon that day. I don’t have many pictures from my first week in Cairo, but here is a photo from one of the night time highlights when Bob, Joyce, Mohamed Shoman, Julie (Julie is last year’s intern, and is engaged to M.S., who also works on the PPIC-Work project), and I went to Old Cairo to explore the Khan al-Khalili Market. The combination of the colourful glow from the ‘Christmas’ lights (as they are commonly referred to by some:) and the beautiful mosque gave me a very welcome feeling of excitement as I began to imagine the upcoming experiences that would blend old and new, familiar and unfamiliar, and provide new perspectives on many issues (and names!). Apparently, the lights decorating the mosque are in preparation for the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which is set to begin in early October.