Quick Break

Hi all,

Time is flying and things are heating up here in Egypt!

Just taking a break from some analysis to write a quick update as it has been a looong time once again. The sheer mass of notes and stories I want to share with you sometimes leaves me writing nothing at all. There's also lots happening with PPIC-Work and so much to see and to with only one month left in this fascinating country.

Summer is here and the weather is beautiful. Dare I write that it is perfect? Not too hot, but certainly very warm. Cool enough to walk home in the evenings and not run the A/C, but warm enough to forget all jackets and sweaters. The temperature will most likely skyrocket after having written about it, but oh well.

In other news, my work schedule looks like it will be very busy for the remainder of my contract, which I love. I’m looking forward to finishing this report I’m working on (Insha’allah), and also hoping to make it to the field a few more times. The PPIC-Work concept is attracting attention from many directions. I can understand why . . . * single tear * as I begin to seriously contemplate my departure.

Thank you to all who have sent thoughts and prayers in the past week after the sudden death of my uncle. Your messages mean a great deal to me and to my family. To Uncle Charlie, his family and friends please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.


Notes to self to write about:

- Visit to APE (Association for the Protection of the Environment) Project in ‘Garbage City’ in Cairo. Fascinating project involving garbage collectors in the city who use recycled and reused materials to make all sorts of crafts and weaving products. You may have seen their work at a Ten Thousand Villages shop in North America – buy it, love it. This visit was followed by a trip to the nearby ‘cave churches’ – churches literally blasted into the sides of cliffs. Interesting stories about these sites, and their histories. Hopefully more to come later.
- Unveiling of the new computer game for PPIC-Work.
- Sipping GM on a balcony in Cairo.
- Dinner at a co-worker’s with all the fixings.
- Must write about child work vs. child labour, emerging and ongoing debates, trade and labour regulations, definitions, conventions. Seriously, it may sound dull, but it’s not . . . I’m a geek, I know.