Christmas in Cairo

After sending out that moony mass mail to you all I think I have to compensate by telling you how much I enjoyed December 24th & 5th.

First, I went to a Christmas eve service at a downtown United church. It was a traditional lessons and carols type of deal, with glowing candles at the end, and all in English! It was extremely satisfying to sing all the traditional hymns that I love so much, alongside many MCC friends. After socializing and snacking for a bit, I rushed home to my flat-mate Rada (also an intern from Canada), so we could go out for a special dinner together. Nothing is more Christmasy than sushi, right? So we went to a fancy hotel a few blocks from us and had a sumptuous (and ridiculously expensive) meal. It was easily the most expensive sushi of my life particularly after living in Vancouver for a year, but it was worth the $30 for two rolls and miso soup, just this once!

Then, we cabbed to the Basilica in our neighbourhood for a midnight mass. Where the earlier service was mainly attended by foreigners, this one was packed with Egpytians an hour before things began, so we had to stand at the side while listening to the beautiful choral prelude. I was pleasantly surprised to find this mass in French, so I was able to understand most of what was going on. After about an hour of standing, Rada and I decided we'd had enough, but we left with merry hearts, touched by sacred music.

Christmas day, Rada awoke to a stocking in front of her door with some small presents from me. I had to take off to work for a few hours, but in the afternoon, I ended up at a Christmas party at the MCC country directors' house along with twenty or so MCCers and families. We had a wonderful feast (including my favourite mashed potatoes), sang carols in four-part harmony, and then did a gift exchange. It was a lovely night.

Of course I also called home via skype about three times during the day, recounting my Christmas blessings and hearing about our family's celebrations around the fire. It was a wonderful connection despite our distance from each other... and I'm grateful that the technology conspired in our favour.

Really, my life is very richly blessed... I am surrounded by a wonderful community of friends here, am enjoying meaningful work and good health, and I feel the support of many friends and family from afar! El Hamd'allah!!