December 24 -- (Lou)


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

December 11 -- Second Visit to the Islamic Museum of Art (Roger)

Today was the first full day of what I call my white diet.  I’m not supposed to eat dark food for several days after the  teeth-whitening process, but that matches up reasonably well with the Roma’s typical breakfast.  The guys here were nice enough to substitute warm lemon water (ugh!) for the usual Nescafe and to add some Arab bread to the usual breakfast rolls.  But it’s gonna be a long three days. Lou covered some 10 walking miles yesterday while my teeth were getting whiter, so while his feet and legs recovered today, I headed down for my own visit to the Museum of Arabic Art.  I’d made it there briefly on another visit and wanted to go back.  It’s a one-floor collection with a very open display area that reminds me of the space in mosques or in the general public room in Middle Eastern homes.  In one half of the museum, you walk though art that’s historically organized from the earliest Islamic dynasties through the Ottomans, and probably bec...
Read more

December 4 -- First Day in Cairo (Lou)

Image
There are those who prefer new travel destinations, and those who enjoy returning to familiar places.  I suffer from a kind of Reisenangst brought about by a sense of travel inauthenticity should I want to return to a favorite destination.  Apparently I’m succeeding at working my way out of this condition as here I am once again, back in Cairo, and guilt free no less.  Why I’m back is a long story and perhaps we’ll touch on it as we go further into the blog but for now, it’s safe to say that this incredible city pushes all my buttons and did so from the very first.  Of course, I’m back for the museums, the arts, sights and sounds, but alas, more pedantic things as well.  This trip is essentially being paid for by my tooth or, more to the point, my chipped crown (think dental cost in US then divide by 10) which will soon be replaced.  And lest I come across as shallow or depthless, I’ve already met with the tailor, bought replacement clothing for that whi...
Read more

December 18 -- Lenhart & Landrock & Live Chat (Lou)

A long walk through what turned out to be a district of auto parts and car repair was still compelling due to bits of wonderful downtown architecture.  And like so many of these walks, almost by chance, you’re back on familiar turf.  The day before I’d made an honest effort to find the iconic Lenhart & Landrock bookstore.  Today, I discovered it wholly by accident, thanks to a one square foot hand written sign nestled in the branches of a tree.  I’d walked past it how many times.  Granted, the address was different than what the website said and it was located on the first floor with no street level signage but other than that, why was it so hard to find?  Books weigh down ones luggage so unless they’re really compelling, my focus goes toward paper and to that end, some fun finds were bought.  Oh, and a very useful street map; great for orientation and fun discovering.  Who knew there was a botanical garden? Wanting to replenish my cash,...
Read more