The Swiss Club

Nestled in the busy streets and towering buildings of Mohandessin, the Swiss club is a surprisingly calm sanctuary of lush greenery, quaint but attractive old-ish buildings (in Egypt, "old" goes pretty deep), a nice play area for children, a German bookstore (also featuring some books in English, Arabic, and French) and a nice restaurant and sitting area. A great retreat for those wishing an escape from the urban landscape, a feeling of being withdrawn into the countryside as you are surrounded by centuries old trees, open green spaces, and quiet.

Pigeon delicacies (Hamaam)

Pigeons have been a delicacy raised and eaten in Egypt since around 3000 BC. The below bird was served to me at my company iftar (breaking the fast) just the other night.

You can never fit enough people on a motorcycle

I believe it is something of an incredible sport in Egypt, to see exactly how many brave people can fit on a motorbike.

(Click me to enlarge)

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Contrasts

Old and young, rich and poor, new and really really not new, you name the contrast and you will find it in Egypt, side by side, existing somewhat harmoniously right up against one another.

Garlic

Garlic, is a staple of the Egyptian diet. It figures prominently many famous Egyptian dishes, from moloheya to those spicy eggplant appetizers. They even have an entire fast food chain called "Tom & Basil" (Garlic and Onion). Mmmmm.

Should I stay or should I go? You decide!

Living in Egypt, you learn to navigate choices. You learn that really, at bottom, there is a choice behind everything we do. In Egypt, the message is somehow more explicit than elsewhere...

A traffic light inside Heliopolis Cairo.
Lighting BOTH red and green at the same time.

Immense faith things will all work out

Every time a car comes by in
the next lane, those in this position shout this out and try to duck inside the crowded bus