Our plans changed today, but you know what? That’s ok, cause
we can do whatever we want! Our plan had been to get up early, grab a taxi, and
head out to see some non-Giza pyramids. However, one of us wasn't feeling so well, so we decided to postpone our Saqqara/Meidum/Dahshur
trip until tomorrow.
But before I tell you about today, let me tell you about
what we did last night (it’s nothing fancy, but Lindsey and I were excited). We’d planned to try
an Asian place for dinner (seriously, it was Asian- Japanese, Korean, and
Chinese all on the menu), but nixed that idea. Lindsey and I, being the intrepid adventurers that we are, decided we could
navigate our way around enough to go forage for dinner and supplies. Our first
stop was the 2.50 store, where everything is, you guess it, 2.50 LE (about
$.42). We got bowls/plates, forks, glasses, dish soap, and a knife. No, our
hotel doesn’t have a kitchen, but we have plans to eat a lot of mango and you
just can’t do that with toilet paper and a pocketknife from ACE Hardware. Then
it was off to Subway (yeah, there’s a real Subway in Zamalek, just like there
was a real Chili’s. It’s like home!) to get a veggie sandwich for Tasha. We
thought we remembered passing it on our shopping outing, and we were totally
right at where it was located! Ok, so dishes: check, Tasha dinner: check. The
next stop was Nola’s cupcakes... again. Don’t judge us, they were tasty! Now we
needed dinner for us. We’d passed by this kebab place several times, but had
both realized we’d never be able to go there, because Tasha is vegetarian. At
the same time, we realized that this was the perfect opportunity! So we walked
up to the counter and ordered donner kebabs sandwiches! We were so excited.
Then we went back to the room and dropped everything off. Tasha couldn’t
believe what all we got and that we didn’t get lost even once. The kebab
sandwich was really good, and of course I forgot to take a picture of it until
I was on literally my last French fry. Oh well. After dinner we enjoyed
cupcakes and some wine, then hit bed early. It was a lovely night! If we can do
it after just a few hours shopping today, Lindsey and I feel pretty confident
that we’ll be able to get around just fine once Tasha leaves.
Ok, back to today. So what can three girls
with no real plans do? Go shopping again, of course! Nothing really opens until
10am in Egypt, so we spent the morning with a very light breakfast of bread and
cheese at the hotel. After some long showers, we headed out to a bunch of different shops. Aside from our lunch break, we walked around Zamalek, shopping and browsing, until 4:30pm.
 |
| We ended up with WAY too much food because the menu didn't say that the sandwiches came with fries. So I had a chicken/mozzarella/pesto panini with baked potatoes/cheese/herbs. And a fresh strawberry juice. It was really tasty, but way too much food! |
Our plans for this evening include recuperating from all of that walking. We bought a ton of fruit at the local market, so we'll probably do that for dinner. But I'm happy: we've eaten lots of good food, seen a ton of cool stores, and spent way too much money. Between the meals and all the dessert places we've been stopping at, I'm well on my way to gaining back what I lost just in the past 2 days alone. Dan will have to kick my diet back into shape once I get home. But for now, mmmmm cupcakes.
For anyone following the news, yes, Tahrir is completely full of people and reports say tear gas and other things are being used against protesters. Live image shots shows thousands of people camped out on the square. And yet, business and life in Zamalek is the same an usual. We hear and see absolutely nothing because we are so secluded. I promise that we are staying safe and we don't plan to leave the hotel when the hardcore demonstrations start, but to be honest, it wouldn't even matter if we did. It's kind of like we're in Gary, IN while people are protesting in Chicago. Though Zamalek is a lot nicer than Gary.
In other news, you all can be the first to hear some wonderful news. I literally JUST found out about this (like 5 minutes ago when I checked my email), but Jonathan and I have been accepted to give a talk about our block yard project at the CRE (Current Research in Egyptology) conference! Looks like I'll be spending a few days in England in March!! I can't wait to go back to the University of Cambridge. I wonder if the fudge shop and sandwich place that I fell in love with are still there. One adventure at a time, Janelle.
