Holidays in Cairo

Having some fun!

Miranda and I, New Years 2013

    The holidays here in Egypt are much different than back home. But still, stores still set up their Christmas displays and vendors sell real trees to purchase. Where they get these trees from is a bit of a mystery. But one can only assume that they are imported haha. We decided not to invest in an artificial tree or lights or anything like that. We enjoyed our Christmas even though it was completely different than any other Christmas in the past. We didn’t do a gift exchange or make a feast for ourselves. Instead we decided to just stay in watch some movies and order an Italian dinner. It was a nice night to just enjoy each others company. Most of our friends all headed to different parts of the world, some returning home, some going to another country in Europe, Asia whatever country they decided. So it was basically Miranda and I for the holidays. One of Miranda’s good friends decided to stick it out in Cairo with us, so we went and hung out with her some nights, getting dessert at our favorite dessert spot on Road 9. We also did go to the 6 floor mall here called City Stars and do a little “Christmas Shopping” for ourselves. My gift to myself was going to see The Hobbit in 3D at the theater at the mall. This theater was amazing, plush Lay-Z-Boy recliners and if you wanted food you ordered it at your seat and they brought it to you. The only thing that threw me for a loop is that they have an intermission during the movie. In the middle of a scene the movie stopped and the lights came on. I had no clue what was going on, but then Miranda’s friend told me about the intermission. She assumes that it is for people to go have a smoke break, seeing the theater is one of the few places where people are not allowed to smoke indoors. After the movie was over we went and found Miranda, because she had no interest in seeing the movie. She had bought herself a few “Christmas Presents” herself. We ended the day with a nice lunch at a French Restaurant in the mall, the food was good but the desert was absolutely delicious! This was the sum of how we spent Christmas this year, all though not the typical Christmas, but still a wonderful one.

              

     Now New Year’s on the other hand is just like at home. Everyone is celebrating somewhere. We decided to spend our New Year’s at the Ace Club, which is the local expat club. We got there around 10:00 pm and rang in the New Year with about 100 other people. It was a good time. The club had brought in hats (which we never got one) and sparklers and party poppers. There were no firework displays anywhere in Cairo, but people in the neighborhoods were setting them off. It was a good time at Ace and a few people we knew were there. We had a couple drinks while we there, after the New Year came we left and went home to relax and start the New Year with a bang! Below is some pictures and video from New Year’s at Ace. All in all the holidays were nice here even though they we not typical.

                It was different for us however being away from family for the holidays. In the last few years we have found the perfect balance to go visit family on the holidays. This year felt like something was “off” we didn’t have to be anywhere or go anywhere. We were so used to waking up doing our thing at home and then rushing off to one family get together, then to another family get together and then another. It was exhausting but well worth the fun of being with family. Made me a little homesick, but that is expected when you spend your first holiday over 5000 miles away from the closest family member. All in all through the homesickness, we had wonderful holidays abroad. I am sure this is one of many to come our way while we are on our adventure abroad and we are going to love every minute of it!!

                                                   Video from Ace Club New Years!!