Egyptian Culture Fair

The Cairo American College (CAC) has an Egyptian Culture Fair every year. I’m not sure if it’s really open to the community, but we had a friend sign us in so that we could go, anyway. It’s a tradefair of sorts where artisans and vendors are invited to show their wares and demonstrate their craft. Some booths even let the children try their hand at traditional crafts.

It’s fun to walk around and see all the things for sale. Window shopping is made extra easy when you remember that your wallet is empty (because the credit card machine at the doctor’s office wasn’t working so they demanded cash and then acted all miffed because you only had 180 LE on your person instead of the required 200 LE—like it was my fault the machine was broken).

Rachel had fun running in the grass, walking on the lines on the track, and dancing to the music. Miriam had fun pretending she was going to starve to death if I didn’t fed her thatveryminute.

We were there in time to see the “closing ceremonies” (we missed them last year). The Tannoura Sufi Dancers came out and put on a little show for the kids, teachers, and parents. I was happy that Rachel could have the opportunity to see them perform because their evening concerts aren’t very kid-friendly (too loud, too long).

This performance was fun for a number of reasons. The dancers walked around and twirled their skirts over the heads of the audience members, they had some of their young sufi-dancer students perform, and they let the audience members try on the skirts and give a whirl (Rachel saw a man fall down; she thought it was hilarious).

Grandma took Rachel right up to the front so that they could see better. I was a little jealous until a dancer came and danced right by us, too.

We all enjoyed the show. Rachel even was clapping her hands in time with the music. She didn’t want to go home—which worked out just fine because I had to meet at Phyllis’ classroom to rehearse a number for the talent show tomorrow so Rachel got to play at the playground with Grandma while I did that. She also explored a number of kindergarten classrooms and even got to see a guinea pig and two budgies.

It was a fun afternoon!