Moores do Cairo Tower From Coptic Cairo we took a taxi to Cairo Tower. It was a very strange taxi since the driver had a small plant as part of his dashboard decoration! We got stuck in traffic downtown for a long time but eventually made it to the tower and climbed up for the view of Cairo. You can even see the pyramids (in the center on the horizon)!

Moores do Coptic Cairo Today we went to the oldest part of Cairo. It is also the Coptic Christain quarter within the presincts of the 3rd Century Roman sector. We took the Metro train 4 stops and then explored the Hanging Church (suspended between two Roman towers)......and the Church of St. Sergius (where it is believed that the Holy family lived in a cave under the present day church during their stay in Egypt). We had a kind of treasure hunt with a check list to find certain things, like a star made of wood and St. George killing the dragon. And we got cool souvenirs.

Moores do a Felucca Today we had a quiet morning around the house then went sailing in a felucca after lunch.

After the felucca we headed to Road 9 to shop...suprise - we all fit in one taxi when necessary!

Moores Do Mt. Sinai
We traveled by van six hours to the Sinai peninsular to climb Mt. Sinai (where Moses is believed to have received the 10 commandments) and stay at St Katherine's Monastery. As soon as we arrived we headed up the mountain. Nathan and Madi rode camels and we all walked. Madi rode the camel like a Bedouin princess. Nathan managed to stay on his camel despite another camel biting his camel and them jostling each other. We made it to the top for sunset (a bit later than we planned) and then headed down the stairs mainly before it got completely dark. Nathan showed his amazing hiking skills by climbing up the 750 steep and rocky stairs to the top and then all the way down to the monastery on his own. We walked all the way down in the dark carrying Madi. This photo is when we reached the bottom of the stairs. Only six kilometers to go!!It was a beautiful crystal clear moonlit night and not too cold. We were so exhausted but also exhilerated to have made it...and very hungry. Luckily as we got near the smell of dinner wafted out of the monastery and we rushed into the dining room to be served a delicious and welcome hot diner. Nathan was almost too tired to eat but Madi serenely sucked down her spagetti!

Tuesday morning dawned crystal clear and sunny. We explored the peaceful monastery enclosure which was established in the 300's A.D before heading back to Cairo (not so serene but good to be home).

Moores do stuff at the Curlesses apartment

Making stuff with Beads

A show - Nathan presented the funniest act (the Dingo Dance complete with its history) but Madi had the best costume and struck the best pose!

Nathan goes souvenier shopping.

Moores do Cairo Museum Today we tried to go to the Papyrus Institute and the Cairo Tower. First we took the Metro train. It was quite crowded but we did fine with the girls in the Ladies Car and the boys in the general section. Then we took two taxis to find the Papyrus Institute. After some kind of taxi-treasure-hunt lead by a driver with serious road rage and who did not actually know the way, we found the insititute closed permanently and converted to a Golds Gym! Since the air quality was too poor to catch goods views from the tower we diverted to the Cairo Museum. On the way there the taxi that Team Bravo (Kim, Mel and Madi) was in, which emitted a constant screaching from under the bonnet, broke down - twice. After the second time Kim decided that from the smell of boiling radiator, the problem was fatal. We bailed and hailed another taxi while the driver re-started the sick taxi and tried to convince us that there was "no problem". A little later we passed him with his bonnet up, broken down on the bridge!! We could not take our cameras into the museum but it was as overwhelming as expected and we did a quick run through of the highlights. Our favourite things:

Marc: The giant beds made from long skinny wooden lions found in King Tut's tomb

Madi: The metal finger and toe tips used to protect the fingers and toes of mummies.

Nathan: Animal mummies especially 10 foot crocodile mummies

Melissa: The doll like models of boats, armies and everyday life that Pharoahs put in their tombs

Kim: Giant stone statues on the ground floor.

Mel: Mummies in the mummy room - the "dead guys"

Moores do the Pyramids The first order of business for the Moore's holiday in Cairo was the pyramids. But......we picked the foggiest morning we have ever seen in Cairo... we could not even see the top of the pyramids until after 10:30. Nathan was a bit miffed that we did have him bring his beanie - it was damp and chilly.
We had a picnic at the base of the medium pyramid. A good time was had by all...especially Aunty Mel!

Christmas in Cairo

We are spending Christmas in Cairo with the Moores (my brother Kim, his wife Melissa, Nathan and Madison) this year. They arrived at 10pm on Christmas eve. After a leisurely breakfast we opened gifts... and then went to burn off some energy at school (CAC)... ...to get ready to eat Christmas dinner!
Carmen and Andy (our friends and Marc's work colleague) also joined us and were a BIG hit with ginger-bread man decorating before dinner. This was the first time that I ever cooked a Christmas dinner, or a roast dinner for that matter.

With a little guidance from Melissa and gravy making assistance from Kim it was great.

Meanwhile in Cairo...Some of Marc's students are starting to hear back from colleges while others are still trying to get their applications in!

Mel chaperoned the Elementary horseriding activity again this year. This is another great group of students and some very enthusiastic riders.

Meet our birds - Shish Tawok and Eve. Eve laid four eggs but then lost interest in the reproductive process. They seem to be having marital difficulties at the present moment.We are both looking foward to the break and Mel's brother and family visiting. Meanwhile we have a few days before they arrive. Here are some images from our latest explorations in old Cairo.