I love Egypt!

Here is a lot to see and experience in and around Cairo.

Today we took the ferry across the Nile

to Memphis.

Not exactly like my Norwegian experience

 with ferries, but amazing!

The ferry is over 60 years old.

It takes people, cars

and whatever else your are riding.

The captain,

so sweet, so friendly.

Wondered if I wanted to steer the boat,

I thanked him no....

Life boat,

made me feel very safe...

Other boats passing bye..

Well over on the other side,

normal traffic,

a man balancing his two cups of tea,

stopped for a minute to say hello.. 

Chickens for sale,

or maybe fruit.

The oranges are fabulously and sweet

at this time of the year.

Are you still here?

I am knitting...

Memphis is the very first capitol of Egypt,

these are areas forbidden to build on

because of the treasures under the ground,

still not dug out. 

The surrounding buildings

are made in the same manners

as for many hundred years ago.

One gets the feeling

that time has been frozen.

We stopped at a local artist.

Mr. Saad is demonstrating his skills.

This kind of work

he has done

since he was 10 years old!

He makes furniture,

boxes, dove and chicken cages

 out of palm leaves.

Fast working hands,

 lots of experience.

I was a little worried about his feet,

 but everything was done with precession.

We shopped...

then finalized the deal

with a cup of Egyptian tea.

Then off to the Bent Pyramid in Dahshur.

continues...

Working on embrodery

 

I am working on a new bunad for my grand daughter.

The one I made last year for her confirmation

was ruined by the sewing room 

that did the fitting of the skirt.

It was ruined to a degree

where nothing could be saved or re-used.

Not for her, she is tall, 

and they cut it and fit it 

to a shorter person, by a mistake...

Long story,

hopefully happy ending.

 

This time around 

I hope the result will be good.

It is actually pretty fun to work on,

but the time limitation

 creates a dose of stress.

I want her to be able to use

her traditional outfit

for 17th of May,

Norway's Constitution Day.

By request, these mittens are built on the pattern

"A hand to hold".

Being limited to what I keep in my yarn storage,

I used different yarn and colors for these.

One solid color for the pattern,

instead of two as before.

 Above "A hand to hold".

I will be going to Norway soon,

and definitely make room in my suitcase for yarn, 

when I return!

Our favorite silver jeweler

In need of a beautiful bracelet?

Ring or necklace?

All handmade pure silver,

sold by the weight.

This is MK jewelry,

 a good place to visit at the Khan.

Cut to shape, 

passing through several stations,

Beautifully polished before handed

to the customer.

Great to experience fabulous handwork

in the making!

Life on along the road

To many cars,

and slow moving traffic.

Hanging out the window of the car,
I manage to capture
a little of this very colorful life.

Farmers sell their fruit

and vegetables at the road side,

 their local market or at the souq.

Cauliflower on its way to the market,
nicely stacked on the back of a truck.

Others prefer a cart pulled by a donkey.

I am always amazed how simple it looks
to carry your groceries on top of the head.

 "Sheep farming"

along the road side is not uncommon.

The sheep live only meters from traffic,

and are sold for their hide, wool and meat.

 They seam to be used to the used to the commotion,
keeping calm away from the cars.

This fiddler is selling his homemade
music instruments.

He walks up and down the streets
playing his fiddle to get attention,
hoping for a sale.

They have a high pitch tone

so he can be heard from a long distance.

Have a good evening!