30 March, 2014

Palm leaf furniture


We seem to go for return visits these days,
and visiting with this man, 
his business and his family,
is definitely one of my favorite destinations.


With arms held wide open,
he welcomes us like family.



And before long
we are nestled around him as he works
and give us an insight
to a piece of fabulous handwork
that can only be achieved by
someone who has practiced as he has,
for a long time...


Egyptian tea is served
with a little sugar and mint leaves
from the garden.



On our way here
we picked up bread and tamia
from the local marked.
It could not have tasted better
if it was served on silver plates!


The sun just came out,
we are having a perfect day
in the most relaxing and peaceful setting.
Away from the busy city traffic....


Not far from us is the archaeological site of Memphis.
founded in 3100 BC.  


Not a lot can be seen on the site itself,
but we have the feeling of that the world
around us has not changed
for hundreds of years.



Not my first ferry trip


across the Nile,
and probably not my last.


Every time I experience something new.


The ferry goes back and forth all day,
bringing the farmers to town in the morning,
and back again at the end of the day.


The line to get on it,
on each side of the river,
gives us an indication of
how important it is for the locals.


The first ferry left us on the river bank,
as it was all ready full.


As we wait, we are in good company,
others have to wait as well.
The guy to the right was just about to jump,
but changed his mind
as the distance from the ferry to the bank grew larger.
To bad,
it could have made a great picture...


As we weren't in a hurry,
we didn't mind waiting for the corresponding ferry
starting from the opposite bank.
The air was very dusty this day,
as it can be this time of the year.
Sand everywhere so close to the desert. 


As the next ferry approach
my camera captures
a couple of near by boats.


A little bit of sunshine
is peaking through the dust,
and gives us hope for a nice rest of the day.



This ferry is not the best kept boat I have seen,
and would possibly have failed a control elsewhere,
but it doesn't seam to have any problems running.
Not sure if the small boat above is a life boat,
or if it by any chance would float at all.
I'll say probably not,
but in lac of another,
this was the only one on board.


A handful of passengers are eager to get off,
moving out on the ramp
as we get close to the other side.


This little passenger was hitching a free ride.

Whats next for us this day is another story...




24 March, 2014

Norwegian artist Britt Boutros-Ghali





whom I got to meet and visit with,
welcomed us 
in her atelier and showroom.


I was very exited to meet this woman,
a Norwegian girl from Sortland in Vesterålen.
She is the first Norwegian I have met here in Cairo
since I arrived almost 2 years ago now.
Britt has made Cairo her home,
having been here for 40 years!


This quiet and serene work space,
located inside two houseboats
and tied to the bank of the Nile,

is tucked away from traffic and daily life
on the streets above.


From her windows she has a view to the river,
and can see across to downtown Cairo.
A pleasant view,
maybe not the same
as the view of the mountains
up north in Norway,
but pleasing to the eye.
A relaxed environment
on the lazy waves of riverboats passing by.


Here she spends several hours a day
painting and creating her master pieces.


Her color combinations are vibrant,
the contrasts are great.


I thought her paintings had a happy tone,


but I could also sense a more serious side


as Egypt has some struggles these days.


Her pieces travels all over the world,


and once a year she has a large exhibition 
at the Picasso Museum here in Cairo.  


She is showing us women,
very colorful,
very intense,


their eyes following you around the room...

Thanking for having us Britt!
Visit her Facebook side here.


En nydelig dag i Cairo,
fint vårvær og besøk til en norsk kunstner!
Kunne ikke vært mye bedre!


06 March, 2014

The Bent Pyramid

From Memphis to Dashur
is a short drive.


We visited the Bent Pyramid.


It is very special
because its angel is change
about 45 meters up.


Unlike any of the other pyramids.


It also still has some of the smooth sides intact.


Can you see me?