Back to Egypt: August 2009

August 2009- Back to the Land of Egypt

Momma and I have come back to the land of Egypt for one more year. We flew back on August 12 from Minneapolis, arriving in Alexandria on the 14th, at about 2:00 a.m. We have been busy attending workshops thus far, and we've gotten to know the new teachers on the SAS staff. Just a few pics to show you thus far.

The first three photos were taken from our apt. balcony. These show what I think is a "moving party". Several vehicles loaded with furniture passed by our neighborhood the other day, and there was a blarin' of the horns, a hootin' and a hollerin' as they went by. These are not great photos, but I caught a bit of the action as this family's possessions went on by. We've seen this before, and I must find out about whether this is a tradition when people move in this country. Some type of furniture on the bed of a truck

Chairs and couches

Amsterdam: We had about an 8 hour layover in Amsterdam. Kris and I took a train from the airport to the center of the city and had ourselves a nice afternoon eating and people-watching under the mid-August Dutch sun.

The beautiful Central Train Station in Amsterdam. Notice the bikes.

Next to the Central Train Station.....a SEA of bikes.....Why can't we in the U.S. do this? Pedal-power to the max.

A tourist boat cruising down one of the canals.

A jet-lagged but very witty and beautiful Kristine Marie holding a glass of Amstel.

A biker crusing the streets of the 'Dam.

Another canal shot

Thursday, June 4
The end of a long and hectic week. We celebrated Seth's birthday today on the rooftop of the apartment building. These photos were taken at a surprise party gathering for him. The workers had delivered all the food, carpets, and "poofs"(the little stuffed footstools) to the top or our 4 story building during the afternoon. We enjoyed a supper hour up above the world, so to speak, and it was the perfect end to the week.

Dinner for the Schutz Staff

Wednesday, June 3

Today, the Grades 4,5,6 students spent the day on the grounds of the former King of Egypt. This area is called Montaza Beach. We left school at 8:30, arrived at the beach by 9:00 and spent the rest of the day there..As you can see, the children had a good time, as did the teachers. I spent a good part of the morning patrolling the waters making sure that students did not wander too far out into the sea.
The other pictures are from last night, June 2, when the Schutz School hosted all the Egytian workers and their families at a dinner and dance festival. These are the men and women who clean the rooms, vacuum the floors, do the heavy "grunt" work around school. It was so VERY cool to see them all dressed up for this event, and to meet and greet their families. It was a wonderful occasion and so much fun.




Two Grade 4 boys relaxing in their sand cave

Teachers and students having a good time.

The G-Man and Mr. Hustle posing for the camera

Adrija and Yun-Kyung relaxing in the surf.

The students discover a Huge Jellyfish

Mr. or Mrs. Dead Jellyfish

Aly---one very nice young man in my room One of the Grade 4 students

This is either a faculty meeting or bunch of teachers with nothing but time on their hands.

The bus we rented to take us to the beach.

Awatef, the lady who cleans our apartment, with her family...

More members of Awatef's family

Hoda, one of the cleaning women at the school with her son..She ALWAYS has a smile on her face.....

I don't know this man's name..but he is a very nice guy, and check out his grand-daughter's hat!!!

This is proud papa, Karom, and his family...his son is next to him. Behind him is his wife. You can't see his two-week old daughter who was behind his son. Karom is the man who vacuums my classroom, cleans our thrid-floor hallway....He is a wonderful young man.

Pool Party, Science Fair, Mike's Birthday

Photos Taken Within the Last Week: Mike's Birthday----Grades 4-6 Science Fair----Grade 5 Pool Party




Mike's Birthday Cake-Half Chocolate/Half Fruit

Mikey and Mouse--At Kelly's apt. where we ate the birthday cake the day after our fish trip. You've heard of three blind mice--Kelly has two sight-challenged pets. They're very old, by mouse standards (over two years old)

I think there is a mouse on my left hand

We pose for the cameras after our meal

Mike and Kris--Sunset over the Med. as we await our fishy dishy

Kelly, a teacher at school, who along with Massimo, treated us to dinner, talking to another, much younger, guest at Zepherion Restaurant

Kelly and Massimo pose for the camera

Another view of the outside of Zepherion Restaurant

Outside of Zepherion Restaurant

The View Outside Zepherion Restaurant-Where we went to eat for my birthday on Friday, May 29 Aya---She was the top 5th grade winner at the science fair with her experiment in which she tested various dish soaps.

Malini-She tested laundry soaps to see which one best removes ink stains.

Malini, who is from India, explaining her experiment

Aly-the Grade 5 second-place champ, and his displa of light dimmer circuitry.

Hussein---He took vanilla ice-cream, added various food colorings, and had people choose their favorite "flavor"---based on color.

The head of food services at Schutz, Seham, who provided food for the judges.

One of the judges talking to Aly about his circuit experiment

Dr. C., our principal and a judge, Aly, and the other Grade 5 judge

Nada and her "Music and Math" display--she played music for students while they worked on math problems to determine if the music helped or hindered them as they worked

The judge looks at Farah's display.

Ghali and his rubber gloves--he tested different toothpastes and their effectiveness in removing stains from teeth

Vighnesh---and his display-he used Mentos and put them in various soft drinks to test for "fizzability".

Ghali displaying his knowledge of dental cleansers

Nadine and her "Does Age Affect Your Memory" display..Answer: Yes, take it from me

Yun-Kyung explains how salt affects the freezing rate of ice

Ahmed froze and heated playground balls to test for "bounceability"

Our handy-dandy Science Fair sign

Grade 5 pool party--May 24th at the school pool. The Grade 5 students had brought in the most foods last fall during the school's food drive for the poor. The reward was to have a pool party with ice cream and pizza

Pool Part Pic

Girls don't want to be photographed

Macho men and Ms. Kelly, high school math teacher

Shahan keeping cool in the pool

Thumbs-Up from Ahmed