Tonight as I walked home, Christmas cheer seemed to fill the air. It appears that even Cairo is capable of that brisk, fall-y chill that heralds in the holiday season in some parts of the world. Though I would certainly not call it cold, the past few evenings definitely have had that nip in the air. And I love it.
As I walked home from watching The Family Stone (a surprisingly good, though somewhat bittersweet holiday movie), my head was filled with visions of sugarplum fairies, so to speak. Or rather all the delights of the past few days of holiday celebrations. I must say, a few weeks ago when I got over ten voicemails, emails, and Facebook messages about the arrival of the Starbucks Christmas cups - only one of the greatest days of the entire year - I felt a tinge of homesickness. A small part of me clung to the hope that perhaps here Christmas cups are in abundance. After all, Ann and Tock were certain Cairo did not even have Starbucks in the first place. I think some cracks were made about the 'King Tut Starbucks'. And it turns out Cairo boasts at least THREE King Tut Starbucks...So you see there was reason to hope. As soon as we could, Amy and I made the trek to the Starbucks here. I held my breath as I walked in...
To no avail. Surprise, surprise, this Muslim country is not serving their gingerbread lattes in Christmas cups. =)
So although I will have to go without in terms of that small but lovely luxury this holiday season, I have been blessed to ring in the Christmas spirit in many other ways. The Americans were definitely outnumbered by our Australian, Egyptian, and Scottish friends who joined us for our Thanksgiving. Although football in the background, the much anticipated Macy's Day Parade, and our wonderful families (which was the most missed part of all), were sorely missed, we had an amazing day filled with delicious food, enjoying the view of the Nile, and realizing we are all a little fuzzy on the whole Pilgrims and Indians thing (who were these people? Sasquatch? Pocohontas? The Puritans? I can't remember, and I am embarrassed!). Our foreign friends were duly unimpressed with our storytelling abilities, and I resolve to learn all the legitimate facts of the first Thanksgiving for next year.
Yesterday was spent as every day after Thanksgiving should be: decorating for Christmas, of course. Did I miss putting up the beautiful Christmas village and listening to Radio City Music Hall with Ann? Absolutely. (Although I think you were having fun in Honolulu around that time, Mom, so that's a comfort!) But instead we spent the day at dear H and B's apartment, drinking coffee and hot chocolate, eating H's stellar chicken dumplings, watching Christmas movies, listening to Christmas music, playing games, and covering every inch of their home, including a gorgeous tree, in anything red and green and lovely. Luckily for all of us, H and B had their first baby a mere FIVE days ago, so the day was pretty much made perfect by taking turns holding a mostly slumbering and always precious baby.
And now I must run, but as I continue to watch Christmas movies, and enjoy the construction paper snowflakes on the walls of my apartment, I will be thinking of all of you dear friends and family, ringing in the Christmas cheer in your respective corners of the world....
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