Christmas in Egypt

This is not the first year that I've spent Christmas abroad, without family and without snow but it was the first Christmas that I spent in a country that largely does not recognize the holiday. Cairo, as a metropolitan city, has a rather large expat community that demands a small Christmas market, nonetheless I think it would not have been difficult to pass through the 25th of December without special recognition. While the past few years in the States I have tried to deny the materialist side of Christmas this year I realized how much sentiment it adds to the holidays: no parades, no Christmas carols, no decorations in the streets, no "Merry Christmas" greetings... At the same time, it was a beautiful thing not to have think about Christmas shopping or what to wear to Christmas parties and all the stresses that come with the holidays! (If Christmas stresses you out you should consider celebrating in a Muslim country because then you only make it what you want it to be!)

With Lies in town it was a whirlwind of a week during which time we did our best to bring in the holiday cheer. While I cannot say it had a very Christmas-y feeling we had tons of fun and perhaps I should just consider it a 'different' way to celebrate.

Pict 1: our "family" Christmas dinner. My friends, foreigners and Egyptians, Christians and Muslims got together for a potluck dinner on the 25th. Being that it was the holidays and most of us were without family and tradition many of us splurged to make our favorite food. I finally found avocados and made guacamole! It was the fastest dish to disappear which only contributes to the "different" way to celebrate Christmas!

Picture 2: After "mid-night" mass- that was supposed to start at 11, but the choir started around 11:30 sang for 40 minutes and didn't really end until 2am-- we celebrated Jesus's b-day in the club! I celebrate my b-day in the club, why wouldn't Jesus! We even drank wine in the club bc ya know, Jesus turned water to wine! Happy Birthday JESUS!!

Picture 3: The Christmas choir at church. It truly was beautiful and was possibly the only time it REALLY felt like Christmas; no matter in what language the Choir sings "Silent Night" it can always bring a tear... One of my Muslim friends accompanied us for his first time in a church. I was once again able to say, "When you can bring this kind of music in a mosque, I will consider converting!..." I interpreted the readings for him that were in French and he interpreted the Homily in Arabic! love multi-lingual masses!

Picture 4: one of the last nights of finals week my two friends showed up at my door with a surprise Christmas tree! It might be a bit lopsided, but its real and brings a Christmas smell every time we walk in the door. Amanda and I took a small study break to decorate it and here she gave it appropriately gave it a garland turbin!

Like on Thanksgiving, my friends united to create our own "family." I once again feel blessed to have such great new friends and memories with them. At the same time, thanks to technology, I was able to share a bit of holiday spirit with close friends and family at home. HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!! and a (belated) Merry Christmas to all!