When the Stars Aligned and I Ended up at an Egyptian Wedding Reception
During my first night in Cairo, my guide took me on a Nile River dinner cruise. There was music, delicious food, and…a newlywed couple had their walima (Islamic marriage banquet) in the same room! There I was, sipping rose, and in walks the bridal party. The timing could not have been better. I excitedly made my way over to the couple to congratulate them, and my guide translated. We even took pictures together - isn’t she beautiful?!!?
They cut the cake and danced together, much like American wedding receptions I have attended. Interestingly, one of the songs played during the cake-cutting seemed WAY out of place…but I think that it’s because I’m used to hearing it during a different season. Do you recognize it?
There was also a bellydancer. She was very talented, but I felt like a creeper trying to get video footage of her, lol! Let me assure you, though, that regardless of how conservative or liberal the culture, when you put a half-nekkid chick in a room who gyrates effortlessly to music…the hetero men present will lose their GOT DANG MINDS! Kudos to the newly-married hubby, though, for not ogling and keeping his eyes on his bride. He clearly read The Man Rules before he got married.
I made a friend as well, but I don’t remember her name ;(. She was really sweet, and we made small talk for a few minutes in my broken Arabic and her mediocre English. I met her parents, her aunt, and her aunt’s friend. It became a bit of a family affair with “The American.” Loved it!
On my second day in Egypt, I attended service at the sole functioning Christian church in Cairo. I found them online before my visit, and requested to visit St. Andrew’s as part of my itinerary. I’m not going to lie - a teeny part of me was concerned that the church might be a target for, um, terrorists. You have to conquer fears like that head-on, ya know? No terrorist is going to stop me from travel, or worship, or anything. I felt at peace when I entered the sanctuary, and was welcomed by a very small but diverse congregation. I took this picture after the service (because, you know, etiquette and such):
Afterwards, we toured the Old Christian Quarter, as well as the Mosque of Amr ibn al-As. I found it cool that my guide kept referring to Jesus as “Jesus the Christ,” when I usually just call Him Jesus, or Savior, or something not involving “the Christ” afterwards. It was a nice reminder ;). An adorable youngster kept staring at me during my tour, and after I smiled at her for a few minutes, her family encouraged her to approach me. We took a picture together; maybe she thought I was Beyonce? HA! Peep that glow on my forehead as well. It was HOT!
Up next - Alexandria, my birthday celebration, and more fun with kiddos!
