The Fish Garden

---

At the southern part of Zamalek is a park called the Fish Garden. It has concrete grottos where aquariums are supposed to be and landscaped gardens and we thought it might be a nice place to look around. As in other Egyptian parks, a small entry fee supposedly keeps away undesirables. Our first clue that something was amiss was when we were walking around it to the gate and came across someone outside the fence peeking in through the bushes. All we could see inside was a young couple sitting on a seat, so concluded the peeper was some kind of weirdo. On entry, we found that not only were there no fish to be found, but that the whole place was full of canoodling Muslim couples. Yes that's right, full-on pashing up, groping, the whole kit and canoodle and in full view of everyone. Whaddya know, we found the Inspiration Point of Cairo. It got embarrassing after a while, even to our brazen infidel eyes. What's worse is when we left, we saw more voyeurs peeping into the fence. And we thought that public displays of affection were frowned upon in Egyptian society... Erin suggested we go back and sneak photos of the canoodlers, but then we would look like perverts too...

Our room is really hot. A ceiling fan was installed but all it does is blow the hot air around. We were here when the workers installed the fan, and they demanded juice and seeds and left a big mess. At night, it is so hot the floor is hot. The room is on a corner and the masonry heats up on both sides during the day. The windows are open but we have the fine grille mosquito windows closed or else we get mosquitos. Egyptian mosquitos aren't like NZ ones, they are quick and easily dodge the flyswat Lesandre gave us. They will also bite you anywhere that is exposed, such as your hands, face and the top of your head. I think if we had all the windows open it would help the air circulate, but Erin says that then we would be dead from a lack of blood. Even Erin gets bitten by the mosquitos.

We have been eatings lots of yummy summer fruit like peaches, apricots and watermelons. The fruit shops in Zamalek are expensive so we buy them over the bridge in Bulaq. We have been eating local snack food like fuul (stewed broad beans), ta'amiya (falafel) and kushari (lentil/rice/macaroni mixture) and enjoying fresh juices like sugarcane, tamarind and mango. Usually we cook dinner at home. Mum you would like the lovely fresh wholemeal pita bread that's available daily, it's the cheapest bread because everyone thinks white pita bread or white bread rolls are better. We get it for 15pt each (less than 5 cents apiece).

---

Photos

Erin in Mohandiseen after we decided to go on a whimsical after-lunch walk in 39 degree heat

This is our room, unfortunately Erin messed it up, I keep tellng him to be tidy...

This is the result after I asked some of the Sudanese ladies if they could braid my hair

This is Iskander's turtle, it lives by the cathedral guardhouse

Iskander says his turtle is called Umm Ali, which is the name of a famous Egyptian pudding!

Comments

[nicelilsis]

what a cute little turtle haha inspiration point, you should have started singing 'i found my thrill on blueberry hill' a la richie cunningham. haha lack of blood from mosquitos

[Jan]

All great!
This is all really, really amazing. Glad you found some time to catch up with some turtles too - I know that you like them!