Bernadette Simpson's Blog, page 20
March 14, 2009
W: Wadis
W is for Wadis
There are plenty of wadis (dry - most of the time - riverbeds) in the deserts of Egypt. This is a picture taken at Wadi Digla, near Ma’adi, Cairo.
March 12, 2009
L: Lanterns
L is for Lanterns
Not your traditional Ramadan lanterns, these colorful plastic lanterns are relatively new additions to the market (from China). They light up and play Ramadan tunes! These were found in the Ma’adi souq (market). You can learn more about lanterns by reading An ABC Escapade through Egypt or by visiting http://www.bernadettesimpson.com/lanterns.html.
March 11, 2009
H: Hot Springs
H is for Hot Springs
This is Hammam Musa (Moses’ Bath), near El Tor in South Sinai. You must pay to enter these hot springs - which weren’t actually all that hot - but the surrounding palm gardens make for a beautiful walk. And they have ostriches there, too!
March 10, 2009
X: foX
X is for foX - at least in my book 
This is a fennec fox at the Giza Zoo in Cairo, one that the zoo keeper let me hold. (only in Egypt!) If I only I could have returned him to the desert. You can learn more about foxes in Egypt by reading my book, An ABC Escapade through Egypt, or by visiting http://www.bernadettesimpson.com/foxes.html
March 4, 2009
R: Red Sea
R is for the Red Sea
Although this is actually the Gulf of Aqaba, it all generally is referred to as the Red Sea. And this is my favorite spot of all - the Lagoona in Dahab, South Sinai. You will find me there every afternoon in the summer.
March 3, 2009
B: Backgammon
B is for Backgammon
A very popular game with Egyptians, especially with men at coffee shops. This is a black and white close-up shot of a board inlaid with mother of pearl. Most of the boards used in the coffee shops are simple, plain wooden boards. I bought this “fancy” board my first year in Egypt (1993) from the Khan el Khalili in Cairo.
March 2, 2009
S: Socks
S is for Socks
Not your typical socks! These are made of recycled material and usually available from street vendors once the weather turns cool. I love the colors…and my sisters swear that they are perfect for small children to wear around the house because the socks are difficult to pull off! These socks were on sale in the pedestrian tunnel between Road 9 and the Ma’adi souq (market), Ma’adi, Cairo.
L: Lizard
L is for Lizard
This fellow was hiding in shade of a desert plant one sunny afternoon. Taken on a hike in the mountains behind my house in Dahab, South Sinai.
February 28, 2009
M: Mosque
M is for Mosque
This is the largest mosque in Dahab; located in Assalah village along the Red Sea coast in South Sinai. This view of the mosque was taken from my rooftop.
February 27, 2009
F: Feluka
F is for Feluka
And this is a view of a feluka sail taken from the boat - on an afternoon sail down the Nile river near Ma’adi, Cairo. Learn more about felukat by reading my book, An ABC Escapade through Egypt, or by visiting www.bernadettesimpson.com
