I've been to three Iftars so far, and beginning to feel like all I do is eat, eat, eat. I think I've gained ten pounds since August 1. And you know - it is IMPOSSIBLE to say no, stop, that's enough, thank you very much. They act like they don't hear you!
Last night I was invited to my colleague, Nagwa's home for Iftar. Nagwa's apartment is in Zemalik. Absolutely gorgeous place, full of antiques, gilt mirrors, gorgeous carpets. I met Nagwa's daughter, Noura, who is getting married soon and furnishing her own apartment. Nagwa took Noura to New York to find a wedding dress. This is an obviously wealthy family - Noura told us all the places her grandmother has taken her over the years: Malaysia, Japan, San Diego, Europe, etc. etc. Grandma herself was at the Iftar. The family owns three floors of the building, with Nagwa's brother and his family on the floor above her, and the other brother and his family on the floor below. The huge balcony is on the Nile. The only thing I can't figure out is - why on earth is Nagwa working at the Embassy?!
The table was literally covered end to end with huge platters of lamb, turkey, roast beef, stuffed cabbage leaves, stuffed zuchini, pastichio (my favorite!), etc. I couldn't finish the first plate Nagwa loaded up for me, yet she kept adding to it and ignored my protests. Fortunately, the meal was mostly meat and veggies, not that many carbs. Nagwa and her mother both have diabetes too, which may be why they only had two carbolicious foods on the table. I ended up taking a box of food home, it felt like there were rocks in it.
Well, it was loads of fun, really - but I have got to start turning some of these invitations down. I'm going to another Iftar this week. Aaaak!!
I shot this picture on my ride home from work in the shuttle - it is not an uncommon sight, unfortunately. But they look like they're enjoying the ride! To enlarge any of these pictures, click on them a couple of times.
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