CAIRO

Patricia slipped into Simple, an upscale boutique here in Laguna Beach California. There is a subtle but visible difference in the boutique as though arranged by an artist from a more beautiful world. That would be Sammy to whom I chat while Patricia's keen artistic eyes fondle the fabrics. This is her favorite exclusive shop. A she browses for a few minutes, someone offers to show her an even more beautiful dress.

 

Sammy is vibrant and animated. I mention my Life List which includes walking the streets of Cairo and sailing up the Nile. He directs me to the far end of his store where he introduces me to Jennie Hesham Elmished, his English wife from New York, I can hear a little London in her voice.  It's not long before the four of us are chatting over dinner.

 

 

 I drive downtown to join Sammy and Jenni for coffee and breakfast at Zinc Caffe. This is how life ought to be.  

 

“Try, try, try, try.” Sammy tells me: “That is the difference between Egypt and America. Americans try, try, try. Try new things, open minded. 

 

Buy Egypt does not try new things because of the Nile. Each year the Nile fills the Egyptian flood plane with fresh, nutrient rich silt. So rich is it that Egyptian farm work is very light. They don’t have to work the land. The rich silt grows everything in great abundance. Every year it is the same, why try anything new? No need to try, try, try.”

 

An epiphany, the Pyramids of Egypt were possible only because of that rich silt flooding from the Nile, creating an unparalleled abundance, that is the foundation of the great Pyramids.

Months later Sammy mentions an Egyptian wedding and invites us to it and a personal introduction to Cairo. Then the pandemic ruffles our plans but Jennie gives us four books to read as we think of traveling to Egypt.

 

Click HERE for Streets of Cairo article. 

 

Patricia finds a fifth book! (We are midway into this novel.)