Everyday Life

I love this little stretch in Cairo and always have since my very first visit here in 2011.

I think I like it because it has a little bit of everything: art, cafes, the ubiquitous bowab, a dusty, basic houseware shop, flower sellers on the corner, a shop selling silver jewellery, and of course a place for sisha. Everyday things in Cairo. All those every day things we sometimes take for granted.

Our friend, fellow Scot and fellow blipper Gillipaw passed away suddenly on Tuesday this week. Bb and I heard from Lady Findhorn by email late on Wednesday night. We can't take it in and can't help feeling how unfair it is, despite the fact that she had a strong faith and wouldn't feel this way. She was about the same age as us, full of life, kind, adventurous, and had had her fair share of problems those last few years with losing first her mum, then very unexpectedly her dad. She'd continued to be a pillar of strength both in the community and to her family and celebrated with joy and gratitude her two sons' weddings in the last two years. As well as commenting on each other's blips, we once spent a happy afternoon in Glasgow when we met for lunch and it felt like we were in the company of an old friend. Our Scottish connection, shared values and the fact that Bb and she had joint friends outside of blip helped. We were looking forward to welcoming her and her husband into our home over Easter this year. Not to be. Her family must be beside themselves in grief and I hope they find some comfort in their faith. She'll be sorely missed by us on here and we send our sincere condolences and love to her family and friends.