Smell the Breezes

Today Egypt celebrates the Spring holiday Sham el Nessim, "Smell the Breezes". The winds certainly cooperated. Lots of fresh air blew over the city and the sky was full of homemade kites. This national holiday gives families a chance to enjoy the outdoors.

This morning Mom, Dad and I walked along Road 9 in my old neighbourhood. One of the salesmen from the Pharaonic Flowers shop crossed the street to present me with a beautiful bouquet of three pink roses, a pink lily, and a pink gerber. What a lovely gesture!

Later, the temperature was perfect for an outdoor lunch at Condetti restaurant. Boxes of geraniums bloomed all around us. New life emerged with the season.

Sham el Nessim originated as a pharaonic holiday. Now it is celebrated on the Monday immediately after Coptic Easter. The barista at Caffe Greco presented Mom with a chocolate Easter bunny on her hot chocolate. Some people are so talented!

Later in the afternoon, the spring breezes returned us to Luxor. Cat seemed more than ready to return home. Vacationing can be so tiring! And so we are back among the palms, safe and sound. Well . . . perhaps 'sound' will come after a good night's sleep.