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| The beautiful blooms of Flame Trees have brightened the city. |
In the last 2 weeks, the Flame Trees have bloomed, signaling the start of summer here in Cairo. These beautiful blossoms have 5 main petals, with 4 that are a deep red-orange and the 5th that is speckled with the red-orange, yellow, and white. It seems something blooms each week here in Cairo, but the brilliant change from green to orange across the tree tops has been amazing.
And with those blooms, the temperatures began to rise into the 30's C, which is upper 80's-90's F. It is hot from 9 am to 3 pm as the air feels like an oven. Yet, the early morning hours are wonderfully cool with strong breezes, and the afternoon cools off quickly too allowing the evenings to be pleasant as well. We run the air conditioners during the day when we are home, but we have the windows open throughout the villas to allow the morning and evening breezes to sweep through.
It's also election time here in Egypt--the revolution from more than a year ago has been pointing to this week with the hopes of electing a new leader to help guide this country from what was to what will be. There are so many competing hopes and ideals with about 10 candidates still actively campaigning for votes. And, as you might expect, the campaigning has become a bit tense and negative. Here are a few links to what is happening now...
- candidate has shoe thrown at him at one rally and cancels trip with fears for security
- increasing negative tactics
- Fotouh leading votes from Egyptians abroad
- pro-Brotherhood preacher proclaims voting for liberal or secularist candidate against religion
- military prepares to protect during elections
- Mousa using unconventional campaigners
The elections are this Wednesday and Thursday, May 23 and 24. The kids school has been cancelled for these 2 days, and we're sure there will be warnings from the State Department to watch out for potential unrest. If the previous elections are any indication, the days of election should not be that bad--it's the days after that may create protests or even riots depending on the outcome.
Presidential candidates are not the only ones making controversial statements in an attempt to stand out and gain support. The Coptic are also in the process of narrowing candidates to be their next Pope. One Bishop being considered, Bishoy, recently made the statement that "I call on Christian girls to learn from veiled Muslim women their modesty. Some Christian women might be displeased with me, but the Virgin Mary, St. Demiana and the nuns wore modest clothes.". This led to 100's of Coptic women outside the Papal residency protesting and asking the acting Pope to make a statement to correct the Bishop. You can read that story here.
This obviously is a time to be praying for Egypt.
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