The 10 Commandments and MIPA Framework

As promised from my last post, here is a picture of one of my favorite lanterns that was displayed for Ramadan. I am so mad at myself for not purchasing one when I arrived! I guess I will just have to come back to the region for upcoming Ramadans in the future!

Updates on work:

Work has continued to challenge me and keep me busy here at UNFPA. The past couple weeks I have been assisting the Sports for Development officer from the Youth program team with developing a training manual for Coaches on how to run successful youth programs and camps focused on linking sports and sexual reproductive health. I have been so thankful for my Peace Corps service which has aided me in structuring educational trainings and given me ideas on how to create interactive activities. My bosses and fellow volunteers from the health program would be proud to know that I have introduced the country office to the "MIPA" framework! [Motivation, Information, Practice, Application] I continue to be reassured that my past work throughout Central America and the States has given me endless skills and knowledge that I use in my current position. However, it also keeps me humble to know there is so much I still have to learn moving forward. And to be honest, getting to learn while in Egypt feels like I have won some kind of life award!

Additionally, I am working with my supervisor on strategies to improve the existing Youth-focused Health Centers in Egypt for providers and patients. In July, there will be a training session for youth healthcare providers so the thoughtful development on how to better serve the unique needs of youth is important to understand and hear from the people that work in the field. 

Apart from these projects, the Youth team is working through some ideas to create innovative entrepreneurship to combat the downfalls of youth's access to health services. The ideas stirring so far have been interesting so I look forward to sharing those developments in the future. 

Updates on life:

Since my last post, I have been fortunate to go on a few adventures around the country. Just before the close of Ramadan, I finally visited Khan el-Khalili. This famous market is full of souvenirs, shisha cafes, spices and incense, and Egyptian crafts. I arrived to the market, just in time for the fast-breaking prayer so all of the mosques, little and big, were full of life. The famous Al-Hussein Mosque was surrounded by prayer mats and families, lit up in a bright green and announcing a verse from the Quran to break the fast. 

I explored the market and stopped to ask some shop keepers about their crafts and of course, to try some sweets. There are so many cafes and shisha spots tucked into the nooks of the market that I hope to try when I visit again soon. Most importantly: I need to learn the correct pricing of the crafts and jewelry soon so that I have keepsakes to bring back to New York!

During the Eid break I traveled to Sharm el Sheikh with the other interns here at UNFPA. I did not realize that we would have a long weekend off work and was very excited about the prospect of escaping the city and seeing the Red Sea for my very first time. The flight from Cairo only took us about an hour in total and the view from my window seat honestly looked like we were flying over Mars! 

For those unfamiliar, Sharm is located at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula. The land was historically uninhabited until military forces realized its perfect location for water control in the early 1900's. These days however, Sharm el Sheikh is full of resorts and tourists. For those coming to visit, there are unending opportunities for adventure activities by land and sea.

The coast of Sharm is absolutely stunning. The water is aqua blue, contrasting beautifully with golden cliffs of sand. This area of Sinai is also well known for its extensive coral reefs and diving areas. From the shore of our hotel, you could jump into the crystal blue water and see diverse colors and shapes of exotic fish and sea life. 

Tempted by the endless varieties of tours in and around Sharm, the interns and I departed on an overnight hike of Mount Sinai (Moses Mountain) the second night of our stay. Mount Sinai/Moses Mountain is believed to have been the mountain in which Moses met God and declared the 10 commandments, as stated in the Christian Old Testament and Jewish Torah. At the base of Mount Sinai is the St. Catherine Monastery, one of the oldest running christian monasteries in the world, built in the mid-500's. It also contains the burning bush replica, a well that has been producing water for centuries, and the oldest, continuously running library in the world.

As we hiked over night, the dark, steep climb took roughly 2.5 hours to reach the summit. The hike up was full of little bedouin huts selling tea, coffee, and snacks. The last chunk of the climb is 750 steep steps and luckily we made it just in time to watch the sunrise! I cannot even begin to describe what it was like to watch the dusk break and this giant, magnificent ball of light emerging from behind the black silhouettes of the pointy mountains.

The descent was tricky on the slippery sand and rock and it did not help that I was doing it all with a broken toe! When I made it to the base of the steps, I decided the help of a camel was going to be the only way to get me down the mountain. The view from 10 feet off the ground was amazing, even though my camel loved walking really close to the edges of the trails, giving me one too many heart palpitations. 

After returning back to Cairo, I have been making new friends and trying a lot of great food. I cannot believe it took me 25 years to try Egyptian food! The other day I was invited to a dinner at Abou el Sid, a famous Egyptian restaurant and ate a pigeon! As crazy as that may sound to some, I think it is more delicious than chicken! I cannot believe I have been here for nearly a whole month. Looking forward to the continued adventures in food, culture, and experience here in Cairo.