Not a Bad Weekend

Three things of note happened on the weekend.

1. Microbus Adventure

I’m now decently well-versed in the art of the microbus. The lesson lasted about five hours. Actually, I think Mai and I spent more time walking than taking microbuses…they were ridiculously hard to find when we needed them the most. We still managed to get out to Heliopolis and to Haram (the road that leads to the Pyramids). And, for the first time, I saw those giant miraculous works, albeit from a distance. The day’s culinary highlight occurred at sunset when we stumbled upon this small café on a dirt street in the shadow of the Pyramids. Contained in it is possible the best fuul Iskandarone (fava beans, Alexandria-style) this side of Alexandria.

2. Horizontal Shawerma

This is not a common site in Cairo. You’ll normally see the vertical variety, sizzling away with the help of a gas-fired element. So, when I came across the horizontal equivalent, surprise was imminent. Surprise quickly turned into curiosity, so I had to ask Mai to ask the guy why his shawerma was horizontal. Perhaps a bit embarrassing for an Egyptian, but to be fair Mai wasn’t sure either. After a small conversation, of which I understood two words, it was determined that the shawerma was as it was because the guy was using coal to cook the meat, not gas. You have to respect a guy willing to cook old-time style for commercial purposes.

3. Meat Symphony vs. Meat Poetry

Well, the spoken word won this battle. Congrats to Tom on a masterful job. His implementation of “working class” flavours overpowered my attempt at subtle, “aristocratic” flavours. I did, however, come up with a solid vegetable: tomatoes stuffed with kareesh, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, cucumbers, and garlic, and then grilled to almost-perfection. Both Tom and I agree that there will be many more sound vs. word battles in the future. Stay tuned. Oh, and a much more detailed report will be posted on the food blog. Just not sure when I’ll get around to it.