Cairo's Champions

You know you’re a Cairo Champion when you live in makeshift sleeping arrangements out in the desert, with what appears to be the sole purpose of serving tea.

One of the more appreciated moments yesterday morning was the cup of tea at the half-way point of our equine excursion. Our hands were frozen from holding on for dear life, and I believe the Australian, Natasha, had never been so cold in her life (even in Switzerland).

The tea guy had a little fire going, plenty of cups, a seemingly inexhaustible supply of sugar, tea, and gallons upon gallons of water. How did he keep the fire going if there are no trees in the desert? While I very astute observation, it appeared that the man could make sand burn (in fact, branches were brought to him).

His sleeping arrangements were modest: a piece of foam and a blanket inside a makeshift “tomb-like” structure. I’m pretty sure I’ve doghouses bigger, but that only meant that the man had to be commended for the ability to live without superfluous luxuries that we all seem to enjoy. There were a few other similar arrangements set up within earshot of our particular stopping place. So it does appear that there is a team of such tea guys.

Farzina, Mustafa, Natasha, Amr, Karim, Miguel, and myself would all like to extend our heartfelt thanks for being there with piping hot tea yesterday morning.