Cinnamon Tea: Cycling Thoughts

On our few days away we did quite a lot of cycling. We've stayed in the same place a few times now but never really talked to people that much there. But being on a bike meant we kept stopping to greet people we passed- the weather was beautiful and there were a lot of people outside. Before we left I visited a lady who I'd met cleaning outside her house and K and I ended up having lunch with them and we were all invited back to go on a picnic and attend her brother's upcoming wedding! We're excited to have a new 'clan' open up to us in area where we don't know anyone before.

Even though cycling is frowned upon for women (shameful) and for men even (only poor people who can't afford a car should cycle if they have to) and even though I wouldn't recommend being culturally inappropriate wherever possible, it felt like a good thing to do away from home and everyone we met was very positive about it. One lady even asked me to stop and teach her how to cycle! I was interested reading an article on the BBC website by Rebecca Lowe who had crazily/bravely cycled from the UK to Iran. I found what she said really interesting and I'd agree with her analysis from my two days of being on a bike:

I'd chosen a bicycle for its simplicity and slowness of pace, and its immersive, worm's-eye view. On a bike you don't just observe the world but are absorbed within it.You are seen as unthreatening and endearingly unhinged, and are welcomed into people's lives.

The Middle East is a risky place, but the risks are primarily political. Beyond the pockets of conflict and terror highlighted daily in the media lies a broader reality: that of warm, compassionate communities living normal, everyday lives.

(Rebecca Lowe)

On our second day of bike riding we went to the ruins of an ancient Isl Egyptian university (c1100-1500). It's a really fun place to explore. We also stopped by the tahini mill, though it wasn't working because they were out of sesame seeds.