Security Update

Following is the update I received from the American Embassy in Cairo. The Egyptian government is good about keeping bad publicity out of the news here so I was unaware of any of the new incidents listed. Since Monday, the security guards at the Attaba station (where I work and the Khan al-Khalili bizarre stop) are looking inside bags and sacks as people enter the metro. Ramses School has changed it's security and we now have uniformed guards at the gates. I haven't been able to find out if this is just a coincidence or related to recent events. I did have to go to the fabric section of the Khan yesterday but did not notice any change in the way I was watched or treated. I did try to walk in the street as much as possible to avoid the tight crowds of people.

Over the past two weeks there has been a series of security incidents in Cairo, including a bombing at the Khan el-Khalili on February 22 that resulted in the death of a foreign tourist, a stabbing at the Khan el-Khalili on February 27 resulting in the injury of an American citizen, and an incident with a Molotov cocktail on the Metro, on February 28, which did not cause any injuries. These events do not appear to be connected, but there is some indication that additional incidents are planned.

The Egyptian Government has visibly increased security levels in the downtown area, around major tourist sites and at public venues such as shopping centers. We advise Americans to take great care in visiting these sites, to remain strictly alert to their surroundings, and to practice good personal security measures. In the past, terrorist attacks have occurred at major tourist sites in Cairo, at the Khan, for example, but also at the Egyptian Museum on Tahrir Square, and the pyramids, as well as against tourist buses. Hotels in resort areas have also been targeted. Travelers should use caution when visiting destination resorts and hotels without significant physical setback and security procedures.

I do want to make sure to state that I do not feel unsafe and have been serving at the hospital as usual. The residents and I have forged a wonderful bond and I am enjoying my time with them. I have established somewhat of a routine at the hospital now:

• Make rounds to visit with each of the residents
• Supervise and instruct during morning cares
• 11am I serve tea and home-made treats. The rule is, the residents have to leave their room and come to the Activity Room to get them. My new problem is that the residents have decided I should make tea for them whenever they want it, not just at 11am, so some days I don't seem to get anything else accomplished.........Oh well, hospitality is a worthy spiritual gift to have.
  
• After tea those interested play a game, usually Dominos. A few of the residents are in for the long haul but most days we have several revolving chairs. As a resident gets tired or unable to follow task any longer they just get up and walk away mid-hand and another resident sits down and picks up like nothing happened. The residents who are cognitively unable to play sit around the table and offer chatter to keep things lively. Staff members frequently join. They start out standing behind a resident offering unsolicited advice on how to play and within minutes have taken over for them. All in all, it is quite a hilarious sight to witness.
• I am trying to get residents to eat lunch out of their rooms so they will socialize as they eat. I had to start getting a meal as well because the residents have a very hard time eating in front of me and kept trying to give me half of their food. They don't think my granola bar and bottle of Crystal Light is an adequate diet.
  
• Spend the rest of the time trying to get staff to perform skill checks for me. This has become quite a contest of wills. The staff seem to know when I'm going to be out looking for them and disappear and the men like to use our language barrier as a way to pretend they don't understand what I want them to. The charge nurse on the floor really cares for the residents and tries to help me even though she speaks very little English.

Many days when I leave the hospital I feel like I haven't accomplished much and I haven't taken any gigantic steps to make needed changes..........but as I write this and reflect I find myself in awe of all the joy I have received and given. Life is all about the moments!
In Faith-
Denise