pre-Christmas Cairo

We have been to two Chirstmas-y events so far this December; the first was the BCA (British Cairo Association) Christmas Ball and the second was carol singing and instrument playing on a fellucca on the Nile.
We went to the BCA Ball with Caz and Dave last year and this year they organised an even larger group. There were two tables that they organised, but soon after we arrived we realised there were at least another dozen colleagues at other tables around the room. A free bar meant an early arrival to make the most of imported booze and then the shenanigans commenced! Scotty and Dave had decided that the occasion called for a new suit and they managed to purchase two of the Grand Mall's finest specimens. After dinner (which was better food than last year, but still only OK) there was dancing (band was much better than last year, but no Soul Calibre! :( ) until we gradually made our weary ways home.

Last night about 50 colleague hired three felluccas and went onto the Nile to sing carols, drink mulled wine and eat mince pies (from the only bakery in Maadi that makes them!). Last year we did this and it was freezing so we all wrapped up warm, but the weather turned out to be more pleasant this year. Last year too Scotty and JT had brought along their guitars and a few song books for carolling, but this year there was a whole box of alphabetical song books and a range of musicians. Kate had her banjo, Ihab his table to add some rhythm and to add the top notes the Felukuleles made their debut performance. Much fun was had, and the ukes impressed even themselves with their sight-reading of the carols.