2 Religions observing

An early start today, waking up from a deep sleep, I got myself organised for a trip across the Great Nile to Luxor, to visit 'ACE'...an animal hospital on the East Bank of Luxor, where I am a volunteer.

The first thing I notice as I walk up the steps to the corniche (From the West Bank People Ferry) is............It's so quiet. No caleche, no cars, no taxis, no buses, no people, no hastle...?? It's wonderful! BUT.....'What's happened?' (Eh Fi?.. As we say here)

I head to the train station and cross through to the other side of the railway track, to where the souk is (Fabulous fresh fruit, veg and live poultry) and the bus station, where I catch a bus to Sharia El Habil....Mustashfa ACE.

Shops are closed, very few people on the streets.....Pre-election I think? More than that....it's eery.......

The beauty of ACE is that it is a family, we have been together for many years, and we are a team of all cultures and religions. Muslim, Coptic, English, Korean, Australian, French, Spanish and Italian it goes on...I sensed that there was something happening, as the streets were abnormally silent. So I asked Dr.Esmaa, she told me it was the first day of the Muslim New Year (Ras as-Sanah al-Hijriyah) a 3 day holiday for the Muslim people, hence the streets were quiet. She made me smile, as she didn't realise it was this day herself until she tried to catch a bus and there weren't any!

Meanwhile, a Korean volunteer, who has amazing baking skills, had arrived with a cake for everyone. A gorgeous vegan, chocolate, muffin type cake...scrummy....no eggs, no milk and no dairy in her cakes, but boy they are so moist, tahina was used in this one!

Whilst having a munch and chat with the others, it came up in conversation that the Coptic members were fasting, so they couldn't eat the cake. They are on the second day of 'Malad el Mashweya' (Jesus Born/Nativity Fast) which lasts for 45 days until their Christmas Day on the 7th January. The fasting only allows, fresh fruit, vegetables and fish. No dairy. Basically anything that has come from an animal, or the animal it'self, is not allowed. Being it was a totally vegan cake, the Coptic guys soon were enjoying a slice!

I find it so interesting that, the two major events have been entwined and have respect from both sides. All are working together....no barriers...one big united family.

This photo captures both beliefs and one gathering what he has sown and another enjoying what has been sown...............The radish!