Being in Egypt: The Surreal

Traveling to an ancient country like Egypt speaks to the long emotional memory of our roots as human beings. We hear the dates long Before Christ (B.C.), and we feel it in our DNA that our own history ties to this long-off place we have only seen in media, in artifacts, and in history classes. Then, you stand in front of your first pyramid and look up at the towering mystery that is a tomb for some distant king. And there you have it - the surreal experience of beholding a 6-step pyramid at Sakura first constructed around 2700 B.C. Thousands and thousands of years have passed, yet the uniqueness of this first stone pyramid, built high into the sky exceeding the usual one-step pyramids that existed prior, has stood the test of time.

The Egyptian vendors steal away your moment as they call out $1 for your very own turbin, $2 for your very own mini pyramids and $10 for your very own papyrus calendar. We are told to avoid them, but the vendors are playful, wrapping our heads in turbans, asking us if we want to get on the donkey, insisting we want a free picture with them and the pyramid. We break down at the lightness of turbans and donkeys, and realize that the snapping of these photos will be a memory never forgotten. And of course that free picture comes to a $1 for the guy with the donkey, a $1 for the kid on the horse, and a $1 for the vendor offering his shared turban for a timeless picture.

To be buried by the great King Zoser is considered an honor. So, smaller pyramids are built near the 6-step, and others go to the afterlife knowing that greatest honor of having their own tomb burial near such a great Man and immense pyramid.

Our travel route to the first pyramid carried us through the streets of Giza. Delayed by our police escort due to fog, we anticipated our first full Egyptian day and what was ahead. As we waited, we began to think about police escorts and security guards and what this meant. Not having considered Egypt to be unsafe since the time between their 2011 revolution had lengthened to almost 7 years, we were to learn otherwise that Egypt had put into place precautions to ensure foreigners are safe. After all, we are still visiting a developing country and that comes at me like a quick slap in the face. Of course, safety looks different.

After the first of many security delays, we were finally looking out our bus window seeing the City and modern Egypt pass us by. The mounds of garbage collecting along the canal, sides of the streets, and generally floating in water are our first glimpse into a peculiar problem that cannot be ignored, yet is in fact wholly ignored. Later, we will learn that government spends much money on sports centers, including all the lighting it takes to be open at night when the country cools off some, yet the collection of garbage is given no priority. As a tourist, I know that I would rather see clean streets than brightly lighted sports centers. How do Egyptians handle this type of prioritizing? What does it say about the pride in their country, especially since tourism is their #1 source of income?

On the drive we spotted dome-shaped concrete or mud structures of various sizes. The dome-shaped mounds have many holes where pigeons can go to roost. A delicacy in Egypt, they are fattened and served up as a meal. A somewhat difficult thing for Americans to visualize or even want to imagine as we have been taught that our own pigeons are often unclean. We also see egrets, considered friends to the farmer because they eat the bugs that can kill crops. The egret is a white bird, also called an Ibsis. In comparison a crane is black and grey.

Rice is an every day meal in Egypt, which we quickly learn at our own meals - rice is even served at breakfast. The government had to make a decision in recent years to withhold water from the rice fields, as the people needed what water there was. This shortage might mean a rice shortage in the near future, which could be devastating for the people of Egypt. While they have other crops to depend on like cotton, sugar cane, and dates, the every day dependence on rice could be a hardship for certain.

For us, it was even more meaningful that same day when we visited the Carpet store where we learned the difference between the knotting and weaving of carpets. In addition, the owner conducted a show and tell on the dazzling flipping of carpets to show the changing of colors as you turn a carpet. Silk changes colors as you flip it, and weaving has the same pattern on both sides. An impressive endeavor: it can take 4 people an entire year to knot a patterned carpet.

All in all it was a very good day with a visit to the Imhotep Museum, the pyramids, and Egyptian lunch, and the carpet store.

Masks Galore

This Spring brought a tradition from the Fort Collins Museum of Arts for our first time enjoyment. In its eleventh year, this is a signature event for the Museum to raise funds to support its existence. Beyond that goal, it seems to me that the event has encompassed what a Museum of Art is all about. It brings together community artists who can express themselves in a multitude of ways. Starting with a plain white ceramic mask form, any community member can bring the blank mask canvas to life. And the many ideas of life can be seen in the hundreds of ideas that take shape in the masks. We received tickets courtesy of Carolina Westers, a local real estate agent. It was through Carolina's generosity that we entered one of our favorite worlds at the end of April 2015: into the World of expression through the many Masks that can be worn in life. And here we go - Jeff at the entrance of the Masks exhibit with title and explanation of the auction process.

The auction came in a silent auction format. With its brilliant organization, they made it easy to place bids next to the mask and track your bids on a type of scorecard. The museum also had a Gala night where one of the masks was bid on, bringing thousands of dollars in donation to the project before the community auction had even begun. This is a picture of the mask upon which bidding brought a nice chunk of change. If I remember right, I think the mask went for around $6,000.

Back at the Museum, we took our first tour of the masks the afternoon before the big auction night. Here's some examples, including a peek at the bidding forms. Where to start? There are so many interesting and fun expressions. These two masks show the art form in two different formats: one with an eye included in the mask and another with a very abstract painting not depicting eyes forthright. Jeff and I had our own criteria when we decided on bidding, with a "go" or "no go" criteria being that the mask had to have left the eyes intact in some way, or at the very least not have blocked them behind the art.

What about double points for the mask over the mask? This artist was overachieving when he or she reflected the art of the mask in double-time.

Another one, with double-meaning, had word art meet visual art. "There are possibilities in all I see". I favor the masks that bring light and hope to the world like this one. Thus, you will see less of the masks that shed darkness through artistic form.

So, are you wondering yet what Jeff and I bid on? Well, wonder a little more. I have a few more fun masks to show. What about an animal mask?

Do you ever feel like an octopus has taken over your brain and dribbled into your view of the world?

Okay, here's one we bid on, but didn't win. It's called Eternal Child, and who wouldn't want a little eternal child hanging around?

Here's one we didn't bid on, but absolutely fascinated me. In a country driven by finances, the bull and the bear obsessing one's sight and mind is a startling way to make the financial world come to life. I've attached the artist's interpretation of the mask, which I think is quite eloquently written.

Okay, I will give you a slight peek at the ones that Jeff and I may have taken home. You can see more interpretation by the artists.

The night of the silent auction was bustling with activity. They had a very fun activity for the kids, of which I was in gratitude to the museum staff member who thought to entertain the kids. Lexi and Gabi don't actually care for masks that much - but I guess as a child who lives with a wall full of masks outside their bedroom door, he or she might have certain nightmares of faces haunting him or her at night. They did enjoy the scavenger hunt; going around and finding masks that answered the questions on the activity sheet.

You could say these kids took the hunt fairly seriously. They look like they are deep in thought - really trying to come up with the best answers that work for them. And what about my silly husband? When he went back later that night to do the final bidding, he decided to wear one of our masks to the finale. Notice the color coordinated shirt and mask.

The Masks exhibit was more of a process than just an exhibit, bringing the truest form of interaction to art. Yes, we might be biased because we love masks. Nonetheless, I think you can appreciate the many fine attributes such an exhibit and fundraiser can bring to the community. Here's the two masks that we won. We had to take down many of our masks and rearrange around these two wondrous and imposing pieces.

My favorite was the dryad, which complimented our fairy theme beautifully. Jeff's favorite was "Age before Beauty". Such a great ending to a fun and meaningful event.

Farm @ Lee Martinez Park: Where Past Meets Present

This farm, run by the City of Fort Collins, is a combination of current, hands-on farm activities with farm history of the region.

We went before the pony rides started again for the year, so it was pretty quiet. Our family of twelve had the farm almost to ourselves.

The farm is very well-maintained and very picturesque. This is the kind of beauty the farm depicts to the visitor.

There is a small inside museum sponsored by the Rotary Club. It has history such as branding irons used within the area and the history of wheat in the region.

The kids found a few things to play on.

I think the family's favorite overall was the family huddle around the tractor. Does it get any funner than a family pic on farm equipment? Actually, it does. Stay tuned!

In the bigger, grassy area there were many pieces of farm equipment: hammer mill, combine, binder, corn sheller, plows and more.

Of course, the kids were most entertained by the ant hill.

And the adults? We were definitely most entertained by a fun picture in front of the demonstration garden of our jumping family. FYI...I imagine the demonstration garden is beautiful in the Summer & Fall.

Lots of animals at the farm (of course)! We couldn't believe how huge the turkeys were. My grandbaby, Eli, finally woke up for a little turkey viewing.

Everyone liked petting the horses.

And the ducks presented themselves swimming around the pond, just like good, little ducks should :-)

And what would be a farm without the cows? Did someone do some pen hopping? Not our girls...

The grain elevator was something we could walk up and through with an air walkway joining to the barn. The walkway was fun to stand on and look out on the farm.

Art's tool shed had more information about the cows and the milk they produce.

The kids were obsessed with the old water pump! Would that have been true in the old days when it was a chore? Doubtful!

Lots of time to share our family fun poses. It was a peaceful, fun, and joyous day at the farm!!

The end!