It's winding down to the last days here in Egypt, and yes, I'm getting a bit homesick...I know that onceI leave this place, I will miss it more than anything, but for right now, I really miss chicago, and my family...

We start off our day with going to the Mosque. It's the last time we all go (Mazen, Mono, and I). We wash as was expected, and peform the ritual prayer prior to sitting on the floor and awaiting the "sermon". I do not know exactly what it is called in English, but I will refer to it as a sermon because it is easier for me to remember (Greek, eh?)

The time is great. There's a call for prayer over the loudspeaker which could be heard from a long distance away. Men begin to come into the room, 1 by 1, they enter, perform the mini-prayer, then sit and await the sermon from the umam (priest?). The speaker is fully enriched in the culture and enunciates every syllable with great enthusiasm. I can feel the power of his words, yet i don't know what they mean. In essence, it's got to be important...like all sermons are. But the speaker is great...he is literally "feeling" the sermon.

We end the service with the formal prayer...everyone gets close to each other, side by side, with their feet sides and elbows touching each other. The prayer is in complete unisom. This time though, Mono and Mazen aren't standing by me...so I just say the "Our father..." in Greek ("Pater Imon...") After words, they shake the hands of the patrons closest to each other, then depart...there is more, but we do not stay. A couple different men and a younger child extend their hands for me to shake. I grasp them with the respect and hospitality that they offer theirs in.

We leave and walk the 1/2 block back to the apt. A crowd has dispersed of nearly two to three hundred people, all exiting out of the mosque. The majority is men, with a possible fourth of fifth being women. I didn't see any women inside and asked Mazen where they were...he point to the other side of the building where the women are allowed to pray.

Being in a predominantly muslim society, you can really see the segragation between the sexes. But it is not all sexist I presume. I am but just a traveler who is peering in from the outside, not as back home where i am on the inside looking out. It is nice, but an unusual experience. None the less, the people here are great. Full of love and prosperity, even if they are poor or of a lower eceonomic status.

Like the family Mono and I met the first day we arrived. We were lost trying to find our way back to the apt, passed by a group of men with their sons, asked for directions, but couldn't communicate the language. They still showed a high interest in us joining them with their meal..It wasn't much, but they still kept beckoning for us to sit and eat with them...a highly mistaken trait of the average american.

There's not too many household I come into where the family asks if I would like something to eat...like my Mom does. Usually water or a drink is the first question, but in my household, and being a Greek household I can strongly vouch, that whenever company comes by, we always ask if they are hungry, something to make them feel more at home, or tell them to take their shoes off, so their feet are more comfortable, making them grounded into the atmosphere...

I don't know....just a thought....

At home...we readied ourselves for the rest of the day...for our final departure....we just ate our last kabobs, drank some tea, and hung out reminiscing of old times at UIC...

The last day was great. SO We hung around the house, packing all our stuff and getting ready for the flight the same day (our last day is a friday and we leave SAturday early in the morning). So far, we're basically just going to see some last sites, maybe get a bite or two, then finish up and head out to the airport.

Our cab ride is fair...not great, but fair. At least we have a cabby that can drive and pass up cars. We head to a shoe store and pick up our custom made shoes (haggling with the makers for a better price, as usual) then make our way to the Al Hussein Square for the last time.

It's a pretty chilled day. The weather is still hot, but we are just relaxed. I'm anticipating the flight home. It's only a mere so many hours before we go, that now, I'm starting to get worried about the time. We spend some cash buying hookahs (1 for my Dad), jewlery (my Mom and my sister) and a nice Egyptian rug for my brother and sister-in-law.

Time's still moving along. I'm worried that we won't be able to take everything into the plane...in addition, I haven't eaten that much, but i'm so sick of kabobs and pita. I just want a burger, with fries and a coke. That's all. Or maybe a gyros....mmm, that sounds great.

We head to a Momen's (the Arabian McDonalds) where you can eat chicken sandwhiches, fries and other assorted fast foods lke normal fast food chains, but with an arabic twist. Funny thing is, the place is packed, and like thier driving, there is NO sytem to the restaurant. There is an abundance of employees; 1 for the register, 1 to tell the order from the register, a couple to make the order, 1 to bring the order to counter, and then 1 more to bring the order to you. This is just a non-exact replica of the system, but you get the point for how many people there are working there. Also, you get a free prize for every meal you ordered. We won a frisbee, a Momen's glass, and a coffee froth maker (don't ask).

Also, with it being damn near midnight, families are out and about with there kids and nannies behind them. Out at 12 o`clock, these kids are wild at the playground. jumping and yelling and pulling each other's hair and eyes out. And it's midnight!!!! Man, these different timezones play a factor in there lifestlyes...

See ya'll soon