Dr. Nabil picked us all up at Ramses for a visit to A.P.E.Carrie had been told at Egyptian Craft Center that A.P.E. was their most fair trade producer.We wound our way through the streets of Moqattam and were met at the gate by Raafat who represents A.P.E. at the network, and were joined by one of the volunteers.She usually works with the nursery and school, but agreed to meet with us to tell the story of the Moqattam garbage village.She was a gifted storyteller!She related the history of the Upper Egyptians’ migration to Cairo and their initiative and determination which has culminated in being premier garbage recyclers for the city of Cairo.Other volulnteers showed us the paper making and weaving and sewing centers for the women of Moqattam—their “learn and earn” model of community development.

We went for a quick lunch and planned our agenda for the meeting with TFD network on Thursday.From there Denise and I took a short cab ride to CityStars, the mega-mall in Heliopolis.I really wanted to see how the affluent live, since most of my experience is with marginalized Egyptians.It was dazzling.And it was huge.We strolled through only three of the five or six levels, resting at a coffee shop half way through.

In the evening Dr. Nabil picked us up at Ramsis for the drive clear across Cairo to Giza where Bassem and his family live.They had invited us for dinner at their home—a new flat they finished and moved into only a year ago.He and Siza and their two young children, Jonathan and Joy, made us feel right at home.The meal was delicious and plentiful, and too soon it was late and time to go home.