Finding my German/Armenian Heritage in Sausage

One of my biggest concerns when deciding to spend the summer in Cairo was access to sausage. I enjoy a beef sausage prepared in the German tradition as much as the next Wisconsinite. But I had sampled Arab attempts of the beef sausage in past and it always seemed as if they were just mimicking the process (processing of meat that is).

So, I decided to turn to the Turks. Considering their long-time relations with the Germans, I was sure that the Turks could get it right. But somehow it was still off. Though I knew I was getting closer - there had to be good sausage somewhere in Anatolia.

Alas I returned to my roots and discovered Armenian sausage. A lovely beef sausage served preferably cold, with lots of earthy flavor and the right amount of fat. Unfortunately, it is not as good cooked as it is cold.

This I now know to be true - I traveled half way around the world to a dessert land and spent three months away from my husband only for my journey of self-discovery lead me down the cold meats aisle.

I Love Fridge Cheese

Being from Wisconsin, it is important to me to find good cheese where ever it is that I may be. So, I was very happy to not only find a good cheese, but to find a great cheese - FRIDGE CHEESE! It is a rather salty spreadable cheese that comes in a box. As you can see, the Refrigerator is masochistically cutting into himself and offering me a piece of cheese. And what a fine piece of cheese he is!

Allah is Everywhere - Even Under the Freeway

Here is a picture from one of the mosques in my neighborhood. The picture was taken just before the start of Friday prayers. The mosque is directly underneath a major freeway. As a result they have to turn the speakers up really loud so everyone can hear the "Allah akbar!" over the sound of the traffic. The mosque is also directly in front of the coffee shop where I often work from on Friday afternoons. So, I get an nice show while I work on the internet and listen to Celine Dion being played in the background. Ah, the juxtaposition.