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Decisions, decisions
My first 6 weeks of officially working for Ayadi Organization I did on-the-ground research of various crafts around Egypt. I was looking to find a craft that has been passed down for hundreds of years...
View ArticleMoney or Art?
So when I started to work with the khayameya I realized that my intention and the intentions of the khayameya workers were different. Not different in that we couldn’t agree, but just coming from...
View ArticleObamania in Cairo
Some were excited, some were told not to stand on their balconies, and many were even given the day off of work. Cab drivers were saying it was a great day…Why? Because although many presidents have...
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masks everywhere
I am getting texts and calls asking me if I am okay. The building down the street from me is quarantined. People on the street are wearing masks. I am going to a dinner and someone texts me about how...
View Articlevisiting a village
If you have been following my blog you will know that I am working with traditional craftsman in Cairo. Besides my work with the craftsmen and workshops I currently work with, I am always looking to...
View ArticleWaiting Around..
I used to hate waiting around, being stuck in traffic, etc. But now I have learned to embrace it. Don’t get me wrong, I still would never prefer to be stuck in traffic for 45 minutes or wait for...
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glass of tea...
I have come to really enjoy the rituals that I have developed working here. To say the very least, working with poor artisans in Egypt is the polar opposite environment from working in corporate...
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Of Ecuador and Egypt....
When you don’t have to go into an office for your job the lines between work and life become very blurry. Even my vacations now always include informal craftsmen/craftsmanship research. Every trip I...
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Ramadan Karim!
Tables are set-up on the streets, work days are condensed, traffic is horrendous, people are fasting all day (so tempers sometimes flare) and there are gatherings and celebrations every night. Welcome...
View ArticleSharing and comparing
The more I encounter issues about artisans, the more I try to see how others have solved and overcome similar challenges. Of course there are individual issues according to the craft and sometimes...
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