40 for papo Blurry memories from the field trips for my Coptic Art and Architecture class taught by Dr. Sami Shaker (an adorable man who was so very patient with me) St Anthony's: -Monks in sporty sunglasses on cellphones -Dr. Sami kept saying 'buttress' like it was going to be on the test (wasn't on the test) -Pilgrims (some of them thought we were cute and smiled at us while we snapped photos, sketched and took notes--some of them, not so much) -Cool paintings -Stunning glass floor -Accidentally walked into the holy of holies behind another student (very ditzy Saudi girl who was often funny without meaning to be). She just confidently pulled back the curtain. And I nervously "Ummmm?"-ed but stepped in and peeked. We immediately got yelled at by a very upset, very old monk. I did my frozen bug eyed lizard thing and my classmate waved her hands saying "WE'RE SORRY WE'RE DUMB MUSLIMS WE DIDNT KNOW" Upset old monk pursed his lips, kind of just sighed and walked off muttering (I think he found the "dumb muslims" bit funny but was too mad at us) -The monks kindly fed us rice and veggies in tomato sauce (they don't eat meat, sometimes they get fish when people donate). Ditzy Saudi girl saw I was almost finished with my plate and whispered, "I don't want to upset them after being an asshole but I hate kosa (zucchini)" I LOVE IT. "Can you eat mine? Switch when they aren't looking" I did bug eyed frozen lizard thing. After a couple of furtive glances she fake coughed and switched the plates. You're going to hell. Omnomnomnom. St. Paul's: -Veery different atmosphere, didn't feel touristy at all. It was practically empty. -Monks seemed more otherworldly, moved much more slowly, spoke much more slowly. There were fewer of them and we didnt see any sunglasses or cellphones. -Got to see super cool ancient wooden elevator/hoist mechanism-- still functional! And medieval mill and refectory. -We then descended into the very narrow underground cave church. Our usually boisterous class was very quiet, we sat cross-legged in front of St. Paul's body listening to the monk's stories and observing the incredible cave paintings If you press the "old" button on this diary, at the top- you'll see a painting I did for this class It's based on an ancient coptic pattern and I made my paint out of color oxides and eggs like they did in those times I went on pretty amazing field trips Ancient Egyptian art and architecture -- we got an antiquities pass and explored pyramids and tombs that weren't open to the public I watched Egyptology students mummify a goat on the roof (there's no way they're still allowed to do that) Islamic art and architecture-- old Cairo, Ibn Tulun I used to be so in love with Egypt I still am but the relationship is getting a bit toxic It's mind boggling that a place so vast and ancient and complex can be governed by the pettiest, smallest, cruellest Ugh Vogons That's something I understand about Ozzy I understand his heartbreak for this place Well, I can't fully because he's more Egyptian than me -- he grew up here But I'm the one going down with ship Maybe I get to be more Egyptian now Woohoo |