The men who work at our vegetable stand are so, so nice. They are always very pleasant to deal with and very hospitable. They love to feed me whatever they happen to have around when I drop by.
Now, out of necessity, I am usually quite cautious about where and what I eat here in Cairo. It’s easy enough to eat something that hasn’t been handled properly and then spend the next week running for the bathroom. The child of one of my neighbors has had giardia twice in the last few months. I wash my produce with either a scrub brush and dish soap or give it a long soak in vinegar and water before we consume it. I even wash my eggs in water with a dollop of bleach (you would too if you saw some of the shells! Yuck!)
In spite of all my caution, it is nearly impossible for me to reject the food offered to me by the vegetable guys. Sometimes it’s a cookie or cake that his wife made. Sometimes he shares his breakfast of foul and baladi bread (fava bean mash) On occasion he’ll pick up a piece of whatever fruit is in season to give me a taste, in an effort to make a sale.
Once he cut a plum in half and offered half to me and half to another woman who was in the shop at the same time. I took my half – in spite of having seen him polish the fruit on his galabeya and then cut it with a knife of questionable cleanliness. The other woman refused. She didn’t even take it from him to be nice to hold on to it for discreet disposal later. When she turned her back, the man made a mad face and waved her off with his hand. I didn’t want to hurt his feelings so I ate my half in front of him.
My acceptance of his food makes him happy – but it also encourages him to share more and more. I have survived my encounters with him thus far, but his week he upped the ante. He offered me milk fresh from his cow. He assured me that he had washed his hands and the cow’s udders before he milked it. He poured the remains of the milk – the last he had – into a small glass mug. There was no way for me to take it with me, and no plausible reason sprang to mind for why I couldn’t drink it. So I did.
I tried to get my husband to share it with me, but he refused, pointing out that one of us had to survive to raise the children. The milk was warm and sweet, like no milk I’ve ever had before. I asked if it had sugar added to it but he said no, straight from the cow. I had no way of knowing whether the fact that it was warm meant that it had been boiled to sterilize it or if it was the cow’s residual body heat I was noting.
I waited a few days to write this just to see if indeed I would survive. So far, so good.
Now, off to clean my balcony now that the rain has stopped. And then to prepare for the party. With six little boys in the house, I have decided it would be prudent to roll up my large Afghan carpet. Since my son requested it to be a “pajama party” I will throw a comforter out on the floor instead and several bed pillows. They won’t be sleeping over but it’s all about the proper ambiance, right?
Jenyfer–non-pasturized milk actually has a relatively low risk of making you sick. Probably lower than that half a plum. There’s a big new trend in the US, especially in the NYC area, of farmers sneaking milk straight from the cow to customers who ask for it. And plenty of dairy farmers’ kids grow up on the stuff. The French make cheese from it.
If indeed he washed his hands, the cup, and the cow before milking her, you should be fine! And it sounds like that was quite a generous gift.
by elissa October 18th, 2007 at 11:25 amGlad to know it. It was quite tasty. However, I can’t vouch for the glass he served it in!!!
by Jenyfer Matthews October 18th, 2007 at 12:22 pmOkay, I admire your bravery, but I have to say your husband totally made me laugh.
I’m glad you’re not feeling any after affects Jenyfer!
by Dana Belfry October 18th, 2007 at 4:00 pmI loved my visit to Egypt so much and your post brought back lots of great memories. The people we met were lovely. Jenyfer, you’re probably building up an immunity to these things. Although we’re careful when we travel we do eat the local produce. It’s quite noticeable when we’re traveling that the people who avoid absolutely everything are often the ones who get sick.
by Shelley Munro October 18th, 2007 at 6:54 pmIt’s a neverending adventure, isn’t it? But what a lovely one, when you can make friends locally. I hope your digestive system stays strong!
by Heather Hiestand October 18th, 2007 at 7:51 pmThese guys are so sweet and sincere in their offerings I can never bring myself to refuse them – and fortunately I haven’t been sick (from their stuff!) yet (touch wood!!)
by Jenyfer Matthews October 18th, 2007 at 8:02 pmI love your stories of surviving in Egypt. Totally cool, and I’m envious. Well maybe not about the food and drink part! LOL
Monica
by Monica Burns October 18th, 2007 at 9:13 pmGreetings from the same city. I think it’s very sweet of you not to refuse the milk though just like Elissa said it’s known that milk taking straight from the cow is healthy that’s why farmers usually are in good shape than city people here. But you should have questioned the glass. I’ll have to admit I’ve never been in the same situation. I’ve been offered bananas before:) but I don’t usually buy the grocery, my mother does.
The thunder and lightening were kind of hilarious the day before yesterday, don’t you think? It’s totally new to our weather at this time of the year. But I think it’s becoming nice again starting today.
And Hi Shelley, The Second Seduction was great and full of surprises. Thanks again.
by Mona October 19th, 2007 at 2:52 amMonica – thanks for stopping by! The last time I was sick was after eating at a friend’s house so you just never know, do you?
Hi Mona! Welcome back! Hope you enjoy your stay!
by Jenyfer Matthews October 19th, 2007 at 5:41 amOops – Not the Mona I thought I was talking to! Hi, Mona-in-Cairo
by Jenyfer Matthews October 22nd, 2007 at 5:20 am