Whirling Dervishes!

A sect of Islam know as Sufism has provided the world a style of meditation that is captured by Cairo's Whirling Dervishes. The constant spinning leads to a meditative state in which they can come closer to God. Not only do the dancers whirl, but the muscians peform so that they show in Cairo's Islamic quarter is a ninety minute feast of sound and movement. Every Wednesday and Saturday at half eight (nine during Ramadan) this is something you really shouldn't miss if you visit Cairo.

One of the musicians, he is famous for his sense of fun when performing!

The first sufi dancer on stage.

Was spinning for twenty minutes.

At this point there are three dancers all twirling around each other.

A new beginning

This blog has been started in anticipation of a life abroad. I have signed up for one year's teaching in Egypt and intend once I am qualified to teach on the international circuit and generally do my best to travel till the bank manager calls. My partner in crime, or should I say lady in waiting, is signed up so here's to the rest of my life. (You might notice a flair for the dramatic :-) ) Though I am based in the UK for another month I will kick start this journal of sorts with some background and what I hope to be the general theme to come.

At the tender age of twenty-seven I have decided that my life's calling is teaching. I have until recently lived in Egypt for just over three years, most of which was spent teaching, and intend in 2008 to qualify as a history teacher. I am currently on an MA programme in British History in the hope that it will improve my appeal to employers. The main aim of this blog is to write about my experiences, good or bad, and hopefully post a lot of pictures, which along with diving is my main passion. Hopefully you won't be stuck with a years worth of Egyptian sites but bear with me if you do. The picture I leave you with was taken last year on the Nile at Luxor and is of my brother. It typifies the life I expect to lead as Egypt is in so many ways a relaxing experience.