Jan 3 2026 start of a new year

We stopped at Ratios Bakery for treats to take to the other couple's apartment for our coordination meeting. This is a very popular bakery in Maadi where we live. The prices are a bit expensive for Egypt but the food is very good.
We had the other couple, Maire and Dave Whipple to our apartment the evening before New Years with Wael, whose family is in Syria. They went home by 9 pm, as the Whipples, although younger than us also like to go to bed early.
We walked out to Wael's apartment today to see his carvings. This boy with the bread on his head was riding on the bicycle when I pulled out my phone to take the picture. The vehicle next to him is a 3-wheel tuttut. For about 15 pounds one can get a short ride within the city. We have only ridden it a couple of times and held on for dear life.
Here are some of Wael's carvings.
In my opinion this is one of Wael's best carvings. He wanted to give it to us, but I insist on paying him. I will pay him more than he would want and give him $200 for two of his creations. He needs the money for his family and I want a remembrance of Wael and Egypt.
This is January 3, 2026 in Wael's apartment. It was the coolest day in a long time and was in the high 40s and only got up into the mid-60s.
 

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