What a difference a day makes.

Well, not even a day! While Karen was leaving her comment on the last posting, I was knocking doors out of windows. I trundled down to the souk, where I was confident in finding my little mate Gomaa who would help me out. We first went one way, and then stopped "No, Edward, this way cleaner shop." he'd changed his mind and took me to the flash furniture shop at the junction of Karnak Street and the street next to Cleopatra Street. (I believe they are a 'Christeen' furniture manufacturer.) Anyway, he could have been a tree worshipper for all I cared by now! Mish mushkellar (no problem), the words were music to my ears. When?("Imptah?" Gomma interjected) Ten o'clock tonight. Becam? Khamseen guinea (50le). I set off for home as if I was walking on air!!!!!

Gomaa had been relating to me how dead it was in the souk and that there was no money coming in; we should start a fabric shop together. He just doesn't seem to get it, even after all these years, that I'm in a similar boat to him, cash wise! Never mind, I forced 10le onto him for his trouble, and off I went. Here's what the souk looks like without tourists:

It's that bad, that some of the shopkeepers aren't even bothering to open!

Before I got home, I realised that there was very little in the house to eat, so I rang Freda to ask what she wanted brought in. Seems she's back on the toast diet, so wasn't hungry, but she'd have a bun from the baker if he had any. I got myself a lachma (beef) shewermer and called at the baker for a bun, they're now bigger and 1.50le instead of 1le. It wasn't till I was passing the hardware shop that I thought about masonry nails, to fasten the wooden frame to the wall. Another 1le and I had 4 big nasty nails in my top pocket. "Life doesn't get much better than this." I thought as I neared home.

When I arrived at our corner, I noticed Michael (the watch shop man) standing there grinning like a Cheshire Cat! " Hello Michael." Entering the little alley, Mr Gamal (Wedding shop) was there, and he burst out laughing! "What's going on?" thought I. Then I saw him: The Devil Incarnate, Mr Hassan the electricity man!! Everyone thinks it such a joke when Hassan comes for the electric money. They come and complain about their 150le bills, and then wet themselves while Hassan tells me that mine is 500le or 700le! I thought that everything was going too darn well!

Poor Adam (Coffeeshop) was almost in tears about his bill of 150le, and complaining bitterly about Dr Yacoub's being only 46.50le. When he saw mine he was visibly shocked........85le........I could hardly believe it myself! I rang Freda and asked her if she had the money could she put it in a bag and fling it over the top for me, OK. I was that relieved I had a celebratory cigarette off Adam before I came back up the stairs.

Maybe the tide has turned after all, if we get the 80 odd thousand pounds we're owed, and been promised (insh'Allah) tomorrow; we'll know that it has, won't we?

Well, Freda is struggling on trying to make things clean, so I'd better get on and help her, before she complains about 'that stupid computer' again. Byeee!