Running into Zwarte Piet in Maadi -- Cairo, Egypt

This morning on our way to school, we ran into a group of Zwarte Piets, wearing everything from the colorful outfits to the black make-up on their face. They were waiting outside the CAC in front of some company offices, most likely Dutch or Belgian, and although the Sinterklaas celebration is still well over a week away, William immediately caught on, language switch and all. “DAG, ZWARTE PIET!!” he yelled across the street, and one of the Zwarte Piets ran up to the boys and offered them candy.

August was slightly disturbed, obviously wondering a thing or two about the whole circumstance; but William gladly accepted the treat and said “Dank U wel” with a big smile in his very best Dutch.

It was a sunny, warm, late November morning in Cairo, Egypt, and William thought nothing of running into Zwarte Piet in the middle of the street on his way to school. It gives cultural adaptation a whole new meaning, doesn't it?