Eid shopping in Maadi

Today is Friday, usually the most calm day of the week here in Maadi. People don’t really go out before mid-day prayer, and some shops are closed. I thought today though, the day before the day before Eid El Fitr, that things would be crazy. I remember last year, calling & running around all the stores in Maadi just to find a chicken breast. There was no fresh produce, and even getting to the meat counter at Seoudi was impossible. When I walked to Seoudi this morning though, the streets were practically empty, and when I got there, the store was fairly well stocked and not crowded at all. Thinking the worst though, I still got a couple of kilograms of chicken to put in the freezer, just in case. I stocked up on milk, water, soda, toilet paper, yogurt, etc.; things they could run out of (and that they’ll run out of now and then anyways, Eid or no Eid). I spent almost 700LE – well over $100 – which is a lot for us, but now I shouldn’t have to go back to the store for anything but more fruit and vegetables for a week. Maybe Eid won’t be as crazy here this year, maybe most people left town, but whatever, I’m ready; ready for the holiday, and SO, SO ready for Ramadan to be over (and I’m sure a lot of my Muslim friends are inclined to agree with me on that one!).