Easter and Sham el Nessim

The Christians here view these two events as separate, and some years the Coptic and Western Easter are celebrated on different dates. Sham el nessim celebrates spring and is said to be pharaonic in origin.

The rest of the country says Happy Easter and sees the two events as synonymous; a bit like Christmas and New Year.

I spotted these cakes in a local shop, which is meant to make very good cakes.

A swim in the morning, followed by afternoon tea with a friend were my day. I also purchased a locally made sweet bread covered with sugar and dried fruit which I've seen for Easter. That and one of my previously purchased eggs were supper.

I struggled to wish people a Happy Easter given the bombings a week ago; in fact many churches didn't celebrate Easter as a sign of respect and remembrance.

Many celebrated privately, for they soldier on here.