The sun is setting again on my second day in Memphis, and because I wished not to disturb Mosiah with my oil lamp, I am outside in the kitchen writing today's journal entry.

I was awoken early today by Dakarai who was excited to show me his place of work. We shared a morning meal first of bread and beer, courtesy of Masika's mother.
Then Mosiah, who is expected to carry on the family legacy as a jewelry maker, sat in and watched his father show me his workshop. Because how near Dakarai is to wealthy families, his jewelry is made of only the highest quality gold and precious gemstones, save for some less extravagant pieces of clay, seashells, and other various material, intended for fellow commonfolk in the area.
Today he showed be a basket of gemstone (particularly turquoise and lapis) and glass beads, and proceeded to teach me how he threaded them onto necklaces, bracelets, earrings, cuffs and collars. The gold and metal is usually worked by his father, who has been in the business much longer than Dakarai. He uses a furnace to heat, melt and shape the metal, and then even more precise copper tools to shape, inscribe and decorate each piece. Their non-metal materials are purchased from the local market, which is also where they sell their products to merchants. Dakarai's father tells me he is particularly grateful when travelling merchants come to Memphis- he hopes people appreciate his craftsmanship all around Egypt. He is talented and passionate, and I'm sure they do.


By noon I was prepared to go out on the town and joined Dakarai and Mosiah at the market as they bargained with merchants and other buyers for their jewelry. I eventually went on my own to explore the town, and purchased some fresh fruit- pomegranate and figs- before joining back with Dakarai for their dinner.
Dakarai told me his family would be attending temple in a couple of weeks, and that I was welcome to come observe. I am looking forward to it, and will update afterwards. Good night.