Hey folks,
I'm sitting in an internet cafe on at the cabin-style resort where we're staying, outside of Sharm El-Sheikh. It's one of the many contrasts I could give you, but in the interests of time and effort, I'll pass.
I'm sick now, so I missed most of the big temples in Upper Egypt, and I haven't felt hungry for at least 3 days now. But I'm not too bitter about it; to be honest, I'm enjoying some time to myself.
I want to be brief now, though I'll try to post once more before I leave. I'll just give 2 highlights from the past 10 days or so...
1. I gotta say that one of my top highlights has to be the horse-ride I took through the desert among the pyramids. Though I'm not much of a rider (translate: not at all) they sent the horses galloping away. There were 4 of us. I doubt my steed would compare to that of monarchs like yourself, but it felt just like a movie, as I looked to my left, a horse galloping, to my right, two doing the same, and there we were, racing across the desert, as though we were on a mission to save the world. What a rush.
We rode camels at the pyramids too, which everyone at home told me to do. It was good but not as fun as galloping on the horses. The camel is super tall and gets up off the ground in a really funny way and you have to have a driver, which took the fun away because the whole time I was only the camel, the driver, who was a kid not more than 12 (actually he was 12 'cause I asked his age) kept hammering me for money.
As per one special request, I did spit on a camel, though I forgot to put it in your personal email - sorry. But it wasn't as exciting as I thought it might be, because the camel wasn't spitting on anyone, and I didn't want to look like
I was rude to all the people who were the owners and the drivers, so I had to do it discretely.
2. (Notice this is Adam being brief). Christmas dinner at Nabila and Helmi's. As I mentioned somewhere earlier, I've been staying with my family since they arrived. As I also mentioned, it really hasn't felt like Christmas. But on Christmas day, we had supper at my home in Egypt, and it was really, really terrific. It felt even more special given how anti-Christmas it had felt to date. It didn't matter that we only had delivery fish and rice. Michael even stopped by to see everyone off (he'd come with us a couple places and met everyone while they were in Cairo). Anyways it was a great treat.
It's been really great to get individual emails from back home from all of you. Hope things are going okay. I hope you're not sad about the warm weather I hear you're getting.
As I said, I'll post and check emails again before I leave Sharm (the 3rd). Happy New Year./
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
The Amusement Park
So a little while ago (maybe 5 days ago) I went with a group of people, on the invitation of Michael to Dream Park. It was quite western feeling. It was far in a suburb of Cairo, in a place called 6 of October City. We went with Michael’s friend Susan, her husband, her sister-in-law, and some of her nephews. The nephews had just lost their dad…he died in surgery just a few weeks ago. So we wanted to let them have a good time.
So, as a theme park, it was okay. The focus was more on the company, as usual. Magdi, Susan’s husband, is a psychiatrist, so I got to talk about mental health issues a bit with him. I also got to get to know Michael more. And a few good rides. There was one amazing ride though. It was a rollercoaster where you are suspended, with the track above you. While I love rollercoasters, the ride itself wasn’t the best part.
It was the view. We waited a couple of turns so that we could sit in the front row, because of course the front is the best ride, but the view was unbelievable. As you climb to the top, you see Cairo in front of you, the whole of the desert everywhere, with sand, hills, etc, the resort of Dream Land where there was a golf course, beautifully green in the desert, and also…the pyramids. It was amazing. I wish I could stop the rollercoaster so that I could drink in the view. It was amazing. Just to see the pyramids from the rollercoaster. And the whole view.
So that’s the amusement park.
So, as a theme park, it was okay. The focus was more on the company, as usual. Magdi, Susan’s husband, is a psychiatrist, so I got to talk about mental health issues a bit with him. I also got to get to know Michael more. And a few good rides. There was one amazing ride though. It was a rollercoaster where you are suspended, with the track above you. While I love rollercoasters, the ride itself wasn’t the best part.
It was the view. We waited a couple of turns so that we could sit in the front row, because of course the front is the best ride, but the view was unbelievable. As you climb to the top, you see Cairo in front of you, the whole of the desert everywhere, with sand, hills, etc, the resort of Dream Land where there was a golf course, beautifully green in the desert, and also…the pyramids. It was amazing. I wish I could stop the rollercoaster so that I could drink in the view. It was amazing. Just to see the pyramids from the rollercoaster. And the whole view.
So that’s the amusement park.
Sunday, December 18, 2005
Contact Details
I’m eager to take a break, so I’ll get back to the other things I’ve been up to. You’ll be excited to hear about the amusement park
Contact Details
Okay, so I have a mobile phone now. So you can call me or text-message me. Please do so, as it is free for me to receive both :).
To reach me, the number is something like this. Note that this may different to the number I have previously sent to you, if I tried that already. The change would be the insertion of the ‘2’ which is the country code after the international long distance number which is 011).
Okay, to call or text me…
011 2 0109 37 2430
Contact Details
Okay, so I have a mobile phone now. So you can call me or text-message me. Please do so, as it is free for me to receive both :).
To reach me, the number is something like this. Note that this may different to the number I have previously sent to you, if I tried that already. The change would be the insertion of the ‘2’ which is the country code after the international long distance number which is 011).
Okay, to call or text me…
011 2 0109 37 2430
The other side of begging
I’ve got a brief story on the other side of begging. Of course, you know and have experienced both sides of it, but I think it’s worth repeating from where I am, just be just to the story I told earlier. I was out with Michael (a friend of Amani’s; it was he who picked my up from the airport). We were walking downtown, and approached a couple times by kids wanting money. He just ignored them, and kept walking. After this, I asked him about it and what he thought. He told me:
(Michael): If I’m busy and/or am going somewhere, then I just ignore them and don’t talk to them. But if I have some time, I stop and talk to them. And there are usually two situations. One is that they say they need money because they are sick. In this I case I say that I am a doctor (He is a doctor), and I work in this hospital, on this floor, in this ward, on these days. Come to the ward and use my name. I will make sure you get seen and taken care of. Usually they run off before I finish the whole thing. So they’re not sick, not wanting money. And for kids, I tell them that you’re young, able to work. Come with me, and I’ll help you get a job, help you to find work, to support yourself. Again, they are most often not interested. So when they try to beg, they are often lying, and/or they don’t want to do anything except beg, so I don’t like to support this by giving money.
So anyways, this was his take on it. Michael is a very great guy. He’s become a good friend in a short time since I’ve been here, and helped me with many things. He’s also taken me many places (as will be detailed later).
(Michael): If I’m busy and/or am going somewhere, then I just ignore them and don’t talk to them. But if I have some time, I stop and talk to them. And there are usually two situations. One is that they say they need money because they are sick. In this I case I say that I am a doctor (He is a doctor), and I work in this hospital, on this floor, in this ward, on these days. Come to the ward and use my name. I will make sure you get seen and taken care of. Usually they run off before I finish the whole thing. So they’re not sick, not wanting money. And for kids, I tell them that you’re young, able to work. Come with me, and I’ll help you get a job, help you to find work, to support yourself. Again, they are most often not interested. So when they try to beg, they are often lying, and/or they don’t want to do anything except beg, so I don’t like to support this by giving money.
So anyways, this was his take on it. Michael is a very great guy. He’s become a good friend in a short time since I’ve been here, and helped me with many things. He’s also taken me many places (as will be detailed later).
Imbaba
I went with Amani to Imbaba. It is a region near Mohandeseen (every place I’ve mentioned is a region of Greater Cairo, FYI, in case the different names was confusing). She leads a group for homeless and troubled girls there. She had a small group meeting (about 15; they also have big group meetings which she helps with, about 150). Anyways, I couldn’t join her, what with it being an all girl group and all, but she thought it might be interesting for me just walk around. And it was. I don’t know if I could talk about it without sensationalizing it. (BTW I'm not doing justice to Amani's work with these girls, it's great; maybe another time.)
So I’ll just do my best. It’s wild. I spent a bunch of time in the market, which is one street which goes on for many blocks, lined with shops, and coffee houses and food stands on either side. It’s covered with people, bikes, scooters, and occasionally cars and trucks. The wildest things food-wise are the hanging sides of beef, the live goats and cattle and chickens. Aside from this, it’s just everything you might think: busy, dirty, smelly, loud, crowded, road in total disrepair. I just think, “what is this life?” I spent a long time sitting on the side of the road and just thinking to find out how I might relate to anyone there. I mean aside from the language difference, given that no one would speak English there, and my Arabic isn’t at the “relating to you” level. I mean, on the surface, our lives seem as absolutely different as possible.
At the same time, we’re all just humans. So it must be possible, and there must be something, and in fact many fundamental things, that allow us to relate.
Furthermore, I don’t think that I (we) in the west are any different. We just have a different set of busyness, dirtiness, oddness, smelliness, etc. We’re running around after a different set of nothings. I have only the same set of questions for us westerners, as I watch us run around and do whatever it is we do, and I still ask that question, “what is this life?”
Beyond this, or rather in the context of this, I’d like to meet people so that I can make friends, practice my Arabic, and make good use of the 2.5 hours Amani has left me for. So I think it would be a good idea to talk to someone. But that’s of course the problem. For those of who follow sports, especially hockey, you’ve seen the interview with the foreign player who doesn’t speak the language well. In this case, it’s like a foreign player seeking out an interview in a language he doesn’t speak, unsure of which reporters would actually want to talk to him, given their focus on all the other things going on in the locker room, and in fact he can’t even talk about the things he knows best (i.e. his sport) because he doesn’t have the vocabulary. So it took a while. Finally I left the market, and hit up a more main street. I found a pharmacy that looked empty (and therefore the guy there will have time to talk) and I just walked in a started “chatting” with him. It went okay. The guy was very nice, and people came and went, both customers and friends of his and other workers of the store. Again, it was a pretty slow conversation, with lots of unknowns, hey, you gotta start somewhere.
Actually he was very nice, and took my number and I took his. He called later that night to make sure that I made it some safely. I think in our conversation, I had not made it clear that I was with my aunt, and would be meeting her shortly. So how about that? Egyptians are on the whole very friendly, and there is a good example.
So I’ll just do my best. It’s wild. I spent a bunch of time in the market, which is one street which goes on for many blocks, lined with shops, and coffee houses and food stands on either side. It’s covered with people, bikes, scooters, and occasionally cars and trucks. The wildest things food-wise are the hanging sides of beef, the live goats and cattle and chickens. Aside from this, it’s just everything you might think: busy, dirty, smelly, loud, crowded, road in total disrepair. I just think, “what is this life?” I spent a long time sitting on the side of the road and just thinking to find out how I might relate to anyone there. I mean aside from the language difference, given that no one would speak English there, and my Arabic isn’t at the “relating to you” level. I mean, on the surface, our lives seem as absolutely different as possible.
At the same time, we’re all just humans. So it must be possible, and there must be something, and in fact many fundamental things, that allow us to relate.
Furthermore, I don’t think that I (we) in the west are any different. We just have a different set of busyness, dirtiness, oddness, smelliness, etc. We’re running around after a different set of nothings. I have only the same set of questions for us westerners, as I watch us run around and do whatever it is we do, and I still ask that question, “what is this life?”
Beyond this, or rather in the context of this, I’d like to meet people so that I can make friends, practice my Arabic, and make good use of the 2.5 hours Amani has left me for. So I think it would be a good idea to talk to someone. But that’s of course the problem. For those of who follow sports, especially hockey, you’ve seen the interview with the foreign player who doesn’t speak the language well. In this case, it’s like a foreign player seeking out an interview in a language he doesn’t speak, unsure of which reporters would actually want to talk to him, given their focus on all the other things going on in the locker room, and in fact he can’t even talk about the things he knows best (i.e. his sport) because he doesn’t have the vocabulary. So it took a while. Finally I left the market, and hit up a more main street. I found a pharmacy that looked empty (and therefore the guy there will have time to talk) and I just walked in a started “chatting” with him. It went okay. The guy was very nice, and people came and went, both customers and friends of his and other workers of the store. Again, it was a pretty slow conversation, with lots of unknowns, hey, you gotta start somewhere.
Actually he was very nice, and took my number and I took his. He called later that night to make sure that I made it some safely. I think in our conversation, I had not made it clear that I was with my aunt, and would be meeting her shortly. So how about that? Egyptians are on the whole very friendly, and there is a good example.
Sorry...
I know I haven’t posted for a while. sorry. I’ve wanted to but it hasn’t worked out. So, some highlights (here, and to follow in other posts today):
Did I mention I can see the pyramids from my balcony? You can’t see them well, of course, ‘cause they’re not crazy close, and it’s only possible if it’s a really clear day (it’s been cloudy, and plus there is lots of smog). You can see two of them (there are 3).
Also, hotmail has been acting up lately. I know for sure of two emails that didn’t reach me. So if you sent something to my personal mail as opposed to posting a comment, please re-send it, try it again, either from hotmail or from another provider, or send it to my other email address (a.a.ghali@gmail.com). Because I probably didn’t get it if it was sent between the 12th and the 17th.
Did I mention I can see the pyramids from my balcony? You can’t see them well, of course, ‘cause they’re not crazy close, and it’s only possible if it’s a really clear day (it’s been cloudy, and plus there is lots of smog). You can see two of them (there are 3).
Also, hotmail has been acting up lately. I know for sure of two emails that didn’t reach me. So if you sent something to my personal mail as opposed to posting a comment, please re-send it, try it again, either from hotmail or from another provider, or send it to my other email address (a.a.ghali@gmail.com). Because I probably didn’t get it if it was sent between the 12th and the 17th.
Sunday, December 11, 2005
Dec 11
What’s up?
Dec 9
So went out with Mohammed. We went to a police officer’s club. Actually very exclusive and fancy, it was on the Nile river. We went with one of his girlfriends, Mona. She didn’t speak any English. It was an interesting night, kind of boring, we just mostly sat and listened to the live music, but it was very good of him. But talking is hard b/c of music, and my Arabic is bad, but I’d rather practice it, otherwise it won’t get better. Also, I’m worried I wasn’t quite as friendly as I could have been. Taunt Nabila is always extremely cautious, and others are quite cautious as well, so it’s probably a good thing in many cases, but it may be a hindrance in some situations where being outgoing and more friendly would be quite beneficial. So we’ll see how I learn. It’s hard for me to remember I’ve only been here like 5 days and I’ve got another almost 4.5 months here, so I need to be patient.
Everyone here is named Mohammed. Let me illustrate. Mohammed the police officer. I’ve taken two taxis, both driven by men named Mohammed. I played Tennis (you’ll read this soon), and the ball boy was named Mohammed. It’s crazy. The psychologist in me is wondering if men named Mohammed might have a potential for an underlying identity crisis.
Dec 10
Already forgot what I did. No, not true. Slept in (as was out late with Mohammed). Then went and played tennis, basketball and squash at another club (again, read country club) with Wah-il from the church and a few others. I don’t remember if I mentioned him. It was nice to play sports.
Other than this, just visited with family in the evening and worked on Arabic.
Dec 11
Went out with Amani to register at the Police station, but turns out I didn’t have to, as a Canadian. Then went to find out what the process of me obtaining Egyptian citizenship is. After this, went to University of Cairo to see if I can use their facilities for physical activity. It’s likely. That would be good, to work out and play sports at my leisure. Also talked to Iman…I may get a job with her - the research, planning, administrative social programs type place - but we’ll see. So I have an appointment with her tomorrow, after my appointment with Hoda, the relative who has an Arabic school.
I think I’m “talking” too much. No, I’m writing and typing too much. I get sick of typing and writing after a while…as many of you know I don’t easily tire of talking too much.
Had an Arabic lesson from a private guy today; Amani had found his number at a church she was visiting for some reason or another. It was okay. He said I was very good, but I know my conversational Arabic still isn’t great, though I’m starting to understand more. It will come. Again, I forget how long it takes to learn language, and that since spoken and written Arabic are so different, my course doesn’t help too much, so I’ve only really been learning to speak since August, and that was a very limited amount with family in Canada. So it’s coming. Patience.
So that’s until now.
A comment on previous days/things I said…
The one that struck me most was the beggar. I’m not proud to mention it, but maybe it’ll make you think a bit too. I am so stingy. So stingy. To anyone who asks, whether they be beggars in Edmonton or Cairo. Jesus says…to any one who asks, give. I’m not how to read this verse, but however you do, it’s not like I did. I mean, at first I honestly didn’t understand what was going on when they started talking to me. Honestly. Then I caught on. But I was defiantly not eager to give money. They would have been happy to have a pound or two each.
An Egyptian pound is worth 20cents Canadian. 20 cents! I would probably not stop to pick up 20 cents off the street. And I would quickly give 20 cents (or quite a bit more) to someone begging. But it took me a long time before I would give money to them. Honestly. I was really ashamed once I realized what was going on in my own heart and especially after doing the mental currency conversion – the difference in value wasn’t apparent at first. After I gave them money, I also gave them a pen and a pencil. They knew I had these because I had taken my journal out to write. Imagine being so poor that you would beg for a pen? I also said I had no food, which I thought was the truth, but then after they left I found a couple of granola bars, so I called them over, and gave them the granola bars. I’m not tooting my own horn here. I really didn’t do anything. And on the other hand, I don’t want to make a spectacle of myself in the other direction, either as a terrible man, or as one who has realized and turned into a Mother Theresa. The focus isn’t about me and I don’t care what you think about me after this discussion, but this is what happened, and just at least take a bit of time to think on what I have described and about any personal application who and wherever you are and with whomever you interact.
Enough for tonight. We’ll talk to you soon. Thanks for your comments. Note that I have changed my comments settings so that anyone may write comments, not just blogspot members.
To those in exams now, I wish you all the best and am thinking about you.
Adam
Dec 9
So went out with Mohammed. We went to a police officer’s club. Actually very exclusive and fancy, it was on the Nile river. We went with one of his girlfriends, Mona. She didn’t speak any English. It was an interesting night, kind of boring, we just mostly sat and listened to the live music, but it was very good of him. But talking is hard b/c of music, and my Arabic is bad, but I’d rather practice it, otherwise it won’t get better. Also, I’m worried I wasn’t quite as friendly as I could have been. Taunt Nabila is always extremely cautious, and others are quite cautious as well, so it’s probably a good thing in many cases, but it may be a hindrance in some situations where being outgoing and more friendly would be quite beneficial. So we’ll see how I learn. It’s hard for me to remember I’ve only been here like 5 days and I’ve got another almost 4.5 months here, so I need to be patient.
Everyone here is named Mohammed. Let me illustrate. Mohammed the police officer. I’ve taken two taxis, both driven by men named Mohammed. I played Tennis (you’ll read this soon), and the ball boy was named Mohammed. It’s crazy. The psychologist in me is wondering if men named Mohammed might have a potential for an underlying identity crisis.
Dec 10
Already forgot what I did. No, not true. Slept in (as was out late with Mohammed). Then went and played tennis, basketball and squash at another club (again, read country club) with Wah-il from the church and a few others. I don’t remember if I mentioned him. It was nice to play sports.
Other than this, just visited with family in the evening and worked on Arabic.
Dec 11
Went out with Amani to register at the Police station, but turns out I didn’t have to, as a Canadian. Then went to find out what the process of me obtaining Egyptian citizenship is. After this, went to University of Cairo to see if I can use their facilities for physical activity. It’s likely. That would be good, to work out and play sports at my leisure. Also talked to Iman…I may get a job with her - the research, planning, administrative social programs type place - but we’ll see. So I have an appointment with her tomorrow, after my appointment with Hoda, the relative who has an Arabic school.
I think I’m “talking” too much. No, I’m writing and typing too much. I get sick of typing and writing after a while…as many of you know I don’t easily tire of talking too much.
Had an Arabic lesson from a private guy today; Amani had found his number at a church she was visiting for some reason or another. It was okay. He said I was very good, but I know my conversational Arabic still isn’t great, though I’m starting to understand more. It will come. Again, I forget how long it takes to learn language, and that since spoken and written Arabic are so different, my course doesn’t help too much, so I’ve only really been learning to speak since August, and that was a very limited amount with family in Canada. So it’s coming. Patience.
So that’s until now.
A comment on previous days/things I said…
The one that struck me most was the beggar. I’m not proud to mention it, but maybe it’ll make you think a bit too. I am so stingy. So stingy. To anyone who asks, whether they be beggars in Edmonton or Cairo. Jesus says…to any one who asks, give. I’m not how to read this verse, but however you do, it’s not like I did. I mean, at first I honestly didn’t understand what was going on when they started talking to me. Honestly. Then I caught on. But I was defiantly not eager to give money. They would have been happy to have a pound or two each.
An Egyptian pound is worth 20cents Canadian. 20 cents! I would probably not stop to pick up 20 cents off the street. And I would quickly give 20 cents (or quite a bit more) to someone begging. But it took me a long time before I would give money to them. Honestly. I was really ashamed once I realized what was going on in my own heart and especially after doing the mental currency conversion – the difference in value wasn’t apparent at first. After I gave them money, I also gave them a pen and a pencil. They knew I had these because I had taken my journal out to write. Imagine being so poor that you would beg for a pen? I also said I had no food, which I thought was the truth, but then after they left I found a couple of granola bars, so I called them over, and gave them the granola bars. I’m not tooting my own horn here. I really didn’t do anything. And on the other hand, I don’t want to make a spectacle of myself in the other direction, either as a terrible man, or as one who has realized and turned into a Mother Theresa. The focus isn’t about me and I don’t care what you think about me after this discussion, but this is what happened, and just at least take a bit of time to think on what I have described and about any personal application who and wherever you are and with whomever you interact.
Enough for tonight. We’ll talk to you soon. Thanks for your comments. Note that I have changed my comments settings so that anyone may write comments, not just blogspot members.
To those in exams now, I wish you all the best and am thinking about you.
Adam
Friday, December 09, 2005
First few days in Egypt
Hey all. So I’ll give you a brief run-down of the last little while in Egypt. As most of you know, brevity is not my strong point, but I will try. It will be good for me.
Dec 6
Arrived Tuesday night at about 7pm to Cairo Airport. Was picked up by a friend of Amani’s because Amani had to work. We drove about 1 hr to where I will be living, with Amani and her parents Nabila and Helmi. Helmi is the brother of my grandfather, and Nablia is the sister of my grandmother. Since Amani wasn’t home, Michael invited me to join a few of his friends, and we hit up a coffee shop. This is a very popular activity here. Amani joined us briefly, then we all came back and had dinner at home.
Dec 7
The next day, I did a bit of walking around, but not too far. Crossing the street is insane. It is extremely unsafe. Sometimes people (including Amani and Taunt Nabila) take a taxi to cross the street. It is that bad. This is because driving is so crazy. There are so many cars, and they just drive. There are lines painted on the road, but their purpose is purely decorative. Amani said, “if you drive in the lane, you will hit everyone, because no one drives in the lane.” You can’t imagine unless you have seen it.
Two quick stories about crossing the street and driving, from watching the street from our balcony (we live on a main street in Mohandeseen (“Engineers”), a region in Cairo in an apartment building on the 7th floor). First, I watched a [I will interject to note that Taunt Nabila just brought me a cup of tea and a piece of cake…more on this later, but I have lots to say it might be another post] man carrying a baby cross the street. He had to be assisted by a police officer. Secondly, a man was crossing the street. While he was in the middle, a bus was coming. He stuck his hand out to wave down the bus. The bus slowed down, and he jumped on. In the middle of the street, not even on the edge!
That was my big adventure for the day. I also did some unpacking, played some backgammon (a favorite of Uncle Helmi). Was still tired from the trip.
Dec 8
Yesterday, was a very big day. I have much to say, but not the focus or energy to say it all (I am getting sick of typing). So I will give the activities, without all the commentary. Of course, activities are less interesting than commentary, but I will add some as a feel up to it. I have things to say, so as you know me, you know I will get around to it.
First Amani drove me to the University of Cairo (she is a professor of German literature). She had a lecture, so she dropped me off, and I just walked around for a while. Then, I walked down the street to the Zoo. I walked there for a while, and met a couple of kids (maybe 13-15 years old or so), and we chatted. They practiced their English with me while I practiced Arabic with them. My Arabic sucks. I have a very limited vocabulary. They were very friendly. After this, I walked to the Nile, and walked along it. As I sat to write in my journal I was approached by, and had a “conversation” with a very young boy and an older girl (his sister or mother, I’m guessing). They were begging. After this, I walked further, then decided it was time to go home.
I knew the street I lived on was a long way, but I could walk, so tried to ask a police officer where my street was. He didn’t know, asked a few other officers, and finally their captain. The captain knew of, or not, more or less, (I think he knew fully, actually, but evaded it, thinking it was too far). His name was Mohammed. But he was actually very friendly, he and struck up a conversation with me. So we chatted for a while. His English was very good, which is frustrating, because it is hard to talk in Arabic, so more of the conversation tends to be in English than Arabic. I have to be patient with my Arabic, and how long it will take to learn. (Look: commentary slipped in). Anyways, he gave me his mobile (cell) number and we’re going to hang out this evening.
Then, I came home, ate, and then went to church in the evening. It’s a young adults meeting, for university age people. Amani didn’t join me, just dropped me off with some people she knew. I knew this would be the case, because she had another church group that evening, but I thought it would be better to hit up the service than to stay home. So Amani came after the service, we went home.
That was my big day. Today has been quiet. I may study some Arabic with Nabila. I have made some phone calls to try and arrange some things, but they are going slowly. I will meet Mohammed after 7 tonight.
So that’s all. Much more to say later, both new information and comments on some the experiences I had, how they affected me personally, and also to help you guys get a feel for the culture.
Until next time.
P.S. I forgot to mention. The weather is quite nice. It is mild even for Egypt standards. Usually, sunny/cloudy, high 20, low 10.
Dec 6
Arrived Tuesday night at about 7pm to Cairo Airport. Was picked up by a friend of Amani’s because Amani had to work. We drove about 1 hr to where I will be living, with Amani and her parents Nabila and Helmi. Helmi is the brother of my grandfather, and Nablia is the sister of my grandmother. Since Amani wasn’t home, Michael invited me to join a few of his friends, and we hit up a coffee shop. This is a very popular activity here. Amani joined us briefly, then we all came back and had dinner at home.
Dec 7
The next day, I did a bit of walking around, but not too far. Crossing the street is insane. It is extremely unsafe. Sometimes people (including Amani and Taunt Nabila) take a taxi to cross the street. It is that bad. This is because driving is so crazy. There are so many cars, and they just drive. There are lines painted on the road, but their purpose is purely decorative. Amani said, “if you drive in the lane, you will hit everyone, because no one drives in the lane.” You can’t imagine unless you have seen it.
Two quick stories about crossing the street and driving, from watching the street from our balcony (we live on a main street in Mohandeseen (“Engineers”), a region in Cairo in an apartment building on the 7th floor). First, I watched a [I will interject to note that Taunt Nabila just brought me a cup of tea and a piece of cake…more on this later, but I have lots to say it might be another post] man carrying a baby cross the street. He had to be assisted by a police officer. Secondly, a man was crossing the street. While he was in the middle, a bus was coming. He stuck his hand out to wave down the bus. The bus slowed down, and he jumped on. In the middle of the street, not even on the edge!
That was my big adventure for the day. I also did some unpacking, played some backgammon (a favorite of Uncle Helmi). Was still tired from the trip.
Dec 8
Yesterday, was a very big day. I have much to say, but not the focus or energy to say it all (I am getting sick of typing). So I will give the activities, without all the commentary. Of course, activities are less interesting than commentary, but I will add some as a feel up to it. I have things to say, so as you know me, you know I will get around to it.
First Amani drove me to the University of Cairo (she is a professor of German literature). She had a lecture, so she dropped me off, and I just walked around for a while. Then, I walked down the street to the Zoo. I walked there for a while, and met a couple of kids (maybe 13-15 years old or so), and we chatted. They practiced their English with me while I practiced Arabic with them. My Arabic sucks. I have a very limited vocabulary. They were very friendly. After this, I walked to the Nile, and walked along it. As I sat to write in my journal I was approached by, and had a “conversation” with a very young boy and an older girl (his sister or mother, I’m guessing). They were begging. After this, I walked further, then decided it was time to go home.
I knew the street I lived on was a long way, but I could walk, so tried to ask a police officer where my street was. He didn’t know, asked a few other officers, and finally their captain. The captain knew of, or not, more or less, (I think he knew fully, actually, but evaded it, thinking it was too far). His name was Mohammed. But he was actually very friendly, he and struck up a conversation with me. So we chatted for a while. His English was very good, which is frustrating, because it is hard to talk in Arabic, so more of the conversation tends to be in English than Arabic. I have to be patient with my Arabic, and how long it will take to learn. (Look: commentary slipped in). Anyways, he gave me his mobile (cell) number and we’re going to hang out this evening.
Then, I came home, ate, and then went to church in the evening. It’s a young adults meeting, for university age people. Amani didn’t join me, just dropped me off with some people she knew. I knew this would be the case, because she had another church group that evening, but I thought it would be better to hit up the service than to stay home. So Amani came after the service, we went home.
That was my big day. Today has been quiet. I may study some Arabic with Nabila. I have made some phone calls to try and arrange some things, but they are going slowly. I will meet Mohammed after 7 tonight.
So that’s all. Much more to say later, both new information and comments on some the experiences I had, how they affected me personally, and also to help you guys get a feel for the culture.
Until next time.
P.S. I forgot to mention. The weather is quite nice. It is mild even for Egypt standards. Usually, sunny/cloudy, high 20, low 10.
Saturday, December 03, 2005
Pre-egypt blog resuscitation
Okay, so you can see that the frequency with which I posted blogs was not tremendous. But perhaps, now I will have a reason. Thus, I now commence the Egypt web log posting with a brief pre-trip blog entry.
So, in anticipation of the flurry of activity that will be generated upon my first mass email (which will of course include this address), I'd just like to say a few words:
Welcome.
Don't expect too much.
Okay, well, it hasn't been too long, and now I remember how I don't like blogging. So that's why the second point is in there. But maybe I will if/when I have more to say. As for the next entry, I'll be in Egypt. See you soon.
-A.a.G.
So, in anticipation of the flurry of activity that will be generated upon my first mass email (which will of course include this address), I'd just like to say a few words:
Welcome.
Don't expect too much.
Okay, well, it hasn't been too long, and now I remember how I don't like blogging. So that's why the second point is in there. But maybe I will if/when I have more to say. As for the next entry, I'll be in Egypt. See you soon.
-A.a.G.
Monday, April 04, 2005
Procrastination
Ugh. I want to procrastinate from procrastinating. How bad is that. To clarify, I am writing this because I am procrastinating, mostly from homework. But even as I write this, I am wishing I was doing something else (having a shower). But I'm doing this to procrastinate partly from showering as well as homework. Wow. I think I need help. Especially because I won't maintain this, so I'm not going to tell anyone about this.
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