Weekend Adventures

The weekend here begins on Thursday night, because Friday is the Islamic day of gathering in the Mosque for prayer.  The work week starts on Sunday and goes till Thursday with Friday and Saturday off.  So Thursday nights are always the big night of the weekend where everyone blows off steam from the week.

Last night was a friends birthday, and we all went to a club on top of the Nile Hilton called "Mojito."  It's a very pricey club ($6 for a beer!!)  but it's great for dancing and there are always lots of people there you know from all over the city.  I went with a friend from Arabic class who I have adopted as my older (but shorter) brother.  I ran into some a friend I met at another friend's apartment party, and their group of friends was just about to do a round of tequila, but one guy didn't want his, even though he'd already paid for it, so he gave it to me!

I met a very attractive Lebanese boy and danced with him one dance, but he got very annoying very quickly as he kept telling me, "Did you know I am a model?  Feel free to compliment me."  Ew.  He would periodically pop up when I was talking to one of my guy friends and say, "you know, you are making me very jealous."  I said, "well, you'll have to deal with it, because these are my friends and you and I aren't dating.  I don't take kindly to boys who think it is their job to control a girl's activities."  He patronizingly thought I was being cute.  One of those rare types of morons who can't even tell when he's being made fun of.

But I had a blast with my friends from AUC and the general ex-pat community, and left around 1 am so I could get up this morning for Church!  I've been going to an Episcopalian Church within walking distance of the dorms.  It's absolutely lovely.  They have really good sermons, I recognize all the songs, and I can take communion every week!!  The congregation is so warm and welcoming that we always have a blast.

They had a Christmas bazaar this morning where local artisans were selling a wide variety of Christmas gifts.  There were people from India, Sudan, Kenya, and of course, Egypt selling everything from scarves to jewelry to creches.  I've been eating koshari (60 cents for a full meal's worth) all month to save up money for the bazaar.  I bought recycled-glass ornaments, two beautiful scarves from Sudan, a gorgeous pair of earings, and a beautiful ring.  The prices were fantastic and most of the items were things you don't find easily in Cairo.  I also got the phone numbers and store locations of my favorite stands so I can bring my parents when they come and visit.  And so I can go buy more Christmas presents for people!!

Margaret and I went together this morning and I got to meet her aunt and uncle!  They were lovely lovely people.  I always love meeting my friends' family!  Margaret and I got lunch from a stand where Burmese women from the Church had made stir-fry noodles with vegetables and chicken, two things that are very hard to get here.  We each had a thing of noodles and split four egg rolls for $4.60 total.  I love Egypt.  Now I am home drinking tea, listening to Norah Jones, and about to start some Arabic homework after a very successful start to the weekend.

Intro to Egypt

Obama just swept the elections.  (For all my friends from Texas, I will refrain from elaborating on how proud and excited I am for this opportunity to restore honor and dignity to our Presidency.)  A friend wrote on my facebook wall that she wishes I could have been in the States so I felt it more fully.  But in fact, Egypt has been in an uproar over the election.  The Egyptians are so happy that we elected such a bright, capable, and inspiring leader. All summer and semester I've had people say to me, "ah, Amrika, alnas helwa lakin as-siasa lauhesh"  which means, "ah, America, the people are great, but the politics are horrible."  I'm always very pleased that they get the distinction.  But now I have people say to me, "ah!! Obama!! Mabruk awy!" which means, "Obama!!  Congratulations, what a blessing!!"  My favorite moment was when a cab driver said, "I hate both of them."  We said, "Why what are you talking about?!"  He explained that he would love Obama but he is not a good Muslim.  I asked him if I could record him saying that and send it to the Associated Press.  :)

I was in Alexandria for two months this summer studying at Alexandria University and living with my professor from Georgetown, whom I have come to view much like a beloved Aunt.  I did not sufficiently appreciate how beautiful and European Alexandria is until I had lived in Cairo for a while.  There are lots of trees and gardens throughout the city, you're never far from the water, and everything is very laid back and easy.  The biggest challenge of my summer was dealing with the harassment.  My parents can attest to the fact that on more than one occassion I called them in tears explaining that I was not leaving the apartment again until I was forced to go to class.  The women here are forced to cover up because it is obviously their fault that the men can't control themselves.  I never show my shoulders, knees, or collar bones in public.  I don't talk to men or look them in the eyes unless I already know them or have to purchase something from them.  The women, old people, and children are wonderful though.  I loved stopping to converse with one family who lived near my professor's apartment.  They were so sweet and loving, I thoroughly enjoyed their company.

One striking thing is that they don't have to refrigerate unopened milk.  The milk cartons are all sitting on a shelf in the grocery store, and you only have to refrigerate it once you open it.  This is perfect for me as I don't have a refrigerator in my dorm room, so I buy half a dozen single serving milk boxes (about the size of a juice box) instead of a carton of milk.  It has something to do with not pasteurizing the milk, but I still don't totally understand.

I'll write more soon, but I thought this would be a good start.  Love to all!!