My Nonexistent First Day of Class

So, it’s Sunday here in Cairo which means one thing: the weekend is over. Today was suppposed to be my first day of class at the American University in Cairo, and I guess it still will be–I just won’t be there.

My first class isn’t until 1:10, but becasue of Ramadan all classes are moved one hour earlier. So, my first class is really at 12 noon. Right now it is 10:45ish which, to the unsuspecting person, means I could easily make it to class on time. BUT, there’s the but…the university is an hour and a half away (with no traffic), and it’s also in the middle of the desert meaning because I missed the bus there is no where I can get there.

My only option is to take a black and white taxi, or a yellow cab. Since the univeristy is in the middle of the desert, I know nobody will want to take me there. And again, because it is in the middle of the desert and 1.5 hours away it will be a ridiculous amount of money to pay to go to ONE class at which I probably won’t be missing anything important.

I’m sad I’m missing class because I’m sure it will be interesting. I’ve been hearing all of these rumors that campus isn’t even close to being finished. I’ll have to check with someone that didn’t skip to see what’s the deal. But, until then I think I may just curl up in a ball and go back to sleep–or perhaps take a stroll around Zamalek.

 

P.S. I promise I didn’t miss the bus becasue of my own stupidity. The bus schedule is really messed up–I plan on making it on time to my four classes tomorrow…and then I’ll let you know what classes are like.

Egypt: Day Three

So, it’s my third day in Egypt and again it has been fantastic!

I was going to go sign up for a trip to Alexandria, Egypt and also hopefully get my Arabic course changed, but that didn’t end up happening. I woke up about nine and went in and out of sleep until 1:30. It was the first day that I got a TON of sleep. I don’t think I was jetlagged in the first place, but if I was I should be over it.

 

After waking up me and Christine, my roommate, went downstairs to hang out and get some online stuff done for a while. Then, we took a taxi to the old AUC campus and wanted to change classes/sign up for the Alexandria trip, but everyone from orientation had cleared out. So, by this point, around 6:30 we still hadn’t really eaten a meal so we walked over to Hardee’s and got some American food, which by the way was really yummy in my tummy.

 

We scarfed down our food and then waited to go on the horseback riding trip that we signed up for.

 

By the way, the taxi ride was good. I really enjoyed it as well.

 

Once we were finally on the bus, we took a look trip to Giza and went horseback riding, in the deserts and were able to see the Pyramids. It was all really nice and beautiful. From one side you see the city; the other, the pyramids.

 

We all saddled up on horses and took a long ride through the dimly, to not at all, lit desert. It was my first time on a horse, (sad considering I’m from Texas) and it was fantastic. We got the horses to ride and gallop fast.

 

Once we hit our destination, I took some pictures with the pyramids, horses and camels, but sadly my camera died!! I say it’s just another excuse to have to go again. The ride back was also fantastic; though of course as a first timer it took a while to get used to. Like everyone else, I kept on getting my legs squished in between the racing horses as well as  bouncing really high up and down my horse. I do anticipate being a bit sore tomorrow, but it was worth it.

 

There were quite a few times that my feet came out of the little thing you put your feet in (I know, I know, I don’t know what it’s called and I should) where I would lean to one side, but thankfully I didn’t fall.

 

Anyways, throughout the trip we were told not to give them baksheesh, a tip, but of course they kept asking for it. I felt rude for it, but the AUC people said they were already paying them, and their tip.

 

Anyways, my tour guide was a little too friendly, and desperate for baksheesh and afterwards and came up to the closed bus asking for Sarah looking angrily sad, asking for baksheesh. Of course, I ignored him and started looking the other way. This was my first encounter of someone really asking for a tip, and I was able to say no. J

 

 

Anyways, that reminds me that yesterday Christine and I went down to an art store and met some really friendly old guys that work there. I don’t know if I’m just being naïve, but I think they were really nice, in a not creepy way, and have decided that that will be the place I go to practice Arabic.

 

The guys were nice, asking if we liked Obama—they really seemed to have a genuine interest in what is best for America, and said they liked Obama if he was good for America. We also talked about Bush a little and said that most people in America don’t really even like him. He said something to the effect of, Bush was good for four years, but maybe not for eight.

 

Anyways, I want to go there again. It was the first time being in Cairo that the people we were buying stuff from carried on a conversation with us as well, instead of just selling us our products and letting us leave.

 

Anyways, I feel like there is so much more I can say about my trip here, but its late here and I feel like I’ve repeated a lot of my stories.

 

But basically, I’m having a blast. I don’t understand why people wouldn’t want to visit the Middle East. I know I am only in Cairo, which has been quite Europeanized, but the parts outside of Cairo that I have seen have seemed nice and enjoyable as well.

 

So, that’s all for this blog—let you know what happens tomorrow! (Hopefully time will permit).

(p.s. not edited=random)

My First…Cairo Adventures

So, my first moments in Cairo were quite the adventure! I was a little annoyed but now that I am some-what settled, it’s all good.

 

Our flight finally landed around 1 a.m-ish and then we had to wait in line forever to get our passports checked. And then pick up luggage, the usual—but of course I had more luggage than hands so that was a little difficult.

 

But anyway, to spare the details a group of about 14 people got on a bus provided by AUC and we made our way to the Zamalek dorms around 3:20 a.m. And we waited forever to finally get our bags checked in.

 

I was the only brown person and I think just about everyone that works for AUC, plus I was the only person that people kept on asking if I needed a taxi. It was all fun though.

 

Around 4-ish I finally found out who my roommate is and we are living on the fifth floor which is nice. We were burning HOT, and thirsty and I was looking everywhere for a way to call mi madre so she wouldn’t get worried! Finally I thought I’d try the internet for a change, and BAM we’ve got wireless so I texted weenie and Sadafie My comp. still goes nuts-o every once and a while, but it’s all good.

 

We’re still thirsty and it’s 5:30 am so we can’t really go out and buy drinks, or phone cards so we’re planning on waking up…or just staying up until 8 or 9 and getting some real foodies and drinks since we don’t really want to use the water here and get sick.

 

Anyways, I’m sad because I took some pictures so far about my trip here and my computer isn’t even recognizing my memory card!!! L But I will try and get pictures up eventually!!! Especially of Stan the man. J

 

And now, I am going to e-mail some people’s and maybe sleep, maybe not???

 

p.s. I was totally multi-tasking while I was writing this blog so it’s very scatter-brained. :-D

I’ve got the Rabies Blues

SO. I NEED to get a Rabies shot…or more like three before I leave for Egypt….I don’t have time before I leave…so who knows what’ll happen.

I can’t find anywhere that will give me Rabies shots!!!! GR. And even if I could find a place to give me rabies shots it takes 21 days after the first shot to give the last shot….I DON’T GOTZ NO TiME FOOL!

Hope they don’t kick me out of AUC. Seriously. I’ve invested waaaaaay too much. Plus I’d be SAAAAD!

I also need a Yellow Fever shot…gotta find a place for that one too. GREAT.

OK. Promise I don’t “complain” this much.

Peace out. Sarah.

You feel that breeze?

Just a little vent.

GRRR. I still have a TON of stuff to do before I leave for Egypt. I STILL haven’t registered for housing and I STILL haven’t gotten my housing assignment which is freaking ANNYOYING!

 

I heard from some people that the new campus doesn’t have enough housing for all of the students so a ton of people are having to find apartments on their own. HELLO?!?! All of us international students are going to a foreign country and rely on the housing provided instead of having to try to find housing on our own, and a landlord that won’t take advantage of the fact that we are a foreigner.

 

Oh, and not to mention that the housing the campus provides is 1.5 hours away from the actual campus. WHAT were they thinking??? Making the AUC housing that far? Seriously.

 

OK, Seriously…I gotta make some phone calls, but I’m tired of being put on hold for an eternity!

 

Other things I STILL need to do.

Make sure my stinking ticket doesn’t get cancelled because the airlines are going nutz-O

Make sure I get housing, and register for classes

Take care of the Gilman scholarship stuff (which I’m grateful to have gotten)

GO to Houston and get a visa

Get a physical examination and a million shots

Not get annoyed about how unorganized AUC is moving to the new campus!!!

 

….and a MILLION other things.

 

 

If I HAD more time, I’d vent some more…but I must go now.