exhuastion, excitement, entertainment...

today is the first day i have nothing scheduled since i started working and taking arabic lessons. lianne and i continue our ventures around the city -- or at least this side of the nile :) the east side, that is. due to a sketched map that my friend drew, we are piecing together complicated cairo where straight roads are rare and traffic lights, painted lines, and arrows merely decorate streets.

i have some fun opportunities to hang out with my new egyptian friends. although the fun ensues, frustration creeps in as i assert twice the amount of energy to engage those around me leaving me exhausted. relationships are important to me -- i enjoy getting to know people and finding out what they think and who they are. however, lacking arabic-speaking skills greatly hinders, or greatly slows, this process. most of the time, this motivates me to study harder and spend more time with my friends, fellow teachers, and other arabic speaking people. but there are times when i feel like a burden to those who must translate.....or feel awkward as conversations continue and jokes are laughed at....and i have no idea what's going on. this is a good portion of the time.

this is inevitable. my determination to learn constantly brings me back to these situations where, as awkward and sometimes annoying as they can be, i can learn. patience with myself and others is so important, but this is way easier said than done, especially when you're the outsider.

while on our adventure about (lianne's canadian...notice her influence upon me?) the city, we happen upon a starbucks. we enter - mistake number one. we order - mistake number two. we indulge - mistake number three. we'll stick to more domestic enjoyments from now on.

all in all, i'm learning a lot (obviously), enjoying my new life in egypt, and setting practical expectations for myself -- i will not learn arabic overnight, and once i do become more proficient, i will NEVER be a native speaker. such is life. but i will do my best to learn as much as i can while i'm here and have a great time doing it. i feel like i'm giving a motivational speech of some sort. silly me.

as you can see,

i have visited the pyramids and petted the sphinx.....ok, maybe i didn't get that close, but if there wasn't a huge hole surrounding him guarded by armed soldiers/police people, i definitely would've........

i have floated on the nile and dipped my fingers in its cool current.....

teaching continues to go quite well. i can now read and write in arabic; although, my vocabulary is quite limited and my pronunciation quite......foreign. with diligence and patience, i think i will be quite proficient by the end of my time here.

i'm making friends from various communities, which provides me with exposure to all types of egyptian life.

so far, i haven't experienced very much, if any cultural shock. honestly, the community aspect here reminds me of hawaii. people are friendly, welcoming, and helpful. the fruits and vegetables are similar. preparation of food is, obviously,different, but not as nearly exotic as i had expected/hoped. since i'm a connoisseur and explorer of food, i have quite a cultured palate.

i've never really been one to get home-sick. i tend to enjoy myself wherever i'm at...every little experience is an adventure for me, and since one year is not that long, i want to make the most of my time here. i have learned a lot so far and have much more to learn.......

SHOKRAN (shoh-kran -- roll the r) "Thank you" to all of you who have been sending me your love! i love getting emails full of encouragement.......don't stop (hint hint ;)

class is cancelled today...i think i'm going to read....on second thought, i think i'll watch a movie. after eating two-three mangos...they're going out of season and are SOOO delicious. the slight sickness that follows overindulgence is well worth the minutes it takes me to devour these juicy, sweet fruits from heaven.

sneak peak:

it's been....

...one week and two days since i landed in this grand gateway where africa meets near east, meets europe, meets mediterranean. i'll update you according to a tentative outline to spare you from my randomness -- thoughtful, i know :)

FOOD - FRIENDS - FAMILY - FUN

[For those of you who haven't figured this out, i thoroughly enjoy alliteration and absolutely appreciate the consonants f and l...the most important nouns can be found with f -- as stated above -- and the most important verbs begin with l -- living, loving, laughing, learning, listening, lighting (those around you)......this list is not extensive but adequate.]

Ok, FOOOOOD!

let me paint a brief vignette of my current setting......in a cafe, eating a panini hawawsheni and sipping mango juice. now, this is not the italian panini; it's more like an egyptian style pita with this meat -- hawawsheni. delicious! and for the mango juice, imagine throwing a fresh mango into a cup and drinking it......this makes odwalla taste like, i dunno 0.23333% juice.

lianne and i enjoy simple sandwiches prepared with whatever we buy from street vendors and small stores...our favorite it the "happy family" store....and it sure makes us one happy family. um, moving on.

FAMILY!

i have a few families. at the school i work with, i have a faculty full of friendliness. they are very helpful, and we exchange english/arabic lessons. great

the student i teach make another family...today, i taught poetry to 13-14 year olds. loved it. and as of today, i am the official PE teacher at my school. my students were impressed with my futbol skills b/c none of the girls at the school ever play....that doesn't say much for my skill level (or lack thereof) but it was fun.....and very hotter!

then i have my van fam -- the people i ride to and from school with each day. yesterday, they decided to help me practice my arabic.....my students generously help me, their "mooh dah ressa" - teacher.
then i have my lessons, which are going quite well. i spend a lot of time studying on my own (mostly between classes), and practicing with my van family love it.

then my hawaii family -- you have been very generous in ALL your support...thank you! and of course, my family family -- i love you :)

FRIENDS AND FUN

are fantastic.....we went horseback riding in the desert to see the sun setting behind the pyramids...nothing too special :) although, we were a bit late to see the sunset...but then we floated on the nile in a really chill boat thing....i forgot the name. we enjoyed some syrian cuisine....and tomorrow lianne and i are going on a tour of the pyramids. this weekend is going to be mass busy.....more stories in the making.

and for those of you who have stuck around until now, i'll entertain you with a.......silly situation:

my first trip to the bathroom at my school: i got stuck in it....seriously.

for three to four minutes - STUCK - which of course, feels like an eternity when your stranded in a bathroom in a foreign country. needless to say, i made it out and lived to tell about it....lucky you.

Overview...and then some

Ok....I have enough time for a quick update....which means, short update -- lucky you.

I'm working 25 hours at the school, which entails teaching fun songs and planning activities allowing the students to practice their English...and have some fun. This is great for me. First, they love me b/c I'm white (or half love me b/c I'm half white ;), but more importantly, I bring the fun factor through the roof compared to their other classes. Next week, I'll be teaching poetry to Primary 4 (about 9-10 year olds) including Blake, Shakespeare, Stevenson, and a few more.

It's insanely incredible how disciplined these children are. These 7-8 year olds stay in the same classroom all day (with breaks, of course), and the teachers rotate.....the classes are like boxes with desks and a blackboard -- nothing entertaning or inspiring. They listen to lectures, take notes, and PAY ATTENTION all day.

I've now completed two Arabic lessons, each 2 1/2 hours long. I can write and read Arabic (at an elementary level, of course)...and my vocabulary is practically non-existent. I can sing the first verse of a song. I can count to ten. I even sat in the kindergarten's Arabic lesson at school today. Fantastic.

The apartment....or back room situation is fine. Lianne and I are so busy we're usually eating or sleeping when at home OR chilling on our balcony . Otherwise, you can find me at one of the many produce vendors in the neighborhood, at the cafe using their free internet, working at school, at my Arabic lessons, at a meeting, or, in tomorrow's case, HORSEBACK riding with some of my new Egyptian friends!!!

A FEW HIGHLIGHTS:

I fell out of my bus (it's just a van) face forward while it was slightly moving (they don't really stop...more like a California roll). That was great. Lianne and I caught a taxi today (a fairly frequent activity)....but a tire popped, so he ran out of the car, started jacking it up with us in it...we were obviously too heavy, it wouldn't work. He finally fixed it. He couldn't find our destination. He picked up some other guy (also not unusual) who tried helping us find our destination. This other guy got out of the car and started running in front of us in an effort to find our location.

So, for two blocks we followed a man running through the streets while the frustrated driver muttered what I imagine to be absolutely kind comments under his breath while clapping his hands in an effort to cheer himself up........

MOST IMPORANTLY,

the mosquito situation has been minimalized:

MUAHAHAHHAHA!I'm completely swamped and horribly busy every single day. I'm exhausted, so very !exhausted. But even more excited for all that I'm learning and experiencing.

Well, this update's not so short afterall.....just be glad I don't have more time - stories are endless, experiences are priceless, and time is...running out - salam

Egypt -- beyond the mosquitos

FOR THE STRONG AT HEART: FULL LENGTH

SHORTER VERSION AVAILABLE AT THE END :)

Alright...where to begin. I have moments of complete fascination of the culture and anticipation of really engaging the people once I've learned more Arabic...I start lessons tomorrow, FINALLY! I'm currently drowning in rooms full of foreign words....many, many foreign words.

Despite the differences and lack of communication, this weekend brought many changes. Lianne, my roommate who has a cat at home named MOJOJOJO, and I moved into our land-lady's apartment because the current tenants in our flat haven't moved out yet. Sooooo, we'll be living in this back room accompanied with a bathroom and balcony....It's livable. It's an adventure. I'll post pictures soon.

Tonight, we enjoyed our first meal prepared by our own hands....While I was at work, Lianne went grocery shopping for food and basic necessities like...TOILET PAPER. We have to carry little packs w/us. Definitely not a public commodity. Anyway, Lianne prepared a feta cheese and tomato dip for our pita-like bread. I bought some guava, mangoes, pomegranate, and dates to accompany our grapes and pita.....and bottled water (trying to keep stomach issues, along w/excessive trips to the bathroom to a minimum). So far, I've had no problems. sweet.

Well, at 7am Mena Language School bus pulled in front of our apartment to take me, Jeffery, and Meh-ah (sp?) -- my land lady's grandsons -- to school. I observed primary 2, 3, and 4, and will begin teaching conversational English tomorrow. Essentially, I have the freedom to sing songs, play games, and well...do what I do best -- tell kids what to do!!! AND all in English, sweet.

At 1:15, the bus takes everyone home, but tomorrow, I will get dropped off at my first Arabic lesson......wooohooooooo!!!

Let me give you a brief description of a typical bus ride to school. First off, imagine New York driving w/no rules...for those of you familiar w/drivers in Napoli (Naples), Italy, imagine that.....times ten! It's great. Each drive is like a roller coaster ride w/out guaranteed satisfaction! I'm still trying to figure out why they spend money installing traffic lights and painting lines on the ground (I think the city workers must get bored)....seriously, madness is the method - I LOVE it! Honking is like breathing....if you stop, you die. No joke. I can't tell who has the right away, pedestrians or drivers......I like to think of it as a dance, and I still can't figure out who's leading. Essentially, to cross the street, you just close your eyes and walk. They stop when they ABSOLUTELY have to. But, if you don't walk, they don't stop. I now have an idea of what Peter must have felt stepping out of the boat :) Ok, that's a bit melodramatic...but seriously, it's great!

Well, Lianne and I are at a cafe called Pastaccino, which is near our flat and has Wi-fi. I'm emailing, blogging, myspacing, etc., and she's skyping on my computer (thanks, mom); soon, we'll switch....ok, that's about enough...I hope this blog satisfies those who were tired of hearing about Egyptian mosquitoes.........

FOR THE WEAK AT HEART: SUMMARY

Excitement ensues. Great adventures. Tiring immersion. Sometimes I'm swimming in this foreign sea and find myself looking for a life raft full of English words and hugs (so send them my way!)...Even though I'll still be a foreigner once I learn Arabic, I will not be so much of an outsider....CAN'T WAIT! Today, i just wanted to come home to a nice, big, lovely, engulfing hug......Oh, I haven't mentioned, but life is a bit crazy since it's Ramadan, which changes everyday living quite significantly. On Friday, we're going to the Pyramids, YAY! On Wednesday, I'm going horseback riding with some new friends. That's about it.

dis-bah-how-ala-kheir! (phonetically version of goodnight)....

Of midnight mantras....

....sorry about last night's episodes...episode 1 i wrote the night before. episode 2 was the result of another mosquito attack last night.......and somehow, telling the world of my midnight mosquito mantras vindicated my mass mosquito murders and even made victory that much sweeter....

The Way to True Enlightenment

Episode 2: Mosquito Meditation…

14 September 2oo7

It's currently 2:24 AM.
I am, once again,
The Midnight Special
Lucky me...however, through this treacherously traumatizing experience, I have learned to achieve peace through what I call,
MOSQUITO MEDITATION
Truly, the enlightenment I have experienced must be shared to those seeking pure, blood spilling revenge.

I will be your Guru; I will be your guide. Follow me through this mosquito madness.

Cover all skin leaving exposed only your arms.
Quiet your mind. Itch your bites. Breathe in, Breathe out…
Great achievements require great sacrifices. Prepare yourself.
Once the mosquito(es) land on your exposed arms, allow him/her/them
To settle down and even begin the blood-sucking process. As their bellies fill,
MAKE NO SUDDEN MOVEMENTS!
Slowly approach this devilish beast (do not let size fool you!) with your free hand. Think of all the moments of sleep and blood lost over this selfish, soul-less SUCKER and in one graceful, revenge-filled swap,
SEND IT TO APHID HELL!!!!!!
…another one bites the dust…

Mosquitoes were hurt, and even mercilessly killed during the writing of this article. In fact, I killed two while typing. Their lives will be remembered by their marks left on my arm for a few more days, and then, they will vanish into past for eternity…right where they belong.

Eat me, please.....

Episode 1: His guts, my glory…

Written at 3:45 AM on

13 September 2oo7


Or should I say, "Our glory," since, in a moment of complete desperation, I begged God to help me kill that soul-less, self-actualized mosquito who managed to escape Aphid Hell – reserved for those insects who purposely and painfully haunt humans for no other reason but personal entertainment. Those [ insert adjective here ] mosquitoes eat me alive.

TONIGHT'S MIDNIGHT SPECIAL:

JANEAN

Don't rush, there's plenty of her to go around.

So far, I've sent two back to Aphid Hell, but it seems like both families came to their funerals and decided to have me for their post-mourning-meal...

Okay, Okay, "YOUR Glory," not mine.....

ENSUING EXCITEMENT:

• Saturday -- first Egyptian Wedding & Move into flat w/my roommate, Lianne

• Sunday -- begin teaching English

• Monday -- start my Arabic lessons

last night....

a mosquito kissed me on the lip…he left a hickey. I don’t like. In fact, I don’t like the multiple hickeys he left on my ankles and wrists. Try it again, I keel you…unless I’m sleeping, then I’m yours for the eating.

but i do love the family i'm staying with -- generosity is an understatement. their house is incredible! i feel like i'm in a castle: an intricately designed iron railing lines the spiraling staircase; immense windows allow inside to flirt with outside; fabulous furniture livens marble and wood floors transforming empty banquet hall sized rooms into comfortable, even homey, communal spaces; and the kitchen.....i need to take some pictures; oh, i'll have to tell you about the water heater....another time.


Sarah, also 21, is studying to be a translator and speaks Arabic, French, and English. We chit chatted over some grapes andd dates for a few hours discussing life, politics, school, etc., etc. She told me that I have a talent for learning languages and reassured me that i will learn Arabic quickly. i shyly muttered my thanks in Arabic (one of a few words/phrases i now know) accompanied with a slightly embarassed chuckle, but she stopped me by saying, "I’m completely serious."

Well, Sarah, I hope to prove you right. But even if you’re wrong, and I hope you’re not, I’m EXTREMELY excited and inspired to learn Arabic along with your rich culture that even if i lack talent, I will work extra, extra hard to do so. You’ll see.

then there's the lamp shade next to my bed. last night, i hit my head on this lampshade, which would've been fine, even slightly humorous.......except this lampshade is made out of marble. i don't like.

leather bag blanket

first two flights were freezing cold with no blankets. i clung dearly to my bag, which conveniently served as.....my leather bag blanket.

wondering around amsterdam during my ten hour layover was......adventurous. i enjoyed a sun-dried tomato bagel w/my favorite concauction -- tomatoes, basil, FRESHEST mozzerella, and pesto -- at Beans and Bagels and sipped a machiato -- not my favorite, but it's the only thing i vaguely recognized on the menu...and besides, everything always taste better in other countries.....maybe.

then i met Santi...from Spain, living in Montreal, working in Africa. we wondered around talking about randomness -- what two people typically talk about while parusing the streets of amsterdam. he bought me a cappacino (sp?)....also not my favorite, but everything always taste better when....bought by foreign strangers you meet in the central cobblestone square of amsterdam.

and now i'm here. cairo, egypt. home for the next eleven months.........sweet.

and....

the 24 hour countdown begins................ready or not.

and the adventure begins...

In less than one week, I will be across the globe........sitting on a toilet, pooping unremittingly. Ok, that's a bit melodramatic...although, inevitable. I'll worry about that crap later....

Until then, I'm enjoying my last few days on this rock in the middle of the grand Pacific Ocean. I love the overwhelming humility I experience when I stand at the end of the island and realize that.......I'm on an island! That's about to change really fast.

I'm just about ready to go. Four dinner engagements, two lunch gatherings, one surf session (hopefully), and lots of family, friends, and food.