I arrived at my host family about 2 weeks ago, and have been settling
in nicely. I have 4 host sisters,(one speaks English) and host mother
living in a small flat in Ismailia. The city itself is very small
compared to Cairo. Despite the population of about 7 million, it has a
very small town feel. All the teenagers here know eachother, or at
least know of eachother, which makes it easy to make new friends.
I have been keeping busy, I go out everyday, whether to a cafe to meet
friends, or to someones house for Iftar(breaking of the fast during
Ramadan). I have been fasting, mostly because it is too uncomfortable
to eat in a house where no one else is, but also just to experience
it. The truth is that it really isn't difficult. During Ramadan,
people's schedules are reversed, so they stay up all night, maybe
sleep at 5 or 6 am, and not wake up until 6pm, which is when they can
eat again. I have been following that schedule, but now that I need to
get some studying for SATs done and complete college apps, I decided
to sleep at 12, and wake up at 8, so that I get some quiet time while
everyone else is sleeping. A difficulty is internet- it is very
unreliable at my house. Being a girl, I am not allowed to go out by
myself, especially not so early on. I will have to figure out an
internet cafe that is close, for those times when I can't access it at
home.
As for my Arabic, I am picking it up. Arabic lessons have not yet
started, the new projected date is Oct. 1, however, this is Egypt and
things are very subject to change. I am starting to pick up basic
words, I haven't figured out very many verbs or phrases yet though. It
is a tough language, simply because there is no comparison to any
sounds or words that I know in English, which makes memorizing a
challenge. There is hope! I met some German exchange students who just
finished up a year here, and they are completely fluent. While I will
only be here 6 months, I feel that I will be able to get a good base
in the language, but not be fluent.
So far I have made two trips to Cairo, both of them at night. That
city really never sleeps, so shopping at 4 am in the morning is
totally normal. Both times I also got to take a cruise on the Nile. I
still want to see it by day though! In the US when we say we are going
horseback riding, we usually mean that we are going to ride a senile
old horse, which no matter how hard you kick it, it will not do
anything faster than a walk. In Egypt this isn't true... I rode a
horse with some of my Egyptians friends by the pyramids. I should have
suspected that something was off when no girls wanted to go. Only 5 of
15 people fell off their horses, and I was not one of them! My horse
thought that he was in the Kentucky Derby, and if he had been, he
would have won by several minutes. I was only slightly traumatized,
and the view of the pyramids was worth every second of terror on the
horse.
Here are some details:
Weather- It is very hot, it never cools down. Only one room has A/C
in my flat, and it isn't mine.
Clothing- I do wear a hijab sometimes. My host family appreciates
it, and it decreases the amount of attention I get while I'm out. At
home,we wear shorts, tank tops, anything goes.
School-Wont start until October 15! originally it was to be Aug27,
but it keeps being pushed back. I will be attending a private
Christian school called Saalem.
Food- Lots of pita bread, beans, cheese, and yogurt. We sit on the
floor and use our hands a lot.(Sorry mom)
Transportation-My family doesn't have a car, we take taxis
everywhere. However they cost about 3 egyptian pounds, so only $.60.
Religion- My family is Muslim, and yes they pray a lot. I haven't
made it to church yet, it is hard when the church won't tell you what
time their services are. I didn't think it would be a big deal living
with a Muslim family, but it is harder than I anticipated. There are
no conflicts, it is just that when they are all praying, I have a
weird feeling inside. So of course, then I go pray to God. I can't
really explain the feeling, but I will just say that it is not a good
one.
Homesickness- Not too bad. Of course I miss home, and my family, but
I just remind myself that it is only 6 months, and I will be home
soon.
Thats about it for now, as always, feel free to ask if you have any
specific questions!
