Well it has been so long since I updated, that there really is no way that I can fill you in on everything that happened!
I will try my best though,
I began school on October 8. I am in a class of 7, 2 of us are American. There are 2 girls and 3 boys. The school itself is pretty torn up, graphiti all over the walls, carved up wooden desks and benches, and doors that don't work. In fact, just the other day, the door got slammed shut, and broke. So we were all stuck in our classroom for half an hour while they tried to knock down the door. Eventually the English teacher managed to break it open, and we were freed!
Yesterday I went to Cairo to do the Breast Cancer walk around the Pyramids. It was a very hot day, but enjoyable. Me and another NSLI student were traveling there on our own, and were impressed with our skills at navigating a city we didn't know, with minimal Arabic skills. Cairo truely is the craziest city on earth, and I have come to realize exactly how happy I am that I was not placed there.
There are always people trying to harass you or rip you off. I still love Cairo, I just don't want to live there. It is a feeling of always being on your guard, clutching your purse close to you, and trying to avoid any wandering male hands.
The difficulty of the Cairo trip was getting home. We were late to leave, and it was getting dark,then we took the wrong Metro station exit. We ended up walking around for 45 mins before we realized this. A very kind Egyptian girl ended up walking with us for another 45 mins, until we found the bus station. In those 45 mins, I explored some parts of Cairo which I do not want to revisit. However, the overall adventure was great, we got home safely, and I slept for 16 hours straight.
Next weekend I will head off to Cairo for Friday and Saturday. Lets hope we don't get lost again!
Arabic is coming along slowly, at least I can read and write now though. My teacher is amazing, in my class are only me and another NSLI student, Ernest. We have class 5 days a week, 2 hours each. Between school and Arabic class, my days are very long. I am gone from 7.30am-6.30pm. When I get home I usually need a 3 hour nap, then I get up and study, and go back to sleep. A crazy schedule, I know, but it is pretty typical Egyptian.
My host family is good, I have far more freedom than any other girl in this whole program. I think this is due to the fact that there is no male in the house. For example, I have no curfew, and am allowed to go out whenever I want. This is not simply because I am American; my host sisters do the same.
I think that is all for now, I'll update again when I can!
Please pray for me trying to balance Arabic, school, College apps, and studying SATs. I'm going crazy!!
Love Ya'll!
Renee
I will try my best though,
I began school on October 8. I am in a class of 7, 2 of us are American. There are 2 girls and 3 boys. The school itself is pretty torn up, graphiti all over the walls, carved up wooden desks and benches, and doors that don't work. In fact, just the other day, the door got slammed shut, and broke. So we were all stuck in our classroom for half an hour while they tried to knock down the door. Eventually the English teacher managed to break it open, and we were freed!
Yesterday I went to Cairo to do the Breast Cancer walk around the Pyramids. It was a very hot day, but enjoyable. Me and another NSLI student were traveling there on our own, and were impressed with our skills at navigating a city we didn't know, with minimal Arabic skills. Cairo truely is the craziest city on earth, and I have come to realize exactly how happy I am that I was not placed there.
There are always people trying to harass you or rip you off. I still love Cairo, I just don't want to live there. It is a feeling of always being on your guard, clutching your purse close to you, and trying to avoid any wandering male hands.
The difficulty of the Cairo trip was getting home. We were late to leave, and it was getting dark,then we took the wrong Metro station exit. We ended up walking around for 45 mins before we realized this. A very kind Egyptian girl ended up walking with us for another 45 mins, until we found the bus station. In those 45 mins, I explored some parts of Cairo which I do not want to revisit. However, the overall adventure was great, we got home safely, and I slept for 16 hours straight.
Next weekend I will head off to Cairo for Friday and Saturday. Lets hope we don't get lost again!
Arabic is coming along slowly, at least I can read and write now though. My teacher is amazing, in my class are only me and another NSLI student, Ernest. We have class 5 days a week, 2 hours each. Between school and Arabic class, my days are very long. I am gone from 7.30am-6.30pm. When I get home I usually need a 3 hour nap, then I get up and study, and go back to sleep. A crazy schedule, I know, but it is pretty typical Egyptian.
My host family is good, I have far more freedom than any other girl in this whole program. I think this is due to the fact that there is no male in the house. For example, I have no curfew, and am allowed to go out whenever I want. This is not simply because I am American; my host sisters do the same.
I think that is all for now, I'll update again when I can!
Please pray for me trying to balance Arabic, school, College apps, and studying SATs. I'm going crazy!!
Love Ya'll!
Renee
It is interesting reading about life in your host home without males in the household. That seems to both enforce and breakdown stereotypes that are often made about the Middle East. Very interesting. I assume you appreciate the freedom to create your own boundaries.
ReplyDeleteWe are loving the photos, keep 'em coming. :)
Regarding your work load:
Arabic, school, College apps, and studying SATs.
There is so much you are attending to and so much you have to experience. Our prayer for you is to maintain your balance.
O God of peace, you have taught us that in returning and in rest we shall be saved, in quietness and in confidence shall be our strength: By the might of your Spirit lift us, to your presence, where we may be still and know that you are God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.