I greatly apologize to all my loyal followers for having neglected my blog this last week. I have been ever so busy with traveling and studying that I haven’t been able to get to my computer. Needless to say, my adventures have been more crazy than relaxing. Since Thursday a week and a half ago I traveled the entire eastern Sinai peninsula and about died (from exhaustion) on several occasions. You will see in the pictures today that traveling is not easy in the desert. I would recommend packing ice in your suit cases if you can’t take the heat… like me.
First I took a 9 hour bus ride from Alexandria, past Cairo (where I saw the pyramids from a far). They were gorgeous and huge! I can’t wait to see them next Friday. We crossed under the Suez Canal and drove to the east coast of Egypt to a little tourist town called Dahab. It was enchanting to say the least. There is where I should have bought some traditional clothes for my squad back home. But I stayed in a nice hotel with a balcony view of the pool and the Red Sea as you can see below.
But the best part was that if you looked across the Sea you could see Saudi Arabia on the other side. That, my friends, is when I realized that I wasn’t in Kansas anymore. Saudi Arabia! I never even imagined I’d see it. But it was incredible to think about.
Later the next day we went snorkeling off to coast and saw the reef and fish of all kinds. That, honestly, was my favorite day of them all there. The sun roasted my beef, the heat was intense, the day was arid with a soft breeze, but all I did was float in the open sea in waters about 50-60 degrees. It was perfect.
The next day, for some horrible reason, we decided to hike the desert canyons. For those of you who don’t know me, I hate the heat. A LOT! But we hiked through some beautiful canyon trails, ate lunch and hiked some more. I felt like a burrito.
The best part about that day, I’d have to say was the swimming pool at that hotel. That Saturday (my worst day) we got up early, took a long drive to the south tip of the peninsula, got on a boat, and went to a desert island close to Saudi Arabia. I think I was dying from heat exhaustion already, but I definitely left my sea legs back in Idaho. Yup. I threw up. I felt horrible and the bobbing of the boat in the sea made me lose it. But I still snorkeled on two of the three occasions that day. It was neat. But the problem is that I am kind of like that person that once you’ve seen snorkeling all day one day, I don’t need to see it again the next day. But that is just me. Nonetheless the water was cool and crystal blue. The fish were amazing. The coral was beautiful. And my sunburn was awesome as well. I feel like a shedding snake kind of or maybe even like a strawberry Fruit Roll-up.
But the worst still had yet to come. Later that same evening we decided to go hike Mount Sinai AT 2:00 IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT! Hmmm… Let’s think about this. Desert + tall mountain + Seasick, heat exhausted, crispy fried chicken Casey. Good combination? Yeah maybe not. We started out hike at 2:00 am and I was in the fast hiking group because I didn’t want to hike for hours on end. It took us 2 ½ hours to scale it which wasn’t bad at all. Until I got woozy, again. Yep, I can honestly say now that I left a part of me back at Sinai, Literally. It may still be there today.
The fast group consisted of me and two other guys in my group. For a second when I was scaling stairs in the dark, I felt like Frodo, Sam, and Gollum scaling mount Doom. (Mainly I felt like Sam, the fat one, particularly.) But we got to the top at 4:30am and I slept for about an hour before the sun began to rise. This was the whole point. We wanted to watch the sun rise from the top of Sinai. No I didn’t see Moses, nor a burning bush, but I did see the sun rise. And then I left.
But I was so shaky from the day before that it was hard for me to get any sugar back into my system. It was hard to eat and drink for me to feel well enough to go back down the mountain. But I made it al-humdu lillah! To make things worse, we just got straight on a hot uncomfortable bus and drove another 9 hours back to Alexandria in time for dinner. Sound fun? Well maybe. But it was worth it.
On a bright side, Arabic is getting easier. It didn’t take me long before I learned the words for if you need to throw up, let me know. The coral is sharp. Water is a lifesaver. Watch out for the cliff. And see you in the morning. That pretty much sums up my time last weekend. Until later.
Omar Khairat Concert
WOW! Is there anything better? I just saw a famous Egyptian Composer in an open-air concert, get this, at the Alexandrian Library one block from the Mediterranean Sea. His name is Omar Khayrat and he is Egypt’s most famous classical/modern composer. It was awesome! The weather had a soft breeze from the west, the music was incredible (kind of seemed like James Bond Music it I were to compare it to anything) with variations in the string section, percussion, and obviously the ‘oud (that Middle Eastern twangy guitar thing).
After we all went to Mahatat Mecca (not in Saudi Arabia) to grab a drink. This was my first one:
It is called the “Borio” if you need a name. Can you guess why? If not, it is liquid Oreos. But typical me I don’t even think about what I can drink at midnight and so down it went… most of it. It was so think and sugary that I had to stop. It wasn’t shortly thereafter that I felt more gurgling in my belly than I had ever felt before. So I had to stop. My Program director them directed me to drink this: It’s called al-Asad (the lion).
I suppose it is because it lightens the blow of the Borio. Nye, they are arch enemies and my stomach was the battlefield. But needless to say I lived. But when I woke up the next day, that is when the real fun began. In Arabic they always greet each other with the saying “Sabaah il-Kheer” (morning of wellness, I suppose) and one needs to respond with “Sabaah an-Nour” (morning of light). I however responded (to those who were with me through this iron intestine test) with Sabaah il-Borio! (morning of the Borio). They laughed as you can imagine the great finale to the wonderfully (in the sense of awe, not in the sense of enjoyment) waged war inside.
The next day we took a bike ride along the coast from one end of Alexandria to the other (Keep in mind, there are 4 million people here so it was more than a brief stroll.) We were on the coastal highway the whole time which made for some awesome traffic dodging.
But because of the concert, I was determined that day to find out more about Egyptian music. So I went and bought some CD’s. One woman musician, (half Philipino/half Egyptian), named Shireen Kattar Khairi, I particularly enjoy. You men would understand if you had a wife and three daughters at home like I do. Free youselves! J/K! My heck. But watch and enjoy.
Well that is it for today! Next week Sanai for 4 days.
After we all went to Mahatat Mecca (not in Saudi Arabia) to grab a drink. This was my first one:
It is called the “Borio” if you need a name. Can you guess why? If not, it is liquid Oreos. But typical me I don’t even think about what I can drink at midnight and so down it went… most of it. It was so think and sugary that I had to stop. It wasn’t shortly thereafter that I felt more gurgling in my belly than I had ever felt before. So I had to stop. My Program director them directed me to drink this: It’s called al-Asad (the lion).
I suppose it is because it lightens the blow of the Borio. Nye, they are arch enemies and my stomach was the battlefield. But needless to say I lived. But when I woke up the next day, that is when the real fun began. In Arabic they always greet each other with the saying “Sabaah il-Kheer” (morning of wellness, I suppose) and one needs to respond with “Sabaah an-Nour” (morning of light). I however responded (to those who were with me through this iron intestine test) with Sabaah il-Borio! (morning of the Borio). They laughed as you can imagine the great finale to the wonderfully (in the sense of awe, not in the sense of enjoyment) waged war inside.
The next day we took a bike ride along the coast from one end of Alexandria to the other (Keep in mind, there are 4 million people here so it was more than a brief stroll.) We were on the coastal highway the whole time which made for some awesome traffic dodging.
But because of the concert, I was determined that day to find out more about Egyptian music. So I went and bought some CD’s. One woman musician, (half Philipino/half Egyptian), named Shireen Kattar Khairi, I particularly enjoy. You men would understand if you had a wife and three daughters at home like I do. Free youselves! J/K! My heck. But watch and enjoy.
Well that is it for today! Next week Sanai for 4 days.
Calling for People in Arabic is a Problem
The problem with me is that when I learn something I use it. Somethimes this is good, sometimes this is not so good. But let's face it, that is bound to happen. (Whether or not I do this on purpose is another thing.) My first mistake was out of sheer ignorance. I blame this first mistake on Peru for the error. Background: In Peru, the people call each other by many varied different styles. Sometimes the say something, sometimes a girl (who is hitting on you) makes a long snake like sound (and thus earns a reputation as one eventhough I know it is my good looks she wants) or inhales quickly with the lips half shut. In the jungle, amy people call out "Wooah!" when a door is open and they need something, even people take out coins and tap them on doors (which always brings someone within 10 seconds conviently even though you've tried every other method for 10 minutes! And that's not including knowcking or ringing the doorbell.
But when I first arrived here at the airport in Cairo, I hear a man who was very upset about something try to get the attention of two women that he knew somehow (probably wife and friend). He used a heavy snake hiss several times but they (I think) didn't hear him. I couldn't figure out why because they were so close in distance. Eventually they heard him adn crossed infornt of me to get to him. I foolishly asked one of my colleagues out loud (in Arabic) if that is how people call for eachother. The two women heard me and laughed outloud while the angry guy, became hugely embarrassed. I quickly learned that this type of call is highly inappropriate and derogatory to women. (I guessed that by asking the question I called him out and fortunately he didn't deck me!)
Then later I met an Egyptian Muslim woman named Habiba (which means "Beloved" in Arabic.) It is a name that is also used between boyfriend-girlfriend relations. But this type of relationship is not used openly in public unless the couple are engaged. This I knew. In the Middle East it is possible to call for between guy friends by using the word Ya Habibi! (=Hey Buddy! [literally "hey my beloved']) But I wanted to know whi can call her by "Ya Habibati" because of her name and all (of course she is a huge flirt with everyone and likes to joke about things anyway). But I pretended to be innocent to see her response. Answer (and she laughed when I asked her): Only her family and girl-friends can call her by Habibati unless one were to be engaged with her. So I, you, anyone any guy could never call her by this. Only family and friends can. (Sounds Like a T-Mobile thing). So I suprised her the next day by calliung her "Ya Habibat-Abuka!" (beloved of her father) and she laughed at my trick (which is 100% perfectly okay). Nonetheless I like to push things appropriatly just for fun. But this is what I love about playing the ignorant American card. You can make thiese "mistakes" if you will and nobody will hate you. But procede with caution lest somebody shank you in the airport one day!
But when I first arrived here at the airport in Cairo, I hear a man who was very upset about something try to get the attention of two women that he knew somehow (probably wife and friend). He used a heavy snake hiss several times but they (I think) didn't hear him. I couldn't figure out why because they were so close in distance. Eventually they heard him adn crossed infornt of me to get to him. I foolishly asked one of my colleagues out loud (in Arabic) if that is how people call for eachother. The two women heard me and laughed outloud while the angry guy, became hugely embarrassed. I quickly learned that this type of call is highly inappropriate and derogatory to women. (I guessed that by asking the question I called him out and fortunately he didn't deck me!)
Then later I met an Egyptian Muslim woman named Habiba (which means "Beloved" in Arabic.) It is a name that is also used between boyfriend-girlfriend relations. But this type of relationship is not used openly in public unless the couple are engaged. This I knew. In the Middle East it is possible to call for between guy friends by using the word Ya Habibi! (=Hey Buddy! [literally "hey my beloved']) But I wanted to know whi can call her by "Ya Habibati" because of her name and all (of course she is a huge flirt with everyone and likes to joke about things anyway). But I pretended to be innocent to see her response. Answer (and she laughed when I asked her): Only her family and girl-friends can call her by Habibati unless one were to be engaged with her. So I, you, anyone any guy could never call her by this. Only family and friends can. (Sounds Like a T-Mobile thing). So I suprised her the next day by calliung her "Ya Habibat-Abuka!" (beloved of her father) and she laughed at my trick (which is 100% perfectly okay). Nonetheless I like to push things appropriatly just for fun. But this is what I love about playing the ignorant American card. You can make thiese "mistakes" if you will and nobody will hate you. But procede with caution lest somebody shank you in the airport one day!
USA 4 - Egypt 3
Over here, we have all been watching the World Cup (in Arabic) band there seems to be a severe difference of opinions between the Americans and the Egyptians as to who is better at soccer. (Obviously you can see who from above). So we decided to take it to the field. US v. Egypt. I started left forward and then switched to the defense later. I had a couple of good attempts on goal and one great shot that somehow the keeper blocked. BUt after a while the ref's weren't calling anything right so I jumped in and took over. For the rest of the match I (as the ref), I argued (in Egyptian colloquial) with the egyptians mostly. I loved every second of it. I did great as well (as one who argues, not necessarily as the ref). Can you imagine me getting my way or the highway in a game? That doesn't seem like me. Nonetheless I earned the title الحاكم (Al-Haakim) meaning "the Judge" because of the way in which I reigned on the field. It went well.
I also wen to the Alexandrian library which was great. It is huge! And it is very modern. It has everything and is by far one of the best in the world. Unfortunately Ocouldn't take and pictures inside but here are some from the outside.
As you can see on the side are several languages from all around the world. The picture below is from Old Negev (ancient Hebrew). I learned that back when I was a nerd. That life over now. But take a look anyway.
The last picture I want to show you now is how I take notes. With any thing new (such as grammar) I try to organize it in a way where only the language is being learned. On the left is a column for extra vocabulary outside the new vocabulary that I need to memorize (flashcards, repeated practice, etc.). On the right, Are my notes. It think it is kind of cool. I never in my life thought that I would be able to do such a thing. I hope you like it.
That is it for now. I hope that you enjoyed it. And remember, Confusious says, NEVER DRINK THE WATER IN ALEXANDRIA! I endorse his thoughts.
I also wen to the Alexandrian library which was great. It is huge! And it is very modern. It has everything and is by far one of the best in the world. Unfortunately Ocouldn't take and pictures inside but here are some from the outside.
As you can see on the side are several languages from all around the world. The picture below is from Old Negev (ancient Hebrew). I learned that back when I was a nerd. That life over now. But take a look anyway.
The last picture I want to show you now is how I take notes. With any thing new (such as grammar) I try to organize it in a way where only the language is being learned. On the left is a column for extra vocabulary outside the new vocabulary that I need to memorize (flashcards, repeated practice, etc.). On the right, Are my notes. It think it is kind of cool. I never in my life thought that I would be able to do such a thing. I hope you like it.
That is it for now. I hope that you enjoyed it. And remember, Confusious says, NEVER DRINK THE WATER IN ALEXANDRIA! I endorse his thoughts.
"What a long strange trip it's been."
What do you call a hotel where the smoke alarm malfunctions three times in the middle of the night to rob you of your sleep the night before you fly out on a messed up plane schedule? Heartattack Mannor. (And by the way, I slept there.)
Really I thought my alarm clock hated me the first time. I kept hitting snooze but nothing happened. It seemed the devil himself was laughing at me as I about went postal to turn off my alarm!
On a seperate note, do not ever fly through Frankfurt to get to Cairo. Frankfurt is a nightmare. We stood in a line no longer that 10 perople for an hour and fifteen minutes to find a flight that we missed due to a delay. The funny thing is that when we checked into Dulles International in DC, the line was litterally just under ONE MILE LONG!!! But it took us just under 45 minutes to get through it.
Total time was 30 hours of travel!!! Crazy. Sorry to say that my pictures can't be uploaded here. Hopefully later. Gotta go! See ya later.
Really I thought my alarm clock hated me the first time. I kept hitting snooze but nothing happened. It seemed the devil himself was laughing at me as I about went postal to turn off my alarm!
On a seperate note, do not ever fly through Frankfurt to get to Cairo. Frankfurt is a nightmare. We stood in a line no longer that 10 perople for an hour and fifteen minutes to find a flight that we missed due to a delay. The funny thing is that when we checked into Dulles International in DC, the line was litterally just under ONE MILE LONG!!! But it took us just under 45 minutes to get through it.
Total time was 30 hours of travel!!! Crazy. Sorry to say that my pictures can't be uploaded here. Hopefully later. Gotta go! See ya later.
We didn't win the trip for next year. =(
For the students going with me to Egypt next year, I just found out yesterday that we didn't win the free tour drawing. I am sad. Please work hard this summer!!! FYI 6 days until EGYPT for me!!!
Walk Like an Egyptian
Just how does and Egyptian walk? To answer that I interviewed one and he said, "with two feet, on stilts." Boring if you ask me... Here is a picture of him.
However, yesterday I the name of the co-teacher to teach with me next year was given to me. His name is Ahmed Abdelrazek Mohamed. He is an English teacher at an all girls school in Egypt. Kind of suits us since there is a 3:1 ratio of girls to boys here. So, everybody, let's give Ahmed a big السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته to him when he gets here!
However, yesterday I the name of the co-teacher to teach with me next year was given to me. His name is Ahmed Abdelrazek Mohamed. He is an English teacher at an all girls school in Egypt. Kind of suits us since there is a 3:1 ratio of girls to boys here. So, everybody, let's give Ahmed a big السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته to him when he gets here!
Please, don't stab me with that.
What do I hate more than my current health insurance loopholes? The shot's they won't pay for.
Keep in mind, the Egyptian government does not require any immunizations to enter the country. Nonetheless, given the natural weight loss program I undergo against my will every time I travel out of country, I decided that some shots would best help me.
I had a total of four. Flu, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Typhiod (not paid for by insurance). Two in the left arm, two in the right. The needles were so tiny. What ever happened to "the Peanut Butter Shot?" Not that I prefer that one.
I also bought a pro-biotic called Align for building up by digestion by the time I get there. It was cheepest at Costco. And I bought an anti-biotic called ciprofolaxin in case I get Montezuma's revenge on the Nile. On top of that, I need to buy a mosquito net to prevent Malaria (in case some bug craves american style breakfasts). And with that, I leave you with a picture. Enjoy.
Keep in mind, the Egyptian government does not require any immunizations to enter the country. Nonetheless, given the natural weight loss program I undergo against my will every time I travel out of country, I decided that some shots would best help me.
I had a total of four. Flu, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Typhiod (not paid for by insurance). Two in the left arm, two in the right. The needles were so tiny. What ever happened to "the Peanut Butter Shot?" Not that I prefer that one.
I also bought a pro-biotic called Align for building up by digestion by the time I get there. It was cheepest at Costco. And I bought an anti-biotic called ciprofolaxin in case I get Montezuma's revenge on the Nile. On top of that, I need to buy a mosquito net to prevent Malaria (in case some bug craves american style breakfasts). And with that, I leave you with a picture. Enjoy.
Someone must like me... No, it's probably not you.
So back in January (2010), two grant applications were emailed to me with the recommendation to fill them out. Both grants are federally funded through American Councils. One is the Teachers of Critical Languages Program (TCLP) program, where a teacher from Egypt will co-teach in an American classroom for one school year, and the other is the Arabic Institute of Summer Languages Initiative(ISLI), where an American teacher will travel abroad to Alexandria, Egypt this summer for 7 weeks to study immersion Arabic.
And to my fortune, having never written a grant, I got both of them! I found out mid-April that a teacher was coming here and a week later, after having successfully passed a 30 minute oral exam in Arabic two weeks prior, that I was going to spend my summer in Alexandria!
Unfortunately, I will not be able to take my family. And yes, my wife is jealous. As a matter of fact, this was the thought that went through her mind when I broke the news to her.
Just kidding. But surely she was sad. That being said. I am taking her back next year with some of my students for about two weeks. It will be awesome and she will like me again. Only 387 days until she likes me again. Either way, wish me luck and keep watching the posts!
And to my fortune, having never written a grant, I got both of them! I found out mid-April that a teacher was coming here and a week later, after having successfully passed a 30 minute oral exam in Arabic two weeks prior, that I was going to spend my summer in Alexandria!
Unfortunately, I will not be able to take my family. And yes, my wife is jealous. As a matter of fact, this was the thought that went through her mind when I broke the news to her.
Just kidding. But surely she was sad. That being said. I am taking her back next year with some of my students for about two weeks. It will be awesome and she will like me again. Only 387 days until she likes me again. Either way, wish me luck and keep watching the posts!
