Alexandria

Alexandria…

Cleopatra’s city…

Founded by Alexander the Great…  

This weekend was a big milestone for me being in Egypt. I have now been here a month and we had our first big weekend excursion, to Alex! A 3-hour bus ride from Cairo (usually ppl take the train but we didn’t want to risk not being able to come back because of the strikes on Saturday!), Alex is located on the Mediterranean Sea.

I LOVE THE SEA! The fresh air, blue skies, blue water. Its almost as good as my mountain air =P

We arrive at the Winsdor Hotel located on the sea =) When my siblings and I were growing up my mom would ask us where we wanted to travel…for my oldest sister it was actually Egypt but for me it was simply a hotel. I love hotels. So much! So as soon as we arrive I’m pretty tired because of my motion sickness medicine but everyone else goes out for dinner. I stay in…and order room service! Curled up on my King sized bed eating room service (and ice cream ;)) I feel so happy =D

A good (hotel) sleep later, Pam (my roomie) and I go up to the roof for breakfast. First I see the scrumptious breakfast buffet that is laid out then I see the breathtaking view! We were on the Mediterranean and on the roof but I was not prepared for the white buildings and giant expanse of blue skies and sea…

Off to explore Alex after a decadent breakfast. The library is closed that morning so we go off to Pompey’s pillar and the catacombs…random pillar sticking out into the sky was actually erected in honor of the first Christian emperor of Rome, Constantine.

Pam and the dead lady...

Lunch. More food! And its off to Catherine’s Cathedral. A catholic church in Egypt. It was interesting. First of all there was a dead lady covered in wax there! Weird! It wasn’t St. Catherine but some other lady whose body was covered in wax to preserve her so she could bring good luck…hmmm lol

Also, we visit a Roman Amphitheater. Cool cool but the best part was the street kitty! While everyone else attempts to get a jump shot =P I go and pet a very friendly adorable street kitty who decides he wants on my lap =D

Then we go to the fort where the Alexandrian Lighthouse (one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world) used to stand. I go up to the wall to see the water crashing against the wall and run into two of the kids on my program surrounded by arabs (mostly women) wanting their pictures taken with my friends! Lol! It was like paparazzi! They made us get of the wall because it was closing time but even going down I got asked for a picture =P 

Oh and I got to pet yet another street kitty! But this one bit me after a little bit =O Don’t worry didn’t break the skin!

Long day and more food then we could handle our trip continues the next day…

Asharaf, one of our Arabic teachers

Shangri-La

Cairo is an intense city…

The crowds…

The trash…

The smog...

The dust…

The noise…

We survived our first dust storm in Cairo last week…yes a dust storm! It is not just dirty as most big cities are but we are located in the desert! We have dust/sand everywhere! Permanently!

I’m used to the mountains of North Carolina. The clean air, quiet town, and trees all around. How can this country girl get used to living in one of the largest cities in the world!

I have found the answer…my own little piece of paradise, Safir Hotel.

This extremely posh hotel is located in the middle of Cairo, conveniently a 15 second walk from my apartment…

My program has a special deal with their Health Club/Spa. So I now have a gym membership there with full access to their gym, Jacuzzi, steam room, sauna, and most importantly showers!

Peaceful, tranquil, quiet, clean, beautiful…

This is now my escape whenever I am feeling stressed or culture shocked…

Go to the gym, work out, spend forever in the spa area, and read curled up in a chair in the lobby listening to a violin player =)

Safir is also a great place to treat ourselves to a nice dinner, drink, and some shopping for a girls night when we need one =)

Anniversary

It is the anniversary of the Egyptian Revolution. It began last year on the new holiday, Police Day, and ended with the President (/tyrant) of Egypt stepping down 18 days later. Jan. 25, 2011…

But not only is it the anniversary of the Egyptian Revolution but also the anniversary of my stay in Egypt last year. I was studying abroad last year in January in Cairo. So excited to finally be living out of the States, looking forward to learning Egyptology, and slightly overwhelmed with being there =P My 3^rd week there we got a day off of classes and we were all looking forward to going out and sleeping in =) Little did we know that the peaceful demonstrations on Police Day would lead to a revolution!

A few days later we went to the boy’s AP (It is now the girl’s AP, and where I am living) for a Egyptian cooking lesson and then we were not allowed to leave for 4 days until we were evacuated to Greece and from there I went back to the States and lived at home for a semester…

Things had finally calmed down enough by the summer of 2011 that my program decided it was safe to reopen the program for Spring 2012…I immediately signed up! So here I am again, living in Cairo.

But don’t be fooled. This country is still unstable. Unfortunately, power corrupts. The military that the people loved when they took power last spring have not lived up to the people’s expectations. Free elections to elect a civilian leader still have not taken place, so the Egyptian people take to the streets once again in protest…

Hooreayah = Freedom

                                                 


There are deaths and violent conflicts but most of Cairo is peaceful, calm, and safe. So no need to worry! I respect the Egyptian people and their struggle for freedom but I know it is not my fight. Insha’allah (God Willing) the people will prevail and democracy will finally begin in Egypt =)

It is officially, now, the longest I have ever been in Egypt/abroad! I am beginning my 4^th week in this amazing city and even though I am remembering the past I am also looking forward to the future!