Day 82: November 14

Since we're not going to the Citadel I guess I can sleep in. Woke up at 12:30 and mentally went over my day. I really wanted to watch a movie and do some journaling. It sounded like a relaxing way to start my day. I had heard allot about the movie Momento and decided to start streaming it while I got ready for the day.

Ended up walking down the street and picking up some koshri for brunch. Walked back and turned on the TV just to see what was on. Scrolled through a few channels and guess what I find... Memento. I guess it’s meant to be.

Ate my koshri, watched some Memento, and did some journaling. All the suggestions for this movie were very correct. Initially hard to follow but it has an amazing ending. The entire movie is done with scenes progressing backwards...!

Anyways finish watching that and work on some more job/internship applications. Takes me an hour and a half but I finish and polish the application and turn it in. A day early this time... sigh. Now it’s time to do some homework.

Did homework until six thirty and then went out with Evan to grab food. We went to get pasta from the koshri shop. Well turns out they are out... so its koshri for dinner.... two meals of koshri (very Egyptian).

Walk back to the apartment and get a call from Kevin. He wants to watch the Egypt/Algeria soccer game. Its Egypt's last game in the World Cup Qualifiers... they are down 1 game and 2 goals. They must win today by at least two goals. If they win by two they play again... if they win by three they advance.

I had been trying to get tickets to the game all week but to no avail. I had finally given up and decided to watch it while doing homework. However, Kevin's idea of going to a cafe and watching it with other

Egyptians sounded attractive... So I walked out to meet him.

We walked through the back alleys to a cafe he had seen setting up projectors earlier. We got to the cafe just in time to see the crowd erupt after the first goal. Egypt was up 1-0 after five minutes of play.

Momentum was with the Egyptians as they danced on cars and buildings around Cairo.

There were about three hundred crazed fans huddled around the big screen projector. We joined the cheering crowd and watched the rest of the game. The next 90 minutes were pretty uneventfull. Both teams attacking but making little progress. The Egyptians were starting to lose heart as it looked like they were about to get knocked out.

As the final minute of regulation time ticked down and 6 minutes of stoppage time was announced. With two minutes left the Algerian keeper fumbled the ball and the Egyptians took advantage. GOAL! Egypt was up 2-0. The crowd went crazy. People were shooting fireballs, waving flags, dancing in the streets. Drums and chants were heard echoing across the entire city.

Kevin and I hung around watching the festivities for awhile, and then split ways. I walked back to my apartment laughing and cheering with all the people in the street.

I made it back to my apartment and did some studying. It was crazy to hear the crowds outside in the streets. The partying and revelry continued well into the night.

At around midnight I gave Sara a call to say goodnight and then went to bed.

Day 81: November 13

Got a solid night’s sleep. Woke up just before noon. Rolled out of bed and started to sort my laundry for washing.

I’ve decided to wash my shirts and jeans by hand so that our washing machine doesn’t ruin them like it did my ultimate jersey. The machine doesn’t use hot water, but the machine itself gets super hot (due to being old or friction or something…). So I put my socks and boxers into the washer and did the rest by hand.

Listened to a sermon by Paul Washer, a pastor suggested to me by JJ. JJ and Henry have listened to the faith series and said it was really good. So far I would agree. The first sermon was really good and challenging.

Finished my laundry by two and went out with Evan to grab some food. Hit the atm first and then went over to El Baghl to grab some sandwiches. We took our sandwiches over to a café and had some tea and ate. I don’t know why but the cafés here are always relaxing.

After lunch we walked over to the fatiir shop and purchased a fatiir. We decided on the honey/powdered sugar. It was good, but a bit too sweet for my tastes. While we waited for it to be made I got a call from Mike telling me that they were meeting at his place at five and catching the bus to the concert at 6. I told him I’d head over in an hour to meet them.

Walked back to the apartment and ate the fatiir with Evan. Changed into clothes for the concert and headed out. Got in a taxi and made my way towards Zamalek. The traffic by my apartment was extremely light, so I figured it would be a short ride. However, we got to tahriir square and hit a solid wall of cars. We spent the next hour and twenty minutes driving to Zamalek. I’m pretty sure we could have walked faster…

After finally getting to Zamalek I called Mike and found out they had already walked over to the dorms to catch the bus. I asked my taxi driver to take me to the dorms… of course he had no clue where they were, and neither did I. We frantically looked for the dorms… I found the dorms and called Mike. The bus had just left.

I had already paid for the ticket but I really didn’t want to deal with another long taxi ride. Called Max and decided to go over to his place. He was feeling sick yesterday and still wasn’t looking too good today. I’m really glad I didn’t eat that koshri from poker night…. Everyone that ate it seems to have gotten sick…

Anyways I had two beers with Max and decided I had already purchased the ticket… I might as well catch a cab. Flagged down three cabs before I found one that was willing to drive to New Cairo for a decent price… usually you can pay fifty or sixty pounds, but the first two wanted minimum one hundred.

The third guy was an elderly driver from Giza. Really nice guy who wanted to know everything about America. He wouldn’t stop asking questions about my opinions and thoughts on the Middle East. It was hilarious, albeit occasionally awkward. When an Arab asks you your opinion on Israel you better answer correctly and carefully…

Got to campus fairly quickly and headed towards the loud music. I got there just in time to hear the opening band finish. Called Henry and found out they were located front center… guess it’s time to wade through the crowd. Slowly worked my way forward until I made it to the middle. However there was really nowhere to go from there. I decided to enjoy the concert from there and work my way forward as the opportunity presented itself.

The concert was good. However, you know you’re listening to a one hit wonder when they play their most popular song 4 times… ya…. It was stereo love, two other songs, stereo love remix, two other songs… .etc etc. There was also a really bad guy to girl ratio. We were estimating 80% male. Not that I was really looking to dance (wouldn’t feel right dancing with anyone other than Sara), I just found it suitably awkward to be at a techno concert with so many guys dancing/grinding around me.

Another surprising thing was the popularity of the songs entitled ‘weed helps me sleep’ and ‘sexy b****’. I figured that would be taboo. Apparently I was wrong. By the end of the concert I had worked my way to the front and was united with my companions. We were all disappointed that no amount of chanting got a encore… very un-American.

We hustled back to the busses to make sure we got seats. The bus we were taking headed back on the Tahriir route and I got the driver to drop me off near my apartment.

Got up to my apartment just before midnight. I called Evan to see if he still wanted to go to the Citadel the next morning…. And again I am the only one able to go… looks like I’m putting it off another week.

Sara gets out of class at 5 pm (3 am my time) so I decided to wait for three hours and give her a call. While I waited I did some catching up in my journal and finished the book of Exodus.

At three I gave Sara a call. She is having a real hard time with me being away. Especially as we are both looking towards the future. She has a more defined plan for his life whereas I am still searching… it’s a tough conversation.

Talked until late into the morning. Finally fell asleep at 5.

Day 80: November 12

Woke up on time and did my morning routine. Grabbed a Danish on the way out the door and headed to the metro. Caught the metro and made my way to the bus stop. Today there were three short busses instead of a big bus. I hopped on the one scheduled to leave first and found it to be extremely full. I ended up sitting on the back row with three other guys. It was one of those awkward two sit forward two sit back situations… uncomfortable, but I’ll get to campus on time.

In Media class we did some review exercises packets. I like these exercises because it gives us a clue as to what vocab is important (at least in our teacher’s opinion). After media we had our MSA class. We finally got the details on our makeup project. We are doing a six page typed Arabic essay on a Middle East history or a pertinent current event. That sounds way better than coming to class half an hour early once a week…. Not.

Anyways after class we had lunch and I went with Max to Omda. Another day of falafel/foul/egg sandwiches (aka the magnum).

We read one of the school newspapers during lunch. It’s hilarious how bad the journalism is. Last week they wrote a cover article on Atheism… it was really just a cover for the person to talk about the faults of American culture. At one point the person explained how they studied abroad in Portland, a city that was ‘overrun with gays’ and a haven for the’ freaky and weird’. This person went on to explain that they would not be surprised if in fifty years the gays took over the city, stoping reproduction thus erasing Portland’s existence… this of course is made even better by the horrible spelling and grammar mistakes… it’s like they don’t even bother to re-read or edit their articles.

Anywho, made my way to my colloquial and talked about the weekend and our upcoming midterm. Next week is going to be hectic with three tests, Media on Monday, MSA on Tuesday and Colloquial on Wednesday… great.

After class I made my way to the track to run for the first time this week. I’ve been feeling a little sick (sniffles and a cough) so we’ll see how this goes. Two miles later my knee feels a little stiff, but not bad. However, I feel exhausted. I think the minor cold I have is taking its toll. I close up shop after only 2 and a half miles… lame.

At four I headed back to the HUSS building to meet with Henry and JJ for Bible study. We end up going to the top of the HUSS building and doing our study up there. We mostly end up talking about life and our quiet times. Nothing crazy.

The bus ride home was insane. Traffic was horrendous. It took an hour to get off the freeway and to the first bus stop. The first stop is a metro stop and I decided that it would be better to jump out and catch the metro than wade through the stop and go traffic. The girl in the seat next to me got off as well and we talked for awhile while we waited for the metro. Turns out she is one of Kevin’s roommates. Small world.

Got home at around eight and started to do some homework. Evan got home at ten and we headed over to the chicken restaurant. Evan grabbed mocshi while I grabbed chicken. We sat and ate for awhile and got back to our apartment at midnight.

I watched some TV and gave Sara a call. Went to bed around three.

Day 79: November 11

Begrudgingly rolled out of bed today and got ready. Got to the bus and was the last one on… good thing I didn’t hit snooze this morning.

Went over some riot related articles in media. It’s crazy some of the stuff people riot over (like soccer games). Afterwards, we had writing where we again focused on the definite construction. However, we did also talk about the indefinite as well.

During our 15 minute break Max and I ran over to the food court and grabbed some food. I also stopped by the student union booth and picked up tickets for this Fridays Edward Maya concert. We made it back to class just in time and did an exercise where we wrote the definition of a word in Arabic and had the rest of the class guess what it is.

Another short break later and we were in our conversation class. Today we were retelling stories about a restaurant we ate at this past week. I told about the pizza place, and my teacher has requested I go get directions so she can go there… hahaha.

Anyways after class I took the bus home and started to do homework in preparation for the next day. I had a rather small workload, which seems to be the theme of this week. It’s really nice to not have as much busy work so we can focus on our vocab.

I got a call from Max at around seven inviting me to a poker night they were hosting at their apartment in Zamalek. Since I had already finished my homework I decided to head over to Zamalek and partake.

My cab driver over was one of the coolest I had ever had. He seemed really lost at first, but instead took me on a super secret back way that avoided all the crazy Zamalek traffic… it also turns out he spoke fluent English and is a Professor at Cairo University. Apparently, he picked up the taxi job just to have a larger income. Had some really interesting conversation on politics and trade.

Got to Metro towers and climbed the 16 flights of stairs (the elevator is broken) to Max’s apartment. There were ten people playing poker and the original buy in was 50 pounds. I ended up buying in three times. The first two I got knocked out on what I considered good hands (Ace Queen suited and an Ace King off suit) then again I am no pro. However, on the third buy in I played a bit more conservatively and waited for a good opportunity to pounce. That opportunity came in the form of pocket kings… I ended up taking a rather large pot. After this I was able to bet on the original ante more often thus allowing me to see the flop and decide whether to stay of fold.

I used my superior chip count to lean on people and eventually cleaned out most of the table. By the end of the night I had more than made up what I had early lost, in fact I ended up chip leader and one of three who made a profit on the night.

Afterwards I took a cab back with one of the guys from the game. Patrick lived in Tahriir which was on the way back. After dropping him off the taxi driver started to ask me questions about how much I was going to pay him… I immediately knew this was going to be bad. I told him I intended to pay him 10. This is 3 more than I would typically pay for a ride from Zamalek to my apartment.

He immediately started to throw a fit and insist that a ride from Zamalek to Tahriir was typically ten and to Garden city is an extra five. I just laughed and told him ten or he could drop me off and I’d walk the rest of the way. He immediately stopped complaining and drove… I hate when people try to take advantage of me because I’m a foreigner.

Got back to my place and paid ten to the very unhappy cab driver. Went up to my apartment and made a quick call to Sara before going to bed.

Day 78: November 10

Hit snooze until 8:15, I love my late days… walked to the metro and took it to the old campus bus stop. Did some studying and sleeping on the bus.

MSA was a pretty standard day. We practiced the new vocab by making new sentences and asking our classmates. Made us practice the proper use and recognition of the word. Anyways finished that class and had a short break prior to our writing class. In writing we practiced the use of Al-ti/di/din which is the equivalent of that in English (ie the man that was in my class..).

Had a short lunch which Max and I spent walking around trying to find an alternative to falafel or McDonalds…. We ended up getting McDonalds… oh well.

Waited outside colloquial for ten minutes before a man ran up quickly apologizing and explaining that he was our sub (kinda surprising considering I had MSA with our usual teacher…). The sub was really nice, however, severely underestimated how much we knew. Treated us like we were in our first quarter for 20 minutes before it clicked that we were understanding and answering at a higher level. After that we flowed well and he turned out to be very informative. Definitely a break from our normal structure, but a welcome relief. He also informed me of a place in Maadi where I can get Jordanian Schwarma.

After class I walked to the bus (no air alert today… the knee is still stiff). Finished Genesis on the bus and continued on my Bible blitz. Got back to the apartment 45 minutes later and started doing some homework.

Eventually walked to the Koshri place with Evan and grabbed a quick bite to eat. We walked to the bakery again tonight and got some more fresh bread. Afterwards I came back and watch a little television before going to bed.

Day 77: November 9

Woke up today and my knee was really sore and a bit swollen… looks like air alert is starting to take its (negative) effect. Hobbled my way to the metro and then to the bus.

In media class we continued to review the BBC Arabic online articles. It’s amazing how much we have learned in such a short period of time. After class Max and I walked down to Ben’s cookies to grab coffee… well he got coffee, I got a cookie.

MSA was a pretty standard day. This past weekend we had to read a new chapter and review the vocab. We spent most of today reviewing the readings and clarifying the meanings of words and their uses.

Spent lunch with Henry and Max talking about our upcoming break. There are rumors swirling around that school will be closed for 5 days after break. The next break is for the hag, the time when Muslims take their pilgrimage. The government is worried that the people taking the pilgrimage will mingle with other pilgrims in Mecca and bring back new viruses and diseases. By closing the schools for 5 days they are allowing the sick to be diagnosed and quarantined without spreading it to their schools…. However, the government has also said that they won’t announce their decision until right before the break, so I guess we’ll see.

Anyways went to colloquial and did some situational listening exercises and then practices some situations of our own. Afterwards I walked towards the track deciding whether or not I really wanted to run on my knee. I decided it was in my best interest to let it rest and rehab.

Anyways I took the bus home and started to do some homework. I had allot today and wanted to get some studying in as well. Studied until eight at which point Evan and I went to go grab food. We went to the our standard koshri shop. However, we decided to ask what else was served and upon his suggestion we got the pasta with meet. It was pretty much penne pasta with a meet sauce of sorts. Pretty much the Arab equivalent of spaghetti.

After we ate we decided to walk around the back alleys for awhile. We found a really nice bakery and got some fresh bread. Very Yummy.

Walked back and did some studying before going to bed.

Day 76: November 8

Woke up at 7:15 and made my way to school. Really didn’t sleep well last night, and because of this I was passed out on the bus.

Got to campus and sleep walked to media class. We watched a interesting news segment on BBC Arabic regarding protests in England. It’s crazy how much of the vocab you can know but still lose due to the speed at which a news anchor speaks. It’s like listening to an Arabic speaking machine gun.

Had a three hour break following media. Went up to the track and did air alert. Afterwards I went back and grabbed some lunch and did some of my homework so it wouldn’t pile up for later. Kind of a boring way to spend the break, but productive.

Went to colloquial and discussed the previous weeks midterm and conversed about our favorite foods and food in general. I never really noticed how many fruits and vegetables there were until I had to memorize them in another language…

Caught the bus and read some of from my Bible on the way home. Got home and immediately started doing some homework. Got all of the assigned work done fairly quickly and left myself some time to study vocab.

Evan got home at around six and we decided to go grab some dinner. We went back to the fatiir/pizza shop. We ordered a pizza and waited for them to cook it in their big stone oven. Shortly after ordering, Jessie showed up and the three of us hung out and waited for the food.

The pizza was amazing! We got one with chicken and veggies. Really, really good. After pizza we ordered a fatiir for desert. The guy making them suggested banana with cream. We figured he knew best and were not disappointed. It was delicious. Pretty much a gigantic crepe with banana’s, sugar, and cream.

During dinner I got a call from Mike Airosis who was planning on watching the day’s football games on his computer. He’s a huge Patriots fan and they are having the early game which shows at 8pm Cairo time. I hadn’t seen football in awhile and he wanted another guy to watch it with so I decided to join him. After dinner I parted ways with Jessie and Evan, and took a cab into Zamalek.

I arrived shortly after 8 and Mike was already streaming the game onto his computer. The quality was poor and the image skipped, but it was still football. Mike and I spent the next three hours watching the game. It was nice to just relax and watch football… kinda felt like a piece of home.

After the game was over I took a cab back to my apartment and went to bed.