An unexpected holiday

Greetings! It's been a few days since I've had a chance to post here. In typically Egypt fashion, it will take the better part of a month (inshallah) to get internet at our apartment. So here Courtney and I sit at Hubbly Bubbly, sipping mango juice and getting caught up.

The big news for today was the unexpected temporary closing of our school. At about noon today the school confirmed rumours that the Egyptian government forced a number of International Schools to delay their opening until after the Holy Month of Ramadan. The information is unclear at best, but we believe it is a combination of H1N1 paranoia, and the amount of returning expats from the summer vacation. Like I said, still a bit unclear. I'm getting used to the phrase "only in Egypt." So school will start (inshallah) on September 26 or 27. There was a mad furry of teachers booking holidays to Greece, India, the Mediterranean and other exotic locations.

So, here I sit booking flights to Paris, France, to attend the wedding of John Vanderweide and Alexandrine Blanc. (Can't wait to see you both!) I was so disappointed when I couldn't go, this is just an extra special occasion for me. The rest of the month will be spent bumming around Cairo. I haven't yet seen the pyramids, or visited any other real touristy areas. The goal for the next month: be a tourist! I was definitely feeling the school pressure, so it is also nice to have that alleviated for a bit.

The administrators among you are wondering, how do you make up that time? The school is working on a plan, but I think it will mean extending the school day, and working the occasional Saturday (the second day of our weekend) to get caught up. I'm trying not to think of the long days ahead. For now it's cool.

I've got a whole other note about the "apartment saga" but for now (inshallah) it is over, and Courtney and I are moving in and feeling settled. Last night I cooked at home for the first time since we've been here. Of course you really all just want to see pictures, so here you are.

This is the kitchen, while I'm standing in the living room. I love my island and the open-concept between the living room and kitchen.

And this is the living room, from the kitchen. Our window looks out to Road 233, a delightful road with lots of little shops and fun things to do. We're close to a lot of other teachers who live in Ma'adi, and there are a few Christian Churches close by too.

Last but not least we have my bathroom, where, due to a unfortunate bacteria, I have been spending a lot of time (sorry, too much information!) We each have our own bedroom and bathroom, which is quite nice.

The reason I call this a saga is that our landlord is not the easiest person to deal with, and I'm trying to figure out what is cultural, what is bad manners, and what is just simply part of someone being a landlord. I'll keep guessing. He does not live in the building, but like every apartment here, there is a baowab who lives downstairs in a very small apartment with his family. His job is to do maintenance for the building, and whenever I want, I can put a bag of garbage outside my door and voila! it's gone within hours. This still makes me uncomfortable, because I'm not used to being picked up after.

Anyways, there are so many more stories and events to tell, but I'll have to spread them out over many posts. I feel like I've gained a world of experience in one week, and I know there's many more to come! I do miss my family, especially my wee ones, but I'm happy to be here, and happy to have some more time to get adjusted.

In closing, I'll also add that when I wrote the date this week I thought a lot about Durham Christian High School and the Dykstra family. A lot has happened in the past year for them, and this week was a reminder of all that changed. The DCHS community continues to be in my thoughts and prayers with the beginning of another school year for them too.

Things I've already learned...

Tonight we had a staff party on a Fellucah (boat) on the Nile. They kept our three boats tied together, and it was nice to mix and mingle with new and some of the returning staff who are back in town. The above shot is one of our Fellucah captains.

The sun sets quickly, and I shot this just before we left the dock. I'll put more pictures up later when I'm on a faster connection.

I'm feeling quite accomplished with myself in the past few days, having successfully taken a taxi to multiple places, almost (fingers crossed still) rented an apartment, bought a cell phone, returned to Duty Free for some "supplies," used the bank, and not managed to get super duper lost! I probably just jinxed it...

My Arabic needs to improve drastically, or it's going to be a long two years. I think I have a new understanding of illiteracy - walking around unable to make sense of signs, directions and not understanding a word people are saying to you. When things settle, perhaps later in the fall, I'd like to take Arabic classes.

I feel safer than I thought I would, but I cannot walk the streets without comments. I'm thankful for my sunglasses, because I am stared at a lot. Sunglasses help me not incidentally make eye contact. I'm learning to walk with purpose, as if I know what I'm doing. Here in Ma'adi foreigners are more common, so perhaps we are not noticed as quickly.

Things move slower here, as shown by the fact that I still do not have a confirmed place to live. I found a gorgeous, relatively inexpensive flat for my room mate and I, and the owner left for a two day holiday in the middle of our dealings. He is *supposed* to be back tomorrow. I remain skeptical.

Tomorrow I will hopefully have a home, and spend some time stocking it in the afternoon. We have another staff party in the evening, and begin working at school on Sunday morning.

I'm here!

Greetings from Hot, Sunny, Cairo!

I'm still a bit dazed, and looking forward to going with Mohammed Ali (no joke) to search for an apartment today. I was whisked away to see one last night, but will not make a decision until I've seen a few others.

People from the school are remarkably friendly and welcoming. We were met by the administrators at the airport, and a welcome team at the hotel. Last nite dinner was at a restaurant overlooking the Nile (gonna take a while to get used to writing that with any ease...) and then a good night's rest.

As far as first impressions go, I'll only say that all the horror stories I read about driving were accurate. I will not, in the next two years, get behind the wheel of a car, no matter the occasion. Whether it was the school bus drivers or a taxi, the only consistent rule of the road is to honk and flash your high beams, ALL THE TIME. If you want to turn, honk. If you want to cut someone off, honk. If you are sitting still in traffic, honk, honk, honk. And then at night, add the flashing headlights. I saw our bus go down side streets (and on sidewalks) that I'd never try to manipulate my car on. Pretty hilarious. And a bit nauseating :)

The next few days are scheduled for apartment hunting and then moving, and every evening there is a social of sorts planned for the new teachers and the orientation team. Business meetings at school start on Sunday.

In other news, I'm happy to add that my nephew Tijs had successful surgery and is recovering well. Can't wait to see his new smile!