When I first arrived to the airport it seemed like most people were wearing normal western clothes and then I realized all the people wearing them were all men. I looked around me some more and realized all the women besides the obvious foreigners were wearing Hijabs (those cloth like coverings) Great I was at least hoping I could blend in a little! Sure my skin is dark so I blend in some there, but that just makes people assume that I speak Arabic! Lol and wonder why I don’t where Hijabs too! This was probably the most uncomfortable feeling I’ve ever felt, but coming here I was expecting it. I kind of felt it was unfair that men were able to wear whatever they want, but women had to wear these coverings, but let me tell you they are working it! The women here know how to dress their scarves up to match and even accessorize their outfits to the point where I’m like that actually looks cute! It’s also something THEY are used to.
They’re also used to the tourism that comes in from all over the world, so they’re used to western styled clothing and are actually ready and willing to welcome us to their country.
Speaking of tourism, I did a little bit of that the day I got here. The first was spent in Cairo just outside of Giza where the pyramids were. I was supposed to meet my friend Shauna at the airport, but it turned out our flight times were a little (more like a lot) off. So I figured why not take the day that I now have in Cairo before going up to Alexandria (where I will be the rest the time) and see some of the pyramids and the Sphinx. SOOO that’s what I did. I talked to the tourist desk at the airport *thank goodness people spoke English* and got all the ends and outs on what to do. It was just me at this point because Shauna’s plane didn’t come in until that evening. I was nervous, but the tourist center did choose a driver who would take me on the little excursions during the afternoon...which I think ripped me off on the prices. But I guess that’s part of the experience. You live and learn…I did some bargaining, but I feel like I could’ve bargained even lower.
Anyway I ended up seeing the pyramids and the Sphinx which was awesome. It was cool learning the facts and history behind these wonders. I also rode a camel. That was legit. Though three days later I’m still sore. Then I hung out at the mall (2nd largest in the world I do believe) Their malls are awesome let me tell you. HUGE! Like 8 different floors, at least 4 different hallways, and a supermarket on the bottom floor. Really nice tile and stuff, free wifi and everything!
After a great day that started off kind of rocky, it was back to the airport. To pick up Shuana and then we headed to Alexandria on a bus ride, which should’ve taken just 4 hours, that ended up taking 6 and half! In the middle of the night the poor thing broke down! It was crazy. But luckily they had busses leaving from Cairo to Alexandria every hour or so and we hopped aboard the next one heading to our destination.
When we finally got off our wonderful greyhound like tour bus, we hopped a taxi and headed to our campus--which btw is walking distance from the Mediterranean Sea and is viewable from our window and when the sunlight shines in our room it reflects of the pink cabinets, making our white walls rosy.
I think I'm going to like this place
Home sweet home for the next 2 months
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