Giza
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Back in the USA...
Taking a look back now...
Is it sad that I laughed at my own Egypt posts? Hahaha...
I have to say that I miss Egypt more than I thought I'd ever miss any place.
People keep asking me all these crazy questions.
"If you could only pick one place to go to, would you pick Egypt, or Italy?"
Man...
Or... "Do they hate Jesus?"
...WHAT!?
Am I living in the twilight zone?
Yea, I think so.
What other questions did people ask me...
There have been so many.
People have asked reasonable questions for the most part,
but some I had think try and answer without sounding rude.
"Did they make you wear a dress?"
Pretty funny.
"How did the men treat you?"
Has been popular.
"Why don't they like us?"
I've gotten a few times.
Hahaha, I love answering these questions...
-but they always take me by surprise at first.
"They don't like us!?"
"...Me? In a dress? ..No."
Besides the questions...
I remember when I saw the first pair of shorts worn by American tourists in Khan el Khalili...
Shocking, yes. It was.
The same thing happened to my group when we got into America.
The airport was full of them... And in unison...
A gasp.
How crazy is that?
Pretty crazy, if you ask me.
We saw a Muslim man praying and Candace started to cry, she took me aside.
"That's the last time we'll see that for a while, you know?"
One of the scariest things I experienced back in America...
The change.
The realization that all my friends there were going to their homes, and I was going to mine...
And we may not see each other for an age.
One night, the twenty-five of us sat in a circle around three lit candles, and we forced the adults and volunteers out.
For each good memory, someone would tell us about it, and light another candle.
That was the most upsetting night.
We all huddled together.
When the adults came back in... They were happy to see that their little candle project had worked on us.
I got back home and called Caitlin, who was home in DC again...
She cried on the phone.
I called Candace... People called me.
I've been home for five minutes and I think I must have talked to everyone already...
Everyone's so tired.
Crazy.
Finally I had to leave the downstairs rooms of my house after being told that it's foolish that's we'd be upset and that no one really understands.
So I went to bed.
When i woke up, I read my memory book that I saved to read till I got home...
On the bright side of things...
NOW!!!
I'm back at Mugs.
I'm having a GREAT time.
My host family has called me a few times. :-)
I still need to call them back.
Along with Candace, Alex, Ethan, Julie, etc.
Sheesh....
Well, I've been having a GREAT time back in the US, not that I'm completely (sort of) acclimated again.
I love Mugs just as much as I did when I left. Maybe more.
My family. I missed them. lol
ALBONO!!!
Mah co-wokerrrrs!
;-)
Anyhow.
That was basically the aftermath.
It's all part of the adventure.
-Steph
Is it sad that I laughed at my own Egypt posts? Hahaha...
I have to say that I miss Egypt more than I thought I'd ever miss any place.
People keep asking me all these crazy questions.
"If you could only pick one place to go to, would you pick Egypt, or Italy?"
Man...
Or... "Do they hate Jesus?"
...WHAT!?
Am I living in the twilight zone?
Yea, I think so.
What other questions did people ask me...
There have been so many.
People have asked reasonable questions for the most part,
but some I had think try and answer without sounding rude.
"Did they make you wear a dress?"
Pretty funny.
"How did the men treat you?"
Has been popular.
"Why don't they like us?"
I've gotten a few times.
Hahaha, I love answering these questions...
-but they always take me by surprise at first.
"They don't like us!?"
"...Me? In a dress? ..No."
Besides the questions...
I remember when I saw the first pair of shorts worn by American tourists in Khan el Khalili...
Shocking, yes. It was.
The same thing happened to my group when we got into America.
The airport was full of them... And in unison...
A gasp.
How crazy is that?
Pretty crazy, if you ask me.
We saw a Muslim man praying and Candace started to cry, she took me aside.
"That's the last time we'll see that for a while, you know?"
One of the scariest things I experienced back in America...
The change.
The realization that all my friends there were going to their homes, and I was going to mine...
And we may not see each other for an age.
One night, the twenty-five of us sat in a circle around three lit candles, and we forced the adults and volunteers out.
For each good memory, someone would tell us about it, and light another candle.
That was the most upsetting night.
We all huddled together.
When the adults came back in... They were happy to see that their little candle project had worked on us.
I got back home and called Caitlin, who was home in DC again...
She cried on the phone.
I called Candace... People called me.
I've been home for five minutes and I think I must have talked to everyone already...
Everyone's so tired.
Crazy.
Finally I had to leave the downstairs rooms of my house after being told that it's foolish that's we'd be upset and that no one really understands.
So I went to bed.
When i woke up, I read my memory book that I saved to read till I got home...
On the bright side of things...
NOW!!!
I'm back at Mugs.
I'm having a GREAT time.
My host family has called me a few times. :-)
I still need to call them back.
Along with Candace, Alex, Ethan, Julie, etc.
Sheesh....
Well, I've been having a GREAT time back in the US, not that I'm completely (sort of) acclimated again.
I love Mugs just as much as I did when I left. Maybe more.
My family. I missed them. lol
ALBONO!!!
Mah co-wokerrrrs!
;-)
Anyhow.
That was basically the aftermath.
It's all part of the adventure.
-Steph
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Update, Oh mannn.
So!!!
It's been a while dear old internet!Eh em... Awhole lot has happened so far...
Some I'll write, most of it I won't.
------
Yes, that green soup was gross the first time I ate it...
The funny thing is... after you accept it for what it is... Snot soup...
You actually kind of get used to it, and maybe even enjoy it.
That's everyone for the kudos on my tactfulness in hiding the gagggg.
But hey... We had it the other night ands I ate it so fast.
World record right here. My family was so surprised.
---
So, Arabic school is over and done with now.
I just got back from yet ANOTHER party.
Egyptians are totally nuts if anyone was wondering about that...
Egyptians do not need/want sleep. Not at all.
I got a call from my real mom the other night at 11:45.
"I;m sorry, I didn't realize it was so late there ujntil just now, are you asleep?"
"No, I'm at the mall."
It happens more and more frequently.
-00-0-0-000-000--
So, I'm going on a massive shopping adventure tomorrow at Khan el. (As in, Khalili)
Yes, yes, again. For the FIFTH time, I'm going to Khan el.
BUt this time I'm going with just myself and Candace.
I'm meeting Ethaaaan there because out families feel safer that a guy goes with us when we're traveling alone... Funny, right? Poor Ethan.
----
I am SO sorry I haven't sent postcards.
I haven't been able to find a post office of any kind...I've been told that they do exist however.
--
I do love Egyptians... They're so gossipy.
Everything is everyone's buisness.
And they will ASK you about everything and anything they WANT to.
Scary at times.
-
I wrote a song in the privacy of my home ALONNNE today.
My sencond taste of privacy on the whole trip.
Go me, go me~
---
I feel like our groups here (AKA: My family.)
(Ethan, Max, Alex, Alex, Alex, Priya, Aiya, Kana, Meera, Nick, Emily, Candace,Carl, Lucy, Caitlin, etc. etc.) is very musical... We're always making up songs, or singing random things we're thinking.
It's kinf of funny...
"Life is life... la la lalala.. When in Rome... La la lalala... How ARE you... La la lalala... Kill Radwa... La la lalala... Musafaaaaaa.. La la lalala..."
Or doing the funky chiken...
"Shoooot da moon, shooot shooot da mooon."
OKay, I'm tired and have a busy day tomorrow.
-Steph
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
"I'm BAAAaaaack..."
So, I just got out of yet ANOTHER Arabic test...
The AFS exam was today... Talk about heartattacccckkk...
Tomorrow is an even bigger heart attack. Oh yes.
The (dun dun dun) State Dept. Arabic Exam.
Yikes.
Okay, anyhow.
The soup, is called Mukhayya... or osmething.
There's nothing PEA-like in it, grandmom. Hahaha...
It's GREEN snot.
Like... (dorky:) the scene in the first Harry Potter movie, when Ron's wand goes up the nose of that troll...
Yea, the nastiness that came out... That's basically the soup.
I asked what it was made out of, "Leaves."
Hmmm.. Mulkhayya leaves.
Everyone says there's no English translation they;re aware of.
Scary, my friends.
---
Okay, my favvvorite teacher is talking to me, so I'll update later.
Thanks for the comments!!!
-Shhhteph.
The AFS exam was today... Talk about heartattacccckkk...
Tomorrow is an even bigger heart attack. Oh yes.
The (dun dun dun) State Dept. Arabic Exam.
Yikes.
Okay, anyhow.
The soup, is called Mukhayya... or osmething.
There's nothing PEA-like in it, grandmom. Hahaha...
It's GREEN snot.
Like... (dorky:) the scene in the first Harry Potter movie, when Ron's wand goes up the nose of that troll...
Yea, the nastiness that came out... That's basically the soup.
I asked what it was made out of, "Leaves."
Hmmm.. Mulkhayya leaves.
Everyone says there's no English translation they;re aware of.
Scary, my friends.
---
Okay, my favvvorite teacher is talking to me, so I'll update later.
Thanks for the comments!!!
-Shhhteph.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Finally. An update. :-)
YESSS!!! INTERNETTT!!!! :-D
I hope everyone's doing great at home!!!
Sorry about not updating this for a WHILE, I've been extreeeemelu busy.
Arabic mid terms, ugh.
I have more tomorrow morning, and night and the dy after. Stinks.
Anyway, this has to be short because I need to study and my family is going to the mall, meeting friends, ect etc, Egyptians are always busy.
Appearantly my evaluation was great, eight points out of eight points.
I have more evaluation tomorrowq, so fear not, I still have a chance to MESS it up. lol Hate that.Anyway..
The other night... my politeness forced me to eat this soup...
Green, and slimy.
Mucus-like. I gagged only once, but I covered it up with a laugh, no one knew the difference (al-hamdulilah).
OKay, IU sgiyuld go. MOm's lurking.
I hope everyone's doing great at home!!!
Sorry about not updating this for a WHILE, I've been extreeeemelu busy.
Arabic mid terms, ugh.
I have more tomorrow morning, and night and the dy after. Stinks.
Anyway, this has to be short because I need to study and my family is going to the mall, meeting friends, ect etc, Egyptians are always busy.
Appearantly my evaluation was great, eight points out of eight points.
I have more evaluation tomorrowq, so fear not, I still have a chance to MESS it up. lol Hate that.Anyway..
The other night... my politeness forced me to eat this soup...
Green, and slimy.
Mucus-like. I gagged only once, but I covered it up with a laugh, no one knew the difference (al-hamdulilah).
OKay, IU sgiyuld go. MOm's lurking.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Whoa
So, it's been a while since I've been online...
Marina was beautifullll!!! The water was so clear and bright blue.\
Absolutely amazing....
We went swimming, hung out with some friends... etc.
I swear... Egypt gets better everyday I'm here.
At first... Egypt was kindof iffy, honestly...
But everyday since... Two weeks ago...ish. It's been amazing.
Everything changes when you have made good friends.
It's kindof upsetting that I probably won't see most of them again after I come home.
Random Amsterdam jumping picture:
http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v81/180/16/1547700128/n1547700128_32230_2265.jpg
Another:
http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v82/0/120/1189470774/n1189470774_30201920_8905.jpg
I'm soooo tired at the US Ambassador's house party:
http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sctm/v99/91/75/755040701/n755040701_801938_3244.jpg
"Max, help me. I need food" "...Okay... Let's go.":
http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sctm/v99/91/75/755040701/n755040701_801959_2435.jpg
"That's not food... Where's the Ambassador?"
http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v107/91/75/755040701/n755040701_796646_752.jpg
"Food...?"
http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v107/91/75/755040701/n755040701_796671_6910.jpg
Fagnoon:
PLEASE NO MORE MUD!!!"
http://photos-b.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sctm/v104/91/75/755040701/n755040701_796109_2002.jpg
"Whoa nelly..."
http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sctm/v104/91/75/755040701/n755040701_795875_7948.jpg
That's all for now folks....
-Steph
P.S. I had two mid terms today... 88 on ECA *sigh*
No clue how I did for MSA... But the teacher took me aside to tell me I was his best student, and to meet another one of his students... cause MSA is too slow for me or something... So that's good! (*cringe*: ECA)
Oh, and Heba (teacher other), said my evaluation was fantastic! Go me!
Thank you mom and dad for the snak food!!!
I was SOOOOOO happy to see that three food long junk food filled box on the floor!!! Deeelicious! Thank you SO much!
Marina was beautifullll!!! The water was so clear and bright blue.\
Absolutely amazing....
We went swimming, hung out with some friends... etc.
I swear... Egypt gets better everyday I'm here.
At first... Egypt was kindof iffy, honestly...
But everyday since... Two weeks ago...ish. It's been amazing.
Everything changes when you have made good friends.
It's kindof upsetting that I probably won't see most of them again after I come home.
Random Amsterdam jumping picture:
http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v81/180/16/1547700128/n1547700128_32230_2265.jpg
Another:
http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v82/0/120/1189470774/n1189470774_30201920_8905.jpg
I'm soooo tired at the US Ambassador's house party:
http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sctm/v99/91/75/755040701/n755040701_801938_3244.jpg
"Max, help me. I need food" "...Okay... Let's go.":
http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sctm/v99/91/75/755040701/n755040701_801959_2435.jpg
"That's not food... Where's the Ambassador?"
http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v107/91/75/755040701/n755040701_796646_752.jpg
"Food...?"
http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v107/91/75/755040701/n755040701_796671_6910.jpg
Fagnoon:
PLEASE NO MORE MUD!!!"
http://photos-b.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sctm/v104/91/75/755040701/n755040701_796109_2002.jpg
"Whoa nelly..."
http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sctm/v104/91/75/755040701/n755040701_795875_7948.jpg
That's all for now folks....
-Steph
P.S. I had two mid terms today... 88 on ECA *sigh*
No clue how I did for MSA... But the teacher took me aside to tell me I was his best student, and to meet another one of his students... cause MSA is too slow for me or something... So that's good! (*cringe*: ECA)
Oh, and Heba (teacher other), said my evaluation was fantastic! Go me!
Thank you mom and dad for the snak food!!!
I was SOOOOOO happy to see that three food long junk food filled box on the floor!!! Deeelicious! Thank you SO much!
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Marina
So, I'm going on vacation tonight.
My family's going to a place called Marina in the north.
My host dad tells me it has the most beautiful waters in the world.
Cool, no?
Anyhow... I'll be back on Saturday-ish. (You know, Egyptians and time.... ugh)
---Tuesday we're going toa party on a boat... On the Nile... and we have to wear... something I'm not sure how to spell... Something that starts with a G, and ends in an A.
Looks like a dress, but isn't really.
-Steph
My family's going to a place called Marina in the north.
My host dad tells me it has the most beautiful waters in the world.
Cool, no?
Anyhow... I'll be back on Saturday-ish. (You know, Egyptians and time.... ugh)
---Tuesday we're going toa party on a boat... On the Nile... and we have to wear... something I'm not sure how to spell... Something that starts with a G, and ends in an A.
Looks like a dress, but isn't really.
-Steph
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