T.I.A.

After one week in Cairo Dylan and I finally have internet in our new apartment. Although the debacle with our apartments was seemingly endless at the time, I will attempt to provide a brief summary. Afterwards I will post some of my reactions and thoughts regarding several components of our trip thus far, including the city, our work at St. Andrews, and studying Arabic at Al-Diwan.

Basically the first apartment didn't cut it. After two nights we realized that the old place simply would not suffice as a temporary home. The doorman was unfriendly and unhelpful, the elevator was precarious at best, internet connection was nonexistent, the electricity did not work with the exception of one plug – which provided our lighting (two lamps on the floor), the air conditioning did not work, everything was caked in dust and grime, and the list goes on. Thus, we opted to move.

Our new place is much cleaner, nearer a few small markets and right down the street from the girls, on sharia hassan mourad. However, as we know nothing is perfect! Our water is highly unreliable and ice cold, the toilets don't work (we have to flush them by filling up buckets and pouring water down the bowl), and the beds constantly fall apart (they are shabbily constructed with a headboard, foot board, and horizontal wooden planks). That’s fine though -- we are managing. Actually, I am used to it all; and it really isn’t that bad. In fact, the frigid showers are quite delightful either before bed (after a day in the heat and dust of the city) or to wake up in the morning (after about 5 hours of sleep). It is amazing how much you miss some things (like internet) but quickly forget about others (such as functioning toilets and water temperature) when they are gone.

Well, I am off now to study Arabic before six straight hours of class. Wish me luck ;) I am loving it though. After adjusting (which was difficult), I am incredibly fortunate to have this opportunity.

Cheers,
Jonathan


P.S. "T.I.A." means "This Is Africa", an expression used when nothing happens on time, and when it does happen, it likely won't pan out as expected. Indeed, it was the story of week one.