I haven't updated regularly like I intended to. So once again, I will attempt to recap the events of this summer, which is quickly slipping through my fingers despite my futile efforts to hold on ( Read more... )

I shall start from the beginning. I am writing these words on Monday August 8, even though the date above belies that. I'm going to attempt to remember everything that's happened before August 8, so it will be categorized neatly in its proper date, for future nostalgia's sake. Slightly inauthentic, but organized nonetheless ( Read more... )

Ahh, American school systems. It's back to stimulating discussions and such. Not sure if that's a good thing. I'm thinking about taking a class called Trends in Islamic Thought, where we'll read about Sayyid Qutb, Ibn Taymiyya, etc and the debate between whether Islam is intrinsically linked to politics or if the two can be separate, thus delving ( Read more... )

Everyone warned that the transition from studying abroad to normal life would be difficult. So far, that has only been half true. I do miss all of my friends, but already we're chatting on AIM, emailing and otherwise staying in touch. It it a little weird to go from seeing someone every single day for at least four months straight, to not seeing ( Read more... )

My family has bemoaned the fact that I never really ended the entries on my cairo adventures. I sorta left everyone hanging, with no mention of when I was coming home or how I was spending the last few days in Egypt ( Read more... )

Just returned from a day trip to Alexandria, which is located to the north of cairo about 2 hours, right on the Mediterranean Sea coast. Egypt has so many different kinds of scenery and this was one of the most beautiful ( Read more... )

Of the many interesting housing options available in Egypt, houseboats have to be at the top. One of our friends (one of the few who are staying for the whole year)has decided to rent a room on a boat for next semester, so we all went looking for a suitable space ( Read more... )

I woke up ultra-early this morning for the ISSO's study abroad breakfast in the dorm cafeteria. They served free breakfast while we filled out forms rating our experience here so far ( Read more... )

Went to see Aida, the opera, last night. It was about 4 hours long, and being the impatient viewer that I am, I think it could've been shortened by an aria or two less. In all though it was a great show: the actors were amazing, the singing was impeccable, and the few dance routines were choreographed beautifully. Add that to the fact that I was in ( Read more... )

Time is ticking and I still have so much sightseeing left to do. That's why I decided to get tickets to the opera Aida, which is playing all this week. I've never been to the opera, so this will be a great chance to get some culture while experiencing something new, I suppose. We had to buy the tickets (super cheap, only 15 pounds) at the Dar al ( Read more... )