مدرسه في مصر

School started in Egypt on October 4th which was around five weeks ago. School was delayed because of Ramadan and Swine Flu concerns. I am going to school at Misr Language School. It is located in Haram near to the pyramids. There are two other exchange students from my program at my school, so it wasn't too difficvult of a transition.
Each morning I wake up at 6:25. I make my breakfast which usually consists of a grilled cheese and get dressed. We wear uniforms, so I always know what I am going to put on. I have to wear navy blue pants, and because I am a senior I wear a pink polo shirt. I leave the apartment at 6:50 and walk to my bus stop. My bus usually comes around 6:55. It is more of a large van. There are around 8 other kids on my bus ranging from 1st grade up. It is around a thirty minute ride to school from Mohandiseen to school. Of course, traffic is always the determinant in that. I enjoy my ride to school because we pass over a very interesting area in Cairo. Our bus goes on this road that overpasses great big green fields filled with various crops all bordered by many apartment buildings. Many of these apartments are only half built, but completly lived in. The fields remind me of how I would picture ancient Cairo. Still today, the work is hand done with only the assistance of donkeys. Also, on the way to school I judge the smog level by noticing how soon I can see the pyramids. On a good day, I can see them as soon as we get to the overpass while on other days I dont see them until midday at school.
We arrive at school at around 7:20. I walk to the american division building of our school. Our scool has five divisions: the natioanl, french, special needs, british and american. Our building has the american and british grades kg through 12. I sit on a bench and wait until morning lines. Usually a few friends come up and we talk until it is time to line up. Morning lines is at 7:45. The Koran is read for around five minutes while we all stand. Then we chant something in arabic that translates to I am proud to live in Egypt. We stand in line based on grade and gender. After, we walk up to the 4th floor to begin our classes.
I am taking English language, English Literature, Art, Physics, Calculus, and Computer. The schedule is different every day, and you dont always have each of your classes each day. There are only 10 people in the 12th grade including 3 exchange students. The grade is so small because the Egyptian system had a time where there was a 6th grade and then there wasn't. The classes last around 40 minutes long. Teachers change classroom instead of the students. It is a new thing for this school because they are making precautions for swine flu. I thought I wouldnt like that, but I have gotten used to it. It is actually quite convenient. I do have to go to a different class for physics, art, and computer though. Classes are much more relaxed here than I am used to. I think it is an American System thing though. The main focus for student in this system is mainly to do well on the SAT. For students in the National System, there is a large focus on exams that they must take at the end of their last two years in high school. These exams determine which faculty of college you can go to based on the grade you make on the test. Because of this, many people focus simply on these tests and have private tutors in many subjects. For example, my host sister, who is in her last year of high school has probably 8 private lessons a week in multiple subjects. She however doesn't go to school much because she doesn't gain any benefit from being there.
The first few weeks I was very frustrated with the manner that my classmates behaved. it was shocking to see how they disrespected the teachers and the level of apathy that they had toward their schoolwork. After around two weeks, the students started acted better and I became more used to their behavior. Now, we have become friends for the most part. They are all nice to me and we talk some. I have met up with one of them outside of school on multiple occasions. They all just like to have a good time and have fun.
Because I have several free periods each day, I spend that time volunteering with the elementary students at my school. Each day I try and go to the fourth and fifth grade break. We play red rover, sharks and minnows, freeze tag, and steal the bacon. Mostly we play with the girls because most of the boys play soccer during the break. Also, I help in various classes. Mostly I go to the first grade class and help them with whatever they are working on. Also, I help with guided reading for second and third grade. At the end of the day I usually walk a group of kindergardeners to their bus. Helping the kids is my favorite part of school. i actually feel like I am getting something done and I really enjoy it.
Our school is different from most school in that it has clubs and sports. Wednesday is club day. We signed up for a club at the beginning of the year and we go to it for an hour before break each wednesday. I am in the pottery club. There are around ten kids in our club. There is a wheel that you push with your foot to make the clay go around. A man also helps us alot with it. I went the first day and made a litte pot, but because there is only one wheel, I haven't gone again. It is still enjoyable. Sports day is on Monday. It is for an hour at the end of the day. I am in Tennis. We do a few drills and then play a few games.
The school day ends at 3 each day. I get on my bus and we usually make it home by 3:50. On Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, I have arabic at 4:30. So, I walk home, and eat lunch really quick. Lunch is the biggest meal of the day. I have to leave the house by 4:10 to try and catch a taxi and make it to Zameleck on time. Usually there is alot of traffic, so I barely make it, but it is ok. I really enjoy learning arabic and seeing my friends at the arabic lesson. On the days I don't have arabic, I still come home and eat right away because I have a fitness lesson at 5 at the club with my host sister. My weeks are very busy , but fun filled.
My school is on quarters, so starting next week we have quarter exams. There are rumors that school is going to be canceled after the Thanksgiving/Eid holiday because of Swine flu concerns. It would be canceled throughout December and January. The school, however has some back up plans in case that is to happen. School in Egypt has been quite an experience because it has allowed me to relly see the views and priorities of the Egyptian People.

The Compassion of a Country

Constant assistance, food until I can’t eat another bite, selflessness, and hospitality. The people of this country are some of the most generous and caring people I have ever met. People are quick to offer you what they have, and help you in anyway possible. It reminds me of southern hospitality. An Egyptian who had lived in South Carolina told me how similar the ways of the people are in both places. I have also observed this social phenomenon.
Since coming to Egypt I have been placed with three host families. I may still be moving again, but inshallah this is the last. Each family warmly opened their homes to me. Two of the families only had a few days notice before I arrived as well. However, the hospitality has been immense. Each family has served me constant food, and made me feel like the family. I have been told that their home is my home even by families not even hosting me. Never a time goes by when a member of the family or a friend is eating or drinking something, and I am not offered some of it. The selflessness would be hard to match anywhere else in the world.
People are also very willing to help each other, and work together. The other day, I was riding in a taxi, and we got bumped by another car. It was a very minor accident, yet the driver was angry bought the taxi the day before. Within thirty seconds, there were atleast 6 other taxi drivers who stopped in the road to see if their fellow taxi driver needed any help. On a different day, I was getting out of the taxi with two of my friends, and when we handed the driver the money he wouldn’t take it and he simply started yelling at us. Before we knew it a policeman came up to help us. Another guy stopped by to help, and then a third guy came to show us where to go. It was amazing to have all of the willing help. I have also been told that if anything is to go wrong that I can yell, and many people will come and help. However, I have never felt threatened in Egypt. Cairo is such a safe city. With so many people, it is extremely hard to believe, but is so true. I think it is a combination of an evident reliance of religion, strong family ties, and a natural good nature. Shokran to the people of Egypt, Shokran!

Ramadan

Ramadan is the 9th month in the lunar calender. This is the holiest of months for Muslims throughout the world. This year, Ramadan began around August 20th. When I arrived in Egypt on August 28th, Ramadan was in full swing. During this month, followers of Islam fast from Sunup to Sundown. That means no food, no water, no smoking. Muslims should also restrain themselves from any other indulgence during this same time. Also, Muslims should try to read the entire Holy Quran during this time. The reasoning behind fasting is because it was a commandment from God. during the last ten days of Ramadan is when God told the first part of the Quran to Mohamed. Also, by fasting the Muslims are able to experience the hunger that impoverished people feel everyday. In Islamic states, such as Egypt, it is impolite to eat or drink in public. So, while my host family did not allow me to fast, I was able to get a taste of the experience while I would be gone all day in the harsh sun of Egypt. To break their fast, Muslims participate in a meal called Iftar. This meal occurs at sundown, and as soon as the call is heard from the local mosque. Then, people usually drink something first such as coffee or soda. Then the eating begins. If I haven't mentioned before, Egyptians eat alot of food. And, most of their food is very heavy. A common meal at Iftar would be a broth like soup with small pastas in it, rice, a vegetable dish, and some sort of meat, either roasted or fried. Also there is always tomato and cucumber salad.Your plate is loaded in on for the first portion, and then my host mother wanted to keep putting more. After this meal, Muslims snack throughout the night having sweets, hot drinks, and fruit. Then around 3 0r 4 in the morning, they have another small meal. This meal consists of sandwitches, which could be egg, cheese, fuul, falafel, or potatoe to name a few. As you can see, alot of muslims stay up all night during this time. Then most of the day is slept through. My host brother for example, stays up all night, and then sleeps until Iftar. It is too hot to go outside, or to do any thing if you can't have water. While Ramadan is a very Holy month, it is also a very festive time. Many people go and visit friends and family to have iftar or to simply enjoy their company. Every night there are festivities throughout the city. I visted my host mother's sister to share iftar, and we have gone on several boat rides on the Nile for the same reason. Ramadan is also a month of giving. People volunteer more, and give money and clothes to the needy. All throughout the city, there are tents set up for people to have Iftar for free. It is quite an amazing an Holy month and I am glad I was able to be here to experience it. After Ramdan, there is a three day holiday called Eid. Since the last day of Ramdan was saturday, Eid began on Sunday. People are happy to be able to eat or drink as they please. People eat these special powdered cookies, and there are many many celebrations. One thing I noticed was how calm the streets seem during the day during Eid. Alot of shops are closed for the holiday, so there were very few people out and about. Yesterday, I went to a celebration for Eid with my Counselor and her family. It was very fun. It was at a club by the Nile. It was very pretty. There were lots and lots of people there. Everyone was sitting and talking and eating. Also all the kids ran around and played on the playground. There were also lots of performers. Some of these pereformers were for the kids, and then there were some tradional Upper Egypt dances done. It was all alot of fun. To finish the day, we went on a boat ride around Zemeleck, which is the island in the nile. Today is the last day of Eid. Eid Saied!

Arabic Lessons

Last Sunday, I started Arabic lessons. I along with 7 other exchange students take our lessons at this place called Arabic Studies Academy. It is on Zemeleck which is the island in the Nile. Our lessons are in an apartment on the second floor of a building. It is really difficult to find, and everyday our taxi driver has to ask for directions. To get to my lesson, I leave my apartment at 10:30/10:45 and then walk to the end of a few roads to catch a microbus. Sometimes it is kind of difficult to catch one. The driver does not always understand what I am saying, and it may take a few tries. If I am lucky, the first one I ask lets me on. I ride the microbus for 5 to 10 minutes depending on the traffic. Then I walk to Courtney's apartment to meet her to go the rest of our journey. We then take the metro to opera station. After leaving the metro station, we take a taxi, always a black one because the white ones are too expensive. As mentioned before it takes a while for us to find the building where our lesson, so usually we are in the taxi for 20 or 30 minutes. Now, our lesson starts at 12. The first day we had to take a placement test. I couldn't answer anything. It was all written in arabic script, and the instructors wanted to respond in arabic. Other than a few key verbal phrases, I knew zero arabic. There were 4 other students in my situation. The other three have had some background in arabic. For the rest of the week, we were split into two groups. Our group has been working mainly on Egyptian Colloquial Arabic. Our teacher is fun, and I have learned quite a few words. We have also learned the alphabet. It is pretty difficult. Our lessons are three hours long. After we are done, Courtney and I take a taxi back to the metro, and then I take a microbus back to my road. It is about an hour long journey so it can be pretty stressful. Because of the Eid holiday(feast for three days after Ramadan), we only have a lesson on Thursday this week . Also, we have an exam on which we are supposed to be able to read and write some words. Insha'allah I willl do ok. It will take some studying though. All of the 28 arabic characters change form depending on whether they are in the beginning, middle, or end of the word. Pretty soon, my group will switch to the other class, and the teacher will teach us modern standard arabic which is what most written texts are in. I am glad to have arabic because it gives me something to do. As I said, this week I have arabic only once, but next week I will have it everyday again. Once school starts we will have it three times a week.

Felucca on the Nile

In the short time I have been in this beautiful country, I have been lucky enough to take two boat rides on the Nile. Each experience was quite different, but both were equally enjoyable. The first one I went on was with my host mother and host brother. We were meeting her best friend for the ride. After taking a a taxi down to the Nile area from Haram, we waited a while until her friend arrived. It was not only her friend, but her friend's daughter and about 20 of her friends. The boat was a small, motor powered, flat boat. We all got on, and waited for the last of the people to arrive. We were then on our way.Because of Ramadan, we waited until the sun went down, and the prayer call was heard, and then we all began eating and drinking. I was told that this one of the fun ways that they like to break their fast and to enjoy the company of their friends. We ate and then sat and talked. There was also music playing on the boat, so the mood was quite festive. The men danced on the boat, and I was offered countless things to drink and sweets. It is the hospitality of the Egyptians to offer a guest food and drink constantly. We rode for about two hours up and down the Nile. It was a fun night. The next night I went on a boat was only a few short days later. We again were going at sunset to break fast on the boat. I went with my host father. We met one of his friends and probably 10 other people. This boat was smaller and more of a sailboat. It was quiet, calm, and much more peaceful. I enjoyed just sitting back and watching the moon (you can't see any stars in the city). We also rode for about two hours. It was very nice. After each of the rides we would go somewhere else, either a cafe or a park, and sit and enjoy one another into late in the night. Boats, sunsets, and the Nile are memories that will last a lifetime.

Sunset on the Nile

First Impressions

So I have been in Egypt now for about five days. I have been with my host family for about three. Everything has been great so far. The people are very very nice and everything is just so interesting. My host mother has taken me out in the city twice and my host brother took me once. The streets are very hectic. There are people and cars going everywhere. Lots and lots of honking. We walked down the street stopping in a few stores. We had to cross the street which is adventure all in its own. See, the cars go fast when they can and fill in any space that is there. This makes it quite chaotic. you cross one lane at a time and usually there are atleast three or four lanes to cross. the first night when my host mother took me out, she baought me sugar cane juice from a street vender, It was milky and very sweet. Each time we go out in the street I feel nervous. All the people and loud noises is very different from what I am used to. Having my host mother or host brother there with me helps a whole lot. tonight My host mother met a friend and her daughter that is my age. We took two microbuses to meet them. That was interesting. They are like vans and cram as many people into them as possible. While we were sitting at a center for these buses, it was neat to see how the peole would race to get in one. Tonight we went to an older part of cairo. We were going to a concert. It was fun. We walked down several streets and through several markets on the way. All the sights and sounds keep me entertained. The music was good, and even if I do not understand what they are saying I thought it sounded beautiful, It is the same way with the prayer calls. I have grown to love hearing them. They are wonderful to hear. The food is also great here. It has a very distinct taste, and my host mother keeps me feeling very full. haha. Well things are well.