no more teachers....

Ok, ok, I've finally decided to stop messing around and start using this thing. I'm sorry I've been away for so long! Anyway, for those of you who are somewhat out of the loop, I am in fact at this very moment in Cairo, Egypt. Hooray!!!! Cairo!!!! Yeah. I've been here for around a month now, and am (as of now) here until December. I'm living in this pretty fancy dorm (sort of fancy...) where boys and girls are not allowed in each other's wings and bags are checked everytime you come home. It's a little intense.

Classes started for me two weeks ago, or thereabouts, and my schedule just got finalized last week.....I'm taking: Accelerated Arabic, Colloquial Arabic, Contemporary Foreign Policy, and International Security. I have only Arabic on Sunday and Tuesday, and every class on Monday and Wednesday. Oh, and no class on Thursday. Whooo three day weekend! Except that everyone I know either has a two day or a four day weekend, so it is rather difficult to plan trips and the like with people. Speaking of trips.....

I've been so far to the various pyramids around here, to the Citadel, to the Egyptian Museum, to this gorgeous resort on the Red Sea, and last weekend I went to Mt. Sinai. It was pretty sweet! I take far too many pictures, and most of them are just scenery, so instead of overburdening facebook I've put them all up on a website: http://s26.photobucket.com/albums/c120/bluellamaq/Cairo/

I promise I will be more dilligent about posting relevant details about my life. I think it's something about the heat, or maybe Cairo is just tiring, but I always am exhausted at the end of the day. And then I think that I haven't really done anything that noteworthy lately, so I just decide to wait until I do. But, whatever. Maybe I'll start just updating with the mundane details of my day. WHO KNOWS.

Oh, here's a question: in the spring, should I study at King's College in London or should I stay here in Cairo???? Here are the pros and cons:
King's College/Pros:
-In London
-has department of war studies that looks amazing
-In London....
-I could maybe get a job?
Cons:
-expensive
-perhaps the arabic program won't be very good
-perhaps I'll experience reverse culture shock???
-not being immersed in arab culture

Staying Here/Pros:
-good arabic program
-pretty alright poli sci offerings
-I know a couple people who are going to be here
-being in this unfamiliar, crazy culture for a semester longer
-developing my colloquial skillz
Cons:
-Cairo is crazy
-some things are really expensive
-not drinking tap water
-food is difficult, at least right now
-ugh! wearing conservative clothes.


Ok. So I don't know what to do. I hate decisions! The deadline is pretty much October 1st, which gives me.....not a lot of time. Crap. Oh well! We shall see. I miss you all!