Arab League

Boston Time: 5:22 PM 21 May
Cairo Time: 12:22 AM 21 May

“A visit cannot cure the problems of the world, but a visit can be the beginning.”

The Arab League formed in 1945 as a forum to discuss and garner Arab unity. Their spokesperson and 2nd in command, said that this was the “wrong way to go” and the League should have been more modest and humble in the trajectory of their goals. For example, the Arab nations may have found more success in creating a universal monetary system, like the Euro, rather than attempting trade treaties with France and Germany to bolster their nations’ economies.

The whole gang together.

He was honest in admitting that the Arab League has had both successes and failures over the years, and like any regional power, has been criticized for being ineffective. Any discussion between nations is better than nothing—just as our short 7 week dialogue here in the Middle East is a valuable experience. Though we have barely had time to absorb and truly process all that we have encountered here in Cairo, a foundation has been laid against which we will be able to built a more educated global consciousness.

Bahrain's Seat at the Arab League

Two Weeks

Boston Time: 11:22 AM 17 May
Cairo Time: 6:22 PM 17 May

It’s hard to believe we have been in Egypt only two weeks. There is so much to absorb and experience here in this desert country that the end of the day always feels more like tomorrow and the morning more like yesterday. At the same time, it is another thing to consider that I still have five more weeks in the Middle East and away from my American home. The threshold of longest period away has now been reached and about to drastically increase. Damascus and Doha should pass more quickly given the shorter sum of days we are spending in each location. When we return to Cairo after Alexandria I will be ready to go home and return to the normal grind. I am already thinking about my next adventure.

The weather is finally performing according to what we were told to expect (and dread.)
“How hot was it today?” I asked, looking for the day’s temperature reading.
“It was ridiculously hot today,” answered Christina Petrucci, a Northeastern University student currently studying in Cairo. Practicing my Arabic and knowledge of the Celsius scale in the taxi to which my body was adhering itself, I fanned myself and jokingly complained to our driver that it was khamseen(50) degrees. The cabby replied, La, arba’een (40). Never mind the details, that still throws the mercury over 100° Fahrenheit for those of us unfamiliar with metrics. We have been exceedingly lucky with relatively cool temperatures thus far, but now its time for the real deal. And it is only getting hotter—Qatar should be around 110° F.

On the Midnight Train…

Boston Time: 6:17 PM 7 May
Egypt Time: 1:17 AM 8 May

The Cairo-Luxor sleeper train is currently hurtling down the tracks as we make our way up the Nile to the Luxor this Thursday evening. As I lie here awake on the top bunk, thoughts bustle through my mind with every bump of the train.

The bed bugs and spiders of which we have been forewarned that live in the train’s bed sheets. I haven’t seen any yet myself but the bottom of my feet do feel a bit warm, though I believe it to be from the grippers on the metal ladder’s steps.

The cats that inhabit the filthy sidewalks and streets of Cairo which act in some strange way as a replacement for the squirrels of Boston.

All the people to whom I need to send a post card. The cards at the Flamenco gift shop were disappointing and over priced—hopefully I will find a better selection in Luxor this weekend.

What color will I paint Nick’s toes while he examines my computer?

Weighing the pros and cons of spending a free day on another camel excursion or trying to find a place to snorkel. For some reason I find the camel’s mushy feet strangely fascinating. During our ride to the Pyramids of Giza I was constantly having to remind myself to look at the pyramids and not the camels we were riding.

I should send a thank you post card to my middle school keyboarding teacher. Its hard typing in the dark on the train but its working pretty well so far.

Composing in my head what would be an interesting article on attending a women’s lingerie party, with all the women wearing hijabs. It would be a compelling mix of feminine modesty and sensuality. Perhaps even learning how to fashion and wear all the different styles of headscarves.

The bottom of my feet are getting warmer…

Boston Time: Sunday 3 May 2009 2:56 PM
Cairo Time: Sunday 3 May 2009 9:56 PM

I feel as though I have been awake forever—the jet lag is very strange, traveling forwards is so much more different than traveling backwards. I am unable to make an internet connection at the moment so will post this later when an internet connection is available. I am so tired I could cry.

The plane was humungous, the largest Lufthansa plane not counting the larger 800something, which isn’t in commercial production yet (although one is able to purchase a model from the Lufthansa airmall.) The in flight movie was Last Chance Harvey and kinda dull. On the flight from Frankfurt to Cairo though there was a great selection of films but sleep held precedence.

Before we could get through customs when we arrived in Cairo, everyone on the plane needed to fill out a health card and then had their temperature tested. They did this via ear and the little pointer of the thermometer was wearing a tiny condom that they disinfected with alcohol most likely. It felt like a wet willy.