The Apartment

I have finally moved into the place where I will be staying for the next two months. It is a nice apartment; it has AC (which is rare), clean water and internet. I am very fortunate to be here. I am a short taxi away from everywhere. It is easy to get to place because I either have to walk or take the taxi. I have to use my Arabic so that is a good challenge for me. I am learning the little oddities of the Egyptian form of Arabic and am starting to conform to the Egyptian standards of speaking and acting. Things such as not crossing my legs. It is considered rude and offensive to show the underside of your foot to anyone so I am having to fight every urge within me not to cross my legs. It's a little bit annoying but no big deal for me to have to do that. I am living in the high part of town so wealthier people live here. There is less crime, though I live a couple of blocks from the main road on the coast in Alex, and I have been told never to cross it. At least one person is killed (not just hit) every two hours on that road. Taxi rides are very exciting whenever they take me onto that road. I am being careful, though. 

Cairo to Alexandria

I am, finally here! The salt air is in my lungs, the blue sea in my eyes and I am going to work. This country is both beautiful and ugly. I love it and hate it! For those of you who know me, you know I love this kind of culture and this has allowed me to see the ugly sides of it. The worse side of it has been for me, to see the lack of respect had for women here. Men view them little more than a money making piece of property. The men here are so perverted, and are whistling and checking women out and making rood comments and then blame it on the women. If a woman is looked at here it is her own fault; she looked at a man or was wearing something that made the men look at her and made him make those nasty comments. It's very discouraging. 

Other than that, this country is amazing! I love the people and the surroundings. I could not ask for a better place to be right now. I have been able to visit the pyramids, some museums, the large fortress in Alex and many other things. It has all been so amazing!