Weekend Fabulousness

This weekend, I spent a lot of time sailing on the Nile River with friends, just eating, talking, and laughing as we passed sights I cannot fathom I'm lucky enough to get to see.  Every time I even catch a glimpse of the Nile, I have to remind myself that I am not dreaming - this is reality.  I live near the Nile River.  Still so surreal, and I hope I never forget to marvel at it.  Gratitude fills me numerous times a day.

I also saw my first movie in Cairo today, Ice Age 4.  It was an intriguing cinematic experience.  It started 25 minutes late (that's just how things are sometimes), there was an intermission, and people talked at full volume during the entire film.  So, you'd think with all that great material to choose from, I might feel compelled to write about one or all of those things.  But I want to write about the highlight of my weekend: talking to my sister on Skype.   

Here's what I have realized since I've been in away from home (and I've lived in Egypt exactly a month today): my sister is more important to me than I ever imagined.  I knew I would miss her, and I know I love her a ridiculous amount, but I underestimated how truly close and connected we are.  We spent so much time together when we lived in the same town, just hanging out and laughing.  And today when I heard her voice for the first time in three weeks, I burst into tears after the first word was uttered.  So did she.  I miss her.  So very much.  It was wonderful to talk for over 90 minutes this afternoon and get caught up with her.  I needed it. 
 
Because here are the things I think of when I think of her: the fact that our histories are shared, and I can just look at her, and she knows what I need; how our eyes, hair, and freckles match, especially in our one-handed, faces-filling-the-screen photos; giggling and belly-laughing at everything (and nothing); the ferociousness that overcomes her if someone has wronged me (and the fact that I know she'd kick anyone's ass for me if I said the word); the way she plans adventures for her grandkids and gives so much of herself to them (and how she always invited me along); sitting on her deck and watching the sunset; singing 80s songs loudly, and badly, together; movie-watching Wednesdays and pool-playing Fridays; daily text messages full of smiley faces and K's; and her hugs.  I really miss my sister's hugs.  So I am sending one to her in this blog.  I love you, Lyla, and I hope you can feel it.        

The Cairo Me...

Today after school on the bus (yep, the teachers take buses to school just like the kiddos because we live pretty far from it. Mine is about a 45 minute ride.), we pulled over on the highway to wait for two teachers who had missed it to take a cab to where we were.  When I say we pulled over on the highway, I mean we were in the middle of the highway stopped and waiting.  You see, driving here is a very different thing from driving in the states - four-lane highways become five and six lanes at high traffic times and blinkers are quite optional; if you want to change lanes (or several), you simply change lanes.  No warning needed.  So, while traffic buzzed around us on all sides, I sat on the bus surrounded by people from the US, Great Britain, Ireland, and Egypt while Michael Jackson sang "Smooth Criminal" on the radio.  I thought, "I live in Cairo, and this is my fantastic life."  It made me smile and hug myself with the wonder of it.  I actually live in Cairo.  

This is my 25th day here, and I am blown away by the changes, both big and small, that my lifestyle has undergone in that time.  I wake up at 5 AM and walk 25 minutes to my bus stop.  This former road-tripping and drive-just-to-clear-my-head queen has no desire to get a car.  Absolutely none.  I'll save that for when I visit the states.  I work until 5:20 PM when I catch the late bus home.  And I work the entire time I am at school with very little socializing or visiting.  That isn't to say my colleagues are unfriendly, they are incredibly outgoing and warm, but I am so busy working that long lunches and visiting on my planning hour are things of the past.  I eat cereal or peanut butter and jelly for dinner most nights (okay, that's not a change) on my balcony and just look at the view.  The girl who used to have so much restless energy sits for an hour or two just gazing at the lights and listening to the sounds.  It's my new meditation.  Most nights, I grade and answer emails and read.  Television is pretty rough here, so I read more than I ever have, and I go to bed by 10 PM.  Now bedtime that early is a huge change! 

On the weekends, I walk a lot and explore and people-watch.  I also hang out with friends and socialize, but I have more alone time than I've ever had.  It makes one confront oneself in some spectacular ways, and I am learning new things about myself daily (one lesson learned: any fear or trepidation I have had since I've been here is about my lack, not the external world's.  I've only been scared when I couldn't communicate effectively because I don't know the language [to catch a cab or find my way home]).  I also think about my family and friends and let myself miss the fabulousness of them.  I am blessed to have such love and support in my life.  That's another thing, I am more grateful than ever for the incredible people in my life.  I'm overwhelmed by gratitude at times.  It's a great feeling!

Other changes include being caffeine-free for over three weeks, going without texting for days at a time, walking to get everything (which makes a person really evaluate what a "need" is), having a limited number of clothes (two skirts and 6 pairs of pants - seriously!), and only having eleven pairs of shoes.

And you know what?  I just hugged myself with wonder again.        

I can't believe I live here!

Things I love about living in Cairo:

1.  Waking up to sunshine every day.
2.  Delicious food super cheap (hello, koshary and   falafel sandwiches for under a buck!).
3.  Glimpsing the pyramids at random times.
4.  Felucca rides at sunset.
5.  Walking to the Nile from my apartment.
6.  Making friends of all ages from all over the world.
7.  Realizing every day that students everywhere just want love and acceptance and to learn.
8.  Sitting on my balcony and looking       

at the city around me.
9.  Planning trips to the pyramids, desert hiking,
Nile cruises, and the Red Sea.
10.  Seeing the friendly faces of the Egyptian people daily.


Things I miss from home:

1.  My family and friends.  So much!
2.  My teddy bear, Gil.
3.  Blue Powerade Zero.
4.  Driving whenever and wherever I like.
5.  Ragtag.
6.  Hallmark cards.
7.  SoCo (I have yet to find a dance club).
8.  French wine (they only have Egyptian wine).
9.  Television (especially sports).
10. Bacon.