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| Megan and Eli guarding the luggage pile |
Today (22.9.2010) is the start of :“real” life in Egypt, or at least it is supposed to be. It is already off to a humorous start thanks to my lack of attention to detail that was taken advantage of by a hotel car for hire. See, Fulbright arranged vehicles for our transport from Cairo this morning. After breakfast, we all frantically dodged the cleaning staff who wanted to recommendation letters for the new management (we of course were happy to speak fondly of them, but did so at other times, not as we were attempting to move our lives out of the Shepheard) in order to finish throwing all our stuff in bags and get it down to the lobby. A car came for Carl and Nick (headed to Zagazig), then a car for Alex and Eric (headed to Mansura), and then a van for Megan and Kristin (headed to Ismailia).
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| The over-eager bellman |
For some reason my bags had been carried to the curb by the over anxious bellmen in the departing chaos even though our (me and Grace) had yet to arrive, so I was standing guard, impatiently tapping my foot. Just as the other cars were pulling out, a man came up to me and said, “I have your car around the corner.” I asked to where and he responded Alexandria, so I point to my luggage and then gathered Grace’s luggage. After miraculously cramming four large bags, three backpacks, two rolling carry-one sized bags, three purses, one paper box full of textbooks, and two Ramadan lanterns (thank you AUC Arabic department) into a Corolla, we wondered where the two of were going to sit. Not five seconds after our doors shut and the driver reached for the shift, a van pulled up and Grace’s phone rang with our hired driver . Yes, that’s right. I was duped by one of the hotel drivers for hire. Once we confirmed that the man with the van was our assigned driver by Fulbright, we emptied the Corolla Chinese-fire-drill style and loaded the van. I am so embarrassed I forgot everyone is trying to make money off foreigners, and I definitely was in a frantic state about moving out, the perfect target for being taken advantage of. Just goes to show you, one month in Egypt doesn’t prevent you from having stupid foreigner moments.
No harm, no foul though. Now, I sit in a spacious van, prepaid for by Fulbright (whereas the Corolla would have been not only super uncomfortable, but also expensive like whoa). Grace is catching up on sleep, and I should probably too, but I am so excited about moving to Alex. Of course I am sad all my friends just spread across the Delta, Noah-style (two by two), but we are going to be back together in three short weeks for a Fulbright sponsored trip to Siwa. The trip gives me something to get me through Team Fulbright withdrawal and the anticipated frustration that will accompany me as I settle into teaching.
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| Check out that pyramid!!! |
In addition to being excited about what awaits us in Alex (a lease signing today!!), I am giddy because five minutes ago I looked outside the van window and saw the pyramids!!! I know, I know. You are thinking, “You’re in Egypt. Why haven’t you seen the pyramids yet?!?” You see, a few people went the first day we were here, but it was too hot in my opinion and I was extremely tired from the marathon day of traveling. This past month has remained hot and we have been extremely busy with class, so I have not been out to the Great Pyramids. Don’t worry, I will see what is in my opinion one of the greatest architectural feats of mankind in all of history, but for now I sit in this van northbound for Alex beaming at Giza’s pleasant surprise.
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