Between failed internet connection and a deep love for all forms of procrastination, this is my first post abroad...with only a week left of my trip! I have decided that I will start posting today taking a retrospective look at my trip. At least for the Egypt and Greece portions, I think this is a better format anyhow, I had a lot to process while I was there, such rich culture! My family arrived in Egypt to warm greetings from cousins, aunts and uncles. It truly is such a great feeling to meet someone at the airport. (For those of you who haven't seen it--I strongly
recommend the opening and closing scenes of the film Love Actually--great airport scenes.) After a few days in Cairo, we flew to Hurghada, a resort on the Red Sea,
then back to Cairo, then to Marina, a town on the Mediterranean, then to Alexandria. Lots of traveling in just two and a half weeks!
The trip was as much of a culture shock as always, it truly surprises me how many things I take advantage of at home: drinking tap water, wearing shorts and tank tops in the street, crossing the street (really impossible in Cairo). Not to get political, but this time was a little different because of Barack Obama's recent trip to Cairo. The city spend gazillions of dollars fixing and cleaning the place, and every single person we spoke with told us their "version" of the story of Obama's reception.
We went into a shop one night in Hurghada, and began talking with the owner, he asked where we were from and my parents responded as usual (in Arabic), "We're from Alexandria, but we live in the United States now." This man was STOKED. His first response was "America? Obama! Can I get you a Coke? You must have one! You've traveled so far to get here!" Again, this isn't a political commentary, but this
was not the reaction we had gotten during our last few visits.
I could keep rambling, or I could let you keep going with your day. I promise I'll keep updating. Tomorrow--FOOD!
