First week of class

As my headline states, it was the first week of classes for me, and it seems like they are going to be interesting classes. I am finally able to read Arabic, at least make out what the letters and words may be. The Islamic Thought & Practice class also started, and is being taught by a Muslim lady who is from the reformed side. She offers quite an interesting perspective to her faith, especially a historical perspective that we would never really get back in the states. We have also had the opportunity to hear from people, who have talked with us outside of class, and covered topics such as the Muslim – Christian relations, which carried over to the Coptic and Evangelical relationship in Egypt, as well as Faith Boundaries, and living with your faith in a pre-modern society. Many of the basic issues were broadly discussed in a way that gave us context and a historical understanding. These individuals are PhDs in history, architecture, international relations, a law graduate from Cambridge, and they were all individuals that have been living here for at least 10 years, with our Islam teacher who was obviously born and raised here.

A few nights ago, the had an evening where they paired everyone up with one another Egyptian, either Coptic or Muslim, and we had the opportunity to serve them and talk with them throughout the evening. This was done in an attempt to provide us with native born, English-speaking person with whom we can befriend. I spent the evening hanging out with Mina Guirguis, a Coptic Christian here. He is a Computer Science major and works for a company that does website development. It’s a great opportunity to learn about Egyptian life from a native. I have also become a regular at a few ‘ahwas, or local cafes. I get the opportunity to practice Arabic with Ahmed and Mahmoud, who are both most likely Muslim. I also visit a local fruit stand to buy my fruit from Mina, who is also a Christian. I met Mina through his cousin, Abraham, who speaks great English. Mina and I are working with each other, him on English and me on Arabic. The nice thing about being here for a few months is I get the opportunity to befriend and really spend time with people here. I just hope that in a several more weeks my Arabic will be at least at a very basic conversational level so I can communicate. The first time I met Mahmoud, who is about my age, was when I stopped by his ‘ahwa and he brought me tea. We just sat there the whole time because we couldn’t really communicate, but he was content to do so, and we became friends.

All in all I am getting adjusted to life here in Egypt. I am trying to develop some basic friendships with people in the area – trying to become a regular. I have been experiencing a lot, and it’s only been about three weeks. Speaking of experiences though, we are leaving tonight at 11:00 our time for Luxor on a ten hour train ride. We will spend the next three days there, and I am excited to spend some time outside of Cairo. As much as I am enjoying it here, seeing a new place and being out of all of the pollution for a few days will be a nice break. It’s about that time for me to take off. The soccer game is starting soon, Egypt and Algeria, and the whole city is getting ready. The cafe that I am sitting in just brought out their huge drum in preparation. I am heading back to this other ‘ahwa to watch the game because it is right next to villa from which we will leave. Good Night all, and I’ll let you know about Luxor in a few days.

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