It’s beginning to feel alot like…school

School is in full swing here. It is becoming easy to get immersed in the usual school schedule: get ready in the morning, breakfast, classes, lunch, homework, some free time in the evening, and bed. While there is so much that is different here, I am reminded of the fact that I am still in school by the amount of reading we have been assigned. The typical week though, is a little different. We start classes each week on Sunday and end on Thursday, we have two classes a day but they are 2+ hour classes, however, the nice thing is we are given so many activities to aid us in getting away from all the work. Take last week for example: Luxor, or Ancient Thebes.

Luxor is one of the main sites for ancient Egypt. Some of the most amazing structures are found there such as carvings, statues, temples, tombs, and it is all so massive. To give you a quick example there are two main structures in Luxor: Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple. There is an alley of sorts between the two that is a mile long and it is lined on both sides by these Sphinx statues – the entire mile. Some of the structures are simply beyond belief. The other thing about Luxor, it is very touristy. I have been pampered by the friendliness of the people in Cairo, and so the first day in Luxor I was shocked by the actions and remarks of the people there. The tourist bazaar there is ridiculous. Many of the people there were obnoxious and rude, but I also realized that this is not entirely their fault. The people have been greatly affected by the tourism there. They thrive on all of the tourist coming, the money they get, and some of the things they have to do to get that money. One promblem though, there is a lot of money coming in through tourism, but very little of it has actually gone to help the city. Now, I don’t want you to get the impression that everyone there is like that, because we all met someone who was a reminder of the Egyptian hospitality. While some of us were walking along the Nile we were all randomly given gifts by this one shop owner who was proud that Egypt has just won a major soccer match for the African Cup. Sadly enough though, I think most of us, if we went back to Luxor, would only spend a day there, just enough to see the sites and then would be off somewhere else. It was interesting to realize that after being there for a day I really wanted to go back home…to Cairo.

Now, the highlight of the week, Anafora. We went to Anafora, a Coptic retreat center for the day a couple days ago. It was an absolutely amazing place. We spent the day with a large group from the Coptic Orthodox church to discuss a variety of things such as Coptic beliefs, Coptic views on Egypt, Muslim-Christian relations, and in general trying to build relationships with a group of Christians that have been living in Egypt since the first century. They trace their history back to St. Mark who came to Egypt and helped initially organize the church. When the Muslims came in the 7th Century, they met a large group of Christians, Copts, living in the area. This is a church that has a rich history in its contributions to Christianity too. And, we met Father Tomas, a Bishop, and an amazing man who talked with us a little while, but who I’m still wishing I was back listening to. It was one of the best days in Egypt so far.

A lot has been happening, and there is no end to the activities. Despite all of it, every once in a while I find myself forgetting where I am, and I have to remind myself that I am in Egypt. It is all becoming too familiar. Each day there is so much going on that I forget to just enjoy the place, to spend some time once again seeing the sites and smelling the mixture of smells of this beautiful place. I don’t want to get too used to being here that I leave regretting things I didn’t do. This is my very last semester in college, and while I am excited for the new road ahead, I want to be enjoying every moment and every aspect of the place that I am at now. I cannot get too caught up in the reading and homework, there is so much more out there…like Siwa.

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