Exploring Zamalek

After five days of exploring Zamalek Island and the nearby downtown area, we're finally going to see our new campus tomorrow! Here are photos of the Old Campus, we most likely will not be attending, but have been spending all of our time at this week at student orientation. Because Peter and I are not taking a Survival Arabic class like most of the normal students who still haven't had any Arabic, we have had alot of free time on our hands. Also because it is illegal for us to be alone together we have been forced to make new friends, haha.

Peter's roommate Ike, is sick right now and might have a fever. I haven't heard of anyone getting sick yet from the water or street food, which is good news because the food is great and cheap. My roommate's name is Maddie, she's a college senior and will only be here for a semester like most of the students we've met. 90% of the students here are International Affairs or Political Science majors, so I'm guessing everybody is going to be taking the same classes. I've also met quite a few Anthropology and Sociology majors who are really fun to talk to. I can't wait for classes to start, but we still have one week and a half left!

Ramadan also starts soon. I guess that means a lot of cranky Egyptians for a week or so until their body's get used to fasting during the daytime. Apparently they also fast from water, meaning I'm not even going to try because we drink 2 liters or more a day just to stay hydrated. Apparently that's not deterring most of the students who plan on taking part in Ramadan activities.

We ended up not going on the horse riding/bedouin night trip. Apparently it's a big sad tourist mess. The horses are these poor malnourished creatures struggling to carry tourists around all day long up the hill to the pyramids. One girl told me the saw a skinny horse get taken behind a building and heard two shots. Also the road to the pyramids is lined with the carcases of camels and horses. Peter and I still haven't been out to the pyramids, but will be on Monday for an afternoon picnic.

Yesterday Peter and I found out that our rooms are just down the hall from each other. However there's a HUGE impenetrable wooden board blocking any access to the other side, aggh! It's so frustrating! I know I know, we were warned..laugh laugh