Holidays in Sinai, teaching practice, goodbyes, oh my!

Me on my balcony, last day in Alex

My five weeks in Egypt have come and gone far too quickly. As usual, it's not so much the place, but the people who've made this time so memorable. 15 people from all over the world, living in one apartment complex, learning to be English teachers and hoping to familiarize themselves with the people and culture of a pretty complex place. You can't help but become an insane little mini-family.

Two weeks ago a group of seven of us hopped on a bus and took the 12 hour ride to Sinai. We had a four day weekend due to the end of Ramadan and Eid, so we had to take advantage of the time and get away from Alexandria.

Our first stop was the little town of St. Katherine where the Mt. Sinai of Moses is supposedly located. Up to 1400 people per day hike to the top of the mountain to watch the sunrise and in many cases pray. We left our hostel at 2 am and hiked through the night to make it in time for the sunrise. Night hiking is something I'd never done before and it was a pretty unique experience. No sound but our footsteps on the rocks and dirt and no light except from the stars and our small flashlights. The stars were absolutely incredible. The band of the Milky Way was very distinct across the sky and I saw two incredible shooting stars.

The hike was challenging towards the end, but we made it to the top in time to see the sun start peeking out over the barren, rocky mountains. On this particular day we shared the peak with around 700 other hikers and pilgrims. After the sunrise, we began the long hike down to St. Katherine's Monastery. Being so secluded and off the beaten path, St. Katherine's is said to be the oldest functioning Monastery that's never been attacked or harmed in any way.

Sunrise over Mt. Sinai

The hostel that we stayed at in St. Katherine's was great and we did our fair amount of lounging in their tented sitting areas, but after a few days in the heat of these desert mountains, we were ready to head for the sea.

Hostel in St. Katherine

Next stop, Dahab, a seaside tourist-infested wonderland of hotels, restaurants and bars. We found a cheap place right on the water and spent the majority of our time laying around in the cozy seating area of the hostel's restaurant. Laying, eating, drinking, smoking hookah- doesn't get much more relaxing.

Another highlight of our two days in Dahab was snorkeling in the Blue Hole. One of the most famous diving/snorkeling spots in the world, the Blue hole is a 127 meter deep hole just off the coast surrounded by the most incredible coral reefs and sea creatures. It was my first time snorkeling and I when I put my head under the water for the first time, I was in absolute awe of what lie just below the surface. If only I had an underwater camera!

The Blue Hole

Vacation over, back in Alexandria we started our official teaching practice. Each student taught five hours alone and two with a partner. Our schedule completely changed for teaching practice, so our beach days unfortunately came to an end. The students who come to our classes are all volunteers and classes lasted from 3:00-9:00 pm. Depending on our class time, we picked from three different departure and return times. With class prep, teaching and observing other teachers, we ended up at TEFL for at least 7 hours per day, often times more. While it was nice to be able to sleep in a bit, I did miss our daily evening swims.

Hanging out at TEFL

For me, the teaching practice was fairly stress free. I've had experience creating lesson plans and teaching all kinds of students and the whole thing just comes fairly easily to me. I guess I'm just fortunate to have found a career path that I both like and am good at! For many of my classmates, though, this was the first experience they had with any kind of teaching. There was stress, tears, 10 minute classes, blank stares, praising of nonsense and more. In the end though, everyone got through it and I think came out with more respect for all of the great teachers out there. There's no question that it's hard work!

Only 7 of our original 17 are staying in Alexandria for the optional 6 week teaching internship and intensive Arabic course. As all good things must come to an end, we spent the last 3 days saying goodbye and wishing people well as the headed off to their next adventure. It's really quite incredible how dependent you can become on others in such a short period of time.

Going away celebration

Thanks to James, Amanda, Zane, Laura, Laura, Danielle, Read, Simon, Jules, Oscar, J.P., Faizal, Mohammed and Sara for an incredible month! And a special shout out to security guard Hamidou who made me delicious tea.

Now it's Cairo until Saturday, then off to Morocco!

Preparing for takeoff

Return leased car- check

Cancel insurance- check

Cancel phone- check
Cancel netflix- check

Spend lots of money on pre-departure food, drinks and fun- check check check

T-1 day until I depart for Egypt and all that's left to do is pack. I find packing to be a daunting, yet exciting task. It's impossible to fit everything you want, so what a fabulous way to de-clutter and simplify. Last time I undertook it all I had was a list ofrecommended items and an intense fear that I would leave behind something extremely important.

This time, there is no fear. I know exactly what I want to take and I know exactly what I'll be able to buy in Morocco. It's a pretty great feeling!

I've spent the last few weeks in my hometown of Mason, MI for family time. Thanks to all those who participated in the various parties and dinners. It's been a great few weeks!

Dinner and drinks with Gloria and Brenna

Family barbeque and pool party

Baseball game with Dad, Sue, David and Arika

Off to Egypt tomorrow. Wish me luck!

a very merry birthday to me!

well it's been a while since i've updated......to say the least. truth is, february was not the most exciting month i've had here and it was a bit of a slump month. but now it's march and by god, it's a new day!! and of course it doesnt hurt to start out a new month with a new year of life.

this is how i celebrated the joyous occasion. the birthday weekend started on friday with a trip out to the big, beach city near by. i ate pepperoni pizza at pizza hut. my mouth was watering for it the entire 4 hour journey, and by the time i ate it, well, i was in heaven!!

the rest of that day was spent bumming around town, walking along the beach and just generally enjoying myself. Then just as i was about to return to my hotel, i found the most beautiful shoes i've ever encountered. i'm talking love at first site people. i thought "what the hell! its my birthday!" so i bought them. picture below. and i got a really great deal at about 17 dollars.

the next day i traveled about an hour down the coast to a town where two of my friends live. when i arrived, two other girls were there, everyone ready for a party. we went on a beautiful walk before starting the festivities. we made mexican food, had some drinks, and topped it all off with the most delicious brownie with peanut butter frosting. thank god for mandy and her fabulous cooking skills.

then when we were feeling the drinks a bit, we headed up to the roof to watch the lunar eclipse. supposedly the best view was from africa, and it really was incredible. we layed on the roof for at least an hour watching the earths shadow completly cover the moon and turn it into a big red ball. it had extra meaning for me as it was all happening on the eve of my 24th birthday. and my last birthday on this continent. next year i will be in america, and everything will be different.





can you see the barely there red ball? yeah, its hard to photograph an eclipse.

we also fooled around on the roof a bit, doing drunken yoga poses and having 30 second ballet routine contests. it was a wonderful time.



when we got up on my actual birthday, we made strawberry pancakes and whipped cream, per my request. once again, delicious. then i made the long journey home. and it was a long journey as the 3 hour journey actually took about 6.


upon arrival i made myself a jumbalaya dinner with a mix sent by grams (thanks grams!) and watched some TV. you might think, "wow, what a nice birthday weekend!" but it's not over yet folks!

on monday the women who i hang with threw me a party. they have to be the best group of women a girl could find in this country. the dressed me up as a bride and we had a cake that i specially requested, other desserts, pop, candy and we danced it up.

if i were to marry a berber boy, this is what i would look like at my wedding. only thing missing is the henna!

notice the 22 on the cake? ha. i wish! apparently they think i'm getting younger :)

then i got home just in time for the launch of a brand new english TV station on my satellite! and guess what was the first show???? LOST!!!!! i've been waiting 17 months for this day.

Happy Birthday to me, and that is no lie.

and how about a few general life updates? ok, excellent

1- a few months ago one of my students won the YES scholorship. this means that he is going to spend the 2007-2008 school year in AMERICA! all i did was pass on the information, but this is not the kind of opportunity that generally make it to the the small villages. this is a HUGE opportunity for him and i am so proud.

2- i was given the job of coordinating one of the spring language camps that will happen over spring break. i'll be making sure everyone has what they need and being the liason between the americans and other staff. i'm generally not too excited about this, but whatever i'll make the best of what should be an interesting experience.

3- my dad and sis have purchased their plane tickets and are coming to visit! they will be my first visitors from the states and i am really excited. planning vacations is stressful, but so much fun and i look forward to showing them a fabulous time!

4- i want to wish good luck to my grandma who is having her knee replaced in april. i'll be thinking about you!!

ok, i think that's all i've got. consider yourselves officially caught up with my life. hope all is well with everyone at home and i'll talk to you soon!

despite all of our differences, we are all the same

so as i've said before, i do this thing called "women's cafe" on saturday nights. who knew that this thing would prove to be a way for me to delve inside the brains of these women.

so a few weeks ago, things were happening as usual. dancing, eating, chit chat. you know, nothing too exciting.

then we all sit down for a little breather and two of the women go to the board and grab some chalk. they are giggling like little school girls and using their bodies to cover their artwork.

next thing i know, the room abrupts in hysterical laughter. i look at the board. "are you freaking kidding me?!" is the first thing that runs through my head.

without going into a lot of detail, lets just say that these middle aged, covered up, seemingly conservative berber women have just drawn and EXTREMELY obscene image on my chalkboard and are entirely pleased with themselves.

i laughed, but i was shocked. they then erase the first image and draw another one, this time featuring a man and some sort of dog/wolf creature. no, the man was not petting the dog.

if only i had a hidden camera and could have pictures as proof. everyday is an adventure.

christmas far far away 2of2

Well Merry Christmas!!!! yes, a little late. i spent christmas eve with a couple other volunteers at a friends house about 4 hours away!! there is very little christmas spirit here, but we managed to have a pretty good time. here are a few snapshots.

first project, decorations!!!! i made this little sign for our holiday archway.

Leslie made this fabulous nativity set out of clay and a box and some fabric scraps. so creative!! they arent in this picture, but the set was complete with three wise men bringing gifts to the baby jesus. awww.

Stockings!!! unfortunatly santa must have gotten lost, but at least i had this awesome stocking!

Next project, christmas cookies. we made a ton! this is leslie early in the process or rolling and cutting out.

this is lena, our hostess really getting into the flour.

and then we frost!!! so messy, so delicious.

after hours of prep work, we finally made it to the christmas dinner. i was very impressed as lena made the most delicious chicken i've had in ages! mmm.

On christmas morning i traveled back to my town, and watched some christmas movies on my satellite dish. it was peaceful, relaxing, nice. this is the christmas tree sent by my sister, after i added the magic liquid (before picture is in a previous post). it really did grow!!! it's a christmas miracle!!

a much needed trip out

I recently managed to leave town for 12 whole days!!! thats right kiddies, i busted out and was able to see two of the places i've wanted to visit since i arrived here. and in the middle, i was checked out by the docs to commemerate being on the downhill slide of my time in country. clean bill of health! humdullah!!!

so some of you know about my obsession with fountains. well, this was my first trip to a real waterfall, and needless to say, i'm in love!!!!! so incredibly beautiful. i was in heaven and took at least 4 billion pictures!

We arrived at the village, and i thought "where is this thing??" then you walk about a hundred yards and notice this big cliff. all the sudden you're standing right on top of them! crazy!

This is where the collide about halfway down.

and then you can walk all the way down to the bottom of the falls where the view is equally breathtaking!

truly a dream come true. me and a real live monkey, living out in the wild and sitting in the palm of my hand!

so the waterfall was pre medical visit. after, i went to one of the imperial cities! this is at the tomb of a famous old leader. love the doorways in this country!

just outside of this city, there is old roman city. all ruins and not completely excavated, this place was incredible. Here i am next to an old well.

once again i took a million pictures, but tried to choose some interesting ones. this is some sort of aquaduct or something.

this was the center of town where the government buildings and public square was. now some birds call it home.

They call this the "arc de triomphe." not quite the one in paris, but still pretty cool.

This is just off the main road of the town. these houses were of the weathly people and many also had shops and businesses attached. sweet!

this house is called "the house of columns." i claimed it as my own as it is so beautiful! lots of columns and a beautiful courtyard. i'll be moving in next month.