Every morning I wake up and think, "Hmm, I wonder what ridiculousness they're going to throw at us today..."
AUC is beautiful, there's no denying it. I've never seen a campus as stunning as this one and sometimes I can't believe it's real. Unfortunately, as alluring and breath-taking as it is, the things that matter are quite inefficient or impractical. Every day poses a new challenge.
Example 1: Today I decided it was probably a good idea to figure out student visas. I've already filled out the form and I have my passport with me. Naturally, the room number on the form is incorrect. I ask around, realize it's right behind the registrar's office and proceed to stand in line*. Finally it is my turn.
"Copy of your passport?" - Lady behind the desk
"Copy? I thought we needed the actual passport and then the copy in a week's time..."
"Nope. See- it says right here" *she points to the form I filled out*
I'm thinking, gah! but the OTHER form said we needed the passport first...
"Hold on. Let me look up your name....okay. Our system has not been updated yet. I will need proof of your payment"
Ummm, okay. I'll just whip that out of my...
ANYWAY- that was not too bad. I ended up printing out my receipt of payment in the library, which cost a mere 25 piastres (5 cents!) - which made me really happy because now I have a 25 piastres note AND a 50 piastres coin--- which is absolutely the coolest coin ever! Well, one of... I really like the coins with holes in them (can't remember which country has those...)
http://simple-elegance.jodoshared.com/uploads/u218_1P%20+%2050%20P%202005%20O+R%20A.jpg
^It's the Cleopatra one. I love it and am never using it. In fact, someone told me to save coins because notes are more in use, while these coins are becoming rare. Not sure if it's true.
Example 2: I come from a school that has approximately 3,000 undergrad. Our campus is a soccer field with buildings surrounding it- a very cute oval. AUC is only 5,000 undergrad. Of course, they would name the buildings differently than what is on your course schedule. So "Abdul Latif Jameel something or another" is what is known as "BEC" (Business Education Center? Eh?). Ah, thanks for that bit of information. The "HUSS" building is so confusing- it has so many twists and turns that it's almost impossible to navigate. But maybe it's just me. I'll probably figure it out this week when I go to classes.
By the way, loads of teachers didn’t show up today…like my 8:30am Elementary Arabic class…we waited for a half hour since most all of us were unsure study abroad students from the States.. I got up and told the others I was going to get breakfast (Jared’s Bagels = AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS!) before my next class- Economic History of the Modern Middle East. That class has surprisingly captured my attention. I’ve always known that wars and such were fought over resources (versus politics, religion, etc) like water, land, oil, etc. I’m actually looking forward to this econ class.
A friend and I were discussing this- but it feels like we're back in high school. Awkard, unsure, trying to fit in but totally out of place. At our home universities, you walk to class and pass 5 people you know or at least recognize. It's small, comfortable, you know how things work. Here, everyone stares. They know you're not from here (probably laughing behind our backs), everyone who actually goes to the university has their group of friends, and even though they know English- most of the Egyptians will speak in Arabic.
NOTE: I'm not complaining. It's challenging to move outside my comfort zone (a.k.a not hang out with the group of Americans I met during orientation) and learning the language will take time.
Last night we went to al-Rehab where I got laundry detergent and some snacks (Shamy bread and Egyptian-style cream cheese, green tea..) I apologized to my American friends later for ditching them, but I was invited by these two girls- Nada and Yomna- who I had been conversing with earlier to get food with them and shop. Nada was born in Jordan (I think) and has lived her life in Qatar. Yomna was born in Cairo, has family in Alexandria (apparently you say where you're from by where most of your family lives, not birthplace), and has lived in Saudi Arabia most of her life. We talked about music-- they probably know more American bands than I do!- movies, dating/marriage customs, the headscarf/veil and why people wear them/difference between countries (Yomna wears one, but Nada does not), and more.
*Lines. Ha. I doubt there's a word in Arabic equivalent to 'line' or 'queue'..or in general- waiting in an orderly fashion. Cultural thing, I understand and accept it... but when you're one of 50 waiting to get your I.D. for 2 hours and people keep cutting and speaking in Arabic to the lady and getting their way- it can be quite frustrating. We now chant, "BE AGGRESSIVE! BE- BE- AGGRESSIVE!!" Egyptians are the friendliest people- until you're competing against them. :]
AH! There is so much to write about. I haven't even begun to tell you about my experiences in Khan il-Khalily and al-Azrah (the markets), taking the bus to Cairo and my taxi cab ride, the ladder incident, the toilet in the mall, talking with the cleaning lady in Arabic, volunteering, and so on...
