Sabaah il-kheer! (Good morning)
We arrived last Tuesday, and have been in accelerated settling in mode ever since. The AUC orientation began on Sunday (Yes, Sunday is the start of the work week in the Muslim world). We have been inundated with information for the last 4 days. My tote bag weighs about 15 pounds, just from the paperwork and “helpful hints” that everyone has given us. We have had 3 hours of Egyptian Arabic lessons to help us: take a taxi, order in a restaurant and use the phone. We are in BIG trouble!!
Our orientation has done everything from tell us about the health insurance and retirement benefits to teach us Arabic to introduce us to just about everyone on campus. We have had lovely Egyptian lunches daily with Limon and mint (a wonderfully refreshing lemonade type drink with chopped mint) and dessert – LOTS of dessert! The “cohort” of newbies have gotten to know each other (and EVERYONE knows my “Trophy Spouse”, as he introduced himself!) and have shared lots of readjustment experiences.
Apparently, Jack and I are “mavericks” amongst the relocatees. Everyone seems to think that we have “figured it all out”. We managed to get mobile phones (thanks to Matt), find Drinkies (the beer/wine store that delivers), take taxis on our own, find the Fish Garden (see Jack’s post) etc,etc,etc. That seems to make us exceeding adventurous in everyone’s eyes. Our big score recently (actually, it was ALL Jack) was to get a copy of the key to the 7th floor terrace. It is supposed to be open to faculty for hanging out, but it has been locked since we got here, and no one, not even security, seemed to know why, or how to get the key. Jack managed it, and we are now Gods amongst the other faculty. 🙂 Life is good.
Today (Thursday, August 31st) is a much needed day off. We are done with orientation, we have a “social” tomorrow on a Felucca.
NEW FELUCCA PICTURES (8 Sept)
School begins on Tuesday, September 5th. Luckily, labs do not begin until the following week, so I will have some time to get my schedule figured out, insh’allah. So far all is going well, I hope that the pace slows a bit!
Why am I so not surprised about Jack and the key? Or that you guys are considered the mavericks? hee! I’m glad things are going so well. Did you get your books straightened out, or should I not ask?
Yeah – Jack is “working his magic”
Otherwise things are going well – books, well………….
“Apparently, Jack and I are “mavericks” amongst the relocatees. Everyone seems to think that we have “figured it all out”.”
How many of the relocatees are urban? I can see taking a taxi in a foreign country being challenging with the added layer of an unfamiliar activity.
KD: Actually a number of them have lived in urban settings, some in other Arab countries, and yet Jack and I seem to be stumbling thru with much less angst than the others.Ă‚Â Perhaps it is because there are 2 of us??