Dear Family and Friends,
When we first arrived in Egypt, we were surprised by an environment much less westernized than what we experienced in Switzerland and Greece. However, now that we have spent nearly a month here, Cairo has taken on a buzz of familiarity. The Cosmopolitan Hotel is starting to feel a bit like home. We have enjoyed taking classes at the American University in Cairo (AUC) on subjects ranging from an introductory Arabic language class to Pharonic history to Egyptian religion (plus more). We have also come to appreciate the free internet access and college campus feel (that is a bit reminiscent of St. Olaf) that the AUC has offered us.
As a class, we have moved past the standard introductory phrase "so, what's your major?". We are finally really getting to know each other as a "family". Our new standard topic of conversation has translated to updates on our bowel movements and the possible side affects of hallucinations and night terrors of malaria pills.
Our trip to Egypt would have been incomplete without a visit to the famous pyramids at Giza as well as getting our pictures taken kissing the noseless sphinx. Other "field trips" have included a flight to Luxor where we saw numerous temples that were amazingly in tact with vivid colors and hieroglyphics. Our time in Luxor also included a grueling climb over a mountain to see the Valley of the Kings. Here we walked through the legendary tombs of Tutankhamen, Ramses the I, Ramses the IX, and Ramses the IV. We also floated on a very relaxing boat down the Nile River. Many of us also enjoyed a hot air balloon ride at sunrise that overlooked the Nile Valley and desert.
Before we returned to classes at the AUC, the group split up for further adventures that included a trip to the Red Sea, desert camping, the Sinai Peninsula, or simply time in Cairo relaxing.
We have most recently returned from Alamein where we visited several Coptic monastaries and a war museum before a free day. We were all thankful for time to relax on a beautiful sunny Mediterranean Sea beach. From here, we went to Alexandria's famous library, catacombs, and Roman theater.
Now that we have returned to Cairo and the University, we are starting to realize how quickly our time here has passed. Along with all the amazing historical monuments we've had the privilege to visit, we have also witnessed some of the realities that exist outside of the United States.The Egyptian people live with complicated systems and overpopulation. The poverty, crowded housing, and unbelievable pollution contest to this. We have a new appreciation for even the smallest things usually taken for granted at home, like drinking water from the faucet and toilets that flush. As we prepare and look forward to our next stop, India, we will take away from Egypt not only fun memories, but also a new found understanding and respect for Egyptian culture, economics, politics, and religion.
We miss and love you all,
Global '07
When we first arrived in Egypt, we were surprised by an environment much less westernized than what we experienced in Switzerland and Greece. However, now that we have spent nearly a month here, Cairo has taken on a buzz of familiarity. The Cosmopolitan Hotel is starting to feel a bit like home. We have enjoyed taking classes at the American University in Cairo (AUC) on subjects ranging from an introductory Arabic language class to Pharonic history to Egyptian religion (plus more). We have also come to appreciate the free internet access and college campus feel (that is a bit reminiscent of St. Olaf) that the AUC has offered us.
As a class, we have moved past the standard introductory phrase "so, what's your major?". We are finally really getting to know each other as a "family". Our new standard topic of conversation has translated to updates on our bowel movements and the possible side affects of hallucinations and night terrors of malaria pills.
Our trip to Egypt would have been incomplete without a visit to the famous pyramids at Giza as well as getting our pictures taken kissing the noseless sphinx. Other "field trips" have included a flight to Luxor where we saw numerous temples that were amazingly in tact with vivid colors and hieroglyphics. Our time in Luxor also included a grueling climb over a mountain to see the Valley of the Kings. Here we walked through the legendary tombs of Tutankhamen, Ramses the I, Ramses the IX, and Ramses the IV. We also floated on a very relaxing boat down the Nile River. Many of us also enjoyed a hot air balloon ride at sunrise that overlooked the Nile Valley and desert.
Before we returned to classes at the AUC, the group split up for further adventures that included a trip to the Red Sea, desert camping, the Sinai Peninsula, or simply time in Cairo relaxing.
We have most recently returned from Alamein where we visited several Coptic monastaries and a war museum before a free day. We were all thankful for time to relax on a beautiful sunny Mediterranean Sea beach. From here, we went to Alexandria's famous library, catacombs, and Roman theater.
Now that we have returned to Cairo and the University, we are starting to realize how quickly our time here has passed. Along with all the amazing historical monuments we've had the privilege to visit, we have also witnessed some of the realities that exist outside of the United States.The Egyptian people live with complicated systems and overpopulation. The poverty, crowded housing, and unbelievable pollution contest to this. We have a new appreciation for even the smallest things usually taken for granted at home, like drinking water from the faucet and toilets that flush. As we prepare and look forward to our next stop, India, we will take away from Egypt not only fun memories, but also a new found understanding and respect for Egyptian culture, economics, politics, and religion.
We miss and love you all,
Global '07