Its not boring here!

I guess my blogging has been so bad that I make it seem like Egypt is not fun. WRONG! Egypt is an absolute blast!! Yeah, sometimes class is boring, sometimes the evenings are alittle long, but for the most part I'm always having a good time! I enjoy the people in my group very much, and we are expanding our horizen of things to do. A couple days ago we bought a soccer ball and played in the streets! No one was badly injured. An Egytian Army guy posted on one of the street corners played with us, until his superior came and got him in trouble. We were then asked to leave, but we had a good time. The Egyptians are amazing at Soccer, and I am terrible! I called home today, my folks were pleasently suprised! I was glad to talk to them, but it made me miss home just alittle bit more. However, I don't get sick from it, thank goodness!

On Friday we went to this huge bizzar called Khallal Halili. It was unlike anything in the United States. There, every price starts at about 300% the price it should be, and then we haggle and argue until its a price we like! many of the people there were very friendly, but as I interact with more and more people (especially salesmen and shop owners) I'm increasingly becoming aware that there is rempent dishonesty here, atleast towards forigners. One time I went to a shop, one of the heritage kids got something for a pounds, immediately after him the guy charged me 2.5 pounds for the same thing. I have a problem with that. In a society that claims to be so religious, it is amazing to see the lack of integrity. But I have also encountered many excellent people here. The people who run the place we live work crazy hours making sure our stay is comfortable, and many of the normal people on the streets are willing to talk and to help you. Besides, there is good in everyone. I've come to the conclusion that if the United States did not have such a policy of order like it does, than I would have the same complaint about it as well. However, the issue is not helped that egypt is in such an economic hardship right now because of high grain prices from the Wests futile attempt to change to organic oil.

Class continues to go alittle slow. The teacher that I did not like very much is starting to not be so bad, maybe shes just getting used to teaching us. The work is not hard, which makes enjoying everything else much easier! There is always a feeling of accomplishment when I'm albe to apply something I learned to an experiance on the street.

Yesterday I did laundry. I know have a huge appreshiation for washing machines and dryers. For so many years have taken forgranted those wonderful machines! And now, I know what it is like to wash you're cloths by hand. It was not fun. My socks got to the point where I could no long recycle them, because there is no piece of clothing that causes me more irritation while dirty than socks. Just washing my socks, my undershirts and my underwear alone was a feat. I will continue to recycle everything else, hopefully to the end of the trip because I do NOT want to have to deal with those larger articles of cleaning! Fortunately most of the members of the group have the same mentality.

I'm coming to realize that I'm using my blog, somewhat, as a forum where I can complain about things. I'm trying to limit that, but I'm not doing a very good job. There are many things here, like converstations with people, places we go, and things we do that are extremely enjoyable, fun, and satisfying, but that don't have anything at all that I'd like to take time to put into the blogg. Could I post pictures (Oh yes, disasterous, but for somereason these computers at the internet cafe cannot read my data card, I cannot post pictures. I will look for other avenues, fear not) it would increase what I could say about my experiances here. Needless to say, I will have a huge on-return report to give when I can show the pictures of the amazing places we have been!!

I hope everyone takes care. Thank you for your comments! Please continue to comment. I hope Jiana gets better soon. Ryan, why must you make me suffer? I miss goodbarries alot... I miss you all, and will give another report soon!

Greg