September 22^nd, 2009

 

Cultural Activities Update:

Dabka and Belly Dancing Class: Cultural activities are a blast- I won a keychain for “Best Girl” in the Dabka dance class yesterday- every week they will have a little prize for best guy and best girl dancer- One of the teacher’s name is Fox - I love group dancing and the music is amazing- Dancing is a passion always and Forever.

 

Weekend Trips:

 

After 8 hours of a long and cramped bus we arrived at Mt. Sinai (Gabel mose- moses mountain?)) in darkness 2 AM. Greeted by the Bedouin tribes with camels all over the place. Every few feet it seemed there was a Bedouin guy asking us if we wanted a “camel” or a “blanket, mattress, blanket” because it was cold.  We hiked Gabel Mose for 3 hours to catch the sunrise- hundreds hiking along with us. It was beautiful, dark, and clear night with stars and a full moon out as our flashlight. Stunning.

 

At Dahab we were very relaxed- basically food and beach; mango lassies and Moroccan. The Red Sea (Ahmar Bahr) was so beautiful with a deep blue color. I waded out past the shore outside the restaurant Funny Mummy, slipped and fell backwards right on my bottom- Ha! Talk about graceful!

 

The fish were beautiful- deep corals, red and blue- rainbow fish, parrot fish, silverfish- what a contrast of the colorful lively ecosystem in the ocean to the brown barren homogenous colored mountains right outside. The water so warm- and that was the best view of Saudi Arabia I will ever get- mountains in the distance.

 

We had the craziest jeep driver yelling and screaming the entire way!

 

Enjoyed solitude on the 8 hour bus ride back- with reading and silence-

 

Luxor: Phaoronic Temples

 

Iftar and Ramadan:

 

I celebrated Iftar with my friend Radwa and her family- 3 hours of Arabic speaking people and me catching only about five words in one sitting.  It took an hour taxi ride to Nasr City by myself- first independent adventure. Her family liked me though, they were very gracious to pay for my meal, hospitable, and consider me apart of their family, it also helps cause I sort of look like them (as long as I don’t speak, there is a little less hassle when I am alone). Christians and Muslims go out to eat together even during the Iftar.

 

 

Ramadan is a forty day fast where no food water, or sexual pleasures are enjoyed from sunrise until sundown. Iftar is breakfast- where people eat and celebrate- take in about 3 meals in the evening. Even as Christians, it is impolite (and looked down upon) to eat or drink in the middle of the street. Many shops are closed and people rest indoors and then party in the evenings!

 

I got lost on my taxi ride home from Maadi- I felt safe and was trying to direct in Arabic with hand motions just like them “khosh yimeen” turn right “ala tuul” go straight. Don’t have to chose to talk to taxi driver if I do not want to, some are nice, other times they try to ask what your name is etc. Better not to speak.

 

Egyptian Friends:

 

My favorite part of this experience! I almost always am longing to hang out with Egyptian people. It makes me feel as though I live here- it is a little easier without school and traveling, but it just means I have to come back. I was so excited to hang out with Maged, Nardeen, Wael, Pier, and Erine yesterday.

 

They are Coptic Christian (Egyptian Orthodox- tattoos on their wrist) I feel very comfortable with them, they are family in the Lord. Maged and Wael are particularly easy to joke with and watching Maged handle an issue with a disgruntled taxi driver over paying less than what he wanted for having Americans in the car, was interesting. He was self-assured, and firm- It is very gracious of them to spend time with us, some people see foreigners and automatically can make things a little more tricky for the locals.

 

We went on a Felucca ride  (Nile boat with disco lights and Arabic music) with about four other friends from MESP- it was so fun!

 

Then we walked and talked about life and politics and fun and love!  On the way, there were so many people out for the Iid (eed) celebration that Ramadan is done (goes on for 3 days where people eat cakes and cookies). It was nice to see what life is like normally.  I like it. Had a mob of teenage boys surround our group hassling us somewhat, and being oblivious I  did not register that it was slightly precarious, but our friends were very protective and ushered us forward quickly.

 

After that we had Syrian Food- sooo good the feta-!! And mango juice asiir manga- with good laughs.

 

I learned not to dance in the street…even a little hehe

 

Soccer game:

Local Football (soccer) rooting for Zamalek against  (alsay?) I forget their names. But they were the away team. There was a ton of people- Gives me an entry into the man’s world here. Then again, sports are similar everywhere when it comes to men I think lol (Not to hate on women, I am just researching a debate on the role of women and human rights here in the Middle East and the role religion, tradition, and politics and customs plays).

 

I loved the energy of the Cairo Stadium, music and drums and chanting kept the crowds going for 3 hours. Four teenage boys spoke to us in Arabic and English about the game. There were police doubly lined up protecting everyone especially the away team fans, in case of riots. I bought a Zamalek flag – Zamalek lost unfortunately, but it was a great way to immerse oneself in the culture.

 

Schoolwork

 

Writing 3 papers and 1 debate-pray for me

Researching the legacy of Imperialism on the Middle East

Debating that religion plays a role in Human rights and women’s rights here in ME (although, I do not think it is only that reason)

Need to research what the Koran says about the end of Jesus’ earthly life for my Islamic Thought and Practice Class.

 

Just heard one of the best lectures by a Reverend here in Egypt on seeing how to incorporate Christ in the eyes of the Muslim culture- through loving people, preserving middle eastern culture and still exalting Jesus. I will say more on that later

 

Hardship:

*Please pray as my Uncle Michael passed away this past week- It was a difficult week. I wrestle and rest with these two verses: “Jesus wept.” And that’s it, it doesn’t say he kept on doing stuff, it pauses showing that it is okay to grieve for a moment- and then the verse about dead burying the dead- showing that life must keep going- Uncle Michael is with Jesus now, and that is an assurance I can rest in.

 

Jesus:

 

Is faithful, the only Begotten Son of God, my refuge and my life, my salvation and my hope.

 

Some in my group are not assured of their salvation- it seems to be up in the air. I have come to say- I am assured that in Christ I know I am forgiven, being sanctified and going to heaven and will live forever. I cannot judge how the rest of the world will go, God knows who are His in every country. I know I am called to be faithful and to hold to the truth I know, while being humble and learning about others beliefs.

 

For me, its either I trust fully in Jesus’ words (or there is no point to attempting to follow religion) otherwise I would just go do my own thing- if its all about works and saving myself by being good.  But I believe there is redemption and God’s truth revealed in every culture (including my own). I am still processing everything.