Apologies for the lack of updates as of late. It seems that as the days become fewer the list of things to accomplish grow exponentially- but that's how most journeys seem to go.
Today was a national police holiday and many protests were planned in crowded areas of the city. I was pretty worried, or at least aware of the possible chaos that could insue in the wake of the Tunisian revolution, but nothing seemed to come of it. At least not that I was aware of. Instead I spent the day touring the beautiful Citadel to Ibn Tulun (a beautiful mountaintop estate full of mosques and artifacts that would leave any Islamic history buff drooling). The whole family was able to go out with me today because of the holiday and we made a special point to celebrate the end of the girls' exams with an event of their choice: a fun house. They had been talking about it all week and I can't quite say that I knew what a "fun house" entailed but I was certain that it must be, for lack of a better word, fun. As it turns out, a fun house is just their english translation for a carnival! It was fantastic. Ferris wheel, spinning teacups, tilt-a-whirls, and any other ride you could imagine. Anyone who loves carnival rides, I dare you to try one outside of the US... let's just say most of these would FAIL any sort of safety regulation. All the more fun.
So, I'm not exactly sure what went on with the millions of Egyptians wanting to voice their anger for their corrupt government... but I certainly had an eventful day. It's safe to say I was enjoying another type of chaos, but far away from making any history. I'll read up on the news of the event and try to report back if anything actually came of all the hype.
Sorry to cut this short, but I will be waking up very early to go to Beni Suef, a small city south of Cairo for a few days with a professor. Not sure if I'll have internet or not, and I may go straight to Alexandria from there. Worst case senario I'll post on Sunday.
Until then stay warm and GO PACK GO.
Liza
PS- for any other International Relations nerds, I went to a lecture the other night at the American University of Cairo to hear the founder of Human Rights Watch. So interesting.
Today was a national police holiday and many protests were planned in crowded areas of the city. I was pretty worried, or at least aware of the possible chaos that could insue in the wake of the Tunisian revolution, but nothing seemed to come of it. At least not that I was aware of. Instead I spent the day touring the beautiful Citadel to Ibn Tulun (a beautiful mountaintop estate full of mosques and artifacts that would leave any Islamic history buff drooling). The whole family was able to go out with me today because of the holiday and we made a special point to celebrate the end of the girls' exams with an event of their choice: a fun house. They had been talking about it all week and I can't quite say that I knew what a "fun house" entailed but I was certain that it must be, for lack of a better word, fun. As it turns out, a fun house is just their english translation for a carnival! It was fantastic. Ferris wheel, spinning teacups, tilt-a-whirls, and any other ride you could imagine. Anyone who loves carnival rides, I dare you to try one outside of the US... let's just say most of these would FAIL any sort of safety regulation. All the more fun.
So, I'm not exactly sure what went on with the millions of Egyptians wanting to voice their anger for their corrupt government... but I certainly had an eventful day. It's safe to say I was enjoying another type of chaos, but far away from making any history. I'll read up on the news of the event and try to report back if anything actually came of all the hype.
Sorry to cut this short, but I will be waking up very early to go to Beni Suef, a small city south of Cairo for a few days with a professor. Not sure if I'll have internet or not, and I may go straight to Alexandria from there. Worst case senario I'll post on Sunday.
Until then stay warm and GO PACK GO.
Liza
PS- for any other International Relations nerds, I went to a lecture the other night at the American University of Cairo to hear the founder of Human Rights Watch. So interesting.
I want to go to this carnival... it sounds amazing as well as the Citadel. I was reading about the protests today that must be a crazy experience to witness. I hope all is well :)
ReplyDeleteOh and I'm sure you have heard but SUPERBOWL. lol