So, I started my Arabic classes the last few days at a language center called "Fajr" meaning "dawn." When I mentioned I was studying there, someone told me half in jest, that the center was run by the Muslim Brotherhood. The Muslim Brotherhood, a banned conservative, political, Islamic organization does not in fact run the center that I study at, but it is an interesting thought. Apparently, previous students have been prodded to examine Islam at the center. I'll stick with the textbooks.
To get to my school, I have to catch a minibus from near my apartment. I live with two other students, one of whom did the same program that I did in Egypt three years ago (
www.bestsemester.com). My other roommate, a Swede, is also a great guy. Our apartment is gigantic, two living rooms, a dining room, two bathrooms, a kitchen, and three bedrooms. Not to mention, I'm paying roughly 1/6th of what my rent was in Santa Barbara!!
No beach here... just the Nile... if you think it would be fun to swim in the Nile, you'd be safer inje
cting yourself with hepatitis (all three strands).
Back to the bus story; taxis are cheap here- very cheap. I can take one easily from my house to my school for about 80 cents, but where's the fun in that? Minibuses however, run the length of the major roads with Egyptian guys hanging out yelling the destinations. People who want to get on the bus need to break into a swift run in order to hop up onto the bus; shopping bags, books, veils, and falafels flying everywhere- a wonderful sight.
Yesterday, after finishing my class, I waited in front of the school to catch my minibus back to my neighborhood. Apparently, many non-Egyptians don't do this, as I'm either stared at with a funny expression... or glanced at stealthily with a funny expression by nearly everyone.
Yesterday, the bus came whirring by, and we (me and 20 Egyptians) started running.
Side note: To understand the size of these buses, think of a normal yellow school bus...
Now, think of the yellow school bus half the size for the "special" kids in elementary school.
Now, think of a high school basketball game, with a large crowd.
Now, picture that large crowd crammed into a "special" school bus, and you have the equivalent of an Egyptian bus. Kind of like a minivan on steroids.
So, I'm running-the bus actually stops this time; people shuffle off, and others starting pushing their way on. The bus is full all the way to the door... but I don't want to wait for another one. I stand near the door and ask the money guy where the bus is going- "Imbaba" "Ana baaroh li Imbaba" (I'm going to Imbaba). In a quick blur of activity I find myself ha
lf-way on the bus holding on to a railing and some poor Egyptian guy in front of me. The bus is moving, quickly, and the money guy is behind me fully outside of the bus holding on to the railings. This special bus careens throughout the crowded streets of Cairo swerving around taxis, pedestrians, motorbikes, and many other animals and humans. Fortunately it was a short ride!
I make it to my destination, throw my 50 piastre fare to the money guy (roughly 8 cents, a much better price), take a flying leap, tuck and roll (not really), and walk home.
I grab a falafel sandwich at a nearby stand (15 cents), a fresh-squeezed juice at another (30 cents), talk with some Egyptian guys I met, and slowly work my way home. Cairo has a good pace of life. Stay tuned for some more adventures, like your life, only a lot cheaper.
