A New Life

I am still living in Cairo, but I might as well be living in another world.



I had a lot of problems with my previous language school, so I left it. Leaving it proved difficult because they wouldn't give me back any of the $800 dollars I had left with them. It was a big deal. Police were called, threats were made, lawyers were hired.

Unbelievable.

I still do not have any of my money.

Not only that, my former roommate made me lose around $200 from my former landlord because of a deposit. She gave up her half, so she made me lose mine. When I negotiated with the landlord myself, we agreed I could get back $100. A., that bitch (yes I will say it), went behind my back and took $50 of the $100 that I negotiated for after she gave up her $200.



The girl also stole countless of my bath products.. either that, or she threw them away. Things like lotion, face cream, deodorant, and even one of my necklaces is missing.


Sad.

But, you have to lose some to win some. I'm definitely in a better place, with better people and a completely new outlook on life.


This week, I completed my first mini documentary. I interviewed 6 people and edited my footage into a 9 minute video about the ideas of and about Cairo women. It was shown yesterday in the states in a Psychodynamics of Women class at UNT for a Hunter's final project.

Good stuff.

Right now, I have 3 Dutch musicians staying with me who are just lovely! I took them out shopping this morning, their first morning here, and we had a late breakfast together and watched a small comedy clip. One is a DJ, another a guitarist and the last a drummer. They are here to experiment with Egyptian music and record what they come up with. Cooooool stuff.


Hopefully, soon I'll practicing with some Egyptian musicians. One of my best friends here is going to set up a type of get together where everyone invited is required to showcase their talents.. Of course, there would be a lot of improv, and we would all end up contributing what we had to offer to create a songs or whatever.

I'm also going to start getting into my photography much more, finish some books I have, start a project to document and photograph a free trade women's market, and finish knitting my gramma's leg warmers!

My new school starts on May 5th. I'm going to be studying Egyptian Arabic on a full time basis, and Classical Arabic on a part time basis. I haven't been in school this entire month of April. I got out of my school, moved out of my apartment, dealt with people stealing from me, setup my new apartment, made lots and lots of new friends, produced a mini documentary and ate a LOT of awesome Egyptian food.

Tonight I'm going to the Opera, and tomorrow I'm leaving for a 3 day trip to Alexandria. There are a lot of things to do, but it's really just me growing, reaching and trying to see what else I can find, feel what else I can do.. I'm happy to be doing all of this.

Thank you Mom.

Here are some pictures of my room in the new apartment:

Looking at my room from the porch doors in the evening.

My desk and porch.

My coat hanger filled with scarfs. I love it. <3>


How it looked when I first moved in.

My view.

Unlike anywhere in Egypt. Wow, eh?

My porch and porch door.

The right side of my porch.

So that is my new place. I love love love love love it.

I plan on posting a lot more often, and maybe I'll even post my 9 minute documentary!



Salam,
Candiace

Happy Birthday to me!!

Yesterday was my 22nd birthday. It was FABULOUS.

I've been inadvertently celebrating my birthday all week. Yesterday I was SO tired that I barely lasted until 3am. People don't start partying here UNTIL 2:30am. Seriously.

On another note, it's very nice being taken care of. I will write about everything that has happened within the last 2-3 weeks, and how my life has forever changed. Sounds dramatic, doesn't it? It is dramatic, and has resulted in me changing schools, moving to a new apartment and making lots of new friends. My Arabic studies have been on the back burner, but for good reason, let me assure you.

Right now I have family friends visiting me from Jordan in celebration of my birthday.

It is really, really nice being taken care of. I am a very lucky person... very lucky.


I will write more after I move into my new place. Pictures! Updates! I'm too busy living to have time to write about it! Lol.


Much love and thank you,
Candiace