Candiace Goes to Egypt

Hello!

2008-05-22T13:05:00.006+03:00

My brother got here two nights ago - and wow! He's experienced so much already. I'm so glad I kind of know what I'm doing here now.I would like to say hello to my Mamaw in Texas, who apperantly reads this blog everyday. I'm sorry I don't keep it more updated!Anyway, I miss you Mamaw, very much. :) No one should worry about Dj, as he is doing fine and is having lots of fun already. I'm really

Korba Festival!

2008-05-14T19:41:00.005+03:00

In the middle of the Middle East, there was a festival. Here are some random pictures from it, and why every American needs to get a real idea about what the Middle East is.We are all one in this crazy world. Much Love. Salam,Candiace

A New Life

2008-04-25T14:38:00.014+03:00

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,

Happy Birthday to me!!

2008-04-07T14:25:00.002+02:00

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

Some Pictures from Fayoum

2008-03-26T11:40:00.008+02:00

I went to Fayoum, an Oasis about 2 hours away from Cairo last weekend.The pictures I have do not capture the surreal beauty of this place. Maybe if the pictures were as large as they could be, you might be able to see the lush green and diversity.. I just can't explain it. The landscape is amazing, but the people I met were even more so... <3Candiace

Can it happen?

2008-03-25T01:42:00.002+02:00

My life has changed dramatically within the last 5 days. I met a girl (T.) who knew a man (named Y.), who changed my life. I went to an Oasis called Fayoum with him and his friends and they accepted me without reservation. I was told when you have a friend here, they are truly, truly good to you. "Hal toredeen shay?" No, I don't need anything but your company, shokran.It was silly that I

Up to date!

2008-03-19T17:48:00.004+02:00

Hasanan, hasanan! I must apologize to my mother for not posting for such a long time! I still don't have an internet connection at my place, so getting online is such a hassle. Layset Mooshkela! Home life has been just amazing since I've gotten my 3rd roommate. We already ate wonderful food, but when S. came, it went up a notch. I'm not losing the weight I thought I would - the food is so

Ciara

2008-03-06T17:14:00.003+02:00

This is a video that was playing on an Egyptian music channel.Ironic, no?(Isn't she an amazing dancer?)Justin Timberlake, Madonna, (of course) Celine Dion and Shakira are quite popular here, too.

The School & Attention

2008-03-06T11:46:00.007+02:00

This afternoon I took some pictures of the school playgrounds in front of my apartment windows. The grounds were strangely barren; there are usually tons of boys running around in the Elementary school.They are playing, of course, football (soccer). These kids can ROCK that field with great skill. Throughout the day different age groups cycle playing here. After school a large group of men

Arabic words....

2008-03-03T21:53:00.001+02:00

....that you didn't know you knew.admiral adobe alchemy alcohol alcove alembic alfalfa algebra algorithm alkali almanac amalgam aniline apricot arsenal arsenic

circumcision

2008-03-01T19:32:00.005+02:00

I. am. flipping. out.I've read about it. I've cried about it.I knew this happened.... I did not know it happened here.97% of women in Egypt are circumcised. 97% have had FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION. I am in the middle of a busy, semi-modern city and THEY DO THIS HERE!?!?It's sick. sick. sick. sick. sick sicksicksicksicksick.Systematic oppression. Systematic abuse.I am shaken to my very, very

...More clothes?

2008-02-27T18:15:00.009+02:00

(This post has been edited because I rethought some things and learned new info.)Today I was thrown into a state of disarray when a teacher at the center turned to me in the middle of a conversation and said "malabis", which is 'clothes'. "What?" I asked him, and my friend D. turned to me and said, "You need to put your coat on."-"Why? I'm completely covered."-"It's your form. You need to cover

Hijabs

2008-02-25T11:52:00.006+02:00

In Cairo, the hijab is expected if you're Muslim. Some women don't wear one because 1) they aren't Muslim or 2) they're family doesn't care. For most women, it's used for fashion purposes. You can get these things to look FABULOUS. I think I've mentioned people's maddd style here.. While you might not consider this to be crazy stylish, it is quite fashionable for a hijab.People also don't

Alexandria

2008-02-24T19:57:00.026+02:00

A post - finally!A little over a week ago I went to the wonderful, wonderful city of Alexandria located off of the Mediterranean coast. It was a 2 1/2 hour trip by car (we could have taken a bus) driven by our wonderful friend Amr. I'll write about him later!Before we left we stopped and had some Egyptian pizzas...(mmmm) Here is our fellow pizza maker getting the dough ready for us:We each had

Inside my place!

2008-02-14T03:59:00.020+02:00

Alright! Now, for the tour! We start in my bedroom, which is most definitely the 'childrens room' in the apartment. It has three beds, and HUGE windows. I picked the room because it had huge windows.. I thought the sun would look mighty fine coming through them.You'll notice everything used, used, used. Furnished apartments do not come with newly bought, only-for-renters-furniture. All of

The outside of my place!

2008-02-12T17:34:00.010+02:00

Walking up to my building from school:They would say I'm on the third floor because they don't count the first floor.. but really, I'm on the fourth floor:Looking outside my window to the right:Looking outside my window to the left:All of my lovely pictures that keep me going in rough times!:My apartment is pretty nice. The only problem, and it's a big one, is that the shower doesn't work

Guess what?!?!?!

2008-02-10T22:50:00.000+02:00

EGYPT WON THE AFRICAN CUP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1-0 OMG!@Going outside is NOT ADVISABLE. Crazy, eh? I am waiting out a RIOT in a coffee shop..... Why are they rioting if they won? I do not know, my friends. I do not know.I met some new people from Canada tonight, one of whom is going to my school. I, and some other girls, are going to be staying at her place tonight. I can't go home. People are

Because they got high?

2008-02-04T20:11:00.000+02:00

I'm sitting at an internet cafe in Cairo's nicest mall (which is the most beautiful mall I've ever been in) and blasting from the shelf stereos is 'Because I Got High' by Afroman. OMG.Oh, and they know what it says....

Crossing into Gaza

2008-01-29T18:39:00.001+02:00

http://therealnews.com/web/index.php?thisdataswitch=0&thisid=863&thisview=item#As I write, Egypt is experiencing a huge influx of over 700,000 Gazans coming over the border for basic supplies. This video will give you an up to date account of the situation. I ask you to not be concerned over my safety, it's a non-issue in this regard.

...hanging in there.

2008-01-29T17:53:00.000+02:00

Showers, baths, central heating, paper towels, a functioning washer, cleaner air, water and streets would all be lovely things to experience on a daily basis. Or monthly....I miss my home with a greater intensity than I imagined or expected. It comes in waves daily.. the least noticeable or completely diminished when I am with my tutors (Khedega & Seid Mohammad). They are wonderful, wonderful

Cairo is so NOISY

2008-01-25T20:16:00.000+02:00

People yell in the streets at 6am. People throw their rugs over the side of their balcony and hit them with a stick to get the dust out. Hundreds of cars driving passed us in 10 minutes, honking, honking, honking... Did I mention the kids playing soccer outside my window? The planes flying over head? The prayer messages coming out of speakers on every block, announcing the time to pray..? Oh

Palestinians Enter Egypt

2008-01-25T19:30:00.001+02:00

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/829B8398-ECC5-45B9-A457-725230F5E281.htmhttp://therealnews.com/web/index.php?thisdataswitch=0&thisid=836&thisview=itemSince Egypt has let in the Gazans, the US and its Zionist agenda have revoked 100 million dollars in aid. Before they opened the gate and there was a struggle going on, one Gazan was quoted saying something like, "Why would they (Egypt) not

Pictures

2008-01-24T16:56:00.001+02:00

Downtown Cairo at dusk.The Sphinx was pretty rad... but the people around sellingsouvenirs would not leave us alone. Egh.I don't remember what mosque this is, but I'll be seeing it regularly.On a minibus to Medinat Nasr from Downtown... Crowded and crazy!7up & PepsiLooking over the Nile towards the island Zamalek.In the restrooms at the Semiramis Hotel.My and A.'s first meal in our apartment!I

Contact Info

2008-01-24T16:11:00.000+02:00

To send me a free voicemail, call:1-888-579-0208, follow the prompts, then enter my account number 3101351585.To mail me a letter or package, send it to:Candiace Terryc/o Sibawayh Center11 Al Jahiz St, 7th DistrictNasr CityCairo, Egypt11371My Egyptian phone number is 011010016993 from outside of Egypt. Call me with a calling card or Egyptian phone plane, lest you pay a heavy $2.50/minute!I love

Chillin in Medinat Nasr!

2008-01-23T23:15:00.000+02:00

Oh, Egypt, dear Egypt. I never thought I would be here, but alas, here I am. It's been really hard, and while I knew it would be the hardest situation I've deliberately put myself in, it's hard living it. "I don't understand, I'm sorry!" passes through my lips more times than I wish to admit... but I'm learning.Today was my second day of class at the language center. I have two tutors that I