Phew, this past three weeks have been very busy. Where to begin...
Well Valerie arrived in Vancouver shortly after myself and we began to ponder the true nature of her finances. She owns two houses one in Duncan (where Allan is living) and one in Cumberland. The house in Cumberland has been amazing, she bought it for 30K in 1979 and she has mortgaged the heck out of it several times and it has allowed us to do many wonderful things. Now that house is in need of a lot of work, its foundation has shifted. Are we deserting this house which has supported us through hard times? Absolutely. The sucker is up for sale. We are selling it in order to pay for the condo we put an offer on in Nanaimo. Our offer was accepted last week. If all goes well (and we know how pear shaped things can go after last summers bookstore fiasco) we will own a condo on Harewood road in Nanaimo by the end of the month. The tenant will be staying on there until October 31st unless we can bribe her to leave earlier. Anyway this leaves me kind of homeless for 2 months. Sean of Sean, Sheena, and Eric has agreed to let me stay at his place for a month but two months might be pushing it. So I am contemplating going back to Cairo from Sept - early jan instead of Dec-April.
In other news I am now officially out of the house in Duncan. I was on a high when I realized I didn't have to go back there again. I got some closure, YAY closure!!! Jessica, Brianne, and Tabitha you guys are the best!! It was a pleasant experience moving with a bunch of ladies, there were no tiffs, no egos, it was very organic.
I have just finished the second day of my six day course on teaching English as a second language. Easiest course ever, and it is actually quite a lot of fun. There are no exams, no papers, and all you need to do to pass is participate. I should have done this years ago.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Jiggidy Jog
I'm back. Well to be more precise I am in Vancouver. Tomorrow I will be travelling to the island and then on the 7th and maybe the eighth I will be moving all of my things and my Mother's things out of the Duncan house. So if any of you are into some heavy lifting or just want to stop by and say hey I will be at the Duncan residence all day on the 7th. Allan won't be there, his sister is getting married on Grouse mountain. Thank-god. Anyway it gives me two days in the house without him there. I spoke to him yesterday and he is quickly begining to hate me. Oh well, I can live with that. I have a new cell 250 668 4121 - BUT at the moment it is being utilized by my Mother so if you call or text it, she will be the happy recipient. Still looking for a place in Nanaimo, have found something that is tolerable but someone else made an offer first so have to wait and see. I start my esl certification course on the 9th so it will be a quick drive by visit :)
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Final Day in Dahab
Tomorrow morning first thing in the a.m. we are catching our bus back to Cairo. It has been a quiet few days. Today was weird. We were sitting there quietly reading our books minding our own business when suddenly the speaker above us starts blaring hits from the 90's. We listened to the peaches song, gettin' jiggy wit it, ace of base, and a few others. THEN they put on new country music. One of the songs nearly made me pee myself, something about how she thinks his tractor is sexy LOL!!! I am not a fan of country music, but that was funny. At the cafes here cats and dogs snuggle up to you at your tables in hopes of tidbits, the restaurateurs provide old windex bottles full of saltwater as an anti-animal device.
In order to return to Cairo we must drive under the suez canal, which isn't much to look at you can barely see the boats above. It is however surrounded by a large military presence. Lots of checkpoints and armored cars. All along the road for about a mile there are men posted in fox holes above the street in full on combat uniform, complete with metal helmets, poor bastards. I waved at a few of them on the way through they looked so hot and bored. Maybe on the way back I'll flash them, yeah that won't get me into trouble in Islamic Egypt :)
In order to return to Cairo we must drive under the suez canal, which isn't much to look at you can barely see the boats above. It is however surrounded by a large military presence. Lots of checkpoints and armored cars. All along the road for about a mile there are men posted in fox holes above the street in full on combat uniform, complete with metal helmets, poor bastards. I waved at a few of them on the way through they looked so hot and bored. Maybe on the way back I'll flash them, yeah that won't get me into trouble in Islamic Egypt :)
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Dahab Day three
I got a baby tan!! I am now slightly more beige than I was yesterday!!! Also I sunburned my knees. I don't know how I did that last bit but whatever. I am sitting here at the net cafe watching baby Egyptian mau kittens frolic, they are so cute, but their claws are freakin HUGE! I have sent off a whole bunch of postcards today, if you want postcards and you haven't recieved any yet that means I do not have your mailing address please send it to me.
Anyway Dahab is a beach resort town built up around the dive industry and it is growing by leaps and bounds. Almost everything a vacationer could want is available here from manicures, to pedicures to moonlight horse back rides to Bedouin gigolos, its all here. The street sellers are quite pushy and it tends to limit the amount of time one might spend walking around. Today I got called a prostitute, by a police officer LOL!! I don't think he realized I knew what he was saying in Arabic until I turned arond and stared at him, he had the good grace to blush. I was dressed conservatively too, prick!
Anyway Dahab is a beach resort town built up around the dive industry and it is growing by leaps and bounds. Almost everything a vacationer could want is available here from manicures, to pedicures to moonlight horse back rides to Bedouin gigolos, its all here. The street sellers are quite pushy and it tends to limit the amount of time one might spend walking around. Today I got called a prostitute, by a police officer LOL!! I don't think he realized I knew what he was saying in Arabic until I turned arond and stared at him, he had the good grace to blush. I was dressed conservatively too, prick!
Monday, July 14, 2008
Dahab day two
I did fuck-all today. Not entirely true, I did read two books and try to start a tan. We sat by the beach in a cabana style restaurant, ordered food, read, slept, and saw some friends. It is charming here until you start to move around and then the hassles begin.
"Hello my pretty, come see my menu"
"Mama, mama, mama, bring you and your sister here for food"
"Mrs, mrs, mrs buy bracelet, why??? why won't you buy bracelet??"
"taxi? taxi? you want taxi??"
You have to smile because if you don't they try to make you smile by flirting or trying to be funny, which usually just serves to piss you off more. So smile damn it!! Business people try to become your friend right away so that when you have something to dispute or you say that the price is unfair they can act wounded, it is an amazing tactic I have seen it work in the most bizarre circumstances. There is also a gender issue, if you have a penis you get more respect. I don't deal well with that, I try but it is an exerscise in frustration.
"Hello my pretty, come see my menu"
"Mama, mama, mama, bring you and your sister here for food"
"Mrs, mrs, mrs buy bracelet, why??? why won't you buy bracelet??"
"taxi? taxi? you want taxi??"
You have to smile because if you don't they try to make you smile by flirting or trying to be funny, which usually just serves to piss you off more. So smile damn it!! Business people try to become your friend right away so that when you have something to dispute or you say that the price is unfair they can act wounded, it is an amazing tactic I have seen it work in the most bizarre circumstances. There is also a gender issue, if you have a penis you get more respect. I don't deal well with that, I try but it is an exerscise in frustration.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Not dead
Valerie and I are going on a jaunt to dhab for a few days. I may not have internet access, just wanted you to know I am not dead yet. I will be in touch with you all as soon as I get back :)
Friday, July 11, 2008
Bedouin Teatime
This is the family that we took the goats to first. I was trying to be as subtle as possible when I took this footage so it isn't very good.
F$#king computers
This was not actually the picture I wished to add, but on dial-up internet on an ancient lap-top, I am not about to take another 30 minutes (not kidding, sadly) to re-post. This is Abdullah the swim captain or life-guard at the school. he is very funny, we enjoy our swim sessions with him.
Going to the Pyramids baby!
It feels funny complaining about going to the pyramids. I mean for most people it is a once in a lifetime experience that is suppossed to be almost spiritual.
For me the experience is a really mixed one. Giza the area where the pyramids are located is quite dirty and there is a lot of poverty there. The people who work around the pyramids are all trying to extort money from tourists any way possible. I can't really blame them for wanting more money but their methods are pretty sleazy. A camel ride around the pyramids should cost about twenty-five pounds, but it is not uncommen to hear of people paying three hundred pounds or even more. If you take a taxi to get to the gate the people at the gate will try and lie to you and tell you that the taxi doesn't need a ticket (it does) so that they might later procure you another taxi at a higher rate and thus get a percentage. Small children ask for pens so they can go to school, the pens are later sold at market. It goes on and on.
Anyway, I am going to the pyramids today to take some pictures of garfield at the pyramids. Heather asked me to do this for a tribute to Cameron. I think it should be a nice day. Also it couldn't be any more different from my first trip to the pyramids. Valerie had hooked me up with this character who was trying to marry his way out of Egypt, he was very pretty. Still I wasn't keen on his manly-wiles. I kept showing him pictures of Allan and Dingo. Me: This is my boyfriend, we live together, practically married, see we have a dog! In canada if you have a dog that means you are serious!!!
For me the experience is a really mixed one. Giza the area where the pyramids are located is quite dirty and there is a lot of poverty there. The people who work around the pyramids are all trying to extort money from tourists any way possible. I can't really blame them for wanting more money but their methods are pretty sleazy. A camel ride around the pyramids should cost about twenty-five pounds, but it is not uncommen to hear of people paying three hundred pounds or even more. If you take a taxi to get to the gate the people at the gate will try and lie to you and tell you that the taxi doesn't need a ticket (it does) so that they might later procure you another taxi at a higher rate and thus get a percentage. Small children ask for pens so they can go to school, the pens are later sold at market. It goes on and on.
Anyway, I am going to the pyramids today to take some pictures of garfield at the pyramids. Heather asked me to do this for a tribute to Cameron. I think it should be a nice day. Also it couldn't be any more different from my first trip to the pyramids. Valerie had hooked me up with this character who was trying to marry his way out of Egypt, he was very pretty. Still I wasn't keen on his manly-wiles. I kept showing him pictures of Allan and Dingo. Me: This is my boyfriend, we live together, practically married, see we have a dog! In canada if you have a dog that means you are serious!!!
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Maadi Mornings
Stepping out of your apartment in the morning could easily give you the impression that it had rained over night. The streets are wet, and all the cars lining the avenue are dripping. It didn't rain, the boabs (building handy-men do it alls) wash the cars and wet the street to keep the dust down. Dogs can be found sleeping on the roofs of dryer cars, and cats are often scavenging through rubbish bins. Massive buses wind their way through the streets picking up international staff and students for the drive out to the newer area of Maadi where all the new schools are. As you walk to your bus stop taxi drivers drive up behind you and beep, partly to startle and partly to advertise their availability.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Along came a spider
I saw my first Egyptian spider today note: I don't like them any morethan Canadian spiders. He shook his fangs at me. He was also about 5cm long. Not huge but the fang shaking was weird.
Cheater cheater
I signed up for this camping malarky so I could use the computer all night.
Also I like kids, and the school campus is beautiful at twilight.
We have three days left of summer school and then we are going to the Dahab which is a beach town resort about 6-8 hours away by bus. We will sit on the beach and get brown and perhaps occasionally dip our feet in the crystal blue waters. We stopped at the "hab" as the locals call it once last month on our way back from the Sinai.
It was there that Mom casually mentioned to me "This is where the bombing was at our friends wedding."
Me: Oh?
Her: Yes, they found body parts on their balcony, it was very upsetting.
Of course I knew this story but I had not realised it was in the dahab. Being there was so surreal, you would never know anything had happened it is like hawaii, white people everywhere wearing next to nothing. When we went to Luxor at christmas time we stopped at Queen Hatshepsut's temple where several tourists had also been killed but there is no sign, nothing to indicate that extremists had killed several German tourists.
Male Attention
So this trip so far has been grope free. I have had a lot of hissing and funny noises and one brave soul told me I was booty-full. I was thankfull I mean one always wants to know that their booty is full. Can't be having with half full bootys. One of the male staff members told me that I looked very attractive at the grade eight graduation, that threw me for a loop. Um, thanks? It was funny because the woman he works with totally randomly gave me the exact same compliment like 5 minutes later, maybe it is just a run of the mill Egyptian compliment.
Also I like kids, and the school campus is beautiful at twilight.
We have three days left of summer school and then we are going to the Dahab which is a beach town resort about 6-8 hours away by bus. We will sit on the beach and get brown and perhaps occasionally dip our feet in the crystal blue waters. We stopped at the "hab" as the locals call it once last month on our way back from the Sinai.
It was there that Mom casually mentioned to me "This is where the bombing was at our friends wedding."
Me: Oh?
Her: Yes, they found body parts on their balcony, it was very upsetting.
Of course I knew this story but I had not realised it was in the dahab. Being there was so surreal, you would never know anything had happened it is like hawaii, white people everywhere wearing next to nothing. When we went to Luxor at christmas time we stopped at Queen Hatshepsut's temple where several tourists had also been killed but there is no sign, nothing to indicate that extremists had killed several German tourists.
Male Attention
So this trip so far has been grope free. I have had a lot of hissing and funny noises and one brave soul told me I was booty-full. I was thankfull I mean one always wants to know that their booty is full. Can't be having with half full bootys. One of the male staff members told me that I looked very attractive at the grade eight graduation, that threw me for a loop. Um, thanks? It was funny because the woman he works with totally randomly gave me the exact same compliment like 5 minutes later, maybe it is just a run of the mill Egyptian compliment.
Sweat till you can't sweat no more...
Its fuckin hot here.
We are in the midst of our second week of summer school. Tonight we are camping out at the school, and tomorrow we venture forth to see Kung-Fu Panda in a lovely, lovely air conditioned building.
Bits and Pieces
Some of my favorite students
Sammo
-this little man is hilarious, I met him when I subbed for his regular teacher. It was his birthday and his father owns a trianon bakery so they brought in this massive decadent cake, it was too die for!! For his birthday he was taken to a jewellery shop to pick out an opal, he was telling me how he likes good opals with "clarity of cut." He was also chatting with me about his favorite movies, nightmare on elm st, jaws, and the exorcist. He is a horror fan, and he knows them all, he likes the part in jaws when the mans leg falls off!!! Amber you'd love him, he is so funny!
Nasrine
-Little lady with huge blond afro and missing three of her front teeth, the gap in her mouth is huge, she is just adorable and so talented and funny.
Yahia
-Tiny terror walks up to kids 5 or 6 years older than him and slaps them. This kid has no fear at all of anyone. While I do not approve of his behaviour I admire his spirit.
Yaseen
-It must be difficult being good at everything. This child is just beautiful he gets everything in one go and has a really funny way about him. He never stops chatting though which means he spends a lot of time out on the hallway :(
Carol
-always greets me by shouting my name and running to hug me. Total sweety-pie.
Wrap Up
-It was really sad on the last few days of school everything was getting cleared away and people left really quickly. I miss a lot of the teachers and students. Valerie made a really good friend in Jeanne a neat lady from Toronto, we were both sad to see her go.
-We house sat for awhile but last night we moved Valerie into her new flat, and it is comfortable, this year she won't have any roomates which is something she had been hoping for.
Summer Camp
-I taught a group of children to sing baby beluga, and none of them started bleeding from the ears, miracles do happen.
-Our kids are pretty young they are 6 and 7 year olds. Two of them don't speak english which is challenging. They area really nice group though and aside from the odd break-down, we are having an excellent time.
We are in the midst of our second week of summer school. Tonight we are camping out at the school, and tomorrow we venture forth to see Kung-Fu Panda in a lovely, lovely air conditioned building.
Bits and Pieces
Some of my favorite students
Sammo
-this little man is hilarious, I met him when I subbed for his regular teacher. It was his birthday and his father owns a trianon bakery so they brought in this massive decadent cake, it was too die for!! For his birthday he was taken to a jewellery shop to pick out an opal, he was telling me how he likes good opals with "clarity of cut." He was also chatting with me about his favorite movies, nightmare on elm st, jaws, and the exorcist. He is a horror fan, and he knows them all, he likes the part in jaws when the mans leg falls off!!! Amber you'd love him, he is so funny!
Nasrine
-Little lady with huge blond afro and missing three of her front teeth, the gap in her mouth is huge, she is just adorable and so talented and funny.
Yahia
-Tiny terror walks up to kids 5 or 6 years older than him and slaps them. This kid has no fear at all of anyone. While I do not approve of his behaviour I admire his spirit.
Yaseen
-It must be difficult being good at everything. This child is just beautiful he gets everything in one go and has a really funny way about him. He never stops chatting though which means he spends a lot of time out on the hallway :(
Carol
-always greets me by shouting my name and running to hug me. Total sweety-pie.
Wrap Up
-It was really sad on the last few days of school everything was getting cleared away and people left really quickly. I miss a lot of the teachers and students. Valerie made a really good friend in Jeanne a neat lady from Toronto, we were both sad to see her go.
-We house sat for awhile but last night we moved Valerie into her new flat, and it is comfortable, this year she won't have any roomates which is something she had been hoping for.
Summer Camp
-I taught a group of children to sing baby beluga, and none of them started bleeding from the ears, miracles do happen.
-Our kids are pretty young they are 6 and 7 year olds. Two of them don't speak english which is challenging. They area really nice group though and aside from the odd break-down, we are having an excellent time.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Whats new...
It looks as though we have found a new apartment for Valerie, it is quite cozy and the landlords seem cool. Hopefully we will know by Monday at the latest.
Summer camp is a lot of work but also a lot of fun. For Newfoundland day (its a Canada adventure camp each day has a provincial theme) I had them paint a life size mural of a 46 foot humpback. We didn't have enough of one colour so I let them paint it any colors they wanted. It is a glorious mess of colour and happy faces, and whale bits. I am going to try and post pictures.
Thursday for Yukon day we took the childen ice-skating. It was very funny, none of the skates fit, the skates were about as sharp as popsicle sticks and none of them knew how to skate anyway. There weren't enough skates for everyone so eventually they told the kids to go on the rink in their street shoes. I have pictures of a boy ice skating in his flip-flops.
I'm begining to get a bit nervous about coming home. I still don't have a place in Nanaimo and facing Allan is not going to be that much fun.
Summer camp is a lot of work but also a lot of fun. For Newfoundland day (its a Canada adventure camp each day has a provincial theme) I had them paint a life size mural of a 46 foot humpback. We didn't have enough of one colour so I let them paint it any colors they wanted. It is a glorious mess of colour and happy faces, and whale bits. I am going to try and post pictures.
Thursday for Yukon day we took the childen ice-skating. It was very funny, none of the skates fit, the skates were about as sharp as popsicle sticks and none of them knew how to skate anyway. There weren't enough skates for everyone so eventually they told the kids to go on the rink in their street shoes. I have pictures of a boy ice skating in his flip-flops.
I'm begining to get a bit nervous about coming home. I still don't have a place in Nanaimo and facing Allan is not going to be that much fun.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Happy Canada Day!
Well summer camp is up and running. I am team teaching with my Mother which has already been the source of a certain amount of conflict...3 days in. :) The kids in our group are 6-7 year olds. They are cute and funny, and total disaster areas. Most of them are quite spoiled and a lot of them can't even do up their own pants. Today we are painting faces, decorating with balloons, and being as silly as possible.
We have moved into a temporary place of residence. It is quite the place, Bonnie and Dan live there, Kelly and Emily have moved all of their things in because they are moving into the apartment when Bonnie and Dan leave in August, and Valerie and I are staying there over the summer. So the living room is piled high with boxes and crates. There is a television that works so I have been able to watch some movies (heavily censored of course).
Everyone from the school is gone now which has had a surrprising upside for me. While here teachers buy all kinds of souvenirs which means on their way home they need to get rid of a few things. I have been the happy recipient of all kinds of moisturizers from the body shop, manicure stuff, sun lotion, and clothing!
The heat here is ridiculous, I am in a constant state of melting. Sweat starts running down your body the minute you step out the door, and continues until you reach air conditioning.
We have moved into a temporary place of residence. It is quite the place, Bonnie and Dan live there, Kelly and Emily have moved all of their things in because they are moving into the apartment when Bonnie and Dan leave in August, and Valerie and I are staying there over the summer. So the living room is piled high with boxes and crates. There is a television that works so I have been able to watch some movies (heavily censored of course).
Everyone from the school is gone now which has had a surrprising upside for me. While here teachers buy all kinds of souvenirs which means on their way home they need to get rid of a few things. I have been the happy recipient of all kinds of moisturizers from the body shop, manicure stuff, sun lotion, and clothing!
The heat here is ridiculous, I am in a constant state of melting. Sweat starts running down your body the minute you step out the door, and continues until you reach air conditioning.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
A Sprain is a Pain...
Last night I went to help some friends move, and I thought I had walked away relatively unscathed. Unfortunately, I managed somehow to sprain my right shoulder, which makes doing pretty much anything (including the typing I am doing right now) rather painful.
Thankfully the lovely pharmacist man has given me fluorescent pink and purple pills to take. I call them my pretty pinky-purple painkillers.
Valerie and I are moving tomorrow which will be rather awkward so wish us luck. We don't have a lot to move but it is just the two of us and she has osteoporosis, and I am a gimp. We have three flights of stairs to move everything down and then at the new place three more flights of stairs to move everything up...sigh.
It is the time of year in Cairo when all expats migrate back to the place of their birth in search of colder climate, and long-time friends and family. Most of our friends from school left last night.
Thankfully the lovely pharmacist man has given me fluorescent pink and purple pills to take. I call them my pretty pinky-purple painkillers.
Valerie and I are moving tomorrow which will be rather awkward so wish us luck. We don't have a lot to move but it is just the two of us and she has osteoporosis, and I am a gimp. We have three flights of stairs to move everything down and then at the new place three more flights of stairs to move everything up...sigh.
It is the time of year in Cairo when all expats migrate back to the place of their birth in search of colder climate, and long-time friends and family. Most of our friends from school left last night.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Crazyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
So the school year has come to an end. All the classrooms are packed, and the school is empty of all little people.
Until Sunday.
Sunday is when Summer Camp begins! 85 Students and 6 teachers, it will be an interesting two weeks.
After that we go to the dahab, which is like tofino only African beach side.
Valerie has accepted another year long position at the school which means I will come home in August, stay until just before X-mas, and then leave for another 6 months. I have applied for residence housing and a student loan. Another 6 months of work at the school is a god thing it will pay for the rest of my degree at Malaspina, and help alleviate some of my debts. Also I have registered for my esl certification in August so that is a go.
phew...
Until Sunday.
Sunday is when Summer Camp begins! 85 Students and 6 teachers, it will be an interesting two weeks.
After that we go to the dahab, which is like tofino only African beach side.
Valerie has accepted another year long position at the school which means I will come home in August, stay until just before X-mas, and then leave for another 6 months. I have applied for residence housing and a student loan. Another 6 months of work at the school is a god thing it will pay for the rest of my degree at Malaspina, and help alleviate some of my debts. Also I have registered for my esl certification in August so that is a go.
phew...
Monday, June 23, 2008
Perks and Quirks
Yesterday was the grade eight graduation ceremony. It is kind of a big deal, anyway I spent most of my day printing and folding programs for the 200 guests. The ceremony was quite nice and thankfully brief. The highlight of the evening for me was lets face it, free food. There was a massive buffet, and a huge desert table. mmmmmmmmm
The school had quite the set up there were glass tables with lights in them and golden centerpeices. There was even a string quartet, the music was magical.
The validictorian's speech was short and funny. After the ceremony he came over to me and said "I am a great actor." And I was confused so I said "Why?" His response "Because you taught me acting!!"
Aaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwww
In all fairness though I only had his class once for an hour, charmer!!
Today is the last day of classes and I have very little left to do. I supervise a swim class at 11:30, will probably flirt a little with the lifeguard :)
There may be some birthday cakes arriving, or not we don't really know. Then at 1 the kids are watching a highly legal (ahem) version of Kung Fu Panda.
Little Malak, one of my favorite students gave me two really cute bracelets as a good-bye present. She is so sweet. One of the grade seven students bought me a present as well, a fork holder. LOL
The school had quite the set up there were glass tables with lights in them and golden centerpeices. There was even a string quartet, the music was magical.
The validictorian's speech was short and funny. After the ceremony he came over to me and said "I am a great actor." And I was confused so I said "Why?" His response "Because you taught me acting!!"
Aaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwww
In all fairness though I only had his class once for an hour, charmer!!
Today is the last day of classes and I have very little left to do. I supervise a swim class at 11:30, will probably flirt a little with the lifeguard :)
There may be some birthday cakes arriving, or not we don't really know. Then at 1 the kids are watching a highly legal (ahem) version of Kung Fu Panda.
Little Malak, one of my favorite students gave me two really cute bracelets as a good-bye present. She is so sweet. One of the grade seven students bought me a present as well, a fork holder. LOL
Friday, June 20, 2008
Its just another day for you and me in paradise
So yesterday I went and did something almost totally foreighn to me.
I went to a MASSIVE shopping mall. The place is called city stars and it is THE mall to go shopping at in Cairo. The grade eight graduation is on Sunday and it is mandatory for all teachers to attend, and while I am not a teacher there will be free food so of course I am going. Anyway I had nothing to wear so Haley and I hopped in a cab and went forth bravlely into the air-conditioned interior. The mall is bigger than metropolis, it just goes on and on. It was another ICE (interesting cultural expereince) there is so much affluence in Cairo, and this is where all the wealthy people and upper middle class people come to spend money. There are all of the major brand name stores, and the food courts are huge! We decided to go to the Rainforest cafe because many of the students at school had been chatting about it, and when we got there we discovered a bunch of students in the midst of a birthday party. They invited us to join them and we did. The kids were really excited and they gave us a tour of the place, they were sooo funny. "Look miss Naomi, look at the toilets!!!" They were as excited about the bathroom as they were about the animatronic tigers and gorillas. We were treated to birthday cake, and then the party left before us, they had almost finished eating when we arrived. When we went to pay the bill we discovered the girl's father had paid for our lunch!!
A H&M store had opened up recently so we decided to look there for clothes. It was funny because one of the Kindergarten teachers had told me about it opening she was so excited about it, and then I had run into her daughter the same day and she had also told me about it. Who should we run into in the changing room? Virpi and her daughter!!
Not a bad day, I got two pairs of shoes, a black top, and a purple shrug. I think even Amber would approve of my shoe choices, hot pink, and navy flats. And when I got home I had a caramel milka bar mmmmmm heaven.
This morning I am going out for brunch with some friends and then luggage shopping with Valerie. We have to move next week into another apartment so if I post less frequently, I'm not dead just busy :)
Against my better judgement I let the grade fours perform their dance. It wasn't very good, they needed more practice time but they really wanted to do it, so I let them. Ordinarily I wouldn't have allowed it because they weren't ready but it was their last oppurtunity to perform something before year end. They had a lot of fun dressing up and wearing their costumes, I think the best part was watching them march through school in raggedy costumes with lots of face paint on!
I went to a MASSIVE shopping mall. The place is called city stars and it is THE mall to go shopping at in Cairo. The grade eight graduation is on Sunday and it is mandatory for all teachers to attend, and while I am not a teacher there will be free food so of course I am going. Anyway I had nothing to wear so Haley and I hopped in a cab and went forth bravlely into the air-conditioned interior. The mall is bigger than metropolis, it just goes on and on. It was another ICE (interesting cultural expereince) there is so much affluence in Cairo, and this is where all the wealthy people and upper middle class people come to spend money. There are all of the major brand name stores, and the food courts are huge! We decided to go to the Rainforest cafe because many of the students at school had been chatting about it, and when we got there we discovered a bunch of students in the midst of a birthday party. They invited us to join them and we did. The kids were really excited and they gave us a tour of the place, they were sooo funny. "Look miss Naomi, look at the toilets!!!" They were as excited about the bathroom as they were about the animatronic tigers and gorillas. We were treated to birthday cake, and then the party left before us, they had almost finished eating when we arrived. When we went to pay the bill we discovered the girl's father had paid for our lunch!!
A H&M store had opened up recently so we decided to look there for clothes. It was funny because one of the Kindergarten teachers had told me about it opening she was so excited about it, and then I had run into her daughter the same day and she had also told me about it. Who should we run into in the changing room? Virpi and her daughter!!
Not a bad day, I got two pairs of shoes, a black top, and a purple shrug. I think even Amber would approve of my shoe choices, hot pink, and navy flats. And when I got home I had a caramel milka bar mmmmmm heaven.
This morning I am going out for brunch with some friends and then luggage shopping with Valerie. We have to move next week into another apartment so if I post less frequently, I'm not dead just busy :)
Against my better judgement I let the grade fours perform their dance. It wasn't very good, they needed more practice time but they really wanted to do it, so I let them. Ordinarily I wouldn't have allowed it because they weren't ready but it was their last oppurtunity to perform something before year end. They had a lot of fun dressing up and wearing their costumes, I think the best part was watching them march through school in raggedy costumes with lots of face paint on!
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Chasing Children
This is how I spend most of my days now, running down errant children and making sure they are where they are suppossed to be. The dance was a lot of fun, there was very little actual dancing but the kids all had a good time, and there were too many chaperones so we mostly just hung out.
Today I agreed to help the grade eight teacher prepare her graduation dinner, which meant a lot of running around (this time after teachers). There is also the performance of the grade four dance, which I helped choreograph. I am excited about seeing them in costume but I think the dance is going to be pretty lame. They just don't put any energy into it, no pizzazz or whatever.
Most of the teachers willbe leaving for Canada on Tuesday or Wednesday which is kind of sad. There will be a skeleton crew here for summer camp, and loads and loads of kids.
I am down to 136 pounds, my weight loss has slowed the last little while, I need to focus on it a bit more.
Today I agreed to help the grade eight teacher prepare her graduation dinner, which meant a lot of running around (this time after teachers). There is also the performance of the grade four dance, which I helped choreograph. I am excited about seeing them in costume but I think the dance is going to be pretty lame. They just don't put any energy into it, no pizzazz or whatever.
Most of the teachers willbe leaving for Canada on Tuesday or Wednesday which is kind of sad. There will be a skeleton crew here for summer camp, and loads and loads of kids.
I am down to 136 pounds, my weight loss has slowed the last little while, I need to focus on it a bit more.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
La Vida Egypt
We are in the last days of school now, in fact there are really only 3 days left. I am a little sad because the kids are so much fun and the teachers aren't bad either :)
However summer school is kicking into high gear and a week after regular school ends camp starts. Each of us working at camp has to come up with ideas and themes for summer camp, my theme days are P.E.I. and Newfoundland. I'm having the kids do a huge mural for Newfoundland day, should be fun.
Today I have a pretty full schedule. First thing I am teaching grade 6 drama, and then I have two periods of hip-hop, followed by drama, and tonight I am doing pool duty (watch kids swim make sure they don't drown) and finally I am chaperoning the grade6-8 dance.
Allan continues to send me horrid emails about reconciliation, and how I am throwing everything away and how I am so horrible, and why am I doing this...
Bits and Pieces about Life in Cairo
We have three or four taxi drivers who know us now and who we usually ride with, there is Magdi, Wagdi, and Georges, and then a fellow whose name escapes me but whom I refer to as Crazy hair. He comes his hair up from the base of his neck forward over his forehead, and he isn't balding this is just a unique fashion statement.
I have discovered the best chocolate bar ever the brand name is milka, and their caramel bar is freakin' orgasmic! I am going to try and bring some home with me.
The cost of having things tailored here is miniscule so most of the teacher's have copies made of their favorite articles of clothing. We went to attaba the other day to pick up some of the made items, and we had to walk through this massive street market it was amazing. Everything was available for sale there, strange exorscist-like demon dolls wearing pink teddy bear suits, vegetable magnets, high fashion shoes, strange angry Arabic music, burned corn, glasses, tea, etc etc.
Everything here is inexpensive, you can live very well off of a relatively low Canadian salary. Teachers here who are making $23,000 a year are able to save $6000-$10,000 a year. And these are teachers who do not live poorly, they eat out, take taxis, buy souveniers, and travel to other parts of Africa.
However summer school is kicking into high gear and a week after regular school ends camp starts. Each of us working at camp has to come up with ideas and themes for summer camp, my theme days are P.E.I. and Newfoundland. I'm having the kids do a huge mural for Newfoundland day, should be fun.
Today I have a pretty full schedule. First thing I am teaching grade 6 drama, and then I have two periods of hip-hop, followed by drama, and tonight I am doing pool duty (watch kids swim make sure they don't drown) and finally I am chaperoning the grade6-8 dance.
Allan continues to send me horrid emails about reconciliation, and how I am throwing everything away and how I am so horrible, and why am I doing this...
Bits and Pieces about Life in Cairo
We have three or four taxi drivers who know us now and who we usually ride with, there is Magdi, Wagdi, and Georges, and then a fellow whose name escapes me but whom I refer to as Crazy hair. He comes his hair up from the base of his neck forward over his forehead, and he isn't balding this is just a unique fashion statement.
I have discovered the best chocolate bar ever the brand name is milka, and their caramel bar is freakin' orgasmic! I am going to try and bring some home with me.
The cost of having things tailored here is miniscule so most of the teacher's have copies made of their favorite articles of clothing. We went to attaba the other day to pick up some of the made items, and we had to walk through this massive street market it was amazing. Everything was available for sale there, strange exorscist-like demon dolls wearing pink teddy bear suits, vegetable magnets, high fashion shoes, strange angry Arabic music, burned corn, glasses, tea, etc etc.
Everything here is inexpensive, you can live very well off of a relatively low Canadian salary. Teachers here who are making $23,000 a year are able to save $6000-$10,000 a year. And these are teachers who do not live poorly, they eat out, take taxis, buy souveniers, and travel to other parts of Africa.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Red Sea
Went to the red sea yesterday. We spent the day on the beach, it wasn't a very nice beach but it was warm and there was a long pier that we ventured out onto. From the pier we saw a manta ray, strange missile shaped fish, a needle fish, clown fish, parrot fish, pilot fish, and not 20 feet away from us a pod of 5 dolphins. Not a bad day at all. Totally worth the strange shaped sunburn I aquired on my back LOL. I have been trying to aquire a tan and so far I just seem to be collecting more freckles.
We are into our last week at school and there are lots of fun activities lined up but little work for me. I am satisfied to roam the school watching year end musicals and plays, my time here has been so rewarding.
We are into our last week at school and there are lots of fun activities lined up but little work for me. I am satisfied to roam the school watching year end musicals and plays, my time here has been so rewarding.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Party People
Last night my new friend Hailey and I were on our way too a party. This was a party I didn't really want to go to because it wasn't really going to be my scene. At any rate I have recently been accused of being Valerie's shadow, and that stung so off to the party I went. We got lost, the instructions were simple, go around the corner and flat three building eleven. We found 5 building elevens, and as we were pondering our next step we heard a loud familiar voice, it was our friend Emily (a kindergarten teacher from school). She was on a balcony above us, and when she saw who it was we were invited up for drinks, so we abandoned the search for the party and went for drinks.
It turns out Emily and her roommates were having an I.C.E. (Interesting Cultural Expereince) they had signed a 12 month lease for the very apartment we were sitting in not less than two weeks ago, they had bought the furniture from the outgoing tenants, and re-hired the house keeper. Then today out of nowhere Emily got a call from the landlord saying "Oh we rented to someone else"
Emily goes back to Canada in 13 days and has nowhere to put her things, and both of her roomies are in the same position. So Emily called the current tenants, and they invited her over for wine, and they were on their fourth bottle when we happened to walk by.
Valerie and I were suppossed to house sit for Emily and Co. over the summer, in a roundabout way this means Valerie and I are homeless as of the end of this month. Not to worry though we always land on our feet, and our friends who have lived here for awhile assure us that this is probably just a negotiating tactic.
It turns out Emily and her roommates were having an I.C.E. (Interesting Cultural Expereince) they had signed a 12 month lease for the very apartment we were sitting in not less than two weeks ago, they had bought the furniture from the outgoing tenants, and re-hired the house keeper. Then today out of nowhere Emily got a call from the landlord saying "Oh we rented to someone else"
Emily goes back to Canada in 13 days and has nowhere to put her things, and both of her roomies are in the same position. So Emily called the current tenants, and they invited her over for wine, and they were on their fourth bottle when we happened to walk by.
Valerie and I were suppossed to house sit for Emily and Co. over the summer, in a roundabout way this means Valerie and I are homeless as of the end of this month. Not to worry though we always land on our feet, and our friends who have lived here for awhile assure us that this is probably just a negotiating tactic.
Shrinking Pains
I am so pleased with myself, I keep losing weight. I`m losing it more slowly now which is probably far more healthy. It is hard to gauge exactly how much I have lost, because our scale is in kilos, but my clothes are looser.
Yesterday was our school play day. originally I was free for the afternoon just to watch and play but the woman I was covering for in the morning came in and told me I was working all day. So I had my own little team of followers that I took aroud too each activity. It was hilarious, my group had 6 kids under the age of 6 and no older kids, so we lost every event, but we had a SUPER time. The grade eleven kids organized things and it too a long time to get from event to event and then the explanations took too long and by the time we got started it was time to move on. So at the third station when it was becoming apparent we weren`t going to be able to play the game I picked up a bucket of water and dumped it on little Yahias head, and chaos insued. I was one of about 4 teachers who got soaked through too the skin. It was awesome, nothing is better on a hot Egyptian afternoon than a good old fashioned water fight!!!
In other news, the bird, the damn noisy bird is dead. I don`t know how it happened but I got a terse email from Allan this morning informing me that he had watched the bird die yesterday orning, oh dear. I should`not laugh but it is sort of darkl funny, poor Allan what else could go wrong!!
Yesterday was our school play day. originally I was free for the afternoon just to watch and play but the woman I was covering for in the morning came in and told me I was working all day. So I had my own little team of followers that I took aroud too each activity. It was hilarious, my group had 6 kids under the age of 6 and no older kids, so we lost every event, but we had a SUPER time. The grade eleven kids organized things and it too a long time to get from event to event and then the explanations took too long and by the time we got started it was time to move on. So at the third station when it was becoming apparent we weren`t going to be able to play the game I picked up a bucket of water and dumped it on little Yahias head, and chaos insued. I was one of about 4 teachers who got soaked through too the skin. It was awesome, nothing is better on a hot Egyptian afternoon than a good old fashioned water fight!!!
In other news, the bird, the damn noisy bird is dead. I don`t know how it happened but I got a terse email from Allan this morning informing me that he had watched the bird die yesterday orning, oh dear. I should`not laugh but it is sort of darkl funny, poor Allan what else could go wrong!!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Its getting hot out herrrrrre
43 degrees yesterday. FORTY-FREAKIN-THREE!!
Phew. I taught a drama class in the morning and I had rivers of sweat pouring down my back, it was gross. No wonder all the Canadians go home over summer, phew!! Most of the teachers will be leaving around the 25th of this month, while Valerie and I brave the heat and terrors of summer school!! After summer school I think the two of us will be travelling to the Dahab, a summery resort place about 8 hours out of Cairo.
Today I am working half the day, which is good, better than no time at all I suppose. I worked with the grade sevens this morning and it went well, it is always nice when things come together.
Valerie spoke to someone about her finances and it has really set her mind at ease, which is good, because angry Valerie is not fun.
I'm having some problems transferring money from here to my accounts in Canada. As a result it looks as though Allan's power may get cut off...oooops.
Phew. I taught a drama class in the morning and I had rivers of sweat pouring down my back, it was gross. No wonder all the Canadians go home over summer, phew!! Most of the teachers will be leaving around the 25th of this month, while Valerie and I brave the heat and terrors of summer school!! After summer school I think the two of us will be travelling to the Dahab, a summery resort place about 8 hours out of Cairo.
Today I am working half the day, which is good, better than no time at all I suppose. I worked with the grade sevens this morning and it went well, it is always nice when things come together.
Valerie spoke to someone about her finances and it has really set her mind at ease, which is good, because angry Valerie is not fun.
I'm having some problems transferring money from here to my accounts in Canada. As a result it looks as though Allan's power may get cut off...oooops.
Friday, June 6, 2008
The trots
Everybody here gets the runs. It is just a fact of expatriate life in Cairo.
When I taught the kindy class yesterday I had a little boy run past me streaming poop down his pant legs, the other teacher was like "Whats that smell?" And I was like "ummmm poop."
Kindy was fun, and I have another half day of it on Sunday. They are rehearsing a play and the children's delivery is very funny. One of the little girls is very soft spoken so the teachers keep telling them to be louder, and she isn't getting any louder but the girl who acts opposite of her has taken their words to heart.
"YOU HAVE TO GO TO OZ!!!!!!! THE GREEN CITY, GO NOW!!!! IT HAS EMERALDS!!"
Hee hee hee
Two weeks of school left to go, and then two to three weeks of summer school. This has been good, I will be able to pay off one credit card, and pay off most of my debts. The school renewed my working visa until November, so if I wanted I could stay and work here until November.
I am having so much fun here.
When I taught the kindy class yesterday I had a little boy run past me streaming poop down his pant legs, the other teacher was like "Whats that smell?" And I was like "ummmm poop."
Kindy was fun, and I have another half day of it on Sunday. They are rehearsing a play and the children's delivery is very funny. One of the little girls is very soft spoken so the teachers keep telling them to be louder, and she isn't getting any louder but the girl who acts opposite of her has taken their words to heart.
"YOU HAVE TO GO TO OZ!!!!!!! THE GREEN CITY, GO NOW!!!! IT HAS EMERALDS!!"
Hee hee hee
Two weeks of school left to go, and then two to three weeks of summer school. This has been good, I will be able to pay off one credit card, and pay off most of my debts. The school renewed my working visa until November, so if I wanted I could stay and work here until November.
I am having so much fun here.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Pump it!
I was doing creative movement with the grade seven class this morning and I was amazed at the difference between their scenes and the scenes the grade four students had created previously. The grade fours were much more creative and far better thought out, I think it must be hormones and inhibitions that creep in with age.
Turns out other teachers are going to cover for the music teacher who left. I love working with the kids and wish I could stay on here next year.
Tomorrow and Sunday I am going to be teaching kindergarten...yikes! Should be fun and I will have two class assistants which is good.
Allan is vacillating between forgiving me and hating me with every email he sends, poor guy this must be tough for him. I think I mourned the death of this relationship too long ago to be much affected by it now.
Turns out other teachers are going to cover for the music teacher who left. I love working with the kids and wish I could stay on here next year.
Tomorrow and Sunday I am going to be teaching kindergarten...yikes! Should be fun and I will have two class assistants which is good.
Allan is vacillating between forgiving me and hating me with every email he sends, poor guy this must be tough for him. I think I mourned the death of this relationship too long ago to be much affected by it now.
Monday, June 2, 2008
I get by with a little help from my friends...
I just want to take a second here and say thanks to all of you!! You have been very supportive through a strange time, and you are all amazing!!
Anyway more news on my strange life...
Yesterday the poor beleagured music teacher had a massive breakdown and quit the week before the annual music concert. I'm not quite sure what this will mean to me but I am pretty sure it will result in more on-call work. Next week I already have three days booked, one with kindergarten (yikes), one with grade one and one with highschool art.
We don't have access to tv here, so I have been catching up on a lot of reading which is nice. Anyone have any book suggestions they want to share?
I don't have a lot of ways to practice escapism here, so I have been spending a lot of times mulling things over, and I feel much healthier than I was when I left Canada. I have lost 13 pounds!!
Registration for summer school is going well and it looks as though it will run for 3 weeks, I know I am hired for sure for two weeks but I have to wait to find out about the final week.
Allan and I spoke on the phone and it was horrible. He still wants us to be together and I am not going back. I heard from my friend that he is getting relationship advice from Mark of all people. He is moving all of my things out into the garage which is a bit dismaying considering it is a neighbourhood cat hang-out and my things might reek of cat piss when I get home. I am also concerned that things will get broken, but I'm trying to let it all go. I am here, he is there, not much I can do.
Cairo Quirks
-you have to pay an Egyptian pound to use public restrooms, and you have to take your own toilet paper.
-You can't flush toilet paper it backs up the horrible plumbing
-Egyptian Watermelon refrigerated is a gift from the gods, seriously it is the best thing I have ever tasted!!!
Anyway more news on my strange life...
Yesterday the poor beleagured music teacher had a massive breakdown and quit the week before the annual music concert. I'm not quite sure what this will mean to me but I am pretty sure it will result in more on-call work. Next week I already have three days booked, one with kindergarten (yikes), one with grade one and one with highschool art.
We don't have access to tv here, so I have been catching up on a lot of reading which is nice. Anyone have any book suggestions they want to share?
I don't have a lot of ways to practice escapism here, so I have been spending a lot of times mulling things over, and I feel much healthier than I was when I left Canada. I have lost 13 pounds!!
Registration for summer school is going well and it looks as though it will run for 3 weeks, I know I am hired for sure for two weeks but I have to wait to find out about the final week.
Allan and I spoke on the phone and it was horrible. He still wants us to be together and I am not going back. I heard from my friend that he is getting relationship advice from Mark of all people. He is moving all of my things out into the garage which is a bit dismaying considering it is a neighbourhood cat hang-out and my things might reek of cat piss when I get home. I am also concerned that things will get broken, but I'm trying to let it all go. I am here, he is there, not much I can do.
Cairo Quirks
-you have to pay an Egyptian pound to use public restrooms, and you have to take your own toilet paper.
-You can't flush toilet paper it backs up the horrible plumbing
-Egyptian Watermelon refrigerated is a gift from the gods, seriously it is the best thing I have ever tasted!!!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Climb Every Mountain
I climbed Mt.Sinai this weekend.
We ledt Cairo Thursday evening and took an eight hour bumpy bus ride out into the Sinai desert. We stayed at a great little place called Fox Camp where the local Bedouin manage a hostel/desert camp for budget travellers. The man in charge is Valerie's contact for the Bedouin, his name is Farag. Farag looks like a Bedouin version of David Hasselhoff, its weird.
Anyway the first day we went out and met up with families that Valerie and her goat program has provided goats for, and it was incredible. The goats make such a difference in the lives of these people.
Later that afternoon we went out to the St. Catherine's monastary, home of the famed burning bush and Moses' well.
And then in a fit of insanity I got up at 2am and climbed Mt.Sinai. It was amazing. When you climb the mountain you go with a guide, and they take you up one of many different routes to the apex. Anyway my guide was an ass, he walked too quickly and was impatient with my asthma, while trying to keep up with him I slipped fell, bruised my bottom, my pride, and now my tailbone really smarts. Anyway the reason we left at 2am was because that allowed us enough time to arrive t the top in time to watch the sun rise, which was glorious.
And then I lost my guide.
Which was awesome because as previously mentioned...ass!! Anyway I picked a route followed it and made my own way down the mountain and through the valley back to Fox Camp, when I got back I was on a high for the rest of the day, just an amazing experience. When I arrived at school this morning one of the kids asked me what I did over the weekend
Me: Climbed a mountain!!
I am going to call Allan tonight, he keeps sending me emails about working it out but I am so over this whole scenario!!
We ledt Cairo Thursday evening and took an eight hour bumpy bus ride out into the Sinai desert. We stayed at a great little place called Fox Camp where the local Bedouin manage a hostel/desert camp for budget travellers. The man in charge is Valerie's contact for the Bedouin, his name is Farag. Farag looks like a Bedouin version of David Hasselhoff, its weird.
Anyway the first day we went out and met up with families that Valerie and her goat program has provided goats for, and it was incredible. The goats make such a difference in the lives of these people.
Later that afternoon we went out to the St. Catherine's monastary, home of the famed burning bush and Moses' well.
And then in a fit of insanity I got up at 2am and climbed Mt.Sinai. It was amazing. When you climb the mountain you go with a guide, and they take you up one of many different routes to the apex. Anyway my guide was an ass, he walked too quickly and was impatient with my asthma, while trying to keep up with him I slipped fell, bruised my bottom, my pride, and now my tailbone really smarts. Anyway the reason we left at 2am was because that allowed us enough time to arrive t the top in time to watch the sun rise, which was glorious.
And then I lost my guide.
Which was awesome because as previously mentioned...ass!! Anyway I picked a route followed it and made my own way down the mountain and through the valley back to Fox Camp, when I got back I was on a high for the rest of the day, just an amazing experience. When I arrived at school this morning one of the kids asked me what I did over the weekend
Me: Climbed a mountain!!
I am going to call Allan tonight, he keeps sending me emails about working it out but I am so over this whole scenario!!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Inner Peace
This week I have worked three and a half days which is fantastic. Today I had the day off so I went to school anyway and did a few drama classes. This weekend we are going out to the Sinai desert to climb the mountain and buy some goats for the Bedouin children.
It has been a really crazy few days. I am sure by now most of you have picked up on the fact that I am listed as single on facebook. I broke up with Allan and while I'm not proud of my way of going about it, it does feel like the right choice.
The next morning I awoke to a horrible throat infection, and 22 emails from Allan. Argh.
Anyway it has been a really nice week, and I am happy with myself. I have lost a total of 11 pounds since I first arrived, people are beginning to notice and it feels really good.
I know a large amount of the students in the school now because I have worked with almost every grade. I hope when I am certified I will have a chance to come back to this school.
I don't know when I am coming home. Valerie might fly out of Cairo right after Summer School to teach in Hong Kong for two weeks, if she does that I might go with her or fly home to Canada early. Another possibility is for me to stay on here for another year and work as I have been doing.
I think of you all frequently and wish that you were here!
It has been a really crazy few days. I am sure by now most of you have picked up on the fact that I am listed as single on facebook. I broke up with Allan and while I'm not proud of my way of going about it, it does feel like the right choice.
The next morning I awoke to a horrible throat infection, and 22 emails from Allan. Argh.
Anyway it has been a really nice week, and I am happy with myself. I have lost a total of 11 pounds since I first arrived, people are beginning to notice and it feels really good.
I know a large amount of the students in the school now because I have worked with almost every grade. I hope when I am certified I will have a chance to come back to this school.
I don't know when I am coming home. Valerie might fly out of Cairo right after Summer School to teach in Hong Kong for two weeks, if she does that I might go with her or fly home to Canada early. Another possibility is for me to stay on here for another year and work as I have been doing.
I think of you all frequently and wish that you were here!
Friday, May 23, 2008
Bits and Pieces
I have been doing very well. Last week I taught 4 out of 5 days. On the day when I wasn't paid to teach I taught three drama classes. Our work weeks in Egypt go from Sunday to Thursday it is a little hard to get used to at first. Had a funny moment yesterday when I was subbing for the grade four teacher. One of the darling girls wandered up to a grade 9 student and said "I will kick you till you bleed!!" Nice.
This Saturday is the big Spring Fling, our school's massive bazaar. I will be supervising the pony ride tent. There is a genuine Egyptian pop star coming to play at the school I think his name is Remy Habra.
Cairo Quirks
Taxis are very cheap here it costs about $50 pounds to drive around for an hour and a half which translates to $10 Canadian.
You are expected to tip everyone for everything.
The hot water that comes out of the hot water tap is almost boiling there is no burn protection.
The metro (subway) has a special car designated just for women, that men are not allowed to ride on.
This Saturday is the big Spring Fling, our school's massive bazaar. I will be supervising the pony ride tent. There is a genuine Egyptian pop star coming to play at the school I think his name is Remy Habra.
Cairo Quirks
Taxis are very cheap here it costs about $50 pounds to drive around for an hour and a half which translates to $10 Canadian.
You are expected to tip everyone for everything.
The hot water that comes out of the hot water tap is almost boiling there is no burn protection.
The metro (subway) has a special car designated just for women, that men are not allowed to ride on.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Onward and upward
Everything is going well right now. I have 2 and a half days scheduled for next week and I am subbing tomorrow. I have been teaching drama to most of the intermediate grades and it has been so much fun. All the primary kids now know me as "The drama teacher" and they wave and say hi, and then ask me when they have drama next. It is a nice feeling and it is nicer than say being known as the math teacher :)
Wish you were all here !!
Wish you were all here !!
Monday, May 19, 2008
The latest
I have worked every day since the dreaded grade 10 incident. I have taught grades 1,3,4,7,9,10,11, and 12. I think the funniest class was probably the grade 12 physics class, I was so lost luckily they needed no help from me. I worked with the grade 10s again this morning and it was ok. The two demon spawn did not show up (thank you god!!). I kept a sense of humor and I think I may have turned a corner with them. The reason I was teaching them today was because they sent their science teacher into a stress related break-down.
I am beginning to relax a bit and just enjoy the fact that I am in Egypt. We went for a felluca ride last night and it was wonderful, we were on the nile!
I am beginning to relax a bit and just enjoy the fact that I am in Egypt. We went for a felluca ride last night and it was wonderful, we were on the nile!
Friday, May 16, 2008
Restraint
Those of you who have had the pleasure (hah) of knowing me for many years, may know about my lack of tact or restraint and some have gone so far as to suggest I may have a potty mouth.
Yesterday I had three high school classes to instruct because the English/history teacher was home ill. My first class was the grade 9s who have a reputation for being little shits. They weren't bad, not great but I could deal with them. The second class was fine no problems there. The final class, I was warned about by the students in my first class.
Let me say here that I think I am a patient person it takes a lot for me to really lose my temper. I am a potty mouth but it is usually in the context of a joke, or merely voicing an opinion.
Anyway the grade 10s were bad. BAD BAD BAD BAD BAD BAD BAD. I was told to call the principal if there was misbehaving, I didn't really want to do that because once you surrender your authority it is hard to get it back. But as a supply teacher I have no follow up abilities with the kids and they pretty much ignored me so I called the principal...no answer. I waited a little while and called again, no answer. I was stuck with these kids in a room for 80 minutes, while they pretty much did whatever they wanted. They drummed on desks, the sang, they played soccer, and one of them showed up half way through with a big envelope which he opened and shared with the rest of the class "Ahmed is often disruptive in class..." NO SHIT!!! No sooner did I stop them from doing one stupid thing, then they started doing something worse. They were given an assignment to finish by th end of class, and only 5 of the 14 handed it in. I was told after the fact that there are 5 boys in that class that would have been expelled in any other school but because the school needs a certain number of highschool kids they keep them in strictly for the cash. The culminating event of the afternoon was having the soccer ball thrown at my head. I kept that ball, and holy shit you wouldn't believe the histrionics that caused! "Oh miss they will kick me off my team!!!" "Miss why are you being so mean??" "Miss we didn't do anything wrong!"
The last one came from Omar who had been as gross as he could possibly be all afternoon long. I lost it I went up one side of him and down the other and I didn't swear which took a great deal of restraint. I was going to write out a list of the misbehaving assholes but decided I should instead write a list of those who behaved because that was only 4 names.
I want to teach them again. Not for revenge or because I am a masochist but I want to go back to show them that they didn't get the best of me. I didn't get personal with any of them, I repremanded them for their behaviour and told them there were consequences for behaving that way. It was a challenge and it was what I needed.
Yesterday I had three high school classes to instruct because the English/history teacher was home ill. My first class was the grade 9s who have a reputation for being little shits. They weren't bad, not great but I could deal with them. The second class was fine no problems there. The final class, I was warned about by the students in my first class.
Let me say here that I think I am a patient person it takes a lot for me to really lose my temper. I am a potty mouth but it is usually in the context of a joke, or merely voicing an opinion.
Anyway the grade 10s were bad. BAD BAD BAD BAD BAD BAD BAD. I was told to call the principal if there was misbehaving, I didn't really want to do that because once you surrender your authority it is hard to get it back. But as a supply teacher I have no follow up abilities with the kids and they pretty much ignored me so I called the principal...no answer. I waited a little while and called again, no answer. I was stuck with these kids in a room for 80 minutes, while they pretty much did whatever they wanted. They drummed on desks, the sang, they played soccer, and one of them showed up half way through with a big envelope which he opened and shared with the rest of the class "Ahmed is often disruptive in class..." NO SHIT!!! No sooner did I stop them from doing one stupid thing, then they started doing something worse. They were given an assignment to finish by th end of class, and only 5 of the 14 handed it in. I was told after the fact that there are 5 boys in that class that would have been expelled in any other school but because the school needs a certain number of highschool kids they keep them in strictly for the cash. The culminating event of the afternoon was having the soccer ball thrown at my head. I kept that ball, and holy shit you wouldn't believe the histrionics that caused! "Oh miss they will kick me off my team!!!" "Miss why are you being so mean??" "Miss we didn't do anything wrong!"
The last one came from Omar who had been as gross as he could possibly be all afternoon long. I lost it I went up one side of him and down the other and I didn't swear which took a great deal of restraint. I was going to write out a list of the misbehaving assholes but decided I should instead write a list of those who behaved because that was only 4 names.
I want to teach them again. Not for revenge or because I am a masochist but I want to go back to show them that they didn't get the best of me. I didn't get personal with any of them, I repremanded them for their behaviour and told them there were consequences for behaving that way. It was a challenge and it was what I needed.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Connection Broken Please Try Again
Argh, internet has been down for most of the last week. I try to get online where and when I can but it is a bit hectic.
Today I had my first call for supply teaching, I taught for a half a day but they paid me for a full day because of all the volunteer work I have been doing.
I have supplied the drama units for grade one, three, four, and both of the grade seven classes. None of this was paid work but it introduced me to teachers and got my foot in the door.
Summer camp is a bit of a question mark I don't know what is going on there. Enrollment looks low so I'm not sure if it is going to go ahead or not, please god let it happen!!
I really enjoy the kids in Valerie's class, they are just too much fun. They all misbehave but that is part of their charm :)
Today I had my first call for supply teaching, I taught for a half a day but they paid me for a full day because of all the volunteer work I have been doing.
I have supplied the drama units for grade one, three, four, and both of the grade seven classes. None of this was paid work but it introduced me to teachers and got my foot in the door.
Summer camp is a bit of a question mark I don't know what is going on there. Enrollment looks low so I'm not sure if it is going to go ahead or not, please god let it happen!!
I really enjoy the kids in Valerie's class, they are just too much fun. They all misbehave but that is part of their charm :)
Friday, May 9, 2008
Hired
I have been hired to teach summer school which is $500 a week, in July. I don't know how long summer school is going to run for, plese let it be at least three weeks. I also have one day of supply work coming up in May which is $75. Things haven't worked out very well. Valerie bought me the ticket here when there were very few teachers available for supply, unforunetly for me, the Principal's two adult daughters arrived only days after I did. One of the daughters is a trained teacher so of course she gets preference over me (as it should be), and the other daughter has been hired on to do some of the admin stuff that I had also been hoping for. Which leaves me with a great oppurtunity for volunteering, and that would be fine except I am dreadfully broke.
In other news, I finally got my camera back so very soon I will start posting pictures. I really enjoy teaching Valerie's class, and working as a support teacher for her. It has made me re-think teaching primary. I had one of the teachers watch me do a drama lesson with a group of grade ones and then she told me I should be a teacher LOL! Lady from your mouth to the administration at any universities ears!! I'm going to ask her for a letter of recomendation.
I have started buying some small things to bring back and sell in Canada, and buying and shopping are always fun. :)
In other news, I finally got my camera back so very soon I will start posting pictures. I really enjoy teaching Valerie's class, and working as a support teacher for her. It has made me re-think teaching primary. I had one of the teachers watch me do a drama lesson with a group of grade ones and then she told me I should be a teacher LOL! Lady from your mouth to the administration at any universities ears!! I'm going to ask her for a letter of recomendation.
I have started buying some small things to bring back and sell in Canada, and buying and shopping are always fun. :)
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Lippy Dippy
Today I did my first lesson plan with the kids, it was great. They had fun and they learned, who knew that was possible? HA ha. I did their unit on theatre and I had them doing theatre sports and lessons that I remembered from when I was their age. Next week I am doing a dance unit for them.
Then we went and did math. Wow, these kids are good at procrastinating and trying to get out of things. They don't listen and it seems the only way they co-operate is if they have the fear of something or someone coming down on them.
I felt sorry for one of the kids because he is clearly the smartest in the class, and he gets things ages before all the others. Then he sits there, gets bored, and promptly finds his way into trouble.
Unfortunetly I am still not getting paid and it is a bit stressfull. I think Valerie was overly optomistic when she estimated how much time I would get as a supply teacher.
Then we went and did math. Wow, these kids are good at procrastinating and trying to get out of things. They don't listen and it seems the only way they co-operate is if they have the fear of something or someone coming down on them.
I felt sorry for one of the kids because he is clearly the smartest in the class, and he gets things ages before all the others. Then he sits there, gets bored, and promptly finds his way into trouble.
Unfortunetly I am still not getting paid and it is a bit stressfull. I think Valerie was overly optomistic when she estimated how much time I would get as a supply teacher.
Monday, May 5, 2008
School Daze
Today was my first day at the school, it was a trip. One of the children had a birthday so when she arrived her driver brought in a massive platter of candy for the children. Then after lunch her mother arrived with this extravagent delicous cake, and party poppers, she also brought more candy and three bottles of coke. Thank-god the children were sent off to someone else for the afternoon!!
The school is something else, there are two tennis courts, a special basketball court, gymnasiums, a pool, and it never seems to end. There are lots of resources, the children all learn three languages, and all the kids are very affluent.
The school is something else, there are two tennis courts, a special basketball court, gymnasiums, a pool, and it never seems to end. There are lots of resources, the children all learn three languages, and all the kids are very affluent.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Not dead yet.
We have been in Jordan for the past 5 days, far away from the internet. Our way home included a ferry boat ride, and a 6 hour drive from the Sinai into Cairo. On the drive home, our fellow traveller Leilani recived a phone call from her mother informing her that a car full of canadian tourists were killed in an accident on the road between Cairo and the Sinai...urk! It wasn't us!! We are all safe! Althought I can't say I am surrprised to hear of the accident, the driving here is insane and on a daily basis we pass evidence of horrible car crashes in the desert.
We have had some interesting adventures over the last few days here are some of the highlights:
Getting into Jordan
We had arranged to catch a ferry from Egypt into Jordan, unfortunetly there was a communication break down and our travel agent had arranged for us to walk across the border between Egypt and Israel, and for us to catch the ferry from Israel into Jordan. This was a major problem because the teachers who were with us didn't want a stamp from Israel in their passports because it makes traveling in the Middle East very difficult, some arab countries will refuse you entry if you have that stamp. Soooo we had to hop back on the bus that we had just spent 6 and a half hours on and drive another hour to a port called Newauba (I have probably spelled that wrong) where we were finally able to board a boat.
Symmetry
In an earlier post I had complained about the drunk Australians on the plane, well when we arrived at Newaiba we ran into a lovely group of travellers from...Australia!! Two of them spoke Arabic and they helped us negotiate some of the trickier parts of travel between Egypt and Jordan, we shared lunch with them and chatted about world politics. Our first day in the ancient city of Petra, Valerie and I were royally ripped off by a Bedouin woman, it was a nasty experience. The next day as we explored further we came across this elderly Bedouin gentleman who had a home on one of the cliffs looking over Petra, he gave us some tea and let us sit on his balcony, he had bar none the best view from a balcony, I have ever seen. Just goes to show, there are angels and assholes everywhere :)
Petra
In Jordan is the most amazing ancient site named Petra. Some of you may have seen it in the Indiana Jones film the Last Crusade. Anyway it is the MASSIVE ancinet city of caves, and stone facades, and really there just aren't words to describe it. You have to walk into the city (or travel by horse drawn cart) through this narrow canyon, and as you come around the bend at the bpttom, you are greeted by the sight of this gigantic building carved into rock, it is breathtaking, and the city just goes on and on and on...
Theatres
In petra there are two theatres, one is a large Hellenistic theatre, and the other is a tiny theatron. We weren't allowed in the theatre because excavations were taking place, but I did get to test the acoustics in the theatron, and I made a bunch of German tourists jump. So my theatre history classes came in usefull after all, who knew.
Car Problems
After petra we had a day planned of driving from site to site on our way back to Aquaba the ferry port. We hired two drivers, and the day started off smoothly enough , we all got in the trucks and were enjoying the country side, when we stopped to get gas. Our driver wanted to check his oil, but when he turned something under the hood it broke off in his hand, so those of us travelling in his truck squeezed into the other truck and drove off to look at a Crusader Castle (very cool). He picked us up from there and on our way to the dead sea, we swerved violently into the middle of the road, so we had to pull over and he had to fix the axel or something or other. After we visited the dead sea (also very cool, lots of floating people and hairy Europeans) we all piled back in the truck, took off and then BOOM our windscreen fractured, we You could barely see through the mess of glass, so we pulled over and the driver used clear packing tape to secure the glass and drove with us to Aquaba for 4 and a half hours!! It was a little bit scarey, I don't know how he could see! We went through 4 army check points and they laughed and waved us through but a police officer saw us and pulled us over. It turend out that the driver wasn't licensed to carry passengers so we had to lie for him, but the police officer reported him anyway! Poor guy.
Tomorrow I start working at Valerie's school. I am quite nervous, wish me luck!
We have had some interesting adventures over the last few days here are some of the highlights:
Getting into Jordan
We had arranged to catch a ferry from Egypt into Jordan, unfortunetly there was a communication break down and our travel agent had arranged for us to walk across the border between Egypt and Israel, and for us to catch the ferry from Israel into Jordan. This was a major problem because the teachers who were with us didn't want a stamp from Israel in their passports because it makes traveling in the Middle East very difficult, some arab countries will refuse you entry if you have that stamp. Soooo we had to hop back on the bus that we had just spent 6 and a half hours on and drive another hour to a port called Newauba (I have probably spelled that wrong) where we were finally able to board a boat.
Symmetry
In an earlier post I had complained about the drunk Australians on the plane, well when we arrived at Newaiba we ran into a lovely group of travellers from...Australia!! Two of them spoke Arabic and they helped us negotiate some of the trickier parts of travel between Egypt and Jordan, we shared lunch with them and chatted about world politics. Our first day in the ancient city of Petra, Valerie and I were royally ripped off by a Bedouin woman, it was a nasty experience. The next day as we explored further we came across this elderly Bedouin gentleman who had a home on one of the cliffs looking over Petra, he gave us some tea and let us sit on his balcony, he had bar none the best view from a balcony, I have ever seen. Just goes to show, there are angels and assholes everywhere :)
Petra
In Jordan is the most amazing ancient site named Petra. Some of you may have seen it in the Indiana Jones film the Last Crusade. Anyway it is the MASSIVE ancinet city of caves, and stone facades, and really there just aren't words to describe it. You have to walk into the city (or travel by horse drawn cart) through this narrow canyon, and as you come around the bend at the bpttom, you are greeted by the sight of this gigantic building carved into rock, it is breathtaking, and the city just goes on and on and on...
Theatres
In petra there are two theatres, one is a large Hellenistic theatre, and the other is a tiny theatron. We weren't allowed in the theatre because excavations were taking place, but I did get to test the acoustics in the theatron, and I made a bunch of German tourists jump. So my theatre history classes came in usefull after all, who knew.
Car Problems
After petra we had a day planned of driving from site to site on our way back to Aquaba the ferry port. We hired two drivers, and the day started off smoothly enough , we all got in the trucks and were enjoying the country side, when we stopped to get gas. Our driver wanted to check his oil, but when he turned something under the hood it broke off in his hand, so those of us travelling in his truck squeezed into the other truck and drove off to look at a Crusader Castle (very cool). He picked us up from there and on our way to the dead sea, we swerved violently into the middle of the road, so we had to pull over and he had to fix the axel or something or other. After we visited the dead sea (also very cool, lots of floating people and hairy Europeans) we all piled back in the truck, took off and then BOOM our windscreen fractured, we You could barely see through the mess of glass, so we pulled over and the driver used clear packing tape to secure the glass and drove with us to Aquaba for 4 and a half hours!! It was a little bit scarey, I don't know how he could see! We went through 4 army check points and they laughed and waved us through but a police officer saw us and pulled us over. It turend out that the driver wasn't licensed to carry passengers so we had to lie for him, but the police officer reported him anyway! Poor guy.
Tomorrow I start working at Valerie's school. I am quite nervous, wish me luck!
Monday, April 28, 2008
2:40am Cairo time
I'm awake and I wish I wasn't. It has been a weird few days. I was going to chicken out of breaking up with Allan but a long conversation with Amber helped me. We haven't broken up, but he and I are on the same page now and he will probably be moving out in early August. This wasn't quite what i wanted but it is a step in the right direction.
I spent a day and a half with heather and Kim, I also got to see Uncle Doug which is good fun.
Last time I went to Egypt I had to get up at 3am, and then travelled for 33 hours, it took me about a week to shake off the jet lag. This time I left at a reasonable hour and the trip was only 18 hours. Most of the trip was unremarkable, except for my last flight. There were 3 drunk Australians sitting behind my row, and they kept on kicking us, and grabbing our heads it was very strange. Then one of them started making racist comments about arabs, and it was just awfull. Hopefully someone suspected him of smuggeling something and he was strip searched!
In an hour and a half we are leaving to go to Jordan, we will see the ancient site Petra, where one of teh Indiana Jones films were shot.
I spent a day and a half with heather and Kim, I also got to see Uncle Doug which is good fun.
Last time I went to Egypt I had to get up at 3am, and then travelled for 33 hours, it took me about a week to shake off the jet lag. This time I left at a reasonable hour and the trip was only 18 hours. Most of the trip was unremarkable, except for my last flight. There were 3 drunk Australians sitting behind my row, and they kept on kicking us, and grabbing our heads it was very strange. Then one of them started making racist comments about arabs, and it was just awfull. Hopefully someone suspected him of smuggeling something and he was strip searched!
In an hour and a half we are leaving to go to Jordan, we will see the ancient site Petra, where one of teh Indiana Jones films were shot.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Urk
I'm all like waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa gack urk and thats about all I have to say right now.
I'm so going crazy!!!
I will update everyone on everything once I hit Egypt.
I'm so going crazy!!!
I will update everyone on everything once I hit Egypt.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Ick
Today I have my final exam, and of course as usual I feel sick to my stomach. I might start taking tums before exams I wonder if that might help?
I have somuch to do before I leave on the 26th of this month for Egypt. Firstly, and rather importantly: I must find my fucking pasport!!
Then there is the packing, the doing of taxes, AMber's aprty to organize, and well that other thing.
I have somuch to do before I leave on the 26th of this month for Egypt. Firstly, and rather importantly: I must find my fucking pasport!!
Then there is the packing, the doing of taxes, AMber's aprty to organize, and well that other thing.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Oy Vey
Well I have my ticket, I leave for Egypt on the 26th of this month. I have a lot of things I have to do before I go and most of them are annoying and just organizational tid bits but there is one massive thing I have to do and I am terrified. If I am at all scatter brained or difficult in the next 20 days or so I apologize, just know this is a weird time for me.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Brilliant Actor
I watched the Kingdom tonight and was blown away by Ashraf Barhom. He is a wonderful actor and I hope to see more of him.
The L Word
Lindsie!!
I saw a mini series today that reminded me so much of Lindsie for the following reasons:
1)It was a BBC production (she likes those)
2) It was based on an Elizabeth Gaskell novel, so it was literature and she is into that sort of thing.
3) One of the characters asks "Are you vexed with me?"
4)Pretty costumes
5)The protagonist keeps secrets and tells everyone exactly what she thinks, so in essence she is Lindsie.
It was called Wives and Daughters and I got it through the library, watch it Lindsie!
I saw a mini series today that reminded me so much of Lindsie for the following reasons:
1)It was a BBC production (she likes those)
2) It was based on an Elizabeth Gaskell novel, so it was literature and she is into that sort of thing.
3) One of the characters asks "Are you vexed with me?"
4)Pretty costumes
5)The protagonist keeps secrets and tells everyone exactly what she thinks, so in essence she is Lindsie.
It was called Wives and Daughters and I got it through the library, watch it Lindsie!
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Snigglefritz
Woke up this morning happy to have slept through the night, only to be confronted with a full on migraine. Happy Trails. So I have taken some tylenol, and plan to get some stuff done. Today is a school day so high ho high off to fucking hell I go. I'm a happy little scholastic camper, danmit!
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