This morning, I had my first ever road-raging taxi driver. He seemed a little perturbed when I got in after asking for the University. “How odd” I thought – normally all the taxis assume you are going to the university from the hostel This driver was very hard on the horn. Using it more as… Continue reading Road Rage in Cairo
Category: NSTIW
Nasturtium
It is mid-February. The “changeable” weather is here. Warm one day, cold the next, windy the following. The nasturtiums are blooming – I had to smile at their happy flowers.
My maid won’t let me water my plants
Yes, it is true. My absolutely wonderful, Ethopian maid has forbidden me from watering or otherwise tending to my house plants. The one that started this whole thing is my “Devil’s Ivy” (Epipremnium spp) plant. They are EVERYWHERE here and I, apparently, nearly drowned mine. She gently rebuked me and said I was not allowed… Continue reading My maid won’t let me water my plants
It’s different here
Mud falls from the sky and is called rain I kid you not. Cairo is a dry, dusty city whose average rainfall is only about 25mm per year (that’s just under 1 inch, in case you’re wondering). So when rain does fall, it is a big event. People run outside. People forget how to drive.… Continue reading It’s different here
All *my* students are ABOVE AVERAGE
So, in my Scientific Thinking classes, we had our first midterm just before the Eid in October. This was their first big exam with me. This class is part of the core curriculum and is required for graduation. Most students take it in their freshman year. The purpose of the course is to introduce the… Continue reading All *my* students are ABOVE AVERAGE
Sun girl, surf girl –> HAPPY girl
One of the biology classes had a field trip to Ayn Souhkna today. That is a blink on the road along the Gulf of Suez, leading to Hergadah. There were 9 students, an instructor (colleague from AUC), another instructor, our department custodian (a great cook), Jack and myself. We left Cairo at oh-dark-thirty and were… Continue reading Sun girl, surf girl –> HAPPY girl
TMI – Waxing
If your delicate sensibilities are offended by a mental picture or description of expanses of tender skin being violently denuded by the application and rapid removal of hot wax, please refrain from reading further. I hate shaving! I “learned” about waxing over 10 years ago, and have opted for the short-term violence of waxing over… Continue reading TMI – Waxing
The Khan – at night this time
Last time we went to the Khan, just after arriving in Cairo, we got lost in some of the more “industrial” areas (where tourists don’t go). After being crushed by humanity in some tiny alleyways and then being in a warren of metalworks shops, I got TOTALLY overwhelmed and (more than a little) freaked out.… Continue reading The Khan – at night this time
National Holiday
I guess I’m too programmed by having national holidays listed on calendars and expecting them to STAY there. I got to work today to find out that the National Holiday (Armed Forces Day) that is “scheduled” for Friday is being celebrated on Thursday. So, today, Monday, we were informed that we have Thursday off as… Continue reading National Holiday
Laughing at street signs
“Can you tell me what letter THIS is?” A question often posed to pre-school children as they are beginning to learn to read. They diligently say the name of each letter. They link the sounds of each letter to the next. They begin to sound out words. This particular process of learning is usually concluded… Continue reading Laughing at street signs