Observations, Notes

In hindsight, I think I was too harsh on Zamalek. It is actually very safe, and compared to the rest of Cairo, very clean. I just think that when I heard it described as "the premier residential district in Cairo," I imagined something like Lincoln Park in Chicago. But by my adjusted standards, this is a very nice place to live.

But then again, there are reminders that it's more than the degree of cleanliness that separates Cairo from an American city. There are guards armed with Kalashnikovs posted in front of the dorm, in front of the Catholic church down the block, and really, in front of any noteworthy place in Cairo. The Ramsis Hilton, the SamirRamis, and the Egyptian Museum all have them.

Speaking of church, the Catholic church we go to is pretty interesting. They do masses at 11 in French and 6:30 in English. Of course, English is a second language to just about everybody in attendance. There are no ushers at communion, and neither do people go to communion pew by pew. Instead everybody throughout the church rushes up to the front as soon as the Eucharistic ministers are set. By far being white puts you in the minority in this parish, and it is very difficult to understand the sermon. Some of the similarities though are humorous. Hymns are still led by average organ playing and an old lady who can barley sing. If you've ever been to church in Fowler, IN, the music you heard was exactly what I heard this past Sunday.

One of the tough things about Sundays though is that they are not on the weekend. Muslims are required to pray five times a day, but only at noon on Fridays are they required to perform this prayer in a Mosque. For this reason, the Egyptian weekend is Friday and Saturday. Sunday is exactly the same as Monday in the states.

Today is also Superbowl Sunday. Here it is currently 8:05 pm (Blogger won't change the time off of EST, even though I tell it to) and soon I will sleep until 2:00 am, when the Superbowl comes on. We have sattelite in the front lobby and I've seen people watching the Colbert Report, the Daily Show, and even a Duke game once, which leads me to believe the Big Game should be on. But of course to the Egyptians, the big game today was Liverpool versus Chelsea.

I had my first classes today. History of Shi'i Islam looks like it should be very interesting, my Arabic prof didn't show, and my professor for Philosophy of Art might be insane. I think he would take that as a compliment.

I have a headache. I think it's because I just spent a week in a city full of cars that predate emissions restrictions, full of people addicted to cigarettes, and full of dust from the surrounding desert. To all of you who complain about St. Charles because they don't have a smoking ban like Columbia (*cough* NATASSIA *cough*), try living in this city.

I believe it's time to catch some Zs befored the Superbowl. Kurt Warner is the man. And remember Bryant, I called this. I think. Oh, and no more "guaranteed locks" on Irish games. Brey needs to call it a season like Weis did last year and start getting Nash and Scott some PT.