Update

My time here has been lazy and busy all at the same time. My flatmates lived with a poor Egyptian family in Massara for the first month they were here. Massara is a very poor community that is in the outskirts of Cairo. This family is, as we say, fresh from Upper Egypt. Upper Egypt is actually the southern part of the country. It is an area with very poor, religious, superstitious people (yes I am generalizing but it's a good one). the family does not understand women speaking with men outside the house etc etc. I was introduced to this family and quickly fell love with this family. They adopted me as one of their daughters. As they say Mamti wi babti fi Masr wi mamti wi babti fi amrika! aka They are my mom and dad in Egypt and I have a mom and dad in America! They truly do treat me with the same love and acceptance that they treat their daughters, as they do my other flatmates. They get excited to see us (even more excited than "real" family at times). They love doing girlie things, yet they have strength that I have not seen other women portray before. The father of the family Abu Hany is completely amazing. He is a man of honor and respect which will become apparent as one learns more about the family. Abu Hany is a man without a lot of money he makes about 400-500 egyptian pounds a week which is no more than 100 US dollars. On top of this stress, the family is protestant Christian. Christians in Egypt make up 15% of the population, but Protestants are few and far between. Most Christians here are Copts, and the relationship between the religions is not good (despite many peoples refusal of the problems btwn the groups). Through my ups and downs in Cairo they have been my support. My constant, and have helped me adjust. I have learned more Arabic in my few times spent at their house than in the past two years!!!!!

In the meantime, Ramadan started this week. This is a time of fasting from sun up to sun down for Muslims...they fast from food water everything...during this time. Then they have a big feast when the sun sets. The schedule here is totally changed and revolves around Ramadan. Children set off fireworks in the street to celebrate iftar (the breaking of the fast). It is believed that this is a time when the gates of hell are closed and the gates of heaven are continually open. Thus, people are on their best behavior (they have no excuse if they screw up). Women dress more conservatively. Men tend to not harass women during this time. It is an interesting time for anyone to be in the Middle East. It is a time when one can see the beauties of Islam, while also seeing it's hypocrisies (which exist in EVERY religion I might add). (Also mom...we "fell back" already..we change our clocks before y'all because of Ramadan...so right now we are 7 hours ahead of you).

During this time, men go around in some neighborhoods banging pots waking people up at 4 in the morning so people can eat b4 the sun comes up....the problem is this loud sound wakes up ALL people Muslim and christian alike.

I also had the first meeting for school. I am going to be taking four classes this semester (12 hrs). My adviser is very happy with this b/c it means if I take 4 classes next semester I could graduate in 18 months as opposed to 2 years!!! Pretty Great eh? My classes include Introduction to Migration and Refugee Studies, International Refugee law, Migration and Refugee Movements in North Africa and the Middle East, and Palestinian Refugee Issues. I am very excited about all of these classes, but also very nervous. I had a meeting with my Introduction to Migration and Refugee Studies class. Everyone was very interesting, and I'm excited to get to know them better. The professor gave us the syllabus (which was intimidating to say the least). She also showed us the reader...we have a different reader each week. These readers are each larger than a reader for one semester of one of my undergraduate courses (so the amount I would read in one semester I am now reading one week per class ek!!!! freaking out a bit yes) This means mom and dad...I won't be looking for a job..but it also means I'll be done with school sooner!!! yay!!!!!! The professor is great, and really interesting. She's Muslim, educated, devoted research specialtist on Somali refugees and the affects of refugee life on gender identifications. I'm excited to be in her class. I'm nervous about other classes b/c I'm going into it blind. This class I know what I need to have prepared for the first class. The others, I have no idea what I"m getting myself into...In fact, I'm considering sending an email to the professors asking if I need to have anything prepared for the first class. We are starting during ramadan...which means all of our classes meet at a different time...and sometimes a different place...frustrating...YES!!!!! Very much so. I will be able to write more about school next weekend. I start school on Sunday (here the "holy" day is Friday...the weekend is friday and saturday).