Good morning, Egypt

Well. I just skimmed over yesterday's post to make sure I am not repeating. I noticed the wrong "there" at the bottom. It should have been "their". I am SO sorry.

Yesterday was pretty low key compared to the last few days. I fell asleep at about 9:00 p.m. the night before so I woke cheerfully at 4:30 in the morning with the sunrise. Egypt "falls back" early in terms of day light savings in order to shorten the fasting time for all of the Ramadan observing people (which is 90% of the population). But yea.... the sun rises at 4:30. And I have a window that stretches the length of the entire wall facing the East. So that is lovely.

A little later in the morning I went over to the McIntosh's house for a manicure and pedicure. Apparently you can have a woman come to your house and groom you (mani, pedi, waxing... etc.) for a ridiculously inexpensive rate. Lovely. I'm getting so so spoiled.

I am still struck every time I buy anything here. Everything is so inexpensive. I went down to Road 9 for the first time yesterday. Road 9 is the shopping road of Maadi. I feel like I've heard so much about it since I've been here... it is apparently the hoppin place to go. Well. It was hoppin. Kind of like everywhere else in Cairo, it was pretty filthy, but so full of personality that I cannot help but love it. I got a copy of the McIntosh's house keys, some cleaning supplies, and most importantly, some craft supplies! Home is not home without a craft drawer.

Last night I went to the home of a married couple from the church. They (like everyone else here in Cairo) have an amazing story that brought them here. They had invited all of the church youth interns over for dinner and the interns, in turn, invited me. I am always blown away by the hospitality of the people here. I have yet to eat a meal alone in my apartment.

After dinner I went home and finally got my pictures hung. I cannot begin to describe the difference that the addition has made in my comfort at home.

Ramadan starts today. Walking over to the McIntosh's I could already tell a difference. All of the shops were closed and everyone looks completely lathargic. This should definitely be an interesting month. And a test of my patience. Things in Egypt are already kind of slow and unpredictable. When I arrived last Wednesday the school told me, "We will start sometime next week... we will be in touch." Naturally, it is kind of hard to plan around "sometime next week". Last night I got a phone call saying that we will start "sometime on Thursday". Or maybe "sunday". They will let me know. Haha. At least I know I have some time to play around.