Day 89

Thursday April 17th

Today I have spent most of my time gettting ready for going to Athens. After Fusha class I returned back to Zamalak to get money exchanged and get my hair cut. 1st of all, getting money before hand may not be the best idea because not only do you have to pay the withdrawal fee but you also have to pay the fee to exchange the money into Euros. But there is some worth in having money before you leave. Its something to ponder for future traveling. As for the haircut, it was a little bit different than the haircuts you get in America. First of all, they had a little dude, probably around 10 wash your hair. Then they give you some tea, which is way too hot for you to actually drink, primarily because it is served in a glass that lacks a handle. After cutting your hair they wash it again and then add what looked like a pound of gel, which is apparently the fashion in Egypt. Once again I really didn't know what to talk about with the barber, but then again I never really know what to talk about with people who cut my hair.
One of the things that I noticed while I was in the barber was thay used compact fluorescent bulbs . This surprised me as a CFB costs 2-3 dollars in the states; still extremely expensive despite the economic efficiency. I realized though that there is a huge market in the world for Green Development. Everybody wants development but if everybody in the world lives like America, there simply wouldn't be enough to go around. We have already seen the effects of the grain prices worldwide. So, I think for my senior year I will found, form, or join a Green Development Group. Things we might be able to include: Running Campaigns to increase political awareness (like on the Congressional level) Push for greater student understanding. But those ideas are so cookie-cutter lame. I want to continue to to do the work with the DDC but I don't know how to carry this onto a university campus.
I also got to see President Jimmy Carter give a speech at AUC. Security was surprisingly lax, and Carter was surprisingly baller. He spoke quickly and eloquently and with a passion and authority I had not seen from many a politician. He has gone against the cultural norms and came out decidedly on issues like Israel and communication with hamas. He rally has done a lot wiht his life, especially after his presidency, to make a difference int he world. He is the first President that I have seen with my own eyes. Afterwards I sat down with a girl from the Gaza Strip and another study abroad student and discussed what we learned and what we thought about the Palestine Issue. The conversation however was very superficial and unprovocative. This was slightly disappointing.
Finally I want to discuss thing that I have come to love about Egypt.
1. juices, the fruit and variety and quality and cost make the juices here unbelievable
2.Borrios- like oreos only better and cheaper
3.Sweet Sea- they serve it with everything
4. The exchange rate- still rockin'
5. hjab and nigab - I find them mysterious and strangely beautiful
6. The lack of crime
7. Weather - at least for now
8.Feeling of security
9. Mosques
10. Food, Egyptian or otherwise
11. Things don't work the way you expect or one the first try, but somehow things work out

The other thing that i Noticed and really stuck with me was when I was walking to tutoring today, I had my sunglasses and didn't really see all that well to the sides. But I know beggars frequently occupy these streets. However, this begger was quite different as his hands just darted out just for a second, and then out of fear or something quickly retreated back to the shadows. I then noticed that this person looked deformed., but I was already past and didn't turn around. I feel really bad about not going back, because its not like this dude is going to able to find work if begging fails. I am surprised the government even allowed him to sit there for as long as he did.