I thought I'd start a blog in honor of my upcoming travels, to keep you all (hopefully) entertained at the antics, fumblings, and triumphs of your very own Innocent Abroad.
So here goes: I spend from January 20th -- June 3rd in Cairo, Egypt (or in transit), studying at the American University in Cairo. No, I'm really not sure why I'm doing this and yes, I have no idea what I'm getting myself into. However, while there I'm going to learn to speak Egyptian Arabic, not make connections with any revolutionary/extremist/anti-US groups, and spend far too much time running through the desert and traipsing through ruins and museums. Oh, and pet baby camels and learn to belly dance.
While there, I'll still have GAIM and my email and will keep up with it. If you have Skype (which you should), my Skype persona is named mcperoutka. I'm UTC +2, which means seven hours ahead of anyone on Eastern time.
And the blog name? Well, Ibn Battuta is Ibn Battuta (he appears in Chapter 1 of the Arabic Book 2, making him a bit of a right of passage), and bint means daughter of. There you go.
Flights to get there are theoretically simple. At 1724 on January 20th I leave Dulles, and make it to Frankfurt International Airport Sunday morning around 0710. The next one leaves around 0925 and gets to Cairo (inshallah--God willing) around 1430. Of course there's the part where I don't speak German at all, so those two hours in Frankfurt should be a blast. (That's not technically true...I can tell you "I love you," "you have beautiful eyes," and "you're the most beautiful girl I've ever seen," but I don't think any of the above will get me a cup of coffee.) We can only hope and pray that I manage to pick the Lufthansa flight that does English, and that the German words for "Gate 36A, this way stupid!" are reasonably close to English.
After that, well...Mashallah (what God wills).
7 comments:
That's so exciting! I'm so happy for you :) I hope you have a fabulous time... and learn a lot (which I know you will!)
Any chance of seeing you before you leave? Maybe lunch at the apartment or a movie or something (definitely speaking for Chole here, too!)
When do you get back?
And can I add you to our list of "Blogs to read"
This is a test comment from Granddad.
Well here I am. Finnally took the time to read your BLOG?. So now I should be on board with you. Good luck on your trip. I hope no one remembers my name in Frankfurt.GD
Send me a email if you received this note. GD
Oh Lord I'm in trouble....no spell check....take what you get and forget the spelling.
Have you not added anything to this Blog since you posted it? If you have why can't I read it. GP
Ciao bella. Hope you have a great flight out today. I find it really amusing that blogger automatically changes all the instructions for me into italiano, però come si fa? You're going to have a great time - can't wait to hear from you.
Good to hear from you and we know you will survive it all. I imagine it will all come together when classes begin. Grand Dad and I are preparing to head for OC tomorrow to celebrate his 77th Bday. We will be thinking of you as we look at the Atlantic. Grand Dad said to keep WASHING YOUR HANDS. We love and miss you. Love, Grandmom & Grand Dad
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