#5

Ok, this is the story that everyone has been trying to get me to write on my blog. I was coming back from Taba and we were at the check point at the Suez and the military was searching the bus. My friend and I were the only non Egyptians on the bus and there was only one other woman there besides me. There must have been another woman on the bus earlier or the day before because there was an unused tampon in its wrapper on the floor that probably fell out of someone's bag. The military finds the tampon and can't figure out what it is and detains the bus for half an hour while they try to figure it out. My friend wanted me to get off the bus and explain to them what it was and tell them it wasn't a security threat or anything, but I was too embarrased to. Finally they all start laughing and you could tell they finally figured out what the tampon was for and they let the bus go.

#4

Yesterday was my first day teaching my new class. It was a big class of 12 people, but I don't mind because I think having lots of people keeps things interesting. It went really well and I'm really excited to continue. I was scared that I would get a class that doesn't talk a lot, which would be really bad since it's a conversation class, but they're all very talkative. A lot of them have very prominent jobs, like engineers, judges, lawyers, microbiologists, and architects. They're all older than me, which is kind of intimidating, but some are only a few years older. They asked how old I am so I had to tell them 21, and they seemed suprised. I assured them that I speak English and have prior teaching experience so it's ok. After class I went to a reception for Aiesec at the cultural atachee's house, which was really nice. And after that I went out and bonded with a few people from work. I really like Amideast because even though we're interns, they treat us like regular employees. We always have events to go to and funded dinner meetings just for us every week.

#3

Last weekend I went to Dahab with some of the trainees. We sat on the beach all day and went snorkeling at the blue hole. Dahab was beautiful and I had a lot of fun. Yesterday I went to dinner in Heliopolis with some of the aiesecers and some trainees. It was my first time on the metro here, even though I've lived here for 6 months, but it was a pretty nice ride and it beats taking a taxi in the heat and in traffic. Today I went to work and they told me what I'll be doing from now on. We still have to make a set schedule. I feel better now that they gave me some direction because I was starting to feel useless. I'll be co-teaching one class with Allie and a teacher from the program and teaching one class on my own. I don't see a point to co-teaching because I'll only be here one semester so I won't be able to put what I learn to use. I think I'd rather just teach 2 classes by myself, even though it would be more work for me.

#2

We had the oreintation events last weekend, which were boring, but neccesary. We went to one of the aiesecer's sister's engagement, which was very interesting to watch. I've been sitting in on more classes at work and I'm ultra excited to start teaching my own class soon. Everyone at work is really nice and helpful and we had a lunch meeting with just the interns that amideast paid for. We went to a really nice French restaurant and I'm impressed that they funded it. I had 3 of the other trainees over for a barbeque the other day and I think they really apreciated seeing Zamalek because its a fairly western area and I took them to a real supermarket. I'm going to try to go over to their apartment later and hang out with them for a bit. I really want to be friends with everyone, but it's difficult. I've already lived here for 6 months so I have my friends who I don't want to abandon and since I don't live with the rest of the trainees I don't find out what's going on. And when I do it's always last minute and I usually already have plans. I know they don't make plans until last minute so I completely understand, but I hope they understand that I already have a life here so I can't be ready to go places without a little bit of notice. I'm really going to try to make an effort to hang out with them more, even if it means just dropping by their apartment a few times a week.

#1

Today I had a staff lunch meeting with my new internship at Amideast. It was a really nice meeting and the food was great. After I hung out with the other interns and then went to Amideast. I observed 2 classes and it got me very excited to start teaching my own classes. I'm going back tomorrow to observe more and I'm really looking foward to it. My classes will start June28th, but I might be able to start teaching private lessons before then. There are oreintation seminars this weekend for aiesec, but I've already lived in Egypt for 6 months so I don't think they'll be very helpful for me. They're taking us to a coptic engagement though, which sounds very interesting. So far all the aiesec people are really nice and welcoming and I really think this will be a good experience.