On Monday the 17th, in Arabic class we learned the Arabic for "there is/there are" and "there is not/there are not." We also learned the adjectival phrases-- unlike in English, in Arabic, we mention the noun before the adjective, which, from what I remember from high school, is similar to the way adjectival phrases are written in Spanish. Later that day, the class went to Leslie's apartment again to discuss the Arab-Israeli conflict. Dr. Denis began the lecture all the way from the beginning of the conflict. He explained this conflict began 114 years ago when a Viennese Jew named Theodore Hurtzel was convicted of treason against France and then sent to jail. Hurtzel was a lawyer and this case instilled in him the idea that there's anti-Semitism even in France and Vienna, so he formed the first Zionist organization in Switzerland, saying that the Jews needed their own Jewish state, and they thought the land occupied by Palestine was perfect for them because supposedly it was the original home they'd lived in and had been kicked out of in 70 AD. Then, he defined Zionism as a political manipulation of Judaism-- it's basically Jewish nationalism.
On Tuesday the 18th, our Arabic teachers came to us in Zamalek and we had class in Cafe Noir. First, everyone ordered food and drinks and then we began our lesson. We covered the numbers from 11 to 99 and nationalities. Later that day, we went to Tahrir Square and walked down Talaat Harb. We saw the old American University of Cairo campus and the Madbouly Book Store, which was a place that used to sell revolutionary books that were not permitted to be sold anywhere else. After that, we visited the Yacoubian Building, the setting of one of our required books for this study abroad called The Yacoubian Building. I didn't expect much from the building, as Dr. Denis had warned us that there was nothing special about the building, but I did expect to see architecture of some significance, but I didn't. Next, we went to a photography store called Lehnert and Landrock, where my classmates and I bought more souvenirs. At the end of the walk, most of my classmates broke off to eat, but a few of us decided to go shopping. I bought a bag and several pairs of shoes and was very satisfied with my purchases.
Arabic lesson at Cafe Noir
Madbouly's Bookstore for revolutionary books
The building from The Yacoubian Building
On Wednesday the 19th, we met our Arabic teachers at Al-Azhar park. We took pictures at the top of a hill that had a great view of the city with its numerous minarets and expansive view. The park was truly beautiful with lush green grass, tall palm trees, antique-style gazebos, and a variety of flowers. After our photo session, we went to the park cafe, which was a charming and delightful two-story building with a nostalgic, homey feeling. We spent a good three hours eating, drinking, talking and truly enjoying the setting of the cafe.
Fountains at the entrance of Al-Azhar Park
Al-Azhar Park again!
Beautiful, chic cafe at Al-Azhar Park
Picture with our Arabic teacher, Hasnaa
On Thursday the 20th, we went to Leslie's apartment again to hear one final lecture from Riham. First, we had a little reflection session on our perceptions of Egypt and what we learned from our stay in Egypt. Then, we had a question and answer session in which the topic of discussion revolved around the controversial topic of the face veil. Although we still have an Arabic final tomorrow and the program doesn't officially end until th 24th, at the end of the discussion, we wrapped up the program by filling out official End of Program Release Forms and evaluations. This makes it feel like the program is almost over, and I guess that's because it is =((( That night, Denis and Nevenka invited all the students at their apartment for a going away pizza party. It was fun, but I felt a bit of sadness in the room as everyone knew that the program really was coming to end. We all really loved the looks on the Sullivans' faces when we surprised them with our gift.
Gift for Denis and Nevenka
The gift =)
Thus, this will be my last blog. I have to say that Cairo was much more than I expected it to be. I came to Egypt thinking that it was all about the pyramids and hieroglyphics, but it's much more than that. It's also about the hospitable and welcoming people and the halal food that I was so happy to hear I could eat! As I think about going back home to New York, I am confident that this is an experience that I will remember nostalgically for the rest of my life. And so I have no doubt in my mind that I will come back to Egypt to not only experience new things, but to re-experience what I experienced on this trip.
On Tuesday the 18th, our Arabic teachers came to us in Zamalek and we had class in Cafe Noir. First, everyone ordered food and drinks and then we began our lesson. We covered the numbers from 11 to 99 and nationalities. Later that day, we went to Tahrir Square and walked down Talaat Harb. We saw the old American University of Cairo campus and the Madbouly Book Store, which was a place that used to sell revolutionary books that were not permitted to be sold anywhere else. After that, we visited the Yacoubian Building, the setting of one of our required books for this study abroad called The Yacoubian Building. I didn't expect much from the building, as Dr. Denis had warned us that there was nothing special about the building, but I did expect to see architecture of some significance, but I didn't. Next, we went to a photography store called Lehnert and Landrock, where my classmates and I bought more souvenirs. At the end of the walk, most of my classmates broke off to eat, but a few of us decided to go shopping. I bought a bag and several pairs of shoes and was very satisfied with my purchases.
On Wednesday the 19th, we met our Arabic teachers at Al-Azhar park. We took pictures at the top of a hill that had a great view of the city with its numerous minarets and expansive view. The park was truly beautiful with lush green grass, tall palm trees, antique-style gazebos, and a variety of flowers. After our photo session, we went to the park cafe, which was a charming and delightful two-story building with a nostalgic, homey feeling. We spent a good three hours eating, drinking, talking and truly enjoying the setting of the cafe.
Al-Azhar Park again!
On Thursday the 20th, we went to Leslie's apartment again to hear one final lecture from Riham. First, we had a little reflection session on our perceptions of Egypt and what we learned from our stay in Egypt. Then, we had a question and answer session in which the topic of discussion revolved around the controversial topic of the face veil. Although we still have an Arabic final tomorrow and the program doesn't officially end until th 24th, at the end of the discussion, we wrapped up the program by filling out official End of Program Release Forms and evaluations. This makes it feel like the program is almost over, and I guess that's because it is =((( That night, Denis and Nevenka invited all the students at their apartment for a going away pizza party. It was fun, but I felt a bit of sadness in the room as everyone knew that the program really was coming to end. We all really loved the looks on the Sullivans' faces when we surprised them with our gift.
Thus, this will be my last blog. I have to say that Cairo was much more than I expected it to be. I came to Egypt thinking that it was all about the pyramids and hieroglyphics, but it's much more than that. It's also about the hospitable and welcoming people and the halal food that I was so happy to hear I could eat! As I think about going back home to New York, I am confident that this is an experience that I will remember nostalgically for the rest of my life. And so I have no doubt in my mind that I will come back to Egypt to not only experience new things, but to re-experience what I experienced on this trip.
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