I often find myself clarifying things that I've said an awful lot these days, so to keep with tradition...let me clarify a few things I said in my last blog-a-roni.

Arabic as a language has changed...it's classical Arabic (which I study) that hasn't changed. It's a bit frustrating at times, because when I speak Arabic to the locals, they often times have a hard time understanding me, because they [Egyptians] speak a different version of Arabic called Foosa (sp). To make it more clear, it's as if someone were to come up to you and speak in Shakespearean verse. "Nor hath Love's mind of any judgment taste." It would be strange, but with a little thought you'd get the picture.

Living in Da Nas-
Medinah Nas is a upper middle class area of town...and it's a complete 180 from Central Cairo. I live directly in front of a little park, with all the cute shops that make up a cute little neighborhood. Everyone knows everyone...when I dropped off my laundry the first time, they didn't even ask where I lived...they already knew...kinda creepy, but charming enough. Not a day goes by that I don't find myself walking next to or alongside a donkey and his cart. Stray dogs and cats are everywhere...EVERYWHERE. I've never seen another American in these parts, and having a hard time remembering if I've ever seen another white person?? I get looked at ALL the time over here, and it's b/c they are not used to seeing folk like me...that's it - really. Egyptians always want to know first what your religion is, and second where you're from. They be curious little furry creatures. They're not offended if your not Muslim, they just think I'm missing out.

If you're to travel though Al Qahirah (Cairo is a European invention), do it by Mini-Bus! This is by far the best way to go...you can go anywhere for a pound and a quarter (roughly 20 US cents)...Mini-Buses are these crappy little vans that drive by, and a liitle kid will shout out its destination...if it's what you want, you jump in...they pile in people, so prepare to be crammed. I've had to literally hang on by a seat cushion while the van was so full, we had to open the door so everybody could grab some room...yours truly was obviously the last one on, thus allowing me to observe a moving vehicle from the outside of said vehicle. I love it though, it's such a blast. They undercut the taxis big-time...Taxis are pretty cheap as well...rarely will you pay over 5 us dollars to go anywhere in the city...keep in mind it can take an easy hour to just get halfway through the city. The driver's try to screw you in the end, but if you give them a fair price, you can just walk away and I usually like to say "scram, beotch" to make my point. Nooo. The roads are just so insane here...anything goes, and I've already been in one mini-bus accident (minor...fender bender), and at least a hundred close-calls - seriously though.

Climate: Desert Delight...it's becoming consistently nice here...much to Jonny's Delight.
Listening: ATDI/controller.controller
Eating: bread
Price of Petrol: After calculations...a whopping 0.70 US cents a gallon...heavily subsidized...I'm guessing.
Wishing: I was subsidized