In Cairo!

Cairo, Egypt

I just got back from a great dinner with some friends and wanted to let you all know I'm doing well getting settled here in Cairo! I had dinner at Naguib Mahfouz Cafe in Khan el-Khalili with 3 friends who studied abroad with me during the summer of 2005. It is interesting to see how many of my fellow study abroad-ers are still in the Middle East and trying to make a positive impact on and lasting change in the region. These 3 friends are in Cairo - doing research on education reform, getting a Master's in Middle Eastern Studies, and training for a Dubai-based financial institute - another is in Bahrain, and 3 more are on Fulbrights to Morocco and Syria. It's nice to run into the same faces - and quite interesting that so many are having such positive impacts on the Middle East politically, economically, and diplomatically.

I found an apartment in Zamalek in a great location near a number of markets and am putting the finishing touches on my room. I'm living with Yashreeka, a fellow Hoya, and Kristen, another Fulbrighter who is a journalist and works for the Washington Times. During this upcoming week, I'll be starting my work with STC and need to wrap up a few loose ends with opening a bank account and taking a quick exam for placement in my Egyptian Colloquial class.

All in all, I am so happy to be back in Cairo. It's busy and dirty, but it's such an interesting place with tangible effects of being at the crossroads of the world in so many aspects. I can't wait to get started with my Fulbright project!

Best,
Liz