First Night in Cairo

The last few days in Barcelona were rainy and cold. It was kinda nice to just take it easy and enjoy the gray skies and the ocean.

I left my sea point hostel and am now in Cairo. The flight was a bit of a transition as I kept thinking and responding in Spanish. I had to adjust now to Arabic. I reviewed my language book to get me back in shape to use what little arabic vocabulary I have.

Getting off the plane and getting my bags, I entered an arena of offers for cabs. I searched the crowd for my dear friend, Dave, that I only knew by email. My buddy Amos told me to email him and I did and he is setting me up with pretty much everything. It is such a blessing.

I didn't see him at all and didn't want to stand still too long and get swamped with offers to my hotel. So, I walked all the way outside, still nowhere. One nice man came up and offered me a ride and I told him in Arabic, “no, my friend...” He understood and smiled and said if I needed anything to let him know.

I went back in and found him and one of my new roomates with a sign with my name on it. I was so happy to see them and so grateful to have a ride and a flat that I eagerly hugged them both. Dave kinda pulled back and I realized it probably wasn't appropriate for me to be hugging him. But it was too late and I made it short.

It was dark out, about 8:30pm, but the ride was amazing. What I could see was so cool. I didnt focus on the traffic, as I heard its crazy. I don't think they have lanes its just go if you can and if you can't fit wait, or sometimes go anyway.

We got to the flat and I met my other roomates and mishmish, the cat. I think that's his name, if not its something like that. I don't think he cares much really. But he seems to like me and is sitting next to me even now as I write. Nicole is from the US, Gaby is Romanian and my other roomate is from Sweeden.

After we dropped everything at the flat it was still early, so we went to this little place that has hookas and drinks and food. I just had an oreo shake and another guy that goes to church with the gang joined us. He and Nicole smoked some peach flavored... I dunno what it is, but its peach flavored and you can put it on the hooka and smoke it.

My new flat is in a pretty liberal part of town. There are a bunch of ex-pats that live in this area so its not so bad. Gaby told me she lived in another area and the men were really bad and she got hit on the butt one day by a cab driver in his car. But our area is much better.

Hmmm, should be an interesting month here. I'm gonna go to the language school with Dave tomorrow and sign up for classes and then I think we're gonna go ride on a falooka, which is a boat that sails on the nile. Yay!!!