22

This one is kind of a cheater, as I'm actually in Nebraska - NOT in Egypt - and am going against the main idea of the blog.

But, since it's tangentially related, I decided to enter a quick post.

I don't know if I'm trying to document some cultural comparison or just head off further queries about my weight (the most common comment I receive here) or something else, but I figured I'd give this update.

In 5 months in Cairo, I lost 5 pounds. I walk more, exercise when I can, eat 3-4 meals a day, and feel pretty healthy. I don't eat as much meat (trust me, it's only b/c of availability and quality...not choice) and eat more fruits and vegetables with my rice instead of potato sides.

In 7 days in Nebraska, I've gained 8.

So, people say I look skinny. I guess my face isn't filling in as fast as my waist.

Happy New Year to all,

Foster

20.6

I like to eat.

Here's how I do it. I go to www.otlob.com and choose my area of town, Maadi.

From there, I can browse many restaurants and order. Then, usually within 30-45 minutes, but sometimes within 3 hours, the food comes to my door.

Today's blog is interactive.

So, feel free to check it out. Keep in mind that 1 USD = 5.5 EGP. So, when you look at the menu for Arzak, and see how much Koshary and Falafel sandwiches cost, you'll be jealous of my affordable good food.

And for those of you who don't like to read much or do math, some of the restaurants have pictures of their food. (And, yeah, some don't look too good, and then when you try them anyway they taste just like they look.)

Food is good.

Merry Christmas!

20.5

So, the biggest thing that bothers me is pollution.

I woke up today, and the sky at first looked very clear and blue. (I was looking up.)

I went to meet some friends for breakfast before their trip to Aswan and Luxor. Breakfast was about a mile away, but I decided to walk instead of paying the 60 cents - one dollar for the ride. I knew I could use the exercise.

So it was early, and it was a really great start to the day. I love meeting and eating pre-8 a.m.

During breakfast we happened to discuss pollution, and the notion that you didn't have to be a smoker to earn smoker's lungs here came up.

On my way back from breakfast, I decided to walk again. It was then, about 9 a.m., that I noticed when I looked up the sky was pure clear and blue. But if I looked across in a distance, visibility was at best 1 kilometer. I mean I could barely see the apartment buildings that I know are much nearer than a mile away. Anything that far was obscured to me.

The wind was blowing well, and the sun was shining clear. We don't have mist here (no precipitation) and I have no other choice than to know it is pollution.

Going to play some poker with friends,

Have a Merry Christmas all,

Foster

20

20 weeks. Five months have gone by, and it's not exactly been a blur.

There's something to establishing routine, and when I'm accustomed to the same schedule daily, time seems to fly by.

Here, time walks with an exaggerated limp.

It's not unpleasant, there are certainly benefits to avoiding monotony of work routines, and believe it or not, it's actually quite nice to have unique and unexpected things happen on a daily basis. I'm not ever allowed to go into the cathartic mode of work routines, and am daily forced to meet new and unexpected challenges.

And, because of that, it actually seems like I've been here a lot longer than five months.

And yet, everyone is excited for break here. We have had more breaks than school so far, but it's still exciting to be afforded some time off.

This time, for me, it's not really needed for stress, for overwork, for any of the usual reasons I look forward to long escapes from work. I'm actually rested and enjoying school when the students are here.

I am, however, excited to see family. I've recently decided to come back to Nebraska (with all it's beautiful clean snow) for Christmas. Aswan and the crocodiles can wait.

Does anyone need anything from Cairo?

And if anyone want to meet, send me an email or call me on Frost Ct. When home, I will operating with a daily planner that only has 3 times on it. Breakfast, Lunch, and Supper. So if you want to chat, get in touch with me and lets eat!

But, in the meantime, it has come to my attention that there is a certain amount of speculation at home as to how I'm doing. Whether I'm liking it here or not. I suppose I should answer that question here in my own long and rambling way.

Work

Hayah International Academy is a great school. The more I'm here and learning about other schools, the more I truly appreciate what a difficult mission the school is attempting to achieve. And in addition to the difficulty of the mission, there are so many cultural and political obstacles to overcome. While we've faced tremendous difficulties this year, specifically school closings and public health scares, at every turn Hayah makes an informed and rational attempt at overcoming the difficulties at hand.

When forced to close repeatedly, the school created a system for students to access their teachers and courses in an online classroom. While there were expected difficulties, and immensity of the project and the time it took to implement were incredible and, imho, spot on. (Ugh..."spot on?" I hope I'm not turning British.)

The school continues to meet students and parents where they are at, and at the same time tries to educate everyone about their purpose - learning. While at times it seems to not be a cultural necessity - public schools are so poor, standards and methodologies are so lacking, that it would be easy for Hayah to take a simpler approach. Yet at every turn, the school attempts to educate the students in the best way it can.

Culture

People are so friendly. I'm continuing to take language courses, and have an excellent teacher. There are about eight people from Hayah in the same course, so my peers in learning are very familiar and fun. It's a great experience, and I am gaining daily the ability to make my way in the world here.

On a daily basis (no surprise here to those who know me well) I go to visit the lunchroom cook. It's pretty normal for me to struggle through some new phrase or word, or for the cooks to toss in some jargon, slang, or just tease. But mostly, they are helping me learn. So today, for kicks, I offered up "enshoofak sena gaya" to the cook. He proceeded to tell me I was saying it wrong, and I kept smiling and repeating it. It's definitely a Foster family joke at this time of year, and also a U.S. one. "See you next year" I was saying. HE kept trying to explain how I should be saying it "right" and was offering "see you next week" and other useful phrases. He then decided I was clearly trying to offer "see you next month" and was politely repeating it to me. The other two workers with him knew what was going on, and when they finally decided to let him in on the joke, they let him have it. It was great fun in the lunchroom. Egyptians love to pile on when their friends have been in an embarrassing situation.

There are moments like this quite often, and the more I develop a cultural understanding and break down the language barrier, the more I am afforded these opportunities. The people are so friendly and playful; you can find light-hearted moments very frequently.

Living (and finances)

No amount of comfortable living can eliminate the smog. It's tough for a guy who doesn't like to be in a room where one cigarette is burning to be in a city where everything is. Cars are using fuel that I question the quality of (I'm not sure if they have quality standards for the fuels sold at the pumps or if it's just that cars are too old and have no emission standards), farmers burn by-products of their rice crops to take care of them, and I believe the city must engage in some sort of trash burning to eliminate the waste. I can't imagine what else goes on, but I know it's a very polluted place.

Some days, I can't see very far. One morning I went for a run at about 5 a.m., thinking I'd get it in before the traffic hit the streets. It didn't matter, I could see the pollution by streetlight. It bothers me at times to wonder what I'm doing to my lungs.

Other days, it can be very clear. It's actually on the days I can see very far (and see many beautiful areas I'm not accustomed to seeing) that I realize the extent of the pollution. Because these days happen so rarely, I'm amazed at the beauty around. And that it's such an unexpected sight when I get it is very telling for me, that it's the exception rather than the norm.

As far as living goes, though, I've seen plenty of other apartments now and I know I am lucky. Certainly, there are nicer houses. I went to a U.S. Air Force pilot's house. I was amazed that he had a swimming pool in his yard and an incredibly beautiful and well sized 1st floor apartment. Later, I learned all 3 stories - the entire building - were his. So there are people here who have more, and I guess being a colonel in the military and living overseas can afford you a pretty swanky lifestyle.

But for the most part people have less. I live in a very rich suburb of an otherwise very poor city, so my perceptions are a little limited. But, while many people in greater Cairo are by our standards poor financially, there is a very rich culture here to enjoy.

So, if you are savvy, you can get anything you want for next to nothing. Certainly, many shopkeepers and service providers will try to "rip you off." If you have that much money and are willing to part with it, there's no shame in taking it. What do they say about a fool and his money? Here, daily, someone tries to get what we consider more than his share. But there's no insult in it, no dishonesty. If you have so much you are willing to give it away, it's a good deal.

I've heard horror stories about people paying exorbitant sums for goods and services. I also know I've paid more than I should have for certain things, but it's the lay of the land. Everything you do, someone else has spent far more or far less for. It's just about getting the right price for you.

And, since I'm not Egyptian, the range of prices asked from me is considerably higher than they would be for a local. There is no way I can buy the same items for the same price.

But it's an economy of scale. They know foreigners here have more money. And systematically everyone asks you for more than they would an Egyptian. Yes, to us, it sucks, as we feel goods or services naturally have a "fair price" and it's not only ethical to sell for a moderate mark-up, but dishonest to ask for too much. This system of economy of goods doesn't apply here.

So in the end, I guess I should just say I'm frugal enough, or tight enough, with my money. I also have luckily been raised to expect so little in the way of "creature comforts" or extravagances…I’m not expecting any amount of pampering and am not accustomed to spending for things I don’t need. Because of this, I'm able to live comfortably on very little money.

Endings

So, that about does it for now. If you skimmed, the answer to the question is I'm doing very well. I hope when I return, we will engage in a consistent and ongoing work schedule, one that allows students (and teachers) to develop better routines and practices conducive for learning. But in the meantime, I'm looking forward to a nice cold winter break.

Oh, yeah. And since I've been here, in the 20 weeks so far, I've been to Jordan, Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Egypt's White Desert, as well as many different areas in and around Cairo. This is definitely a fun place to "hub" out of.

14

Football.

Look up the stories around Egypt's recent win, and you'll see every facet of sports mania you are used to hearing about, and maybe more.

The energy on the streets kept me up until 3 or 4 a.m. and woke me up this morning. Forget that Egypt needs to win one more match to make the world cup. You would have guessed that last night they won the whole thing.

It was crazy.

I spent the greater part of the day in the older part of Cairo, a lot closer to the site where the game would be played that same night. The people were cool, and the markets were fairly empty. But the energy was there.

I don't know if it was my Egypt football shirt, or the fact that I knew to say, 'God willing, three,' in Arabic (Egypt needed to win by three to qualify automatically for the World Cup) but nonetheless people loved to see me. Then they wanted to sell me stuff. I don't know which was driving them more, but I'm guessing I was a financial opportunity that made them smile just a tad more...even if I didn't buy much.

I left downtown at a reasonable hour, making sure I was long away from any public craziness. I was in the Twin Cities when they won the Series, and I've seen what mobs can do.

In my quaint little suburb of Maadi, who knew that the honking and chanting would last into the wee hours of the morning? It was wild.

And now, with one more win, Egypt will make the World Cup, South Africa, 2010

I'm also pleasantly surprised to hear that students might be returning to school long before I expected. Just when I start to think I've got things figured out, I am proved wrong. I read there was another swine flu related death in Cairo yesterday. I've read that the expected number of infections is in the millions for Egypt, as high as maybe seven million people.

And I know (as I've said before) that discretion here is the better part of valor. I also know that your health is sometimes all you have, especially in a country where many people have so little. (Speaking only in terms of monetary wealth - the culture is certainly very rich in other ways.)

But just when I thought it would be a long time, I am now understanding it will be soon. one more day off, and apparently the students return on Tuesday, after taking a break for precaution against spreading the flu.

So, one more day of internet based education, and we get back to business.

Sorry about the rambling nature of this post. I'm falling asleep in my chair, but wanted to send it today. Maybe I'll get some horn free honking sleep tonight! (isa - in sha'Allah)

13.6

ha. My water in my apartment is off again.

Mafeesh maya (There is no water) is a term I'm learning.

Mafeesh students, mafeesh water, at least mafeesh swine flu for me.

13.5

Swine flu.

It's been amazing to see how things have played out. Overall here, there is an incredible fear of the H1N1 virus. While many people know it's an incredibly weak virus, it's apparent that the country in general has established a pattern for over-reacting to any rumor of flu.

I keep hearing of a student (from another school) who died of swine flu. As I understand it, he went to a hospital, was diagnosed but mistreated. The treatment complicated his flu and other pre-existing condition and the results were traumatic. I don't think it's a simple matter of symantics - I'd say he died of poor medical treatment. But here, the word on the street is the cause of death was swine flu.

So, this brings me to today. We have two confirmed cases in school. The first was 48 hours ago, and yesterday we were missing around 30% of our student body. Everyone heard that one student had swine flu and many chose to stay home for precautionary reasons.

Yesterday, at midnight, we had a second confirmed case - the first students older brother. By the time I woke up, I had a text message informing me that students would not be in school for three days.

At this point, and the way things have been going, I'm going to predict that I won't see a student in my room until late January.

Who knew when I signed a TWO YEAR contract, that because of irrational delays and confused logic I'd be teaching one year of curriculum delivered over a two year span. (It hasn't come to that yet...)

6:24 a.m. It's a staff only day at school. I'm going to make one last prediction: Today will be the "Day of stupid questions."

One funny part of this is at this point, I'm actually having a blast living through this. It reminds me of grade school when other students (Joe D.) would start to cause disruptions. Pretty soon chaos ensued in the classroom, and one could just sit back and enjoy. :P

I will have stories to tell!

13

Okay, this is way overdue. I know.

I've been stuck in teaching mode, which is an excuse. More accurately, my initial fears of being a blogger are being realized. It's hard for me to stay at it.

But, I know, I have things to share. So here's a quick one. (I'ts 7:25 a.m., and students come in 15 minutes...

I know I haven't posted since Jordan. It's a very interesting country, one I'd recommend visiting if you have the travel bug. It's very modern, has a well liked leader by the people, and politically is one of the closest aligned countries to the U.S. in the Middle East. You'll feel comfortable and welcomed.

And Petra is awesome. It's no surprise to me that Jesus' cup ended up there in The Last Crusade. It's a top 5 world spot imho.

Since, school has started and is going strong. It's weird...students here are so different than in the U.S. The nuances are hard to keep track of, but what works there methodigically does not work here. Students want to learn, just like at home, but the systems that help that happen are way different. There is definitely a different cultural mind at work, and it's hard to adjust to.

But I'm adjusting.

Outside of work, everything is awesome. I've been to Sharm, Jordan, and last weekend the white desert. It's an area toward the center of Egypt, and it's incredible. We slept under the stars and it was about 50 degrees Farenheit. I loved every minute of it. (No bugs, no scorpions, nothing to bother. Just a beautiful night.)

There was also dune rolling, campfire music, etc. Photos top left.

Planned trips are to go to Dahab (Sinai) soon and later Cyprus. Might work a trip to Yemen in there as well...we'll see.

Not much else to add. I'm settling in to the grind, have joined the gym here at school (was starting to feel a bit soft), and am plugging through. I'm learning Arabic 2x per week, 2 hours per session. Have learned many pronouns and nouns, some adjectives, but have finally started working on verbs and conjugations. It's really crazy, but I'm doing well with it and need to find more chances to immerse and practice.

I'm going to start looking for volunteer opportunities to fill one or two nights per week. Then I'll be about as busy as I was back home. :D

Yearbook is a mess. Please don't ask - unless you want a written rant.

Hope all is well,

Foster

7

Sept. 20.

I just spent one week in Jordan with two of my new teacher friends – Mary and Kendra.

In all, we spent 2 nights in Amman. 1night in Marriot Dead Sea. 2 Nights Dana. 2 nights Petra.

This blog is from 9/20/09 – before Petra. Petra will get it’s own post.

We woke up early and left Dana in route to Shoubak Castle. The morning started off slowly, with clouds and cool temperatures. I was disappointed because the city of Dana is perched on a precipice in an large canyon, with beautiful rock formations and colors everywhere. It looks a little like a miniature Grand Canyon, but the cost to stay there was only 7 Jordanian Dinar per night, or about 10 USD. The previous day, it was sunny early, and the morning rays lit up the canyon. On that day, I had forgotten my camera, as luck would have it. So I had hopes to shoot the scenery this morning. Due to the overcast and cloudy sky, It didn’t work out that way, and we left for Shoubak Castle.

We spent two hours climbing around the ruins of the castle, but I was really waiting for our exit. Mary had been reading the guidebook, and very early in our explorations she said, “this staircase leads to a secret crusader staircase exiting the castle” in a non-chalant manner. My curiosity was peaked! So after two hours of fun hiking around up on top of the castle, we decided to go to the staircase.

I had only my tiny Vodaphone to use for a flashlight, so early on it was a little unnerving. (I for the first time considered using the British inspired and very popular around the world word for flashlight – torch – but still couldn’t bring myself to do it.) Within 30 steps from the entrance, I could barely see 5 feet from the flashlight to the ground, and there were three of us. We travelled steeply down and slowly some stairs. Luckily it was mostly dust from the top of the stairs in the air that was obscuring the light. After another 5 minutes or so, visibility cleared up and things got better. But the way was completely dark and dangerous, as the dust on the stone steps continued to increase making the way very slippery. The rock floor steps were cut from sandstone or limestone, so even the thinnest layer of dust became very slippery.

We descended more and more, and went well past the “365 steps” that we were told were in the descent. I’m sure they picked the number symbolically, and not practically. I was trying to count to test their accuracy in the count, but quit after about 20, as there were many more half steps, and partial steps, and gaps of slant with not steps…at any rate I’d guesstimate the total count at well over 600.

We continued the descent, and were travelling along a sedimentary rock line, going right along with the fault in the rock wall. I’m pretty sure the cave must have been naturally formed along this line, and the crusaders entered later and carved small steps in the bottom of the tunnel.

After 45 minutes of progressively steeper slopes, dustier steps, and in absolute darkness, we finally saw a light at the end of the tunnel. There were small pieces of rebar acting as a ladder up a 15 foot crusader manhole. UP. We were under the ground in the bottom of a valley. Climbed up the ladder and emerged dusty, tired, but mostly relieved that we actually made it. In the U.S., this cave would have either been closed totally to tourists, or would have had a OSHA approved staircase or tram inside.

In total, we descended 205 meters by the guide at the top’s measurement, but it definitely felt like more.

Next Stop: Petra.

6

We had a long weekend, so six of the teachers from Hayah Academy, myself included, traveled to Sharm El Sheikh to go scuba diving.

You can quickly find it on a map, but it's on the southern tip of the Sinai peninsula, and the diving is pretty good there.

I've included some photos in the top gallery on the left.

We stayed in the "Dive Inn" and for $17 per person per night, it was a steal. I might start going there to hang out for kicks. (The bus ticket each way was $15, and it's 8 hours away.) So, for $65 or so (plus incidentals), I can stay at an incredibly nice hotel near the Red Sea, and lounge at the pool - one of the best relaxing pools I've ever been around. It was not what I'd call swanky or anything, but it was the most laid back, easy going environment. Add 90-100 degree pure sunny days, and the pool was refreshing and warm.

I forgot to add their complementary breakfast is an all you can eat buffet. I ate 3 omelettes, 3 crepes, 2 yogurts, fruit and veggies, many slices of bread with jam, coffee, tea, and more...I think I might have eaten $17 worth of food at any rate. Diving leaves one with a pretty strong appetite.

It was a much needed break from the routines of Maadi.

As I've had many times before in Egypt, I had a brief feeling of guilt. Growing up in Nebraska, I always figured life was supposed to be hard work. I still fell the same way, but I live in a pretty cool place.

Sorry it's a short blog. Since school hasn't started still, so I hate to say there's not much to report.

And anything else I could include would pale in comparison to the trip to Sharm.

I missed the Pius Invite cross country meet today. This only means the Waverly Invite is next week. I'm hoping everybody runs well.

Keep in touch,

Scott

4

I don’t know if it’s truly fear, or a case of an overcautious state, or something else, but Egypt is an interesting place at the moment.

We were scheduled to start school on Sunday, August 30th. But President Mubarak, not the secretary of education but the president of the country, suspended the opening of all Egyptian schools until after Ramadan.

The most common reason we were given: swine flu.

So, if it’s fear of a pandemic, it’s too bad. Earlier this year, all pigs were ordered to be slaughtered, despite the fact that most experts contend that pigs don’t actually carry swine flu.

Now, schools are postponed almost a month – not being allowed to start until after Ramadan. I guess swine flu is less contagious then.

Our first day is now Saturday, September 26th.

Now, I can see if swine flu catches hold Egypt will have a mess. I would not think there’s as strong an ability to respond and control a massive outbreak of the flu – there would likely be a pandemic to deal with. So I’m cautious in being critical of any decision. They must know what they are doing.

But all the same it’s disappointing. There is a huge need for education here, not just at Hayah, but at all the public schools as well. To be delayed another month in beginning the year is disappointing. I am ready to get going, and it’s unfortunate that we are in this position.

So, I find myself continuing to find ways to occupy my days. Sure, we go to school and do staff training day after day, but it’s not teaching. And it’s Ramadan, so we go home at 1:30 every day. This leaves me with 10 hours or more each day with slack time, and I’m definitely not used to it.

And I’m reminded that while small amounts of fear can be helpful and good, when one has too much of it it can be crippling.

So our students got an extra 3 weeks of leisure. We’ll make up about 5 days by doing some 6 day weeks, but that’s it.

Teachers, of course, don’t get extra time off. In the end we’ll work more days. And, the last 5 were (and next 10 appear to be) excruciating. I may delete this post later, if I hear anyone here is following it, but as of yet I think I’m safe. I’m keeping a very positive working face here – I have to I’m new – but you are hearing the truth. It’s awful. For instance, yesterday, we spent the entire day playing games – scavenger hunt to learn the campus, and then games like tag in the gym and other elementary school PE activity games. Sure, I know some of the staff a little better, but it was 5 hours of PE. AND THAT WAS IT. I didn’t set foot in the classroom, didn’t spend a minute discussing vision or planning, not one academic thought was required of me the entire day. I’m not saying I wasn’t thinking, but I could have been absent and nothing would have been lost; rather much could have been gained. It was rough and depressing to me as a professional.

I know it’s not the norm – everyone is scrambling to figure out how to absorb the massive blow. But oh well, it is what it is. Looking at the rest of the group yesterday, I was actually at least thankful that I like to play stupid games like tag. Seeing a bunch of Ramadan starved (fasting) and sleep deprived women in Hijabs trying to engage in physical activity was a bit surreal, and at least I have that memory going for me as well. I can’t imagine what they are writing in their blogs this week!

To boot, I don’t have ready access to internet yet. I’m oh so close at my apartment, and school is completely down – has been for over a week. This makes training even more difficult for the administration and planning a bit tougher for teachers.

So, I guess I’m continually reminded of one undeniable fact. While it is very interesting here, it’s definitely third world. I especially am moved to see how easily people take bad news – I can truly see it’s more the norm than not. Things aren’t supposed to happen easily; they just don’t.

I used to think it funny that everyone said “En Shallah” all the time. “God willing.” Then, I got a little upset about it. I’d say, see you at our 10:00 meeting, and people would reply, “En Shallah.” I’d say please be here to fix my toilet tomorrow at 10, and the reply, “En Shallah.” I tried to explain NO EN SHALLAH – be here at 10. But now I see I will not win this battle. Life kinda happens like this.

So, that’s all for now. I’ll hope to report better or more interesting news next week – En Shallah.

Scott

3.1

I "woke up" about 1 minute into the shortest shower when I saw this guy staring me in the face. (See rotating photo gallery)

The shortest shower of my life being over, I quickly invented the "Kairo Kockroach Killer" (other photo in the gallery) and went to work. I took a final picture, but decided not to share the aftermath images of the battle. It lasted about a minute, as the Kairo Kockroach took 5 hits and the carnage covered the greater part of my bathroom. It just would not die.

You have to know, I've been there 3 weeks, have been meticulous about cleaning and sparaying, and until today have only seen 3 very small ants. Needless to say, while I've been expecting the occasional roach, this one - and especially it's size of about 5 inches long - took me by surprise.

So, I've bug bombed and cockroach sprayed my apartment and don't plan on going back for a while. I think I'll give it another shot tomorrow morning as well.

ma a salaama

3

Summer is officially over. I’ve been to work for two days now. Meetings, orientations, the early days of school seem to be the same. It’s back to the grind, and my body is fighting the adjustment to the schedule. I find I tire quickly and am ready to go home by 3:00, overwhelmed by the constant bombardment of new information. Add to that the heat of Cairo and it makes for a great setting for the perfect afternoon nap.

I’m resisting the urge, and finding ways to keep busy. Right now, it’s by writing this blog.

So, I’ll try to point out some of the more interesting moments I’ve witnessed in the past week:

We had to get an HIV test. (I know, a big turn in the blog theme, but hang in there – it’s a good story and that’s just to explain the setting of the story and let you know why I was visiting a hospital.) SO, every teacher that was here early piled into a bus – a 12 passenger van that if it wasn’t illegal to transport students in before 2006, it definitely would be now.

We went to the “good hospital” in town, and stopped to wait by the curb. I don’t know what we were waiting for, bus as we sat there, a city bus came rolling by and dropped off a rider.

This guy was no more than 16, and he jumped out while it was rolling at a speed of 10 mph or so. He crashed, hard, into the pavement.

I can still see it in my mind, in slow motion, and I know it hurt. It had to. He jumped out and landed with his feet, shoulder width apart, and both exactly on a line in parallel to the direction the bus was moving. His left leg had not the ability to absorb the weight of his being against the momentum of his travel, so down he went.

He picked himself up slowly, examining the ground as if to see if there were any pieces left or blood staining the pavement, and I was certain he broke his arm. I was glad that A) it was only that, and B) that the hospital was right there. As he was grabbing his elbow, and slowly walking over to a wall and sat in the shade of a tree, I remember thinking he didn’t have much further to go to seek medical attention.

Now, Egyptians are very nice people, so our bus driver seized the opportunity to go and speak with the young man. Our driver quickly got out of the van, went over and stood they boy up, and checked to see if his arm was broken. In Egypt, bus drivers must be taught that the proper way to do this is to grab both wrists of the patient, and pull both arms quickly straight above the patients head, as if to stretch both arms at the shoulders, elbows, and wrists. Then, you take the injured arm and lower it back down, and begin forcing the arm to bend to a 90, and straighten out again. If nothing else, this proves to the boy that his arm still works. Rapid motions and other such flexibility tests are conducted in a wild and erratic manor, until there are no other obvious tests to try.

Once sufficiently examined in this manner, our bus driver took the time and showed proper concern for the young man. Being a bus driver himself, he properly demonstrated to the boy that when jumping from a moving vehicle, one must run quickly in the proper direction, so as to land gracefully and safely on the concrete, and not to end up sitting under a shade tree with a not-broken but painful arm.

It was wild.

I’ve been buying work clothes. (I only brought two bags to Cairo, and one was for technology stuff.) There’s one suit in particular suit that interests me greatly. It’s pretty cheap and of poor quality, but it’s about $40. I’m considering having it tailored to reach just past my elbows and just past my knees. I could call it a shuit (short suit) and wear it for Halloween, for fun or just to beat the heat. I don’t know if I could keep a straight face with the store when I purchase it, but who cares.

I want to invent a game called Camel Polo and play at the pyramids. Maybe the preferred uniform would be a shuit. I bet tourists would give me money.

I found trips to the Red Sea to go diving will cost me about $45-$50 per day. Transportation, hotel, and drinks and meals are included in that fare. My guess is that diving is not as cheap, but I think it’s something I can afford with that base price working…and who knows, it might actually be another great deal. It’s surprisingly affordable to do things here. I could either go to a place called Hurghada or Sharm-El Sheikh (curious google hunters go for it) and both look not too shabby from here. We have a break for Ein El Fitr in a month, so I’m beginning to plan my first excursion.

I’ve learned not every teacher has an equivalent apartment. I knew enough to be careful about sharing my earning wages (I haven’t told a soul what I make – I dare not) but I now am a bit nervous about “showing off” my place. I think I’m lucky, and I know there are better ones out there, but we have a couple of teachers who are ready to leave based simply on their living situations. One of them might pay $800 U.S. to be relocated. It’s crazy, and I feel lucky to have what I do.

I’ve signed up for Arabic classes. In the past two weeks, I’ve figured out how to tell a taxi everything about where I want to go, can easily say hello and goodbye to everyone I meet (and do so at every possible moment – whether they enjoy it or not.)

I still haven’t met my “Bowab,” the guy who is apparently most important to help with my apartment. I also haven’t met my landlord, and apparently never will. So I’m just making myself at home in an apartment I don’t think anyone really cares about. I’m considering taking out a wall and opening the place up a bit.

Other than that, I guess I know I’m teaching yearbook. They’ve tried a few times before, and have never been able to do it. I hope my students are ready to work as hard as the WHS kids with a lot less equipment and technology. It should be interesting, challenging, and more. (I don’t even know where to begin with talking to an Egyptian printing company!)

Last note: My picassa image gallery works fine on the blog, but for some reason it takes forever to recognize the latest galleries. Once again, if you click on the photos on the top of the blog, you will be redirected to fosterinegypt’s picassa site. A couple of clicks (“all photos” or “all galleries” or something) and you’ll see my latest batches – Pyramids trip and another group from a boat ride on the Nile at night. Happy hunting,

Thanks for reading,

1.5

*For the purposes of this blog, you might want to know that right now $1 U.S. will buy you 5.5 Egyptian Pounds.

In what from above must have looked like a scene from a clothed beehive, where all were moving with great effort to beat the crowds, one stood perfectly still.

It was staring into the face of the Tiger.

I made my first big shopping trip in a place called Carrefour, and found myself in the largest and most crowded Wal-Mart type store I’ve ever seen.

At first, when I picked up my shopping cart at the door, I was very impressed with it’s maneuverability – it seemed I could turn it any direction at will, and even move straight sideways. In the U.S., I’m accustomed to carts that never seem to go where I want, that rather seem to have a mind of their own and lead me where they wish. Here it was different, and I quickly found out why: necessity.

After working slowly into the store, and trying to pick up on the seemingly non-existent (or unstated) rules of navigating crowds, I eventually worked my way into the cereal isle, where I quickly found myself frozen, and staring into the face of the Tiger.

Tony the Tiger. There he was in all his Western glory, calling my name. His price – 31 pounds.

I had many normal conflicted thoughts and (I’m sure) a few unique ones of my own – I’ve never been one to under think a situation that involves choice. In the end, I broke the only rule I think I’ve ever had in respect to grocery shopping: never chince on cereal.

So, reassuring myself that nobody can screw up rice, I ended up with a box of Terry’O’s, a knock off of chocolaty rice puffs with a cute brown bear on the box, for a measley 7 pounds.

Next time I’m going with the Tiger.

1

I’m in Cairo.

I arrived yesterday at 3:30 p.m., and after being picked up at the airport by Islam, an employee of the school, went to my apartment and started to make myself at home.

My address is (get ready for this!):

Scott Foster

Bld 53, 5^th district, Flat 4/Floor 4/New Nerco Building, Degla (or Deyla – I can’t quite tell if it’s y or g), Maadi

I have a cell and home phone, and have updated those numbers on the left. Anyone who might call needs to be aware of the country code (20) for Egypt and city code (2) for Cairo.

But, email is still the absolute easiest way to keep in touch for cheap.

Over the next twelve hours, I mixed sleep with organizing the apartment, stopped by the corner store (conveniently across the street from my apartment) to buy some groceries, and took some photos of the apartment to share. You can currently see them on the left side of this page, and can later access them using my Picassa web albums page. (Okay, there's some weird block...but if you click on the Glacier photos, you can access my Picassa web album of Glacier. A few quick clicks should avail you of my public albums, where you might find "my apartment." Sorry if it doesn't work, there's some strange blocking going on...)

I also arrived on the same plane as a teaching couple, Rich and Marci – new hires who are from Texas originally. I like them already and am beginning to enjoy hanging out with them getting used to Cairo with them. We’ve since hit a couple of restaurants and shopping centers together.

My apartment is incredible. Hayah Academy has provided me with a place that has a large dining room, a very nicely sized and cozy television room with nice couches and chairs, a great guest bedroom with a walk out balcony to view the neighborhood, and an incredible master bedroom and bath.

The living conditions match any I could expect in the U.S. The furniture is comfortable and modern; there is a mix of wood and tile floors; my walk-in closet in amazing in size and quality; and the water runs eagerly, hot or cold on demand, and appears very clear.

Cairo itself, as I’ve been accurately told, is on the dirty side. When I first arrived, I could see the pyramids from Maadi. Since then vision has been too muddled due to smog/air pollution. The wind blows frequently, which provides comfort – especially in the evenings – but also can kick up dust. Cars drive constantly, day and night, liberally honking their horns for every thinkable and many unfathomable reasons. (Today, our driver was honking a lot at another car. When I asked him why, he started laughing and said ‘they’re really old.’) I imagine if I was a smoker I might be able to kick my habit immediately and survive comfortably on the vehicle exhaust. Maybe it’s not so accurate to compare sucking on a cigarette to that of choking on a automobile tailpipe, but there ya go. (I’m not much into editing/polishing my thoughts due to the fact that this is my blog…I’ll take care to be more accurate in my memoirs.)

Last night, I chose to eat in, mixing in some yogurt, cheese and crackers, Pepsi Cola, and some tuna sandwiches I made from my store visit. Today, I began with a light serving of my favorite morning meal – toast. I was only disappointed I had not the foresight to find some peanut butter. I had to settle for jelly, but I was very happy to find I have been provided a cafeteria style tray, my favorite conveyance for getting the charred bread from the toaster to my gullet.

I ate light, as I was expecting Ayman, another Hayah Academy employee to arrive and take me, along with Rich and Marci, to lunch. He arrived at twelve and we went to the greatest TGI Fridays I’ve seen – right on the banks of the Nile. I laughed at his choice of restaurants, but I feel he’s disadvantaged in knowing me or my tastes and expectations. Rather than take a chance, he picked something he knew would be good and trusted by Americans. Fridays is a highly respected restaurant here, known for good food, and the location was cool. So I willingly broke one of my unwritten rules and ate at an American restaurant in my first week.

Supper was a little more adventurous, as Marci spied a nice Lebanese restaurant on our way home tonight. She, Rich and I shared bread, humus, kebab chicken, steak, & beef, and another plate of steak cooked differently. (I forget the name, but it was akin to the shredded steak you might get on a cheese steak sandwich, without the cheese and cooked with different spices.) All the food was excellent and I loved the meal. To top it off, I had a nice cup of “American” coffee. The waiter laughed when I asked if they had any “Egyptian” coffee as I’d really like to try it, but he offered no answer and brought me my American coffee.

All in all, I’m settling in nicely, am very comfortable, and am enjoying my first days in Maadi, Cairo. I anticipate things will only speed up soon, but hopefully I meet someone at my apartment who can discuss the possibility of internet access in my apartment. I’m certain it can be done, but interestingly enough have not yet met anyone who manages this apartment. I was given keys and a quick tour, but that was about it.

Tomorrow, Tuesday August 4, I will go visit Hayah Academy for the first time. The school will not have many employees there and is not yet ready to provide me a fully prepared tour, but I will get to set foot on the grounds none-the-less. I am eager to see where I’ll be teaching for the next two years.

I think often of Waverly (the yearbook should be/was? delivered any day), and continue to hope this move was a good one. As I speak with others here, not a conversation where we discuss school goes by where I am reminded how well I was treated by the administration, how lucky I was to have some great collegues and friends, and by how spoiled I was to work with great students and athletes. I hope everyone is doing well.

Until next time, as salaam alaykum!

Foster

-1

Last post before I leave. (I think)

Anyone interested enough to be reading this blog is absolutely invited to a going away party on Thursday night, July 30th, at "The Garage" on south 48th St. and Hwy 2 in Lincoln. I'll be there from 7:00 p.m. until as late as you can stand it. I know it as Bonanza, but many still call it the Penalty Box. All are welcome, bring friends.

Sorry if you are feeling like this is late notice for that event. Due to my continual traveling this summer, things kind of happened late. I hope many can make it and all can have a good time. There will be snacks, and as far as I know this place still serves adult beverages.

I leave Saturday. Omaha to Chicago, Chicago to Frankfurt, Frankfurt to Cairo. 13 hours and 42 minutes of flight time plus six hours and 52 minutes of layover plus eight hours of time zone changes will leave me in Cairo on Sunday, August 2nd, at 3:05 p.m.

Thus my journey begins.

The past three months are three I hope I never forget. I've had the luxury of enjoying one of those "transition" phases we are all lucky to get once in a while. I most quickly compare it to the summer after graduating high school. The pressures of college or working full time are delayed a bit, and 100% of the focus is on reconnecting with friends, enjoying good times and often this comes with a respite from responsibility. I've been there again this summer, and I've enjoyed every minute of it.

I'm especially grateful for those who have reached out, who've pushed for time in my stretched schedule for a quick lunch, a relaxed dinner, a night to chat. The friendships I've made over the years are ones I cherish, and I know leaving those behind will be taxing.

But, while I resisted utilizing many technology resources while here - resources that are meant to help people stay connected but often I feel allow us to disconnect from real communication too readily - I will be relying on them when I'm away. I hope utilizing Facebook, Skype (fosterinegypt), email (scott_p_foster@yahoo.com) or other technology resources will facilitate communication to a degree I hope will satisfy.

For those who crave more depth, keep watching the blog, and rest assured I will be home next July. Some may know of the 4th of July contest in the works. At this point I'm only willing to say it might be worth finding out more about it before 7/4/2010.

I'll take this time to answer the top 10 questions I've received to date, just in case some of you have them as well. (And yes, there are bad questions, but I answer them too.)

1. What language do they speak? Egyptian?

Actually, that's close. But it's an Egyptian dialect of another big language - Arabic.

2. Do you speak Egptian/Arabic? (Some don't bother asking #1 first, so I get it this way, too.

I've spent endless hours listening to Arabic tapes designed to teach me, so I can confidently still answer this question with a resounding "No."

3. What will you teach?

3 sections of 10 English. In them we'll cover Animal Farm, The Crucible, MacBeth, Lord of the Flies, Glass Menageries, and also study topics like Nuclear War in literature and cinema, comparison of Al Jazeera to CNN and other world news networds, analysis of anti war poetry, Hound of the Baskervilles, Sherlock Holmes short stories, Inspector Calls (drama study) Alfred Hitchcock films, many short story authors and more.

4. Are you insert one: excited, nervous, anxious, scared, etc?

Okay, no. Not yet. I'm ready to go, but getting worked up about things is not so much in my nature. I'm ready for a challenge, and I'm ready to get back to working on a daily basis. I'm looking forward to living in a new place and seeing more of the world.

5. How long will you be there?

Two years. I'll be back in the US next July for about a month. I plan on having a get together planned when I'm back, and I'll advertise it via Facebook and this blog. It'll be a "Hi I'm back home" party from 7-10 and a "Yeah I'm leaving again" party from 10-1 or something like that. I'll let you know more when I do.

6. Will you have a car?

No. I don't want to bother fighting the traffic. They provide transportation from my apartment to school and back each day. I've been told my driver will have my phone number and call me if I'm not waiting on the side of the road!

7. Will you have to wear a turbin to work?

No. I have to wear a tie. I'm going to try to get away with a Andy Sipowicz look (the guy from NYPD Blue who always wore short sleeves with his jacket and tie) but I'll be careful not to upset anyone's standard of dress code.

8. What will your students be like?

95% Egyptian, and either wicked smart or pushed very hard. *See the curriculum plan listed under question 3. Discipline will be tough with the male students. But class sizes are guaranteed to stay below 16 students. I've never had a difficult class of that size. Being the infidel might not help matters much, but I'm prepared to deal with that if it comes, I think.

9. Are you going to visit the pyramids?

Not until I get a visitor who asks to go. But, I'll possibly be able to see them quite often. I think they will be within 10 miles of where I live.

10. This one I call "the Jade question" Will you teach in a pyramid? (Often followed with will you ride a camel?)

No and No. You can see photos of the school at www.hayahacademy.com. It looks nice. You can see photos of camels by searching google images for "camel".

On another completely unrelated note: Lucas (for those of you who don't know him you're missing out) showed me something called "Google Voice" today. It makes me wish I was staying here, and might possibly the best thing I've seen in telephones since cell phones came out, except for maybe text and SMS messaging. I wonder if it will be available in Cairo...

-6

I've added my first set of photos. You can see them in the gallery revolving on the left. You can also click on the photos and see the album on Picassa. Some of the photos are night shots, and the slideshow doesn't do them justice...

This week finds me way off the grid. I'm in Many Glaciers Montana and I've never stayed in a hotel quite like this one.

No internet, no cell phone signals. There are land lines, but I long ago forgot how to "dial up" and get any internet access, so that's out.

I'm able to update today as I've trekked out and bogarted a signal called "your mama was a snowblower." I'm used to the more traditional "linksys" but this one seems to work very well.

I don't have much, but am having a blast. I would advise anybody who ever thinks they'll be travelling to purchase a Cubs hat, t-shirt, or other identifiable piece of gear. You would be amazed at how often this prompts total strangers to start conversations. (Like when I was lost on the mountain - I left scrambling to catch my family on the trail and they had the map. Two hours later, after I finally ascertained I was not only on the wrong trail, but in the wrong valley, I was greeted by a nice couple. The dude said "You a Cubs fan?" and I said, "do you have a map?" We talked Cubs. His wife, being the more intelligent one in the group, was quick to point out the irony about how the Cubs always find a way to lose, and here I was lost, but I digress...)

More photos to come.

-7

Wow.

I am writing today for two main reasons:

First, finally something has happened that warrants writing about. You see, despite polite requests or subtle jibes (see second reason) for more information, I have only intended this blog to be a record of my experiences in Egypt, hence the name. As such, I am only posting information pertinent to that experience. And now, finally, I have a bit more to report.

I received my teaching schedule. I'm still waiting for the other shoe to drop, but it looks like I will teach three sections of 10 English at Hayah Academy. Three. And all 10 English. To put this in perspective, you should know I've been teaching six classes per day, and have had five prep periods. To have the ability to teach three periods a day will allow me to plan, prepare, and grade in a much deeper level - I'm excited.

I've also received the curriculum, and I love it. English is taught primarily through two vehicles at Hayah: literature and film. Students will be reading materials that we tend to read in 11th or 12th grade here, so will be advanced in their language ability, and will also be able to learn through study of Alford Hitchcock, Dr. Strangelove, and other film study. The coolest part is that I get to teach it! I'm truly excited for the opportunity.

Also, as some of you may know, they provide me with an apartment and transportation to and from that residence to school. What this means to me is at some point, I have to leave. For a guy who routinely saw 8p.m. come and go while still at work, this is a refreshing thought. I may choose to work, but more than likely for the first time in a while I may choose to have a life outside of work.

Now, the second reason for writing today: the requests. Thanks for those who've asked nicely. I know there's interest out there - I will update as necessary. And thanks also to the others who've asked in their own way. "You aren't very good at being a blogger" is appreciated sarcasm. I know what you mean.

I guess all that's left to say is I've been recharging my batteries. As you may see above, I'm in Vegas. That photo was shot from my hotel room last night.

Has anybody else ever bought a $105 Bud Light? I should have known after I sat down and each of my first four hands I was dealt 20. It sounds pretty good, right? Well, I lost one and pushed three. I was in pain! I won't be playing any more blackjack at the Mandalay Bay.

(The dealer went on to hit 5+cards to 21 six different times - I hate continuous shuffling!)

But, I still feel like I'm ahead in life, after a day last week I spent at an Orange County private party and pool. All I had to do was run the San Diego Mud Run to get in with a group (we took a limousine to and from the Mud Run - about 45 minutes each way) and I was in for the day. The party included pool with waterfall and swim up open bar, a hired taco chef, hour long massages free of charge (I didn't partake), and lots of great people. It was a really fun day! Thanks big time to my buddy Mitch for providing the experience and shooting the video.

Well, that should do it for now. I fly out on August 1st. For any interested, I'll be traveling for the rest of June, but may spend a little time in Nebraska the first week in July at least.

Until next time,

foz

-16

How time flies.

Despite my best intentions to post a weekly blog, I'm failing to keep pace. I suppose this is due to two main reasons: I'm overworking, and there's not much to report - until now.

There's a funny thing about taking typhoid pills. As I understand it, a small percentage of people who do so can develop what I call "typhoid shoulders."

I'm in that percentage.

Typically, typhoid shoulders are little more than shoulders that irritate or send slight pain messages to the brain, resulting in tolerable yet annoying moments of discomfort.

For a guy looking to win a basketball game at his last alumni basketball tournament for a while (*See previous post on "first of many lasts."), typhoid shoulders mean a lot more.

I first knew something was wrong about a week after I took the pills. I was playing a game, and took a shot. I don't want to send any misinformation - I am not new to the idea of missing shots in basketball, which is why I tend to pass a lot. But this day I took a shot and missed. BY FIVE FEET! And it was five feet short.

I was embarrassed.

Soon after, I attempted to throw a pass across the court, and received similar and equally painful results.

So I consulted my doctors (who are always so kind about catering to my every whimsical question about my health) and learned that there could indeed be a reason for the sudden decline in my basketball prowess.

So, I write this one day before my 7:00 game at Lincoln Pope St. Pius X Central Catholic High School in the west gym hoping that something will change. Advil doesn't seem to work...nothing does.

Oh well. I suppose if that's the worst I have to deal with I'm a lucky man.

Why hasn't anything else happened worth reporting about?

It's hard to get answers from Egypt. I think when I get to Egypt I'll like the idea of what's been called "Egyptian Time." (ET) The basic idea is punctuality becomes obsolete, and things just happen when they do. By nature, I think I was born on ET. (This particular blog, even, it seems was written under ET - coming about three weeks later than it should have.)

But, for a guy looking to get a work visa and paperwork through an Egyptian Embassy that allows him to actually go earn his keep...well, ET can be a bugger.

So, until further events warrant updating, that's all for now.

Scott

-20

Short post.

What does a guy do 20 weeks before he leaves for Egypt?

I try to answer a lot of questions, most of which are still unanswerable.

It's funny to see what reactions people have when they learn I've made the decision to leave. I suppose the reactions are as varied as the people who ask them, but they are always revealing. What's hardest is most questions that are asked are not yet answerable by me.

Everybody wants to know so much about Egypt. What I'm most concerned with right now is what is here. While many are excited for me and wonder about the next step, I am spending more focus and time taking care of the business at hand. I'm working hard to leave my personal and professional life here in good stead. I want to make sure the transition for the students and school here are better than they were when I started. (For those of you that remember, my first semester was impossibly difficult, and I wouldn't want anybody to have to experience that - students or adults.) Certainly, I'm taking measures to prepare, but the bigger worries currently lie at home.

So, what does a guy do 20 weeks before he leaves for Egypt?

Nine things come to mind.

1. I start taking the shots. Hep. B is a 4 month process...a series of inoculations that can not be hurried. Typhoid is easier. Either take one single shot which protects for 2 years, or ingest 4 pills that protect for 5 years. It's weird how that works. But despite my fear I'll screw it up, I'm taking the pills - they must be taken 48 hours apart, on an empty stomach, and cannot be washed down with hot liquid for at least 60 minutes. So, I'll take them in the morning and struggle until I get my coffee fix.

2. I visit with bankers and other financial gurus to set up securities for my investments, and protocols for procedures and controls I can maintain via internet and from a distance.

3. I visit with potential renters for my house. (Things look good on this front.) It's a bad time to sell, and in the larger picture is silly to sell a good home that I know will appreciate in value. My portfolio will always need diversity, so why not keep a little real estate...and a cushion - a place to come back to live in.

4. I contact my future employer about my future job expectations, and await their response. (Yeah, this is looking ahead, but it's necessary to begin that preparation...)

5. I purchase the rest of my photo equipment needs, and wait eagerly for it's arrival. This anticipation is greatly increased after taking a group of high school students to a lecture at Creighton by Bill Frakes, where I and many students are reinvigorated while witnessing the power of photography and photo story.

6. I continue to listen to the poor man's version of "The Rosetta Stone" on my way to work and back home after work. Sometimes, I can remember on demand how to order food in a restaurant for myself or for another man or woman, say hello, or tell another person that I, he, or she is thirsty in Arabic. Other times, I don't remember a thing.

7. I work harder to cherish the relationships I have while here. Certainly, distance will not be my best ally in this area, so I'm trying to enjoy every day with the people I care about.

8. I start reading voraciously. There is so much to learn.

9. I write in my (currently) weekly blog.

To those of you following, thanks for caring, or at least thanks for reading. :-P

Scott

-21

-21. It's a countdown. My system. While I consider myself at times to be very creative, I don't look forward to creating new and interesting titles for blogs for the next, well, however this endeavor may last. So, I've decided to number my posts. And, since preparation for this trip will not be massively interesting, I've set a goal. One per week. Therefore, the system is also informative. I have 21 weeks until I leave. I know it will fly by.

And, I was unsure what to write about this week, as nothing seemed to be of importance - that was until my phone rang this morning. The voice on the other end informed me of an event I will not likely enjoy in Egypt - snow day. This may be the first of lasts I'll experience for a while, and while otherwise insignificant, it did get me thinking. With lows in the winter averaging 45F, I won't likely get unexpected weather vacations due to snow. I'm making sure to enjoy this one!

I'm still in the initial stage of realization about this next big undertaking in my life, and often find myself in a state of excitement and exhuberance about it. But, certain things are beginning to illustrate the reality of this change and reinforce the gravity of my decision: a letter of resignation required by the school board (which I find oddly ironic, since I am technically employed only year to year, and have not officially "signed" for next year anyway - a logical incongruity I overcame by writing instead what I considered to be a letter of intent stating I officially did not plan to sign again next year, a sublety in language and an exercise in logic I hope others can appreciate from me); an article written in the Waverly News; an appointment at UNL's health care center do discuss possible Hep. A, Hep. B, updated tetanus, and other immunizations; and the arduous grind of paperwork to prepare for the job. Those of you who know me know I'm really looking forward to the paperwork! In all, it is starting to sink in. I'm leaving.

On other fronts, I'm beginning to organize and plan for my leaving. In the process, I've realized that I've inherited what I can only believe is Great Depression influenced behaviors from my family. I've always known I've had a reluctance to throw anything away, and at this point am attributing my behavior in part to that. I know if I ever need a twist-tie from a loaf of bread, I have only to visit my father's kitchen, or the kitchen in our Colorado cabin and I will find many left over from my mother and my grandmother - two people who seemed very adept at reusing all sorts of materials.

As I'm cleaning out my closets, I'm realizing this attitude - combined with the good fortune of being the last in the family to receive the "hand-me-downs" - has afforded me the ability to hoard quite a lot of clothing. It's odd to me that I've accumulated so much, because I still often wear the same clothes as I did in high school, and go shopping for clothes only once every 3-4 years. Even then I spend very little on those shopping sprees. So, how I amassed the amount of clothing I currently have is strange. Nonetheless, most of it's going. I'm having a hard time parting with some of the classic convenience store t-shirts, the Kitty Karyall shirt from high school, the running shirts from Ralston mini marathon that stand for something (I think), and other favorite memory laden items.

But, as I keep telling myself, it's just gotta go.

On other notes, I'm attempting to help this blog be more informative in other ways. I've added some items on the left for your use. Most work easily and I'm sure you will see the benefits of them. But, I'm having difficulty with the calendar, where the idea is you will be able to add items on that calendar when it's up and running. The reason: I want visitors. Hopefully I can get it figured out soon. I will use the calendar to maintain my schedule and breaks, and if anybody wants to visit during a break, I welcome the company. You can indicate your plans by posting to the calendar. And, I'm hoping that if some friends post on the calendar they are planning a vacation to Egypt during any certain break, that others may see the plans and join in. The more the merrier!

Scuba diving in the Red Sea is only hours away, and it provides some of the best in the world. Alexandria and the Meditteranean Sea are also only hours away to the north, and there are beaches and resorts all along the coast. I also plan on seeing the Aswan Dam and the Nile river along the way to the dam. Other vacations destinations are abundant and easily accessible - that's one of the biggest advantages Egypt had over other locations. I'm up for suggestions.

In short, I welcome visitors it you are willing to come.

Long post for a day I didn't think I had much to talk about. Now, I better get back to my snow day!

Scott

First Post

As-Salamu alaykum!

Here begins my tale of my trip to Egypt to teach at Hayah International Academy, www.hayahacademy.com. I attended a career fair on Jan. 30-Feb. 1 at University of Northern Iowa (UNI) where I interviewed with many prospective employers; entertained offers from schools in S. Korea, Colombia, Brazil, and of course, Egypt; and spent countless hours researching schools, countries, politics, economics, and more. It was a brain scrambling weekend and I enjoyed every minute of it.

The UNI Fair is a great coming together of international schools in search of teachers and teachers in search of international jobs. I heard many numbers, but am fairly certain there were over 600 teachers applying at over 100 schools. I feel very fortunate to have come away with this opportunity.

The photo was taken after I had browsed the tables and set up interviews, and finally had some time to step back and for the first time during the weekend, really reflect. School recruiters wait at tables for candidates to approach and discuss the option of interviewing for positions. It's a mad rush, as you help your chances of interviewing by being there first. So, many desperate and eager teachers race to the tables of schools that are high on their list.

There's an earlier preliminary filter, allowing a candidate and a school to research each other and be in touch. Thankfully, I had done some homework, had made some contacts, and had prepared a little bit before the day. So, after hitting the tables (not like Vegas, unfortunately!) for about 90 minutes, I had secured 12 interviews over the next 30 hours. I took this photo during a one hour break on Friday, and after the break moved on to interview with 6 different schools. It was a nerve-wracking day for me; by the looks of some others it was a very harrowing day, to say the least! For the first of many times during the weekend, I was very thankful I had looked ahead and prepared.

I had been in email contact with Hayah before the fair, and they had set aside time specifically for me. BUT, I am lucky I didn't screw it up. In traditional "Foster style," I got caught up in the day, and responded to all written invitations I had received in my mailbox the day of the fair. I neglected to remember my email contacts with four schools. A lot of early communication could have amounted to nothing!

But, within about one minute of shooting this photo, a man approached me after seeing my name on my name tag. I was sitting at the time and working on my laptop, so I have no idea how he spotted me. It was Mohammad from Hayah Academy, and he was keeping an eye out for me. We scheduled an interview (My 7th for the day) for 8 p.m. and the rest is becoming history.

I will be teaching English to a student body that is about 95% Egyptian. Arabic will be the native language for most of the students, but they will have been speaking English their whole lives. And, their next step educationally will be college - ideally the best universities in the world.

The school will provide an apartment house for me upon arrival, fully loaded with furniture, dishware, appliances, the works. I will provide pictures when I arrive, but from what I've seen, I won't want for much. It is possible it will be the nicest housing I've had in my adult life.

Other than that, I know I will be swamped with the types of details I like the least for the next few months - nitty gritty jumping through hoop details. I've got an idea I need to get shots, visas, provide extra paperwork and data to the Egyptian embassy, get in contact with Hayah's English department chair, discuss job details and course curriculum, and procure resources for next year's teaching. I will be bringing many materials with me from the U.S., so I need to plan ahead more than my usual one week in advance plan.