Just another day in Eastern Europe...

It's so annoying when you go to sign in to your blog and everything is written in Serbian, ya know? So here I am in Belgrade, Serbia. Certainly didn't expect to be here. We were planning on avoiding Belgrade only because the best it had to offer was the "night life". No, thanks. But because of the bus/train system from Kosovo we couldn't get to Bosnia. Yes, I said Kosovo. I was in Kosovo for 3 days, no big deal. Youngest country in the world. Kosovo has been the only country I've been to the past year that actually likes America. So don't let anyone tell you that America is an evil empire who goes around attacking random countries....er, wait....the USA bombed the crap out of Serbia a few years ago. Well, that was a good thing for Kosovo and they gained their independence from Serbia. Anyways, we had a slight issue getting into Kosovo because Serbia doesn't recognize Kosovo's independence. On the way to Kosovo we were crammed into a van full of Macedonians (Macedonians, I mean what the hell?) who didn't need to get a Kosovo stamp so we didn't get ours. In the middle of the journey, a song came on the radio and the entire van started singing. Visualize a scene from Fiddler on the Roof and that's about what it was like. The Matchmaker was sitting in front of me. No joke. Eastern Europeans kinda all look the same. They all seem to have misshapen heads and large noses. They just look weird. Not trying to be mean, just accurate. The languages are very rough like Russian so it's kinda scary when they talk to you. But like Arabic you get soon realize that they aren't yelling at you because they are angry, they are yelling because they seem to have voice immodulation. I've taken about 700 pictures and we've been to Hungary, Croatia, Kosovo, Serbia, and Montenegro. But I haven't put any pictures on the computer yet so I'll have to work on that. Croatia was by far the best. We spent about 12 days exploring the islands and just relaxing by the beaches. I'll have to write more about that in a separate post. Right now I need to find some coffee.

Oh yeah, North Carolina....

Totally forgot to update about that. I flew down to see Elizabeth in Charlotte. It was definitely a girl's week! Mostly we just sat by the Country Club pool and drank sweet tea. She introduced me to a little Southern secret know as Firefly....ummm YUM! I didn't have my camera to take pics so I'm just posting a random pic of me and elizabeth from last school year.... When we were out one night there was a group from Carolinanightlife.com who were taking pics. We saw our pics on the website the next day, but when I went back I couldn't find them. Oh well. Lesson learned- take your camera everywhere.

Oh, Canada!

So Canada is pretty much amazing. I don't know why more people don't live there. I arrived in Calgary and O and I went to a wedding and the Calgary Stampede (their rodeo). Apparently, two-stepping in Canada is not the same as Texas. Owen was unteachable, but Shane was willing to learn. The people I met made me want to move there immediately. They were all sooo nice and fun! Then we drove to Invermere which is in BC. BEAUTIFUL! This is the view from Owen's mom's front door. No joke. After a few days there we flew in Owen's dad's little tiny plane to Canim Lake where his dad has 2 secluded cabins. I think it takes around 9 hours or so to drive there and flying it's about 2 hours. So we literally flew over the Rockies. It was pretty scary at first. There's a runway on the property so we landed right next to the cabins. Pretty rad. We stayed there for about 3 days. Fishing, campfire, crossword puzzles, and a lot of just chillin'. This is the view from the plane.

Then we flew back to Invermere and drove to Premiere Lake about an hour away. This place was unbelievable. Owen's mom (or mum as he says) has about 7 cabins. They pretty much have their own campsite. The only way to get to it is by boat. We stayed here for about 3 days. Swimming, fishing, playing horseshoes, bocce, etc. SO much fun!
View from the dock at the main cabin.

The stream that runs in the middle of the camp ground. Unbelievably clean water.

We went back to Invermere for a fun golf tournament with about 30 of his friends. Then went to Banff, Lake Louise and everywhere in between to do some hiking. Weather was unbeatable. I can't wait to go back!!

Lake Louise.

Chattanooga: a place where your kids can play in the public fountain and tattoos are contagious

Chattanooga is a white trash haven nestled between the Smokey Mountains. At first glance, it looks like a picture perfect mountain town with the kayaks atop family SUVs. But with a closer inspection, one begins to note the trailer park attire, rampant mullets, and the plethora of bad tattoos. (Please refer to earlier post about Tattoos to Avoid) By the 3rd day, I realized that there's also a hippy scene where artists sell their paintings on the sidewalk outside of the used bookstore. After discovering this along with the sculpture garden in the Art District I was loving this cute town. The Aquarium was also really fun to walk around. My favorite part was the lack of wildlife in the Nile River exhibit. If you have been to the Nile, you know that nothing would ever be able to survive in there. The live music downtown was good but it was just too hot to be walking around. Had a great time with Becca and can't wait to go back and hike around the mountains when it's cooler weather.

Culture Shock (again)

Weird how every time I come Stateside, everything here feels so weird. I went running on Friday morning and did not see one piece of trash on the street! No cats were seen! Almost stepped on a turtle. Saw squirrels, bunnies, and dogs! I can't get over how green it is here and how it doesn't hurt to breathe! A trip to the mall was very uneventful. I drove there in a SUV with air conditioning listening to satelite radio while using the GPS to get there. I wasn't harrassed by shop owners to buy something or by beggars grabbing my arm asking for some cash. Again, no trash on the streets! The only sand I have seen in on the golf course. I feel like it's too easy. Too boring. It's almost kinda creepy. I really don't know if I can live in the States ever again.

Saying Goodbye.

I wish I had taken more pictures during the goodbyes this week, but I'm really bad at remembering to do that sort of thing. Thursday was our last day of school and basically everyone was flying out that night. To celebrate the last day of school, we went to the A.C.E Club with Darren and Jen for a cold one. (Yes, I'm officially a member now!) Then went to my new apt to drop some stuff off. Went back to the ACE Club with John and Sarah for another cold one and dinner. Then off to TGIFridays on the Nile for the Paper Plate Awards. Now, I wasn't planning on going to this, but since I was packed and ready to go and in Ma'adi anyways, we went. Turns out there's a "special" award each year for the couple who met in Cairo and started dating : the double gallabeya. So Joe and Jen, who are getting married this summer (yay!), awarded O and I with this honor. Due to our differences in height, this turned out to be funnier than usual. Jen and Joe informed us that we have to keep this tradition going and pass it on to another couple next year. I'm thinking it should would be hilarious if we gave it to Kevin and Greg. We ended the night back at the ACE club with some of my favorite people for a few goodbyes and seeyanextyear. (Yes, I took full advantage of my ACE Club membership by going 3 times in my first day. I am addicted already.)


Everyone who is leaving is headed off to various parts of the world! I will miss y'all!! But I plan on visiting!!! :)

Lori (Columbia), Kayla (Hong Kong), Katherine & Jason,(Venezuela) Joe &Jen (Malawi), Norris & Ang (NYC), Mike (Canada) , Jen Fij (Chicago), Sarah (Italy), Jakob (Germany)

I did it.

Yes, the blog is public and you don't have to sign in anymore. Screw privacy.

Tattoos to Avoid

This link is hilarious! Please read if you are thinking about getting a tattoo. And if you have any of these tattoos, I'm sorry.

Things You'll Never Hear a Teacher Say:

"Our principal is sooooooooo smart. No wonder he's in administration."

"Thank goodness for these evaluations. They keep me focused."

"I'd like to see Red Lobster offer a meal like this!"

"Here class, just put all your gym shoes in this box next to my desk."

"I bet all the people in our administration really miss teaching!"

"Gosh, the bathroom smells so fresh and clean!"

"I'm so glad I gave my phone number to my students' parents. It makes keeping in touch so much easier."

"I can't believe I get paid for this!"

"I think the discipline around here is just a LITTLE too strict!"

"It's Friday already????"

"Those students this semester really made my job a real joy."

"I believe that athletics are not getting enough money."

"We'd be able to educate our children if they let us teach through summer too."

"Have you noticed that the teachers drive better cars than the students?"

"This in-service training has been fabulous."

"It must be true; the superintendent said so!"

Party like an Egyptian

I might have complained a lot in the last posting, but I LOVE my life here. I have the best friends ever here. There are several friends who I will miss when they move away. But I plan on keeping in touch and visiting a few countries in South America to visit them... maybe Summer 2010?? And we've already started planning out trips for next year. Last night we decided what a group of us are doing for the first week break in October. And possibly plan to visit some friends in other parts of Africa for another break. I live in a crazy place and there are definitely some crazies who I work with, but life really is good.

Feeling a little racist?

What's the difference between an expat in Cairo and a racist?

6 months.


ok, so i decided to delete this post. It was a little over the top. Since this is now a public blog, I don't want to get arrested. Egypt doesn't exactly have free speech. Basically what it said was how I was really frustrated with Egyptians. There are some really nice Egyptians who I have met, but most of the men I come in contact with daily(i.e. walking down the street, on the subway, etc.) are disgusting and grope western women every chance they get. It's becoming a big problem. Cairo is very safe other than that.

Cinco de Mayo

Huge party for Cinco de Mayo. All you can eat Mexican buffet and margaritas. Real margaritas! My favorite part of the night was when Kristy randomly shows up wearing a massive sombrero. She, of course, has no idea where she got it. Also, LOVED the live band! We danced the night away....me gusta, me gusta!

blog like an egyptian

Sorry for the lack of updates... but my school blocked this website. Again. And the only time I'm bored enough to write on this is at work...hmmm... maybe I'm becoming more Egyptian than I want to admit.

Things that keep me from blogging at home:

1. Not getting home until 10:30pm after going to the gym in Maadi.
2. Owen downloaded every season of Seinfield. There's alot to watch.
3. Weekly Office episodes with the Hams.
4. There are so many good books to read. Just finished "Kite Runner".
5. John downloaded 3000 movies last week. Just watched "Singing in the Rain".
6. Eating out. Dinner takes a min. of 3 hours in this country.
7. Traveling.
8. Expedia.
9. There are more exciting things to do?

How to 'fight' swine flu- kill the pigs?

Nothing about this surprises me about Egypt. Watch the video. The only people in this country who eat pork? Christians. The only people who own pigs in this country? The Christians who live in Garbage City (the worst slum I've ever seen). The pigs help them by eating the garbage that they sort and recycle. I hope no one gets killed over this.

Easter with the Pope

Last weekend I went to Italy (country #24) and Vatican City (country #25?). This is why I count that as a country. But some of you might argue that it's not a country. Just read that article first before you decide. I don't have a stamp in my passport from the Vatican. But I also don't have a stamp from Israel or Cuba. So are they not countries? Just saying... The Vatican at Easter? Yes, it was crowded but we bought a prepaid ticket that put us to the front of the 2-3 hour line and we had a tour guide who actually enjoyed her job. Other than the airport being crowded, the rest of Rome wasn't bad at all. Not compared to Cairo on a daily basis. I really could have stayed in Rome for a week and in Italy for a lifetime. I definitely plan on going back to Italy. Maybe next fall to visit Sarah when she moves to a small coastal Italian town.

Cairo is the new Vegas

Thursday night went out for some Thai food with one of my newly wed friends. Funny story. Apparently, their marriage license got lost in the mail in Canada. They were married in Vancouver over Christmas. So as Peter asked me to pass the rice, he added "and would you sign our marriage license as a witness?" What?? We made sure to clean the table so that the Pad Thai wouldn't get all over the documents. Kinda cool. I'll forever be their witness! Love it! I love how random it was too...

I promise

I promise to update more for those of you who don't use facebook anymore (quitters). I just figured out how to get to blogger at work and how to bypass the page that appears in Arabic.

Egypt doesn't make sense.

This doesn't surprise me about Egypt at all.

Where I will be for Easter....

Tunisia- Country # 23

Pretty amazing place. We saw pretty much the entire country. I'll post pics on facebook as soon as it decides to start working for me. Renting a car was a good decision even though none of us had really driven a standard transmission and that's all they have to rent. We made it out alive with only a slightly frightening situation down an extremely small alley that was blocked by a pile of rocks. Luckily, some Tunisians decided to help us. Lots of Lightsaber battles occurred at the Star Wars locations. Of course, we had to decide who was each character. Luckily I beat Sarah out of being Princess Lea. She had to be Chubaaka. Between the 4 of us we had a combined maturity of about age 8. No ewoks were found, but we did discover Ewok food. Or that's at least what we named the unusual rock-like sculptures that we kept seeing everywhere. Like a video game, we had to dodge wild camels crossing the road. The rest of the trip will be posted in pics with comments on facebook. I know you can't wait!