Friday, April 28

We intended to have a very laid back, boring spring break, but that's not exactly how it has played out. The beginning of this week started out that way. We went to see the Egyptian Museum because we never had seen the mummy room. It was okay, but still the museum is much like a large warehouse. We also did a little souvenir shopping.

Our vacation changed from normal to surreal, though. We were at a cafe when all the waiters seemed to be watching an Arabic newscast about the bombings in Dahab, Egypt. We couldn't figure out what they were talking about, so we asked the waiter. He told us there were three atomic bombs in Dahab. Now, we knew they weren't atomic, but we kept that to ourselves. The thing is, our friends were vacationing in Dahab.

We figured what are the chances that our friends are hurt? I started to text message them because their phone was not working. While I was doing that one of the guys who was in Dahab called us so we could call the embassy.

Our friends were the Americans injured. Without going into all the details, they were transported from Dahab to Sharm and finally flown to Cairo. We've spent the last few days at the hospital where they were waiting to be evacuated to Germany.

While their injuries were fairly severe, they are going to be okay. It was such a random thing. They almost didn't decide to go down to the area of the bombing. They almost walked to a different area. Violence is so random.

We've learned a couple of things from this experience. First, everyone needs to appreciate America. Joe and I really saw our tax dollars at work this week. When we finally figured out what hospital they were at here in Cairo, we headed over there. There was a full room of embassy staff including the embassy doctor and nurse. The whole three days they were in Cairo, there were several embassy employees watching out for them, making arrangements, helping out, etc. The Britains and the lone Russian guy on the floor really didn't have as many people there. We were really confident and calmed by the help they provided. They worked after hours and last night saw everything through until everyone was loaded onto planes at 4:30 in the morning.

We also learned some useful information for my own delivery. Let's just say that Egyptian healthcare is not the same as ours. We definitely learned that in the nursing department, it's kind of self service. We had to take round the clock shifts to help them out. Of course, they couldn't really do much for themselves because of their injuries, so it won't be exactly like that for me. The hospital wasn't the best of the best, but it was supposedly the best for emergency medical care. It was adequate as the American doctor put it. It's been good to see how things operate here. It helps me to be less nervous about my delivery.

Putting myself aside, our friends are safely in Germany now. Actually they have gone to the military hospital where they treat a lot of victims from Iraq, so they are very familiar with this type of injury.

We caught up on sleep today and we have a few days before school starts up again. Keep our friends in mind as they have a long road of recovery ahead of them.

End of my 7th month. Only two more to go! 

Mogamma in downtown Cairo. The dreaded behemoth where we go and suffer to get visas, etc. 

Egyptian Museum. 

Joe and I headed back to the Egyptian Museum to see the mummy room. 

Leia's official look out post each morning as we head to school. 

Okay, I'm very proud of myself. I finished my baby blanket! 

It seems so long ago that we were all just hanging out on a felucca. 

Felucca season is back upon us. 

Friday, April 21

I wish I had something interesting to report, really I do, but Joe and I don't seem to be too interesting these days. We are now officially on spring break. It was a long time coming, but we made it. While all the other teachers are traveling to Jordan, Lebanon, Greece, etc. Joe and I are staying home in the comfort of our own apartment. Since it has decided to get really hot out, I can't say that I'm dying to be anywhere outside right now. (I'm just envisioning in two months - me, 9 months pregnant and the sweltering heat.)

Our typical day? Get up late to the sound of someone yelling out and selling things in the street. Slowly find some breakfast. Read a little, watch TV, or get on the internet. Nap time! Lunch time. Maybe run an errand or grocery shop. Nap time! Read, TV or internet. Supper time. Walk the dog. Read, TV or internet. Time for bed.

You see that nap time is high on my list of priorities. I don't know if we'll be able to make it all 12 days or so without going crazy. We might venture out to the Khan el Khalili market for a few last Egyptian items. We might also make it to the Egyptian Museum since we haven't seen the mummy room yet. The last things in Cairo we haven't seen that we still want to. We both agree it's not so bad to be getting so much rest before the big day comes.

I told Joe yesterday, "Only 9 more weeks." His response, "We're in the single digits now?!" Funny how things can go both quickly and slowly at the same time.

One of my eleventh graders.

Some of my eleventh graders on Inside-out day. I was the only one with my shirt and jeans on inside-out. 

My belly was smaller! My student came to tell me that she gave birth later that day. I hope my labor goes that fast. 

One of our senior students. 

Galabaya Day 

The garbage bag was very convenient for my belly, actually.  

Joe, on Crazy Day with his students. Lovely frying pan Joe. 

The kindergarten students at the talent show. They were definitely cute in their rendition of "Chicken Little". 

Friday, April 7

It's the end of our only full week of school in April. Yeah! We only have six more days of teaching in April due to two four-day weekends and our spring break. This week was spirit week at school, so we did our best to dress up and have school spirit. I included pictures of us on "Crazy Day." I wore a trash bag (thank you days of detasseling for the style idea) and a safety pin through my mouth which drove the kids crazy. They couldn't figure out if I had really stuck it through (yeah, right!). Joe wore crazy clothes and a frying pan. What can I say, we're just crazy. We also participated in "Galabaya Day." There were lots of Egyptian robes at school that day. On "Dress Up, Dress Down Day" the students were supposed to come as teachers and the teachers as students. I'm sure you'll enjoy the picture of one of my students dressed as me. We decided to compare belly sizes. Last was "Inside-Out Day." Not the most exciting.

Of course, spirit week makes the kids a bit crazy, but that's to be expected. We have our four-day weekend to recuperate. Last night Joe went with the boys to the Canadian Embassy for a party they were having, and I spent a night with the girls. We could talk about baby stuff and girl stuff to our hearts' content. The baby is doing well, practicing karate chopping her mom and doing somersaults. She's to the point where I'm starting to feel body parts jammed up against my tummy. Every week there's a new amusement!