On to Zagazig

Tomorrow is the big day when I finally move to Zagazig. While I've been in Egypt (and in class) for the past month, I feel like my Fulbright really begins tomorrow. It's a bit hard to quantify my experience thus far in terms of accomplishments/productivity, but I think actually teaching will begin to solidify my time here.

After speaking to several Egyptians about their thoughts on Zagazig, I thought I'd share some of the responses. Probably a mixture of conjecture and half-truths, but here's the rundown:

1) Rural (some say underdeveloped)
2) Not much English

3) I hope your Arabic is good

4) Your Arabic will get good

5) Scenic
6) Don't go there (some say emphatically)
7) Historical (supposedly a stopping point during Pharaoh's attempt to expel the Jews)
8) Not much to do
9) No words--simply a shriveled bitter-beer face that screams "I'm terribly sorry"*

*Most oft-repeated response (generally used in combination with another one of the above, usually #5 to try and end the conversation on a positive note)

I'm looking forward to finding out for myself what this mystical town of Zagazig is all about. Fortunately, I am not scheduled to begin work until the middle of next week, so I'll have plenty of time to map out my surroundings. The university has already arranged temporary housing in the university guest house, which will give Carl and I time to find a place. I guess all I need to do now is relax and look forward to that fresh, non-Cairo air. . .

I also have a backlog of pictures of Coptic Cairo and our in-country orientation with the Ambassador to post. Look for those in the next couple days.