Sunday, November 21, 2010
Spain Pictures Part Dos
Here's a link to the rest of the pictures. Highlights include the Royal Palace and its neighboring cathedral, an Egyptian temple in the heart of Madrid, and Plaza Mayor. Plus some generally great views of the city and its architecture.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Spain Pictures Part 1
First set of pictures are of El Real Monasterio de El Escorio. It's a former palace/monastery about 30 minutes outside of Madrid.
Here's a link to the pictures and to the Wiki page for more info. I wasn't able to take pictures inside, except for a couple of spy shots in the basilica, so see Wiki for some insider shots.
More to come tomorrow.
On Arab Models
I just got back from a week in Madrid, Spain. Needless to say, it was a refreshing experience. But before I launch into my exploits there, I think the public should know about my encounter with two Arab models in Zagazig. Let's begin.
Sunday: Halfway through a pretty lazy day, Carl and I decided to take a test drive in our co-worker's new car. We end up at Zagazig University in the Faculty of Arts for a round of tea and coffee with maybe every teacher in the building. We finally make it to the dean's office. While trying not to throw up from yet another drink, I notice two large posters in the corner. I discovered that the signs were advertisements for two models that would be coming to the university on Tuesday: one Egyptian-American and one Moroccan. Thinking that two models heading to Zagazig is pretty big news, I ask if I can go.
"No problem."
I feel relieved knowing the sixteen pounds of tea I just drank might have paid off.
Tuesday: After teaching a couple classes, it's now 11:00, the start-time of the lecture by the models. I find another teacher to see if he wants to go with me, and by 11:30 we head out. (Normally, I would be annoyed at having left so late, but I've clearly adjusted to Egyptian time because I wasn't concerned. And what is Egyptian time? It's looking at your watch and realizing that you've just wasted five seconds by actually looking at your watch).
So we stroll into the dean's office 30 minutes late. I'm a little worried because I didn't want to interrupt the presentation. Then I'm immediately confused why the models would be presenting in the dean's office. Answer: things are running "a little behind." The models are just chilling on a couch eating lunch. They notice that my accent is a little off for the area, find out I'm American, and ask me to eat lunch with them. Right on time. Turns out that the Moroccan is from the town where I studied in Morocco. Small world. And the Egyptian-American lived in New Jersey for 10 years. Naturally. We chatted for a little while. They told me how they go around to different schools giving talks about how girls should act (like what to wear for a job interview) and how they can be both beautiful and conservative at the same time. Positive message, and both models seemed to be on point. A guy with a camera records some of our conversation. I apparently joined their campaign.
12:15 rolls around. Go time. We walk down a hallway, and the guy with the camera opens up a set of doors. They want me to walk in first. I step into the room, and in an instant 400 girls stop their conversations and turn their attention to me. Hilarious. I am given the middle seat in the first row. Unnecessary, but I didn't complain.
But wait! There's more!
What followed was a series of introductions. Of the dean. Of the dean's friend. Of the dean's assistant. Of the models. Everyone. Including me--but with a twist. The dean, bless his heart, began to announce me in this manner (in Arabic): "And we also have an American here today. He teaches English at the Center for English for Specific Purposes..."
And then, he couldn't remember my name. The teacher next to me shouted it out. The models each told him. Still nothing. The teacher shouted it again. And then he said it into the microphone. Now up to this point, each name was greeted with a large round of applause. But when my name was said, approximately three people from the back of the room began to clap. And not well. It was clapping of the lethargic, possibly sarcastic, variety. This was then followed by a round of laughter from the entire room. I couldn't help but crack up myself.
I listened to one of the models give her lecture, but because things got started to so late, I had to get back to the Center to teach another class. I waited for the first model to finish up, then told the other teacher that we had to go. Instead of just quietly walking out, he walked up to the panel of speakers. He then proceeded to tell the dean that I had to leave because I had to teach. The dean and his assistant got up and said some words and we all shook hands. But there were microphones in front of each of them, so this entire conversation was broadcast to the entire audience. AND while the other model was also beginning her speech. So awkward. Fortunately I looked at the Egyptian-American model and she gracefully shot me a look of "Don't worry about it. I understand, and it's not your fault."
So much for a quiet exit.
Upon leaving, the cameraman came back and asked me several questions about the talk and the models. And his camera was definitely on and recording the whole time. I'm sure the video will surface somewhere in their future presentations.
So to conclude, there is no conclusion. Only going with the flow. Egyptian style.
Sunday: Halfway through a pretty lazy day, Carl and I decided to take a test drive in our co-worker's new car. We end up at Zagazig University in the Faculty of Arts for a round of tea and coffee with maybe every teacher in the building. We finally make it to the dean's office. While trying not to throw up from yet another drink, I notice two large posters in the corner. I discovered that the signs were advertisements for two models that would be coming to the university on Tuesday: one Egyptian-American and one Moroccan. Thinking that two models heading to Zagazig is pretty big news, I ask if I can go.
"No problem."
I feel relieved knowing the sixteen pounds of tea I just drank might have paid off.
Tuesday: After teaching a couple classes, it's now 11:00, the start-time of the lecture by the models. I find another teacher to see if he wants to go with me, and by 11:30 we head out. (Normally, I would be annoyed at having left so late, but I've clearly adjusted to Egyptian time because I wasn't concerned. And what is Egyptian time? It's looking at your watch and realizing that you've just wasted five seconds by actually looking at your watch).
So we stroll into the dean's office 30 minutes late. I'm a little worried because I didn't want to interrupt the presentation. Then I'm immediately confused why the models would be presenting in the dean's office. Answer: things are running "a little behind." The models are just chilling on a couch eating lunch. They notice that my accent is a little off for the area, find out I'm American, and ask me to eat lunch with them. Right on time. Turns out that the Moroccan is from the town where I studied in Morocco. Small world. And the Egyptian-American lived in New Jersey for 10 years. Naturally. We chatted for a little while. They told me how they go around to different schools giving talks about how girls should act (like what to wear for a job interview) and how they can be both beautiful and conservative at the same time. Positive message, and both models seemed to be on point. A guy with a camera records some of our conversation. I apparently joined their campaign.
12:15 rolls around. Go time. We walk down a hallway, and the guy with the camera opens up a set of doors. They want me to walk in first. I step into the room, and in an instant 400 girls stop their conversations and turn their attention to me. Hilarious. I am given the middle seat in the first row. Unnecessary, but I didn't complain.
But wait! There's more!
What followed was a series of introductions. Of the dean. Of the dean's friend. Of the dean's assistant. Of the models. Everyone. Including me--but with a twist. The dean, bless his heart, began to announce me in this manner (in Arabic): "And we also have an American here today. He teaches English at the Center for English for Specific Purposes..."
And then, he couldn't remember my name. The teacher next to me shouted it out. The models each told him. Still nothing. The teacher shouted it again. And then he said it into the microphone. Now up to this point, each name was greeted with a large round of applause. But when my name was said, approximately three people from the back of the room began to clap. And not well. It was clapping of the lethargic, possibly sarcastic, variety. This was then followed by a round of laughter from the entire room. I couldn't help but crack up myself.
I listened to one of the models give her lecture, but because things got started to so late, I had to get back to the Center to teach another class. I waited for the first model to finish up, then told the other teacher that we had to go. Instead of just quietly walking out, he walked up to the panel of speakers. He then proceeded to tell the dean that I had to leave because I had to teach. The dean and his assistant got up and said some words and we all shook hands. But there were microphones in front of each of them, so this entire conversation was broadcast to the entire audience. AND while the other model was also beginning her speech. So awkward. Fortunately I looked at the Egyptian-American model and she gracefully shot me a look of "Don't worry about it. I understand, and it's not your fault."
So much for a quiet exit.
Upon leaving, the cameraman came back and asked me several questions about the talk and the models. And his camera was definitely on and recording the whole time. I'm sure the video will surface somewhere in their future presentations.
So to conclude, there is no conclusion. Only going with the flow. Egyptian style.
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