(no subject)
So, the last few days have been spent mostly wandering Cairo. I havn't had a whole lot to do since my survival arabic course didn't start until today. Yesterday I spend a good part of the day at a local 'cafe' watching some guys play chess, and learning the names of the pieces in arabic from them. I've been looking for a cheap set, but all I seem to be able to find are the expensive made-for-tourists sets.
Survival arabic started today, and I'm not nearly as far behind as I was worried I would be. I think that's mostly because we're being taught colloquial instead of Modern Standard Arabic. Colloquial is frustrating because it's so different from MSA; even simple words like yes and no have to be re-learned because very few people actually speak MSA.
Found a nice bakery down the street from me and AUC is saying that they might finally get the internet in my apartment working, but that's about it for news from Cairo. It's still wicked hot out but by staying in the shade as much as possible we're all getting by.
Survival arabic started today, and I'm not nearly as far behind as I was worried I would be. I think that's mostly because we're being taught colloquial instead of Modern Standard Arabic. Colloquial is frustrating because it's so different from MSA; even simple words like yes and no have to be re-learned because very few people actually speak MSA.
Found a nice bakery down the street from me and AUC is saying that they might finally get the internet in my apartment working, but that's about it for news from Cairo. It's still wicked hot out but by staying in the shade as much as possible we're all getting by.