Funny English July 20, 2009
Posted by bookncurls in A Comment, Middle East.Tags: Alexandria, Egypt, Funny English, Siwa
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There is funny English all over the world so I thought I would steal a few of my favorites here. Hopefully I’ll add some pictures later.
“Ditck her. Take me.” Probably supposed to be ‘ditch’
“We buy everythings.” I think they want to make sure you know that everything doesn’t mean they buy just one thing-hence the ’s’ at the end.
“Life is too short for bad coffee.” I wouldn’t know, don’t drink it.
Take a read at this sign posted on a pole in the remote town of Siwa. The list has arrows pointing to the direction of where you can find these places: -New Star Cafeteria and Restaurant -Handicraft -Garden -Sitting beside the fire -Arab sitting (Do we need directions to find an Arab sitting??)
“With us alwas the Best” …except for your spelling.
“Wellcome to Alexandria” Is it really well to come to Alexandria? I still have a couple weeks. We’ll see. 
“To Swim Here you have to be a Good Swimmer” Tell me about it. It’s like a 10 foot deep spring in the middle of the desert with bubbles floating up and green stuff everywhere. You might even die of fear from what is beneath you. (Not really. I loved swimming in it.)
“Boombeen” This was on a pair of pajamas for little kids. Apparently a new term of endearment.
“Hannah Montana” Ok. Maybe not terribly interesting except it was written in the dust of a car in the middle of no where. What’s the world coming to?
“Believe in Love the Very Opposite of Truth.” This is so deep I don’t get it but it’s on someone’s shirt right now.
Other funnies:
It’s so humid here in Alexandria. I left a box of crackers open and I came back a few hours later to mush.
It’s so humid here in Alexandria. I have ringlets sticking out of my head all the time in odd places. Probably not the hottest look in the world but luckily I’m in Egypt and every guy here thinks I’m gorgeous. I just think it’s funny.
It’s so humid here in Alexandria. Clothes wilt.
It’s been fun. We go to Sinai and Dhahab/Sharm El Sheik in a couple days.
Accosted by Germans June 29, 2009
Posted by bookncurls in A Comment, Middle East.Tags: Alexandria, Arabic, Egypt, Frankfurt, Germans, Middle East
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I was a very jet lagged American asleep on a Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt to Alexandria. I don’t know what I did but in the middle of the flight the German woman sitting behind me violently shook my seat (it felt like a mild car crash) and yelled at me in German for quite a while. The flight attendent finally came and removed her and her husband. I stayed half unconscious and figured if there was a real problem they would speak to me in English. Funny enough, it was my Syrian neighbor sitting across the aisle who stood up for me.
I like the Middle East a little more each time I come. There were a few key pieces of information between this time and the last time that I was in the Middle East that are helping me appreciate the Middle East more. For example: The streets never were supposed to be beautiful. It’s the oases inside the houses which are supposed to be beautiful. Or, I have been learning a lot more about pop culture which helps.
Needless to say speaking Arabic makes the Arab world much more accessible anyway. We’re hanging out with Egyptian girls who live in our dorm.
Oh, and Alexandria isn’t a huge tourist destination so I’ve been enjoying the relative normality of the people and the city. …and we have AC in our rooms and a sea breeze. Not as bad as I was preparing mentally for.
Middle East a little hot June 20, 2009
Posted by bookncurls in A Comment, Middle East.Tags: Alexandria, Cairo, Egypt, Middle East
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So this will be my fourth trip heading to the Middle East. I’m getting the last details tied down and thinking about what’s ahead. There’ve been well wishes and I will need them.
You kinda have to be a tough cookie as an American girl. There are guys who like to grab in Egypt. And, if you’re in Cairo, you’ll never make it on the metro during busy hours if you don’t push. (Cairo was great job training for high school.) 
Don’t even start to be flattered by things guys say to you. Yawn and walk away. Actually…they love that. (I think a lot of guys like that.) Act deaf and then if necessary, deck ‘em. Learn phrases like “Alai khaliik, ya akhi.” (God keep you my brother.) In other words—well, I’ll let you pick your own translation for that one.
Oh, and did I mention it is a little hot—ok, maybe a lot hot. I hear Alexandria is cooler than Cairo but that’s not saying much. I looked it up. This week the high is only 95 but that’s just getting started. I’m not expecting AC either. My Arab friends tell me I should at least wear sleeves to my elbows and pants to my ankles. Yikes.
Otherwise the Arab world is awesome.
Crossing the Street August 2, 2009
Posted by bookncurls in A Comment, Middle East.Tags: Alexandria, Egypt
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Someone died the other day crossing the street. This is the second person I have heard about who died crossing the street in Egypt.
Every time I cross the street in Alexandria I imagine crossing in front of a herd of charging camels running through the desert. People cross the street with cars headed straight for them. One time I was with some girls who grabbed my hand to walk into the street saying they were afraid of crossing. I thought, yeah. If you cross when a bunch of cars are headed straight for you, you should be a little scared.
But there seem to be few rules and cars rarely drive within any lines. I am happy to be alive.