verbs

we finally got to verbs today.....so I can now say "i want a million dollars" in fusha!  I know- not something to really start a coversation with- but it is a sentence with a verb, so I am happy!

class

I have a new class- this time, 2 russian students, a lady from Indonesia, one from France and another from Belgium.  And me (of course).  It is a good class, lots of laughs as we mudle through the confusion of "high Arabic."  But today we learned 5 grammar lessons and a lot of vocabulary.....I can now say, "in the living room there is a chair, a couch and a table.!"  I guess that is an improvement and better than "good morning!"

my first Rotary meeting

I went to my first Rotary meeting today in Cairo.  I sat with a doctor, a banker, a guy who manages General Motors here in Cairo, a pharmacist and an engineer.  It was a great meeting (in Egyptian Arabic, so I didn't understand all of it) about cultural changes here in Cairo and the young people that are growing up in this new environment. This is a big deal because just one generation ago there were no mobile phones and now they have internet on their cell phones....big changes in culture.  The same is true for America- but here in Cairo, 50% of the population is under 20.  This means that this new culture will quickly replace the old one.  The Rotary here in Cairo wants to find creative outlets for this new generation to use their skills to make Egypt better.  It was a great meeting- met lots of great people.   Still waiting for my host club to be sorted out......but glad to be connected with Rotarians here.

a visit to the citadel

this city is teeming with history.  It seems that everywhere you look there is something from a hundred years ago.  This picture is from a recent visit to the citadel.

peace pigeon?

Today in class we were learning all kinds of things- and one of them was the names in Arabic for a few animals.  We got to a bird and someone said, "is that a pigeon?"  and the teacher said, "no- it makes a oooo, hooo, oooo, hooo sound."  And then I said, "a dove?"  and she said, "yes!  it is a dove."   And then another student said. "so it is the same as the bird for peace?"  And the teacher said, "No - that is a pigeon for sure."  
And we all laughed.  I guess in Arabic, there is the peace pigeon.

50 pages

I finished 50 pages today in my notebook.  That means I have written 50 pages of Arabic words, letters and stuff in the last 8 days of school.  Crazy!  I think I will have to buy a new notebook soon.....wasn't expecting to do this much so fast!
But it is great- my reading and writing are improving everyday....so that is nice to have marked improvement everyday.
Now- off to more homework!

settling in

I am trying to settle in here in Cairo- but as the title of my blog states.....i am one in a city of 20 million people.....so settling in can at times be a bit difficult!  I have found the house, the grocery and the school- so I guess I am pretty settled.
I have even been able to touch base with some Rotarians and a few Rotaracters.....so, things are going well. 
School is great and I am learning a lot- so overall, a good first few weeks.
I will try and update this as often as I can- so stay tuned to hear about more adventures!