Allow Me To Present...

Pictures! Yup, one of the added bonuses of having our own internet is that I am actually able to post pictures to things. So, here's the Shutterfly slideshow, conveniently located in this post. I haven't totally figured out this Shutterfly thing, but I think this link should always bring you to my share site, even if I post new pictures onto it. Unfortunately, I'm honestly not sure. I think it's weird that the website doesn't allow you to be constantly upgrading and editing published albums, but maybe I just haven't figured out how yet.

In other news, today's a day off for us - we were supposed to be doing some kind of field trip, but that got relocated to tomorrow and, since they'd already canceled with the secondary volunteer sites (for me, Ana al-Misri), Zoe and Ustaz Lo decided we deserved a day off. So, last night we went on a late-night faluka ride on the Nile (complete with our speakers and lots of singing) after watching the World Cup game at the Hard Rock Cafe, and today we're just relaxing (maybe shopping...?). But enjoy the pictures!

The Other Side of the Mediterranean

A mere twenty-four hours in Alexandria was far, far too little, but I managed to cram in some intense sea food, night shopping, a complimentary breakfast fit for a queen, a morning walk along the Mediterranean, plenty of shopping, a walk along the beach near the palace of the last king of Egypt, a Greek buffet, the magical library of Alexandria, and a brief visit to the Citadel. So it was a busy twenty-four hours if nothing else!

The Mediterranean is beautiful everywhere, though. I woke up early Friday morning to walk along the wall separating the city and the sea, and it was absolutely blissful. Friday is a weekend here, so Friday morning found the city peacefully quiet and empty, except for the fishermen and a few passerby. It was so nice to take a break from all the hustle and bustle of Cairo and Egyptian life and all our work here to have some reflection time in the sea breeze, and I even got rained on! Egyptian rain is a rare thing, so it was a special occasion.

It was also nice to play tourist again after a few weeks of non-stop work. Shopping for souvenirs and gifts was really cool, and I bought myself a new skirt to wear here (and sunglasses since mine broke last week).

And the library! I know, I'm a bit of a book nerd (only a bit?), but I thought it was the coolest thing I had ever seen. And for it to be an open, public library as well as a museum and attraction and everything else is absolutely amazing. It was just SO cool.