In 1979, my family and I left about 60 relatives and a fascinating culture that I later knew only through vague memories, pictures and stories. This semester was my chance to really know my family and Egypt. Of course, since my home life was Egyptian, all my family is Christian and I speak Arabic, it was easy to know and adjust to my family here in Egypt. My mom was right, each aunt and uncle was like another mom and dad to me. The city, on the other hand, is anything but predictable.
Everyday encounters are remarkably random.
A little boy on a donkey is bouncing on the street alongside a black Mercedes. A Muslim mom is praying on a mat on the sidewalk. Street kids are sitting on the back bumper of a car, enjoying free transportation. Cars are weaving around each other as Egyptian music beats and jangles out a window. After a wonderful summer developing relationships with my family, improving my Arabic and getting used to Egypt, MESP began.