So, I did things yesterday, but I didn't write. Mostly because I was so tired. I haven't been sleeping well. I'm not sure why. I'll go to bed exhausted and still not fall asleep for ages.
But anyway, I'm finally well enough to start going out again in earnest, as in for more than a sandwich from a little fast food place. I even stopped at the Alexandria Library with Tamar yesterday on my way back to lunch. I didn't pay the outrageous prices to go in, but I bought an interesting looking book from the gift shop, as well as a souvenir or two.
In the evening, Tamar and I wanted to make the most of our last days in Alexandria, and she needed to buy a second suitcase for her souvenirs, so we decided to go out for dinner and then go shopping. Before we left Texas, Ustaaza Radwa told us about an amazing little Italian Restaurant right next to the Opera House, and I'd been anxious to try it out, especially after two months of nothing but repetitive Egyptian food, so we decided to go there.
I didn't know where it was exactly, so we went to the Opera House and started wandering from there. Eventually we had to ask for directions, but it was a nice part of town, and when we asked we were nearly on top of it anyway. Problem was, for some reason it was closed. Disappointed, we started heading back to Muhammad Ahmed, which is always a good back up, but got hungry along the way. So when we passed a Little Caesar's, we ducked in there instead. It almost counts as Italian, right?
Anyway, the Little Caesar's was very similar to those in America. We got two medium veggie pizzas that we nearly finished because we'd skipped lunch, and a small order of bread sticks. The pizza was almost exactly the same, the bread sticks were entirely different. They looked like thick bricks when they came, but they were very light and fluffy, and covered in these flavorful spices that no American pizza place has ever come close to. Still, it was a very American meal.
Afterward, we took the tram to Ibrahimiyya, one of the big shopping districts. There's a general store there that takes credit cards, and Tamar wanted to use it to buy her suitcase. On the way to the store though, we passed the Ibrahimiyya Mall, which I knew to have some of the souvenir items I was still in need of. Tamar indulged me while I ducked in an bought out the entire mall, and then we continued on our way.
At Fathala, the general store, there wasn't a great selection of suitcases. All the big ones had hard shells, and were therefore pretty heavy to begin with. Eventually, Tamar settled on a bag that looked like a mini-hummer, mostly because of it's cute factor more than its functionality.
I on the other hand bought a few more souvenir items. Gifts, as well as a toy Ramadan Fanous (lamp). It needs batteries, but I figure I can get those when I get back to the U.S. I also stumbled upon the Harry Potter books in Fathala's book section, but they only had numbers 2-5, and I can't buy them for Habiba out of order. I got her two and three anyway, and I'm hoping to find one before I leave.
After shopping, we returned to the dorms. It was pretty late, and we had a final to study for. Still, I didn't get started right away. Instead, I made plans for Laura's arrival and planned my packing strategy for the next few days. When I eventually did get down to studying, I realized something terrible.
I didn't have any of my notes.
A lot of restaurants in Alexandria are very cafe like, meaning it would be appropriate to study in them. As such, Tamar and I had planned ahead and brought study materials with us in her purse for the Italian restaurant. When out plans got side tracked we forgot all about them, and by the time I remembered late that night she was already asleep.
I didn't want to wake her, so I tried to go to bed instead. It didn't work. I finally got a few hours of sleep, woke up, showered, put a band aid on my still open wound, and went to class. I'm almost glad I didn't study, because the final was simple. There was one question I wasn't too sure on, but studying wouldn't have helped with it, so I think it was better I rested anyway.
I had my OPI scheduled for today at 2:00, and because getting back to the dar by 2:00 after lunch can sometimes be cutting it close, I decided to skip lunch and work instead. The OPI went fine, and I napped in the dar afterwards. Hadir texted me last night saying she'd be stopping by, so I had the same hang ups about waiting around the room as last time.
I set my phone alarm for six, woke up, and walked back to the dorms for dinner. At dinner, I made plans to go out to a hookah shop with Meghan because I still needed a few pieces for the set bought for the Arabic House. It's lucky I had plans though, because just as I was finishing up eating, Hadir called. She didn't have her key and needed me to let her into the room. So I did, but then I had an excuse to leave.
It wouldn't have mattered anyway, because she didn't stay. She was just dropping off her suitcase for tomorrow, when she really intends to pack. She brought me another gift too. A book from a conference she went to. It's in Arabic, so that's good, but it's all sciencey and I'm a bit worried I won't understand any of it.
Anyway, I went to the hookah shop, got what I needed, and returned pretty quickly. I then proceeded to sit in my room and procrastinate. I have a presentation tomorrow for my final exam in Media Arabic that I haven't started, but at the very least I've gathered the vocabulary words I intend to use in it, so that's something.
On a side note, I made a big mistake today. Before I left America, Mom bought me this gorgeous pair of black slacks, and as of yet I hadn't had a chance to wear them in Egypt, mostly because they're long and require heals. Today, considering I only have a few days left, I decided to wear them with the only pair of heals I have here.
I don't know if it's because I lost weight or what, but the shoes fit differently than they did the last time I wore them, and the short walk to the University rubbed my feet raw. I went barefoot in the dar, but that's definitely not an option in the street, and after the walk back after my nap, I'm pretty sure there's more skin off my feet than on. I changed my shoes before I went shopping of course, but the damage had been done. Oh blisters...
That's about it for the last two days. I should really try to get that presentation done before Laura gets here. The dorm administrator is letting her stay here for ten dollars a night, including meals, which is a pretty sweet deal. Anyway, I'll try to write for you all tomorrow or the next day or something.
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