ABC's and 123's

I have been incredibly busy these past few weeks, which is great! Cairo is finally starting to grow on me; wow, never thought I'd say that. Anyway, it would have been nice if I had been able to give funny anecdotes here and there from the past month but a bullet list will have to do for now.

• Took a diving course. Passed written, failed pool dive. Will try again. I just like breathing on land while on my two feet, can you blame me?
• Met Antum, TKN from Toronto, working in Aswan. She was a lot of fun.
• Went to a Whirling Dervish show in Islamic Cairo. Brief background: Sufi Islam has been persecuted here and is looked down upon. This was purely a theatrical show and apparently they have them at many restaurants and cruise boats in the Islamic World. I am 99.9% sure Rumi turned over in his grave.
• Hurghada: beach town on the cost of the Red Sea. Very popular among the Russians. It is always SO nice to get out of Cairo. It was also amazing to wear dresses, bathing suits, shorts, etc. Definitely got a decent tan and a massage, so relaxing. Mom, I did wear sunblock, I promise!
• I have made a few Egyptian friends. We mostly argue about US-Middle East policy. Unfortunately, we, the US, have not been that great here so while I try really hard to defend, it is definitely a losing battle.
• I finally have a flat!!! It is very exciting. I still have a lot of setting up and unpacking to do, I just haven't been around to do it. Once that is done, I will post a few pictures.
  
• I'm in the process of finalizing a roommate.
• Went to see Kareem Salama in concert. He is an Egyptian, Texan country-western singer. Very weird, had a nice twang going but jammed as if he was rapping. He played at the park's small theater venue. The park is absolutely gorgeous at night, wish I had better photography skills to capture it.
  
• Have been going out A LOT. Trying to make friends and create a social network. Egyptians party way too hard for me -as a result I have been partying like it's 2005. My body can't keep up. It's fun though, a different experience. Will start taking more pictures.
  

That's all I can remember for now. Miss you all lots. Home in 1 month and 18 days!!