explanation.

One of my last days in Cairo, Skyping with my parents my mother pointed out the reality:

"Christine, what the heck is going on? Your entire blog is about food."

I explained to her the truth -- it had to be. It took two weeks of class for me to realize that my students had found my blog, and since I advertised it easily enough I know that most of my friends frequented it. What else am I allowed to write about then what I eat?

I can't say that I am struggling teaching, or that a certain student is my favorite and really stands out. I also could not write about how frustrated I was with my work, the culture, and Islam. I couldn't write about how ridiculous a custom is, how I know a student was cheating through my class (I finally caught him during the exam), or divulge the great answers I received from students on exams.

I also could not share my struggle trying to get my students understand the word 'celebrity.' Your father is not a celebrity. Unless you frequent with JLo, your friends are not celebrities. Let's list celebrities. This word will be on the final exam. Know this word.

I think the quote book is coming -- but an explanation was needed.

the list.

Julie and I are all around the apartment packing and listening to Disney tunes… but walking home tonight we agreed that my sparse blog needs one last post. Julie, of course, helped me compile this.

You know you have been in Egypt too long when:

• You spend days impressed with your new tan until you realize that it washes off in the shower.
• You feel uncomfortable speaking in the present tense and not saying “inshallah.”
• The air conditioner drip is refreshing.
• You would much rather go behind a building than use any kind of public restroom.
• You don’t even expect toilet paper, which is why you carry it in your purse.
• You spend a longer time asking what fruit juices they have than it takes you to down your asseer manga.
• You are terrified of going back to the States and actually having to match your clothes again.
• It doesn’t matter if you haven’t slept, showered, or are smiling -- regardless, you are sexy and hollered at.
• You constantly find yourself talking about the inconsiderate jerks right in front of you -- in English, so they can’t understand.
• You walk in the street, to avoid the dozens of obstructions on the sidewalk.
• Your snot runs black from all the pollution (thanks, Julie).
• You are the self appointed informant to let the Australian tourists know the reason they are getting the stink eye in the Metro is because they are on the women’s only car.
• You buy scabes medication in anticipation of contracting it from hostels/couches/people.
• The watermelon man with his donkey no longer interests you, but camels will never get old.
• You feel bad for the tourists who consistently get ripped off and scammed.
• You have no desire for papyrus. You are too aware of the whole scam.
• Sometimes you say ‘mea mea’ just to make cab driver/waiter/salesman love you.
• Insect repellent is your perfume. Sunscrean is your make up.
• You find it impossible to have full conversations in English. Thank-you has permently been replaced with ‘shukran’ and yes with ‘iowa’ (which is always long, drawn out, and flamboyant).
• You can completely decipher what the cab driver is saying just by the way he honks his horn.

Egypt has been great, but I am so happy to go home.