So here we are after the anniversary of the revolution the last couple of days for orientation were much less hands on and direct involvement and activities that the school provided so a couple of friends and I got to go ahead and explore the city we will be living in for a while.
One thing to know about Cairo is that like man big cities it of course has many different sections. Another thing to know about Egypt is the fact that im not exactly sure about the dates but a couple years ago the government took a census and realized that almost all the population of Egypt some 80 million live on about 3% of the land. The land of course right around the Nile the only arable land that can be found. But as of recently they have been trying to push the people out and building many new residential areas so that the population will eventually be spread out over 20% of the land. Which is a lofty goal considering most of that land is just barren desert. The AUC campus is in a newer developing region called New Cairo and unfortunetly since most of it is under construction the life out here is pretty quiet. But some of the older campus buildings are still in Egypt at the Tahrir Square campus and the dorms in the Zamalek region. Which is an island on the Nile.
So the end of registration we went and explored Zamalek which is one of the more affluent areas in cairo. It is full of embassies the opera house and further on the south side the bridge to Tahrir square. Its has a pretty western feel to it but it was nice to explore the place. Since life on campus has been silent. We also went to another district further outside of downtown Cairo called Rehab (Reh hab, not re-hab) which was a fun little market nice Lebanese food and some great juices that Egypt is apparently famous for. The mango juices are awesome.
One thing to know about Cairo is that like man big cities it of course has many different sections. Another thing to know about Egypt is the fact that im not exactly sure about the dates but a couple years ago the government took a census and realized that almost all the population of Egypt some 80 million live on about 3% of the land. The land of course right around the Nile the only arable land that can be found. But as of recently they have been trying to push the people out and building many new residential areas so that the population will eventually be spread out over 20% of the land. Which is a lofty goal considering most of that land is just barren desert. The AUC campus is in a newer developing region called New Cairo and unfortunetly since most of it is under construction the life out here is pretty quiet. But some of the older campus buildings are still in Egypt at the Tahrir Square campus and the dorms in the Zamalek region. Which is an island on the Nile.
So the end of registration we went and explored Zamalek which is one of the more affluent areas in cairo. It is full of embassies the opera house and further on the south side the bridge to Tahrir square. Its has a pretty western feel to it but it was nice to explore the place. Since life on campus has been silent. We also went to another district further outside of downtown Cairo called Rehab (Reh hab, not re-hab) which was a fun little market nice Lebanese food and some great juices that Egypt is apparently famous for. The mango juices are awesome.
I really hope to get to visit some of the other parts of Cairo soon. We have a pyramids trip this friday and i finally really got a view of them on the bus ride into Zamalek. I was giddy to say the least. But there is yet so much to see in Cairo like the Saladin Citadel Khan El-Khalili which is just a chaotic market place, cairo tower, the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, so much to see. One thing is for sure is that here i feel like i learn everyday about culture the city and i guess just a different perspective on life in general. So far im glad that i went to such a unique location and also i thought not knowing anyone would be a problem but i guess its just made me meet even more people that i probably would have. Well thats all really for now. Until next time.
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