In Zamalek!

Hello! So finally we are here in Cairo- our airport journey was even better due to the fact that we met a girl in the Chicago airport named Mary who is also going to AUC (the American University of Cairo) this fall from Wisconsin. Our first view of Cairo from the airplane even included a glimpse of the pyramids through the haze that is the pollution of Cairo. Last night we got into the airport around 6:30 and were picked up by people sent by AUC  and were taken to our dorm, on the Nile island called Zamalek, which is apparently an area where a lot of international embassies and therefore has more of a european feel to it. I am in a triple and right now it is only me and my new friend Clare (from St. Thomas in Minnesota!). One of the male RAs took us right away to get Egyptian cell phones and then we got some food at the grocery store, unpacked, then went to sleep.
This next morning a big group of us met down in the lobby and wandered around zamalek for a while and ended up at the Cairo Museum on the main land. This was such a great introduction to Egypt- a stroll through modern day Cairo then a taste of the ancient history Egypt is so well known for. This is the month of Ramadan, wherein muslims do not eat or drink during daylight hours, quite and impressive practice. However, being a tourist and a christian, it is tricky to stay hydrated while seeing the sights. They say not to drink Cairo water but i'm not so sure about that...

The Nile and the island of Zamalek

Some of the group on our journey across the Nile

Cairo Museum

Now we are back at the dorm and have a bit of down time before an organized lunch in the dorm cafeteria at 4, after which we get a tour of the dorm and then at some point we will go on a felluca (type of boat) ride in the nile.