Sunday, July 27, 2008
Cairo Cab Ride
Visitors to Cairo usually describe the traffic as "terrifying." The streets are packed with cars, and there seem to be no rules about how they should behave. There are white lines painted on the roads, but everyone ignores them. There are traffic lights on many corners, flashing from red to green, but nobody pays attention to them.
Veterinarian Sameh Abdel-Fatah describes navigating the streets of Cairo as a very bitter experience.
"There are no rules, just people and cars everywhere, and traffic, traffic, traffic," he says.
I didn't film during the peak hours of traffic. This video was taken around 2:00 in the afternoon. I wanted viewers to get a feel for the pedestrian game of "Frogger" going on while we drive through the city.
(Disclaimer): No pedestrians were injured during the taping of this video. Have a nice day.
Cairo Subway
"Traffic in Cairo is notorious. It can sometimes take hours to drive from one side of the massive city to the other. But the city is also home to Africa's only subway system, one that is surprisingly modern, clean and efficient, especially compared to the chaos on the streets."
My next video will show you the "chaos of the streets."
Saturday, July 26, 2008
The Beach in Alexandria
At the end of the video I also show the private beach.
The Sounds of Cairo
Watch and listen as I say extremely loud.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Alabastor Household
This home was right around the bend from the Temple of Hatshepsut. So our guide made their house and business part of our tour.
Watch the video when I go into the basement. The basement is actually an ancient tomb. This family, along with other families built their homes around old tombs. This is how many archaeologists found significant sites. They asked the native Egyptians whether they had seen anything resembling an ancient hole in the ground. The indigenous people often have lived their daily lives around tombs or archaeological landmarks for thousands of years. So to them, that hole in the ground is their basement, or a landmark on their way to work.
In the case of this family, the tomb is their basement/storeroom. You can see an oven and some of their grandfathers old clothes.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Realization
So, I think that I have fully covered the tourist attractions of Egypt and will now focus my efforts on the daily lives of Egyptians. The truth is that the pyramids and temples are national treasures that bring in a lot of revenue for the people of Egypt. However, the reality of today is Egypt and Cairo especially are societies that are facing very modern problems. Overcrowding, poverty, political corruption, polution, environmental concerns, and economic vitality in a global economy are among a few of the Egyptian concerns.
Therefore, I am going to try and capture these realities on video for all of you. I know, these aren't as fun as pyramids and camels, but I think that I would be commiting a huge injustice to the people of Egypt if I continued to perpetuate the images conveyed by such movies as "The Mummy" and "Sahara." Nothing against those movies, you just need a more contemporary images to take away from our trip.
Thank you for listening to my rant and I'll post again soon.
Erik
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Temple of Hatshepsut
We're literally right around the corner from the Valley of the Kings. You can even see the pyramid shaped hill in the background of the temple.
I also take a good shot of the Nile River Valley at the end of the video. It gives you a great perspective on how the Nile acts as a vein of fertility in the region. On each side of the Nile there is a small green belt and beyond that there is only desert.
So the quote by Herodotus that " Egypt is truly a gift of the Nile", could not be more appropriate.
Valley of the Kings
I visited four tombs including King Tut's Tomb. Very interesting, but extremely hot. One tomb was huge, but it had no ventilation so it felt like 130 degrees inside.
King Tutankhamen's tomb was small, but still had the mummy of Tutankhamen inside. We also saw the Tutankhamen exhibit at the Cairo Museum last week.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Trip to Philae Temple
We visited a lot of temples this week. Here we are at the Temple at Philae. It is an extremely interesting temple because it was submerged below water for approximately 40-50 years. This occurred after the high dam at Aswan was built and flooded many historical sites. It is only through the efforts of an international group that $40 million was raised to bring the temple stone by stone to an island nearby. There were about 47,000 pieces that were brought out from below the water and reassembled.
I also filmed two Egyptian men singing for the camera and then later I attempt to get them to sing again. You can't hear us talking, but I am basically asking them to describe the song and sing it again. They never sing again, but they do say, "America good" several times.
Someone in our group commented that it is odd to see an American talking to two Egyptians in galabias on a 2,000 year old temple column.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Our Trip to Luxor
- -The Temple at Karnak
- -The Valley of the Kings
- -The Temple at Luxor
- -The Temple of Hatshepsut
- -The Temple at Edfu
- - The Temple of Philae
We came back to Cairo by train this morning.
Monday, July 14, 2008
How Egyptians feel about America
- Here is a lecture given by Dr. Iman Hamdy. I edited down to a couple of minutes, but it gives you an understanding of how Egyptians differentiate between our current administration and the American people. This is the best representation of the attitudes of people in this region and Muslims in general about the war in Iraq.
Watch the whole video, it's worth your time. I also understand that the audio is a little low. You can hear all of her words with headphones.
A couple of facts about how we are tied to Egypt economically:
- The U.S. has 5 Billion Dollars in investments in Egypt
- 40% of Egyptian textiles are sold in America
- The United States is the leading trade partner with Egypt
So our armed guards and police escorts aren't much of a surprise when put into the context of these economic numbers.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Welcome to Posting Comments
Erik
Suez Canal Pt. 3
Also, be sure to watch this video all the way to the end. We pass over a bridge dedicated by the Japanese that passes right over the canal. You can see the ships lined up and headed for the Mediteranean from the Red Sea. This really gives you a great perspective on how the canal works.
Suez Canal Part 2
The ships that we see are massive and the captain actually takes us into the canal.
The Suez Canal Part 1
Bedouin Market Place Al Arish
We were only about 50 miles from the Gaza Strip in Israel, and we were all put a little out of our comfort zone (I can't believe Cairo is our comfort zone now, but it is). Al Arish is nothing like Sharm al-Sheikh (Last weekends destination). Sharm al Sheik is where the rich and Europeans go to vacation. Al Arish is where people and families from Cairo go to vacation. So it was unusual for them to see westerners in this predominantly "locals only" city. Nobody was rude to us, however there were a lot of locals giving us the "stink eye." It wasn't to the point of hostility, but you can tell that a lot of locals were saying to themselves, "Is there no escaping these tourists!?" And I do want to point out that this never happens in Cairo. In Cairo, foreigners are so much a part of the city that they don't even give you a second look. I take that back, they give you a second look, but it's only because we might as well be wearing a giant money symbol on our back. And I don't say that with any blame at all. Because after watching this video, you can see how great we have it in America. We do have all the money in the world compared to a huge percent of the Egyptian population. But we do bring a lot of money to this marketplace and many of you will be receiving souvenirs from here.
The Bedouin can be compared to the Native Americans in America. Most of them still live within a tribal system and don't necessarily associate themselves with national politics. They prefer to keep their ancient system of rules and traditions. The Egyptian government will take land away from the Bedouin to make way for new settlements, go back on their promises, and then the Bedouin will retaliate with small acts of violence (Sound Familiar history fans).
Sorry about the bouncing video. I had to walk with the camera by my side because the locals get a little irritated when you video tape them. Rightfully so, I'd be annoyed to if someone came to my town with a police escort, sirens blaring and started filming me shopping.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Along the Nile and McDonalds
Watch the traffic as I talk on the bridge over the Nile. Traffic here is truly insane. And I know you may think I am exaggerating so I will film a taxi cab ride on a later video.
I also filmed children swimming in the Nile which is also insane. There is a virus in the Nile called Bilharzia and it is supposed to be contracted from swimming in the Nile. But don't worry, nobody in our group has any plans for swimming in the Nile.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Pyramids Tour July 1, 2008
It was 100 pounds (20 dollars) to go into the largest pyramid (Khufu pyramid). This pyramid costs more because it contains the longest inside passageway, the grand gallery and the burial chamber. So there is a lot to see inside, but it is difficult to maneuver. Most people don't take this tour because of the cramped passageways and difficult climbing inside. It is also extremely hot by the time you get to the burial chamber at the top of the passageway. There is no moving air. So when we are being interviewed on the video, I am about to pass out from heat exhaustion.
Camel Ride
It's funny, our security guard after the ride says, "Bedouins bad! ahg."
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Saqqara Pyramid
Erik
Technical Difficulties
Sorry that there have been no videos posted as of yet. Turns out that Cairo isn't the easiest place to get internet access. Plus we have been very busy as a group. So that makes it very difficult to edit and post my videos. However, there are a lot of videos to post already. Yesterday, we visited the oldest stone structure in the world, and the Great Pyramids. So I already have great footage of these sites. I also have footage of me, Paul, Dan, Matt and Tristan riding camels. So please stay tuned and I'll try to have three videos up by tomorrow.
Erik
Sunday, June 29, 2008
We're Here
Just wanted to let you all know that we arrived safe and sound in Cairo. It was a long day and we're all happy to be here. Cairo looks a lot like Las Vegas at night. Just more humid. We all feel very safe, so rest assured that this country really appreciates our business. Tomorrow is a pretty uneventfull day, just getting settled. I should have a video up by Tuesday. Talk to you soon, Erik
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Jakob's Talent Show
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Egypt Introduction Video
What's that?.......... You don't know anything about Egypt?........... Watch this video and get acquainted.
Erik
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Fullbright-Hays Group Project Itinerary
I wanted to make my first post of the blog the agenda for my trip to Egypt. View my daily schedule below (I will be flying out of Denver International Airport on June 28, 2008):
Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad Program
Summer 2008
On-site Seminar Program and Itinerary
WEEK I
June 28 (Saturday) 5:30 pm 8:15 pm
Depart from Denver
Meet at DIA and group check in.
Lv Denver via BA #218
June 29 - (Sunday)
12:10 pm - Arrive London Heathrow
5:45 pm Lv - Heathrow via BA 155
June 30 - (Monday)
12:25 am -Arrive Cairo. Check in Hotel Marwa
7:30 – 9:00 -Breakfast*
9:00 – 12 -Free Morning Lunch
12:30 – 2:00 -Briefing by Fulbright staff
4:00 – 5:30- Lecture: Ancient Egypt Treasures: Process of Continuous Discoveries – Dr. Zahi Hawas, Head of the Supreme Council of Antiquities
6:00 – 7:30 - Dinner
Overnight Cairo - July 1 (Tuesday)
7:30 – 8:30 - Breakfast*
9:00 – 5:00 - Excursion: Giza & Saqqara
7:30 – 9:00 - Lecture: Christianity and Citizenship Rights in Egypt – Samir Morkosa, Coptic Center for Social Studies
9:00 - Dinner
Overnight Cairo - July 2 (Wednesday)
7:30 – 8:30 - Breakfast*
9:00 – 1:00 - Excursion: Old Cairo and Coptic Sites
Lunch
1:00 – 5:00 - Curriculum Development
5:30 – 7:00 - Lecture: Islam in Egypt: Theory & Practice – Dr. Zaki Hammad, Professor of Sharia’ , Al Azhar University
7:30 – 9:00 - Lecture: Islamic Art & Architecture – Dr. Lobna Sherif, Professor of Architechture, faculty of Engineering, Ain Shams University
9:00 - Dinner
Overnight Cairo July 3 (Thursday)
7:30 – 8:30 - Breakfast*
9:00 – 5:00 - Excursion: Islamic Sites
7:00 – 8:30 - Survival Arabic – Mrs. Mona Kemal, Director, Center for Arabic Study Abroad, The Amercian University of Cairo
9:00 - Dinner
Overnight Cairo July 4 (Friday)
7:30 – 8:30
9:00 – 10:30
11:00 – 5:00
Evening
Breakfast*
Class Meeting
Curriculum Development
Independence Day Picnic
July 5
(Saturday)
7:30 – 8:30
9:00 –12:00
12:00 – 1:00
1:00 – 5:00
Evening
Breakfast*
Curriculum Development
Lunch
Excursion: Khan Khalil Bazaar and Al Azhar Park
Dinner
Evaluation #1
Overnight Cairo
WEEK II
July 6
(Sunday)
8:00 – 9:00
9:00 – 12:00
Rest of the day
Breakfast*
Excursion – Egyptian Museum
Free Day (Recommended activities: Zoo, camel market, Meidun pyramid, al-Faiyum)
Overnight Cairo
July 7
(Monday)
7:00 – 8:00
9:00 – 10:30
11:00 –12:30
12:30 – 1:45
2:00 – 4:30
Evening
Breakfast*
Lecture: Geography and Environmental Issues – Dr. Hany Hamroush, Scientific Affairs Specialist, US Embassy and Part time Professor of Geology, the American university of Cairo
Lecture: Education Reform Issues in Egypt – Dr. Iman S. El-Kaffass, Associate Dean and Executive Director of Diversity Scholarship & Leadership for Education and Development Program, (AUC)
Lunch
Visit a School/University – To be arranged
Dinner
Overnight Cairo
July 8
(Tuesday)
7:30 – 8:30
9:00 –10:30
10:30-12:30
12:30 – 2:00
2:00 – 4:30
5:00 – 6:30
7:00 8:30
9:00
Breakfast*
Class Meeting
Visit American University Campus
Lunch
Curriculum Development
Lecture: Modern Egypt: British Colonization, Independence and 1973 War, Dr. Assem El Desouki, Professor of Modern History, Cairo University
Lecture: Bedouin Cultures and Variations between Egyptian Culture and those of Other Arab Countries – Dr. Abdallah Cole, Professor of Anthropology, (AUC)
Dinner
Overnight Cairo
July 9
(Wednesday)
7:30 – 8:30
9:00
11:00 – 1:00
1:00 – 2:30
3:00 – 5:30
7:30 – 9:00
Breakfast*
Depart for Suez Canal by bus
Excursion: Suez Canal
Lunch
Travel to El Arish
Dinner
Overnight El Arish
July 10
(Thursday)
7:30 – 8:30
9:00 – 11:30
12:00 – 1:30
Afternoon
8:00
Breakfast*
Excursion: Bedouin Market
Lunch
Curriculum Development
Dinner
Overnight Al Arish
July 11
(Friday)
7:30 – 8:30
9:00 – 11:00
Afternoon
Evening
Breakfast*
Lecture/Excursion: Environmental Development in Sinai
Lunch and Depart for Cairo – Dr. Samir Ghoneim, Head of Mari Culture Research Center, Suez Canal University
Arrive Cairo
Overnight Cairo
July 12
(Saturday)
7:30 – 8:30
9:00 – 12:00
12:30 – 2:00
2:00 – 5:00
5:30 – 7:00
7:30 – 9:00
9:00
Breakfast*
Excursion: Museum of Islamic Art
Lunch
Curriculum Development
Lecture: Contemporary Egyptian Family Issues – Dr. Madiha El Safty, Professor of Sociology, (AUC)
Roundtable Discussion with Women Leaders –
Zeinab Shahin, Professor of Sociology (AUC),
Hoda el Saada, Professor of English Literature, Cairo university; and Dr. Heba Raouf, Muslim Women Intellectual
Evaluation #2
Dinner
Overnight Cairo
WEEK III
July 13
(Sunday)
7:30 – 8:30
9:00 – 10:30
11:00- 12:30
12:30 – 2:00
2:00 – 5:30
6:00 – 7:00
Evening
Breakfast*
Lecture: System of Government in Egypt and Constitutional Amendments – Dr. Mohamed Kamal, Professor of Political Science, Faculty of Economics and Political Science, Cairo University
Lecture: The Egyptian Economy – Dr. Gouda Abed el Khalek, Professor of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Political Science, Cairo University
Lunch
Curriculum Development
Class meeting
Dinner
Overnight Cairo
July 14
(Monday)
7:30 – 8:30
9:00 – 10:30
11:00- 12:30
12:30 – 1:00
1:00 – 2:00
2:00 – 5:00
5:00
Breakfast*
Lecture: U.S. – Egyptian Relations – Embassy Representative
Lecture: The U.S. in the Eyes of Egyptians – Dr. Abdul El Moneim El Mashaat, Professor of Political Science, Cairo Universiy
Check out of hotel
Lunch
Curriculum Development
Depart for Luxor via train
Dinner* and overnight on train
July 15
(Tuesday)
5:30 – 6:00
6:30
9:00 – 12:00
12:30 – 2:00
2:00 -6:00
Evening
Breakfast* on train
Arrive Luxor
Excursion: Luxor
Lunch*
Excursion: Temples of Karnak and Luxor
Dinner* and optional sound and light show at Temple of Karnak
Overnight Luxor
July 16
(Wednesday)
6:30 – 7:30
7:30 – 12:30
1:00 – 2:30
Afternoon
Evening
Breakfast*
Excursion: Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon
Lunch*
Depart Luxor via boat
Dinner* and overnight on boat
July 17
(Thursday)
7:30 – 8:30
9:00 – 11:00
12:30 – 2:00
2:00 – 4:00
6:00 – 7:00
Evening
Breakfast*
Excursion: Temple of Edfu
Lunch*
Excursion: Temple of Kom Ombo
Class Meeting
Dinner* and Overnight boat
July 18
(Friday)
7:30 – 8:30
8:00 – 12:00
12:30 – 2:00
3:00 – 5:30
Evening
Breakfast*
Excursion: Temple of Philae and High Dam
Lunch*
Excursion: Elephantine Island
Dinner and Overnight boat
July 19
(Saturday)
6:30 – 7:30
8:00 – 5:00
5:30
Breakfast*
Optional Excursion to Temple of Abu Simbel
Depart for Cairo.
Dinner* and overnight on train
Evaluation #3
Week IV
July 20
(Sunday)
6:00
7:00
9:00 – 12:00
12:30 –2:00
2:30 – 3:30
Evening
Breakfast* on train
Arrive Cairo. Check in hotel
Curriculum Development
Lunch
Class Meeting
Dinner and overnight Cairo
July 21
(Monday)
7:30 – 8:30
9:00 – 10:30
11:0 – 12:30
12:30 – 2:00
2:00 – 5:00
Evening
Breakfast*
Lecture: Egyptian Literature: A Post-colonial Reading of Contemporary Egyptian Literature – Dr. Areeg Ibrahim, Professor of Comparative Literature, Faculty of Arts, Helwan University
Lecture: Freedom of Press and Media in Egypt in an open Skies Era – Mr. Hesham Kassem, Former Publisher of Al Masry Al Youm and Cairo Times newspapers
Lunch
Curriculum Development
Dinner and overnight in Cairo
July 22
(Tuesday)
7:30 – 8:30
9:00
3:00
Evening
Breakfast*
Depart for Alexandria by bus
Arrive Alexandria. Check in hotel
Dinner and overnight in Alexandria
July 23
(Wednesday)
7:30 – 8:30
9:00 – 1:00
1:00 – 2:30
2:30 – 5:00
Evening
Breakfast*
Excursion: Historical Sites of Alexandria
Lunch
Excursion: Greco-Roman Museum
Dinner and overnight Alexandria
July 24
(Thursday)
8:00 – 9:00
9:00 – 1:00
1:00 – 2:30
2:30 – 5:30
6:00 – 7:00
Evening
Breakfast*
Excursion: Historical Sites of Alexandria Continued
Lunch
Curriculum Development
Class Meeting
Dinner and Overnight Alexandra
July 25
(Friday)
7:30 – 8:30
9:00 – 10:30
11:00 – 1:00
1:00 – 2:30
2:30 – 5:30
Evening
Breakfast*
Lecture: Alexandria: Revival of Bibliotheca Alexandria – Dr. Serag El Dean, Head, Biblioteca Alexandrina
Excursion: Alexandria Library
Lunch
Curriculum Development
Dinner and overnight Alexandria
July 26
(Saturday)
8:00 – 9:00
9:00
1:00
3:00
6:00 – 7:00
Evening
Breakfast*
Depart for Cairo
Lunch
Arrive Cairo
Class Meeting
Evaluation #4
Dinner and overnight Cairo
Week V
July 27
(Sunday)
8:00 – 9:00
9:00 –3:00
3:30 – 5:00
5:30 – 7:00
Evening
Breakfast*
Curriculum Development
Lecture: The Arab League – Mr. Hisham Youssef, Chief of Cabinet, Arab League
Lecture: Challenges to Development – Seheir Kansouh –Habib, Development Strategic Planner and Development Practitioner and Program Administrator
Dinner and overnight Cairo
July 28
(Monday)
7:30 – 8:30
9:00 – 10:30
11 – 1:00
1:00 – 4:00
Evening
Breakfast*
Class Meeting
Lunch
Curriculum Development
Dinner and overnight Cairo
July 29
(Tuesday)
8:00 – 9:00
9:30 – 11:00
11:00 – 1:00
1:30 – 4:30
Evening
Breakfast*
Class Meeting
Lunch
Curriculum Development
Thank you reception with Fulbright staff. Overnight Cairo
July 30
(Wednesday)
8:00 – 9:00
Rest of the day
Breakfast*
Prepare to leave Egypt
Evaluation #5
Depart for airport after dinner
July 31
(Thursday)
6:00 am
8:35 am
11:35 am
3:45 pm
6:25 pm
Check in for return flight to Denver BA #154
Lv Cairo
Arr Heathrow
Lv Heathrow via BA #21
Arrive to Colorado
*Indicates pre-paid group meals.
My plan is to use this blog as a place that everyone may go to view videos and pictures from my trip to Egypt.
Erik