Some Stuff

My stress has been manifesting itself in very strange ways recently- it has become more physical than anything else really. For example, today I had a really weird stress-induced day of nothing. I woke up early to go to New Campus to get some administrative stuff done (visa stuff and activating my buss pass), but when I woke up, I was greeted with a panic attack. And I was worried about things that I KNEW were irrational- but for some reason I stopped myself from going to New Campus. Instead, I decided that Iwas going to get a bunch of reading out of the way. So, I set myself up in the living room to get some work done…. And then I fell asleep until 4. I was talking to Jenny about it, and apparently things like this are normal. Regardless of whether I’m feeling it emotionally (or rather, letting myself feel it emotionally), I have been a fish out of water for over a month- and my entire self is still adjusting.

In terms of Visa stuff- I am officially on an over-extended visa! I will have to go to the Mugamma (State department building I think? It’s where they do all of the passport and visa stuff), which is across the street from campus, and pay an extra fine to get my student visa. Oh well, apparently its only like 60LE (around $12). If I DON’T take care of it, apparently all that happens is they hold you up in the airport, you slip some $$ to the guys, and go on your merry way. Don’t worry Mom, I’m going to get it sorted out. At the Mugamma, you go through the lines, fill out the paperwork, and then they tell you to come back in a few hours. Apparently if you get there first thing in the morning, the whole process is done by 1 or 2.

This weekend, I went to Khan Il Khalili- the traditional market in Cairo. It was your standard souk- the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul was MUCH more intense, but there were still the merchants trying to screw you out of money, the catcalls of “Hey Sir, I don’t know what you’re looking for but I probably have it!” and the cute kids trying to get you to go to THEIR shop instead of going to the other cute kid’s shop. I went with my Egyptian American friend Nedda, so it was nice bartering with an Arab by my side. It lends an air of legitimacy, no? Anyway, we picked up a couple Shisha pipes- one for her, and one for a birthday gift for Jenny, and only paid 85LE for each, or about $17. According to Nedda, that was STILL a little much! Afterwards, we went to a rooftop café with some awesome views- it was a very good night!

In my search of looking for things to do, I have sent several emails to people, and have yet to receive any responses. So… still not doing a whole lot. In the meantime, I’m going to start going to New Campus on Sundays and Thursdays to be in the library and to go to the gym. That will at least be something.