2 days to Cairo

So, here I am starting my first ever blog online. I kind of thought I would never do this, but after thinking about how many different people I would like to keep updated while I am in Egypt this semester... yes. It makes sense.

As most of you reading this probably know, I will be spending this fall semester in Egypt for my SST (Study Service Term) through Goshen College. This means I'll be with 18 other people from my school for 3 months, plunging into a new culture, a new place, and a new language.  The first half of the term I will be studying in Cairo, and beyond that, I really know very little about what I'll be doing.

I also happen to know very little Arabic (yes, even after taking 2 whole semesters of it).  Thus, I could not think of a better title than "Ismee Raychuul", which, loosely transliterated, means "My name is Rachel."  I'm afraid that might be all I'll be confident enough to say when I arrive in Cairo, since I managed to lose 4 of my 5 Arabic books during the summer and therefore did not brush up on even my very lacking bit of skills!  I only hope I'm exaggerating... we'll see.

And by the way, since I am new to blogging and short on time, I decided to go with a pre-made template rather than design my own. Just so happened that there is one that looks suspiciously like SAND!!  How cliche for an Egypt blog. But I had to have it.

Stay tuned for a real update in the next week or two-- we arrive in Cairo on Friday afternoon, or early Friday morning for most of you.  (and please still write individual e-mails to me if you would like!  rachelcf@goshen.edu. I'll at least be able to read messages and keep up with big news that way.)