Downtown

Class 9-1. Our class was split into 2 classes today, and even though our class is smaller now, it was pretty rowdy today.

After class a group of us went downtown to walk around the less tourist-y area. We went out to lunch at a little cafe and had some really good baba ganoush (mashed eggplant with seasonings). We also went in a little free trade shop and stopped by a chocolate shop called Groppi's that we read about in one of the books we had to read for the Dialogue class.

We were supposed to go see Zar music tonight(a type of mystical & almost tribal Egyptian music), but they couldn't accomodate such a large group, so we were supposed to go see Sufi dancers/ the Whirling Dervish instead. When we showed up, they told us there wasn't enough room for us either, so we ended up going to the market by Tahrir Square. There was a lot to see and we definitely plan on going back when we have more time... it's definitely going to be a lot of sifting and bargaining. Instead of rushing through the market, we ended up going with Cynthia to wander around part of the area we'll be visiting on our walking tour of Islamic Cairo. The monuments we walked through were amazing, and apparently they hadn't been open in past years. They were especially nice to see at night when it was cool and not so bright. After that we went into a blown-glass shop and then went back to the hotel.

Katie and I attempted to do our Arabic homework, but instead we ended up staying up really late relaying our lives' musical histories. No regrets. And we got our homework done eventually...

1. Everything you need to know about English: People in the market say the funniest things to us in English. Some of my favorites: "You forgot something! My heart."(this was said to Tori both at the pyramids AND in the market), "How can I take your money?", and "I don't know what you're looking for but I've got what you need."

2. Islamic architecture: The decorative patterns on the ceiling and walls are so intricate, but they're usually contained to a certain enclosed section, so it's not overwhelming. It's also really balanced because they're isn't much furniture in the mosques, so it doesn't feel very busy. And there's always open air, which I think is the best element. The monuments were really really beautiful at night.




3. Modern crafts: I guess I shouldn't really have been surprised, but the modern Egyptian handicrafts that we saw in the free trade shop had almost no connection at all to ancient Egyptian art. They're not covered in hieroglyphics and sphynxes like tourist souvenirs are. It must be frustrating to try to market the more modern styles and patterns when people have such ingrained expectations of what your art looks like.