Here is a view of Tahrir Square on an unusual rainy day. I think this might be a magnolia tree but it seems too tall! Whatever it is the red leaves are dramatic. A loud cry to observe a little nature in this metropolis where, unfortunately, I think most people are too busy paying attention to the traffic so that they are not killed by a speeding car to look up for a moment an appreciate this gift a testimony to the tenacity (an audacity?) of nature.
The architecture hints at Egypt's hey days.
These remind me of Boston somehow.
View from the entrance of the ministry building where we got our visa renewed. So many billboards! And of course, the ubiquitous M for MacDonald's. In this old city it seems it should be carved in stone! Very unusual rainy day. I was completely under dressed and cold! I never remember to check the weather as it usually only fluctuates by a few degrees. Well, I was caught out this day. We went to a local coffee shop while we waited for the paperwork and I had a hot apple cider with cinnamon sticks. Yum.
We found out about having to go to the ministry the evening before. It is always hurry up and wait and then rush ! when we get something done around here. I have to rearrange a carefully planned day at school once again. I wish I had a chart with a mark on it for every day that I planned that went according to plan. There would be very few checks! Today is an important day for my children - we have a big assembly and one test. There is a plan in place for my students to have additional Arabic lessons but this I only learn as I am going out the door after I have carefully made sure my classes are covered. I throw my hands up and leave my children to the fates - I will find out what they accomplish during the day when I get back. Our principal thinks we will be back by 10:30!! Her view of reality is so skewed it boggles my mind. The earliest we could have made it back was 12:45 but we stop at the bank in order to get paid - a necessary trip every month that we Americans plan for ourselves ( the other Americans will not get paid 'til Sunday now since we had the bus and driver - everybody for themselves around here!) But back to the visa. We need this sticker in our passport or else we are A. and illegal alien, and B. cannot travel from Egypt. We Americans remind the administration that this needs to be done - not the other way around. We are sent on this important errand with a man who works at the school and a driver - both of whom speak English pretty well but neither of whom can explain this whole visa process to us. A lawyer meets us but both A. and I have seen him at work before and we are skeptical. So, A. calls a woman at school who speaks English better and she translates our questions and requests via phone for us. I am getting used to surrendering. It is not a pleasant situation but it is what it is. We want to be in control and understand what is happening and we never will. We are like children at the mercy and the whims of today's officials and our guides - some of whom appear to be far less particular with details that we ever would be. In order to express ourselves completely we have to be obnoxious - which is also very tiring. All in all - the last minute rush - rain - cold- confusion - translation difficulties -and our having to communicate aggressively - it is an annoying and too typical day. I wish I was somewhere else where everything is clear and I am in charge of myself. Shoveling out of the fifth snowstorm in a row seems like heaven! Later this night we have a big storm with Lightening and thunder and I see on the internet some people in Ma'adi get hail! It suits my mood just fine.
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