August 11, 2004
Prior to classes starting, we thought it would be a good idea to make
a trial run of the commute from Maadi to AUC. We started with a 20 minute
walk to the metro station, but then made a serious mistake. At the station,
we saw the train approaching and ran to catch it. Keep in mind that the
humidity is over 50% and it is very hot, even at 8 in the morning, so the
least amount of activity tends to heat the body up. Also, when you rush for
the train, you get the closest car (after the women only cars), which most
of the rest of the male population of Cairo is also attempting to board.
Well, as it turns out, the Finns have their sauna, the native Americans have
their sweat lodges, and the Egyptians have the metro at rush hour in August.
It is clear that I'm going to have to keep a change of clothes in my office,
at least until the weather cools down.
View of Tahrir Square, across from the AUC campus.
