August 15, 2004
Another trial run at the commute to the university. This morning we got on
the metro before 7 AM and were actually able to get a seat! So much better
than starting the day standing like packed sardines for the ride. I spent
the day in my office getting familiar with the systems and working on class
preparation. Nancy and Trish accompanied me in the morning, then went off
exploring. Their explorations included being lured into a perfume shop and
"persuaded" to buy some expensive perfume after being served tea. This is
par for the course in Cairo, and probably the first of several lessons in
how to resist sales pressure. They failed this one. On the bright side, they
got to ride back in the women only car on the metro which they tell me was
a very pleasant time, no need to stand, and a more subdued ambiance. Of course,
I'll never get quite that experience on the metro.
View of the River Nile from the Nile Hilton.
