DAY OFF

We were showered with white paint as we exited the library of the American Research Center in Egypt. It was the last leg of a long walk around central Cairo, for a little bit of business (getting our AUC library cards and finding the Rare Books building) and a little bit of pleasure (finding a tailor to shorten my cargo pants). Afterwards, Adam and I went off on our own to look for a BlackBerry in the maze of electronics stores, butchers and bakeries that is the Cairo city plan.

It feels good to be back in this place, with its dirty streets and well-dressed women, stinking fish markets and antique Victorian-style apartment buildings. Cairo is filthy and beautiful, the best of both worlds.

I am currently working (i.e., fixing my daynotes and doing some research) in the first American-style coffee shop I’ve encountered since New York.  Been here since 2:00, still going strong!