An internship of cold showers...

We worked hard and finally it was ready!

Our photo exhibition!

A day that got me working from morning to night, but sure was fun.

We, and by that I mean all the interns of the project, gathered in the new campus of the American University of Cairo, and decorated the gallery, printed materials and made all the preparations!

Guests started coming after the first hour of the opening, an hour that sent many cold chills down my spine, but it was worth. Seeing people looking at our work, asking for it, and actually being tempted to visit those place we were showing, was the best reward we could get!

Unfortunately, because of factors beyond our control, we had to cancel the other two days of the exhibition. Nevertheless it was a nice experience!

And here comes the 30th of July.

A day that started really early...and had me, Dauren and Irina, heading to Giza...

We reached Giza by metro. Every taxi driver asked for 30 pounds to get us to the pyramids.

But then we found the "No1 driver in Egypt", an old guy that took us to the pyramids with only 10 pounds, so to speak.

He actually took us to one of the many offices that operate in the area around the pyramids, offering tours around the place with camels or horses.

Of course we took the camels!

The tour lasted for an hour, since we took the cheap package, with only 100 pounds each.

Our two Bedouin guides took us to the second largest pyramid, and they made arrangements with the police officers so we were able to go, touch and climb up the pyramid!!!

Then we went to see the tombs of three queens, and then we went to the last part of our tour...

The Sphinx!

If you ever asked me some places I would like to see in my life, I don't think I would mention the Sphinx, so I was quite surprised to realize that I actually really wanted to see it!

It was like a dream coming true. I felt really excited and happy to be able to see that huge statue from so close, and actually be able to gaze at Cairo,almost the same way it does, everyday, so many centuries...

That night we had our goodbye party.

All the interns of our project that were left in Cairo, gathered along with more interns and Egyptian AIESECers, and had a beautiful party.

It's funny to think that the majority of people that were at that party, will not be in Cairo 24 hours after it...

This morning I went with Irina to Khan el-Khalili, to get the last souvenirs...

And now I'm writing these lines, home alone, since all my roommates have left...

So, that was my internship and the unique experience I lived thanks to AIESEC.

Don't miss the next post of my blog, that will be written in Greece!

Now I'll go prepare my luggage!

Salam!

A week before the end...

Hey people!

I haven't been around for quite some time, because of two reasons...I had stuff to do and I was too bored to update my blog.

Well...first thing I should say is that I din't go to the Azhar park nor the Cairo Museum.

But I went for sand-boarding...
We went to Sahara along with people from Sahara Safaris, an organization that has been helping our project.

We reached our destination around 22:00 at night...it was full moon so we could clearly see without the use of any artificial lights...of course when in desert there are not much to see, by default.

Close to our little settlement, were some sand hills...
After a quick meal, we took the sand boards and headed towards them...

At first I should say that I was scared to try sand-boarding, a fear quite justified given my experience with similar activities...or any activities that require balance...

But there was no chance I would miss the opportunity to surf on the sand...who knows...I might never be given the chance again...

So I took the sand-board...and I went straight down the hill...
And I did quite well!

I didn't fell, and the only mistake I did was when I was almost at the bottom, that I didn't handle well my board and it was covered with sand...
And then came the hard part...climbing up the sand-hill...let me say that again...SAND-HILL.

I don't want to talk about that part of the trip...it ruins the good memories!

Around 3:30 I decided it was time to sleep...
So I left the hill and headed towards the settlement, along with Zohaib.
We were a little after the middle of the way back, when he realized that he forgot some stuff up the hill. So I stopped and waited for him to come...

You know,when we first entered the desert I thought it was like the sea...endless...

While I was waiting for Zohaib, I found one very important difference...no, I'm not talking about the lack of water...
It was really quiet.

I have been to many places,but this one was the most quite of all.
I could hear nothing...
Truly amazing...
When Zohaib approached me, I told him to sit and enjoy the calmness of the place...that led to a nice discussion about Pakistan...It's funny to think how many Pakistani immigrants are in Athens, and how little we know about Pakistan.

After some time we decided to sleep.
But I couldn't sleep because of the mix of sand and moisture.
Yes,around 4:30 in the morning it becomes really foggy and the moisture levels increase...it was not that cold, but still annoying.
And also Zohaib's snore...but let's ignore that...

Next morning we did a little more sand-boarding which led to that awesome picture:
(the picture was taken almost when I reached the end so I had to bent backwards)
(have you realized that I will now post a picture? Show some excitement!!!)

Very artistic, don't you agree?














Anyway...
Around 9:00 we left because it was getting unbearably hot.
I was also full of sand and sweat, a combination that I hate...
 Well,reaching home was a pleasure!

After that great trip...nothing!

We were just sitting around, something that caused great disappointment to many interns.
So I sent an e-mail describing the whole situation to the VP ICX.
Next day we had a meeting and everything came back to order...with an unexpected announcement.

We were going to organize a photo exhibition!
And I was chosen to be event manager because of the management skills I had gained through my AIESEC experience.

So here we are...many preparations are made about the event, more to follow the next days...

Stay tuned for more...And there is a high chance that the next post will be from Greece...

Have fun!

Pool Party Pirates, coming Down with the Sickness

Hello once again!

Over the past few days, a lot of things happened, some of them really good, some of them... not that much.

So, everything started this Saturday, that we were invited to a pool party, at the house of the LCP of AUC.
Considering the fact that I don't like parties and pools, I had a great time. Interns from all over the world talking and having fun, it was just awesome.
Specially the water polo part!
Yes, I played water polo!
Our team lost, but I really enjoyed it.

Next day, I did nothing special during the day, except two meetings with the Articles and Consolidation Teams of AIESEC Greece National Magazine (long live the X+L experience).
At night I went out with some other interns and a guy from Egypt, to City Stars mall, which is really great, and after roaming around doing practically nothing, we ended up watching the "Pirates of the Caribbean 4" in 3D. It was quite good, but not as much as the first movie.

Next day I was feeling a little sick, so I didn't go out with the project to Azhar Park.

Later on that day, I felt better so I found every one, at the Cairo Tower which we also visited. The view was really amazing!

After that we went to Felfela to eat, where I tried some Koshary.

That was one terrible mistake.
I spent the whole night having diarrhea and vomiting.
The true meaning of a nightmare.

Next morning Zohaib stayed with me and supported me the whole day. Ezz arrived around 12 and got me some medicine which where really helpful.

Right now, the next day, I feel much better, but I took one very important decision...not to go on the Camel Trek with the rest of the project...
It was something I was really looking forward to, but it's better to take some precautions, given what happened last day.

Anyway, I will try to capitalize on that time given to me, by visiting the Azhar Park and Cairo Museum.

See you soon!