After exploring more of Zamalek’s endless grid of embassies and haute couture restaurants, we went out to ride a felucca. No, they’re not whales. They’re sailboats. They’ve actually been used in Egypt for hundreds of years and work well on the Nile; the Nile current flows north toward the Mediterranean, but if you want to go back upstream the winds are on your side.
Returning to a familiar restaurant, Prince, we all had shawarma and discussed the finer points of 3amiya. One important word:
English = Fusha (Standard Arabic) = 3amiya (Egyptian)
Cat = Qitta = ‘Utta
You can say this if you want to call a girl beautiful or perfect. Another word is muzza. Don’t mess up like I did and call her mazza, which means a salad or appetizer.
For you guys learning Arabic…also be careful with kelb and qelb. Why?
Example 1: Lestu 3ndi kelb! (I don’t have a dog!)
Example 2: Lestu 3ndi qelb! (I don’t have a heart!)
You thought yesterday was a good car ride? Try it in a convertible. Downtown to the dorm in 10 minutes flat.
So it’s 2:40 AM, and Cairo is just going to sleep. Getting the 7:30 bus to AUC tomorrow morning for orientation!
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