DeNile of Greatness

Sunset on the Nile River
Cairo, Egypt 

There are four stages people tend to experience when they live abroad. The first stage is the "honeymoon"-one is ready to explore this new adventure, oozing with endorphins. I am finally seeing glimpses of that stage amidst what I refer to as the "funk" stage (also known as the hostility stage). I tend to feel very depressed when I know I will be far away for an extended period of time-deeply homesick, looking up flights to return home and crying myself to sleep after popping an entire xanax, because half a pill simply won't cut it.

I am truly grateful for the ex-pat Hayah community (shout-outs to Siri and her family, Simon, Michelle, Mary, Zuzana, Dimitri & Amanda and Ma'adi local Sayeed for keeping me busy these past six days. I cannot believe that I was ready to leave my rent-free apartment (shady, but free) and miss out on having dinner at the Grand Cafe on the Corniche, watching the sun set on the Nile and ending the night with a falucka ride, peacefully floating on the river with a coffee mug of Egyptian white wine.

If I could pin point when I finally started to feel like myself again, it would have to be when I was roaming the furniture aisles in IKEA in New Cairo, about a half mile away from Hayah International Academy. I don't know if it was my Swedish roots speaking to me or the smell of a bargain, but I felt at peace for the first time since arriving. I cannot wait to go back now that I have the motivation to charge my credit card for home goods. Items on the list include an assortment of scented candles as a light source when the power goes out (five to six times a day).  

I am truly grateful for my mom, dad, Alex, Fuss, Michael and Christine back home who encouraged me to get out of bed and start experiencing this unique opportunity in Cairo. They were witness to my disgusting cry face (seriously, who looks cute when they cry?) and yet still were able to look at me and give their unconditional love and support. I realized as I was curled up in the fetal position and rocking back and forth that life is about spending time with the ones I love, which is part of why I questioned staying here, thinking my gut was telling me this was a mistake. But I need to give Cairo an honest effort and embrace the healthy challenges ahead of me. I am now facing the struggle to move in to a new flat, which will be taken care of by the beginning of September...Inshallah.

I am off to finish my second cup of tea at the cafe across the street, check Facebook & have some leftover beef schwerma while I watch It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It is times like these where I don't feel so far away from home.

ma'a salama,
hillstead