Marine Ball Cont.

Speaking to some of the highest ranking embassy and military officials in Egypt right now, I was slightly horrified by attitudes.

I shared horror stories with one military high up about the difficulty in getting internet in our apartment. "One month! Can you believe it!" I said.

The conversation turned nasty, when the military leader said "and you wonder why Egypt is still developing!"

I had a great time, and it was refreshing getting to let my hair down in front of other Americans--drinking and dancing without being immoral--the drinking shocked me. The evening transformed from cocktail party to shit show in a few hours.

I also met a wonderful couple who has graciously invited me to their home for Thanksgiving. Now I miss my family :(

I enjoyed reminiscing about home with another Bostonian, and I look forward to my new contacts at the commissary. But many of the people I met were friends almost exclusively with each other. Some families had lived in Cairo for years and knew little Arabic beyond the numbers. (Not to mention that the majority of the embassy and military personnel don't have a functioning knowledge of Arabic.)

To sum up: The most welcome of breaks from Cairo's conservatism and reminders of home, but I'm relieved I don't spend all my time in the ex-pat Ma'adi suberb or Marine parties.

US Marine Corps Birthday Ball