Of decisions

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Categorically speaking, I’m good at decisions. I make them all the time. For example, I decide to catch an extra half-hour of sleep that could be spent on hair and make-up every morning. Without fail. Good decision.

 My decision to go to Cairo for 4 months, in my opinion, is also a good one. From February to June, I will be studying Islamic Studies and Arabic at the American University in Cairo. Choosing to go on a trip to study language and culture was as easy as rolling over and ignoring my alarm clock, because sleep and language are two things that make me unequivocally happy.

 Unlike forgoing make-up or sporting bed-head, however, the travel-decision was a lot more work-intensive than I gave it credit for. Never having left the USA, my unassailable notion that I would study abroad my junior year of college had several gaping holes that render me a very un-savvy traveller. Concerning inoculations, visas, packing, and most of all, finances, I was a proverbial sitting duck. Yet somehow I’ve muddled through my vaccinations (even though they might not be 100% effective), procured my visa (thanks to a haphazard D.C. trip), and signed my name 45 times to become the proud owner of traveller’s checks.

 Packed and set to leave on Friday, January 25th, I will transverse the Atlantic and breath in Mediterranean air (through the plane’s filtration system), taking my first motion toward my goal of global citizenship.

I suppose my only decision left now is whether to brush my hair before I go.

Good travel tips from a novice:

-Make sure you get all your active immunizations either at the same time OR leave a 30 day grace period between shots so that they are fully operational. For example, my yellow fever vaccination has a decreased potency because the physicians some how never communicated to me that I needed to take my typhoid pills at the same time. Maa’lesh.

-Extended travel in the Middle East often requires that you procure visas for each destination before you leave. Because I didn’t hear from my program until December, I only had time to get the Egyptian visa, even though I had wanted to get Jordanian and Syrian visas, as well. Make sure each visa is multiple-entry, just to be on the safe side.

-If you’re going to any foreign country that has dubious water systems, or even if you’re pretty sure you’ll catch a bug due to foreign pathogens, bring straws and use bottled water to brush your teeth. That way you can try and cut down on the amount of tap-water consumed.

-If you’re going to pack heavy for an extended stay, make sure you leave room in your suitcase for purchases made in the country.

 Expect more jitters and news from your intrepid traveller as her departure looms near. Here’s a clip from YouTube that I think captures the unique nature of the city: Traffic jam with the Call to Prayer in the background:

 Maa’ alife salaama,

Allison

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Tags: Study Abroad, Travel, AUC, decisions, traffic