Cairo Continued!

There's so much to write about Cairo... So I'll try to fit everything in. Conference was jam-packed, so I had to wait until I returned to Amman today to continue.

So, after the Islamic Quarter, a group of five of us really wanted to return to the pyramids to really get close. So, after a long argument with the cab driver, who literally did a full hour circle around the Pyramids with them in plain sight just teasing us, we finally arrived at "Gallopers" the horse place. After another bout of extensive haggling, we set off for the pyramids. We had such INCREDIBLE views, got really close and even went into a few tombs (probably illegally). Two of us climbed a few blocks up the pyramids too. The pictures are great, hopefully I'll get to upload them later today.

Andrew brought my very gracious brother's computer with him, so now I actually can get in contact with the world on a regular basis! It was a lifesaver at the conference. I just realized I should probably explain the Model Arab League quickly. Well, the real Arab League essentially acts like the United Nations, only its members are only Arab states and it only makes decisions and passes resolutions about Arab issues (generally). Like the UN, it's pretty ineffective, but super entertaining. In Model Arab League, we represent these Arab countries and hold a fake conference on Arab issues (about the economy, human rights, political issues, etc.) Andrew and I were actually on a different council, the Union For the Mediterranean, which involves, like the name implies, mostly nations affected by the Mediterranean, so we had both European and Arab countries represented.

Opening ceremonies, which with our bus running on Egyptian time (literally anywhere from 15 minutes to 3 hours later than scheduled), we were late for, were nice, but we were all exhausted during them. But then, I have yet to have decided whether this was surprising or not, there was a massive dance party outside of the auditorium. WTF? We more stood around watching all the AUC participants get their Arab groove on. We, along with West Point, were the only American delegations, along with a French delegation. So, most of the Egyptian students knew each other from previous meetings about the conference. Which was fine, we definitely got to know people as the conference went on, but the first night we were just more in awe.

AUC is absolutely gorgeous. Gorgeous gorgeous. Jordan University seriously was so depressing today, when I remembered how great AUC is... But then I realized that my Arabic wouldn't be nearly at the level it now is if I had decided to stay there. Even though Egyptian Arabic is pretty different from the Jordanian dialect, I surprised myself by how easy it was communicating, even though fewer people knew English there... I came away feeling that I really have been learning useful things here in Jordan

So, then council started the next day. While both Andrew and I had been researching somewhat for the topic, but without knowing that we would represent the Syrian Arab Republic until a few days before, it was kinda limited. Plus, we both had papers due that week. But it ended up being really great. While we were both a little rusty remembering parliamentary procedure and just generally staying focused, it went pretty well. Syria pretty much is against everyone, so we were often in conflict, especially because this is the only body in existence to which both Syria and Israel are members.

So, the day went well, lots of debate about using European funding in southern shore countries to create and expand alternative energy resources, as well as natural gas pipelines. Why would Europe shell out a bunch of money for a bunch of crap in North Africa and the Middle East? Well, besides labor and resources being cheap there, the general idea is: they won't bomb us if they need us. Bizarre, borderline logical, thoughts. After a long day (10-6) of conference, we were more than ready just to kick back that night.