Painfully aware that I have long since lost my routine of blogging and that I have broken promises of news written for all to see only a few paragraphs below, I have decided to return to the fold with an end-of-term Christmas cracker. Sadly the drama will be neither thrilling nor intense, it’s just going to be a longer than usual episode.

I don’t really have an good excuses as to why it’s been so long, I tried several times to sit and write an update, and drafted several that didn’t pass quality control (not that quality is abundant on this blog, I just wasn’t happy). Things have been busy as ever, perhaps more so with my First Visitor and my new flat, but I suppose once you get out of any habit it takes an enhanced effort to start again. I fully intend to keep writing more regularly, as much for my sake as yours – this blog will be a lasting and important record of my time here (see episode 1) - but won’t make any promises I can’t keep.

Where did I leave you.... Bonfire Night with an extra-special video blog. Nice. Let’s start with my studies. After my move up a class following my midterm results, I enjoyed a week in Upper Intermediate before I was hauled out of class and marched to the office of the director, where I was moved up again into the Advanced class. Thus endeth my easy come, easy go attitude to my studies in Alex – the new level is way above anything I’ve done before and a real challenge as I have to put in a fair amount of effort just to keep up with the other students. The new test is a welcome one, and the fact that the teachers expect a lot will keep me on my toes. I just hope I can perform well enough in the January exam session to warrant my remaining in the class, although some serious grammar revision will have to take place between now and then if I’m going to even come close.

Life outside the centre is still good, my friends from the centre and rugby are a great bunch and whilst I love Egypt, I think I would struggle here without them. At various stages almost all of us have gone through a rough spell but I reckon we’re fairly good at watching out for one another. For any first-year Arabic students reading this; I think you’ll have an excellent time next year and I’m very jealous that you get to come. At the same time I’m very excited to come back to Manchester. Recently I’ve been feeling somewhat homesick, which is strange for me. I’ve been privileged enough to have travelled a lot from a young age, often without my family, and although I’ve missed people and things I’ve never really felt miserable not to be at home. Perhaps it’s the season, perhaps it’s the fact that all the Brits are excitedly talking about going home and are slightly fed up with things here after four months, perhaps it’s just that I miss my family and friends a lot, but last weekend things were really getting to me and I wasn’t sure how to shake it off. After chatting to a few people and spending some time gathering my thoughts I’m now fine and am very excited to see my family and Michael, who are arriving next week some time (that reminds me, I should get some flight numbers etc.. :P ). Christmas here will be a very different experience, but before we can get anywhere near mangers and stars my family and I will have Eid Al-Adha, or Big Eid, to contend with. This is one of the most important dates of the Islamic calendar, when Muslims remember Abraham’s obedience to God’s command to sacrifice Ismael (or Isaac depending on which book you read). “Eid Al-Adha” literally translates as “Celebration of Sacrifice” and my friends who’ve witnessed Eid here before assure me sacrifice is the key word. An update and my own thoughts on Eid will hopefully follow soon after - I’ll try and remember some of the things my family have to say!

In other news, the new place has made a big difference – clean, modern and avec le cable (more sports channels than I’ve ever had). I’ll try and get some photos up, it suffices to say the flat is a massive improvement, even if it does feel like we’re living in the ghetto. No more consulates and views of the stadium, the new district is more reminiscent of East Berlin with high rise concrete aplenty. The people are friendly though, and I feel much more at home here – maybe to do with my tough Oldham upbringing ;)

This week I’ll mainly be sleeping and making last minute arrangements for the imminent arrival of the family, and at the end of a long term it will be a welcome rest. All for now, more soon!

Tom x


 

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