Globalization

Two summers ago I took a class on International Politics at CTY. We talked about this thing called globalization. It was about how the world is losing culture and everything is basically becoming one big culture. Another theory is everything is being "westernized". This is called "Westernization". We discussed whether it was a good thing or a bad thing

Anyway, I finally completely understand this concept. Whenever I told people I was going to Egypt they said something like "Wow, you're brave!" Basically they reacted differently than if I were to say I'm going to Switzerland. They all think it's some foreign, far away place. I mean, it is foreign and far away, but I don't think people realize how similar the States and Egypt are

For example, they travel by car, taxi and bus here, just like in the U.S. I thought I was going to have to go without a lot of the things I am used to, but I managed to find a great deal of 

 . them here

The first place I learned this was the grocery store, called Carrefour. It is huge. The products there are very similar if not the same as ours. Corn flakes, Oreos, Coke products, etc. Plus if you are like me and think you will never find your name on the Share a Coke campaign, just imagine what you'd feel like if it were in Arabic... I found my brands of shampoo and toothpaste as well

.

This is the food section. There were also sections for toys, clothes, and technology. Basically, it's Costco

Then today, a couple of Fayrouz's friends came over and took me to City Stars, the biggest mall in Egypt. There I learned 1. malls in Egypt = Malls in the U.S. 2. Egypt teens=U.S. teens. We listen to the same music, like the same things, dress the same way, and watch the same movies. We all love Dylan O'Brien. That, is globalization

 

Pictures from the mall

Sorry the first one is sideways, I'm still trying to figure out this computer. Also the second one is awkward but that's a selfie with a normal camera

People, (my past self included) think Egypt is hecka conservative, and parts are. But Marwa has a nose piercing and wore short sleeves and Myrna has a cartilage piercing and a henna tattoo so it 

 .can't be that conservative

My safari app on my iPhone now is in Arabic

AFS gave me an Egypt phone so that's for calling and maybe texting if I figure it out. Plus its a Nokia so the battery will last until the year 2114

 .Homesickness sucks really badly

Whenever I'm just a little hungry my host mom will give me A LOT food

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I'm almost over jet lag

I figured out how to use the air conditioner so I'm not sleeping in the extreme heat

And I learned there's another exchange student from Germany going to my school

Also Myrna and Mawra taught me some Arabic. Small things like "let's go". Also they said "we're your sisters now" when I said I missed Maya. It made me happy

Learn something today

Byeeeee

.Corie