Books Create Happiness

I spent this past week in denial. Wait no, in the Nile. My trip to Luxor and Aswan was great. Egyptian history is amazing. It puts all American history to shame. These temples and things were built before Jesus was even thought of. Jesus is my marker for how old something is. Before Jesus = holy crap how does this even exist. After Jesus = oh yeah, I guess that's pretty old. I don't know why I'm like that, but I am. 

Currently, the three family laptops are being fixed and all the pictures are on my camera. 

I do have some to tide you over until I can post them. 

1) sound and light ticket for Karnak's temple

2) boarding pass for the cruise ship

3) floating pump station between Luxor and Aswan

4) towel swans

5) ship tea time feat. The Hobbit

Until I can post the pictures and stories of my trip, I wanted to share something with you. Right now, I am really happy. The day I got back from Luxor and Aswan, my host mom asked if I want to go to the book fair. I mean hells yeah I want to go to the Cairo International Book Fair. 

We go to the book fair, and my host family sets me loose in this huge tent. Different stands are set up and I didn't take any pictures, I kinda wish I had. Anyway, I'm walking around and I see Eleanor and Park. People have not stopped talking about this book in forever so it's been on my list forever. I walk up to the guy and ask how much it is (in Arabic mind you) and he says it's 25 LE. That's between 3 and 4 dollars. At the bookstore in City Stars it's some 200 LE. Bought it. And this goes on for three more books. I leave with four books (Three for me one for my friend). 

Afterwards, Etch A Sketch texts me and asks me if I want to go with her to the book fair. Today, we went. I bought three more books. The grand total was seven books for about $22 or 155 LE. As a book lover this makes me happy. 

The other part of my utter happiness at the moment, is my ability to function. When you're in a foreign country, not knowing the language, you tend to depend a lot on other people. When you're 16 years old, you don't really want to rely heavily on other people. Especially when you are on am adventure in which you are supposed to be independent. When I was at the book fair, both times, I could ask how much a book was, receive the answer, and pay by myself. I could say "excuse me" when someone was in my way and say "no thank you" when a shopkeeper asked if I needed/wanted anything. I even randomly ran into a friend from school. I know enough people in this country to randomly bump into a friend! Do you know how amazing that is?! 

Going into this, I didn't know how hard it would be to be an exchange student. Being away from home and you're family is hard. Not being able to understand and communicate easily is hard. Come summer, not being able to wear shorts will be hard. But so often I get these moments where I feel loved, or empowered, or smart, independent, brave, or all of the above. They really keep you going, even if it is just asking how much a book is and paying for it on your own with your parents money. 

I really can't wait for you all to see these pictures. They won't nearly do the landmarks justice, but I love them so much. Also I'll be telling the stories of the gods and pharaohs I know and love. I will split them up by day, or I'll split them into landmarks I don't know for sure yet. I'm so exited. The trip was great and I saw a belly dancer (in my opinion it was more booty than belly but whatever). 

If you liked this post, like it and Corie in Egypt on Facebook. 

If you have questions, comments, or concerns, leave them in the comments and I'll try my best to answer them. 

If you know someone who'd like this blog or post, be a good friend and share it. If you want. 

Stay tuned for Luxor/Aswan pictures. 

You are awesome and learn something today. 

Love you guys. 

Byeeeee

Corie.