This is the first post of my blogging resurrection, and there is much to recap.
Anyone who knows me, knows that I've been here in Alexandria before, in 2010 for a summer program. This time I'll be here for a year, until May 30, studying Arabic again at the University of Alexandria.
Since my last trip here, I've traveled to Yemen, Palestine, and Jordan twice, thus have three different countries and a few more cities with which to compare Alexandria. In contrast to before, I realize now how unique this city is. Before, it to me was "Arabia," as ambiguous as that term is, but now I can definitely see the effects that the French and British have left on the place, whereas such influences are not as evident in other places I've visited.
There is not quite as much turmoil or tension as I expected. I know from Yemen that most people are more interested in going about their daily lives than throwing rocks or spray painting, but I am a but underwhelmed by the lack of a revolutionary spirit.
That all could soon change though. Yesterday, it was announced that a part of parliament has been dissolved, due to suppposedly erroneous legalities in the document that outlined how certain members were to be elected. This, naturally, is a big development, but in a few days it will be overshadowed by the election for the last remaining presidential candidates, Ahmed Shafiq and Muhammad Morsi. The former is seen by many as being a holdover from the Mubarak era, while the latter is what many consider a poor alternative to that era, he of the Muslim Brotherhood.
It was somewhat expected that there would be a protest today against the dissolution of parliament, but many think that potential protesters are waiting to see the outcome of the election. What could follow is really anyone's guess.
The past week has largely been about readjustment, which hasn't been drastic at all, and settling in before classes. We have a good group and everything should be interesting. We're all waiting for classes to begin Monday, as well as for further developments in the election realm. Until then.
Anyone who knows me, knows that I've been here in Alexandria before, in 2010 for a summer program. This time I'll be here for a year, until May 30, studying Arabic again at the University of Alexandria.
Since my last trip here, I've traveled to Yemen, Palestine, and Jordan twice, thus have three different countries and a few more cities with which to compare Alexandria. In contrast to before, I realize now how unique this city is. Before, it to me was "Arabia," as ambiguous as that term is, but now I can definitely see the effects that the French and British have left on the place, whereas such influences are not as evident in other places I've visited.
There is not quite as much turmoil or tension as I expected. I know from Yemen that most people are more interested in going about their daily lives than throwing rocks or spray painting, but I am a but underwhelmed by the lack of a revolutionary spirit.
That all could soon change though. Yesterday, it was announced that a part of parliament has been dissolved, due to suppposedly erroneous legalities in the document that outlined how certain members were to be elected. This, naturally, is a big development, but in a few days it will be overshadowed by the election for the last remaining presidential candidates, Ahmed Shafiq and Muhammad Morsi. The former is seen by many as being a holdover from the Mubarak era, while the latter is what many consider a poor alternative to that era, he of the Muslim Brotherhood.
It was somewhat expected that there would be a protest today against the dissolution of parliament, but many think that potential protesters are waiting to see the outcome of the election. What could follow is really anyone's guess.
The past week has largely been about readjustment, which hasn't been drastic at all, and settling in before classes. We have a good group and everything should be interesting. We're all waiting for classes to begin Monday, as well as for further developments in the election realm. Until then.
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