As Cara's last post indicated, I've had to fix a few things since we moved in. The list so far:

• reconnect to WiFi & DSL
• busted coaxial wire for satellite
• rewired plug for a lamp
• toilet tank wouldn't fill

Regarding the toilet, all of the basic mechanisms are the same as in the US, but it was quite a chore figuring out how to fix it. Since the flusher is on the top of the toilet, I had to disconnect it before I could take off the lid to really get into it. It must have taken me 20 minutes to figure it out. I now know a bit about the subtle differences between US & Euro styled toilet mechanisms. But was it worth it? Shouldn't I have been out-and-about, "experiencing" Cairo? I dunno. But I do know that we didn't have to pay someone to come and fix it.

So I realize we've been a bit MIA with this blog. We've been focused on recovering from jet lag, finding a flat here in Cairo, getting me set up and signed up for coursework with AUC (American University in Cairo), and making all administrative arrangements with Fulbright for the coming year.

Currently waiting for Cara to take care of business at the university. Flights were awfully long. United Airlines sucks. The only reason I got free wine is because our flight was 5 hours delayed. "Its on us this time" the flight attendant said. "Its on British Airways every time," I thought. They had to fly the part all the way in from Chicago. Since we got bumped to the next Cairo > Frankfurt flight, Cara missed the "mandatory" grad student orientation at AUC. Still, we got to our hotel safely. I felt like we were dignitaries or something... instead of having to haggle cab fares from the airport, the Fulbright office sent someone to the airport to help us negotiate our visa, luggage, and to give us a ride to our hotel. Not too shabby. Its exciting to be back in Cairo. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that we'll be living here. Cara has done it once, but my brain is having trouble conceptualizing our stay past 3.5 weeks. Next steps for us: get Cara set up with AUC, get a SIM card for my phone & unlock it, check in with Fulbright office, start apartment hunting.

Currently driving through the desert south of Kingman, Arizona. We surprised ourselves with how well we slept and how easily we woke up in the morning. We passed on the $6.50 all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet (though there were at least 50 people in line who were waiting to partake) and got on the road. Traffic sucked in Las Vegas, with our loaded down car making it tough to see blind spots and fight the wind as crazy drivers passed us left and right.

My uncle had left for work early, so we said goodbye to my aunt and headed into town. Since I lived in Pocatello when I was young, we drove by one of my old houses and the empty lot where another had been. I was surprised at how well I could get around town, since I had not lived there since 4th grade, had not been back in years, had never driven through town. Driving south, we were able to enjoy how green everything is with springtime through hills and mountains and lava rock south of Pocatello.