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School’s out for summer!! Our school year officially ended yesterday with Senior Graduation at the Bibliotech last evening. 19 seniors were recognized in the 90 minute ceremony. Unlike last year, it was much closer to the starting time and more streamlined as only 4 seniors spoke (not each one as last year). The speeches were very well done. Hopefully it has set a model for years to come.
Angelia and Nick are having a good time and have adjusted well to life here in Alexandria. The staff really extends a warm welcome to visitors and go out of there way to make sure their visit is special. They have experienced typical Alexandria cultural life: riding the tram, riding in taxis, riding in school vans with me driving (truly an experience), walking the neighborhood, shopping in local stores, walking along the Med, drinking hot chocolate at Starbucks (which boasts the best location in the world on the sea), eating fish at Zypherion, visiting the Bibliotech and enjoying the hospitality of several local Egyptians.
This evening we were invited over for tea with the local family we visited in the May 17th blog entry. They are a wonderful family who graciously open their home for us. They go out of their way to make us feel welcome in their homeland. As we were leaving today, the mother (Eman) told us that meeting us has changed the way they think of Americans. For many people in the world, all they know of America is what they see on television and in the movies. The most popular movies and television shows here are action-orientated with lots of high speed car chases and violence.
And of course, people here find it very hard to understand what our government is doing in Iraq and other Middle Eastern countries. It is easy to see why America is often viewed in a negative light in this part of the world. As we have often said in this blog – perhaps the greatest resource for this country are its people. The warmth of their friendship goes far beyond politics. If only our government leaders could spend some time here – they might soon change their policies and accept people for who they are and not try to impose our way of life in countries that have their own cultural values
