April 5, 2011

Trip over was great. Flew in on KLM. I was supposed to change planes in Amsterdam but Cairo was closed and I had to stay overnight in Amsterdam. Oh poor me. After arriving in Cairo the plane was greeted with the largest rainfall in the last 5 years (so I am told). Roads were covered with water, low areas became lakes. It was terrific. Puddles in the road were just another excuse for a vehicle wreck. Traffic here makes Rome, London, New York, and Tokyo look like kiddy land. I spend 4 hrs + per day being driven between Cairo and Suez City. Most of it is desert – all of it is traffic.

The Schedule: Our weekend is Fri and Sat. On workdays, I get picked up about 7:00 am and off to Suez. On Monday, I have a 10:45 am Adult Ed Class with Dr. Mohammed Sweylem. He has developed an excellent classroom style. The students have adjusted well to a little Arabic and a little English. Their questions are exceptionally well thought out and insightful. They are truly a reflection of the best of the Jan 25, 2011 Revolution.

Tuesday: Two classes; another Adult Ed Class in the AM and a Research Class for Faculty and advanced graduate students in the PM.

Wednesday: A research class for students in the PM.

Thursday: An advanced graduate student seminar. We have our own student developed agenda: presentation techniques, assessment, and what to do after a revolution (just kidding) and writing.

Camel loads of luv from Suez

March 14

The frustration of waiting is mounting daily. Each setback requires new planning to cover the anticipated stay in Egypt. Having said that, there are positive sides to the waiting. One positive side is to reflect on the overall Egyptian situation. The end of 30 years of political domination and the beginning of a hopefully more open and democratic period is most noteworthy. I know of no period in Egypt's past where the country was governed as a democracy. What is needed to make the transition? In the most basic terms three things are needed to usher in the new government: 1) food, 2) jobs 3) self-determination. When those three conditions are met the opportunity for an entirely new social order and societal growth are possible. Enough reflection. It looks like the schedule is now back on for the first part of April. Perhaps then we can get back to the business of whatever it is Professors do. Enshallah.

March 9

Things are still on hold. There are indications that the University may open next week. In which case, my departure is near. However, we have had false hopes in the past so I am continuing to wait with patience. There were demonstrations in Tahrir Square in Cairo which did not really relate to the political situation there but do indicate an underlying social problem. A group of women went to the square to celebrate World Women's Day and were harassed by a large group of men who eventually drove them from the square. Gender equity comes hard in many places. Lastly, the friction dealing with Coptic Christians also is playing a part in the disorder. Yesterday the Army was used to quell a religious disturbance. Copts and Moslems have lived side by side for centuries, it is sad to see this sort of disruption surface. Will let you know how the opening of the university goes.

Feb 26

Good news. A new Egyptian Minister of Education has been appointed and things are beginning to approach normal. With any luck I should be able to depart in the next couple of weeks. Still remaining cautious. But things are begining to stabilize.
regards
witte

Delays continue

Well, here we are. The beginning of another week and still no movement. The University remains closed. The Americian University Cairo (AUC) and some of the Private Schools have opened but the major public universities remain closed. The reasons for delayed opening are complex. One version is that they are not sure what to do about campus security. It seems that the previous "security" forces fed information to the central government (Mubarak) and therefore were not really trusted. So, should they retun to campus and suffer student retaliation or should the various universities go with out any campus security at all? By the way, the question of the role of the campus security is merely speculation, but suspicion is often based on fact. For what ever reason, there is really no reason to return to Egypt to teach until the university is open. Perhaps next month - perhaps.
regards
witte

Feb 14

Things are looking up. Egypt is now in the hands of its people and the Universities are open. If all goes well I will be in Egypt next week. Last minute preparation including, travel medication, proper clothing (have been checking weather daily) and finalizing class presentations. There are also a surprisingly high number of pre departure things to finish here: routine meetings, suspense responses, preparing students for my absence, etc. Office hours do not count while in Egypt. Actually, the whole thing has been amazingly smooth. Should get one more chat before leaving. For now - all is well
regards
witte

Feb 4

Well, here we sit in Alabama. Internet is up and flights are canceled. I have rebooked on Delta for Feb 22. Hoping things will have quieted down. The Suez Canal University is closed due to the unrest so there is no point in being there as there are no classes. It remains frustrating. 3,000 people took to the streets in Suez Canal City yesterday. Smaller gathering than in Cairo but Suez City is a smaller city. The percentage must be about the same. My friends there (Suez City) are very optomistic and as of yesterday felt quite secure. Am keeping up with the State Department as well as folks on the ground in Egypt. It is a painful time for all. Will keep you posted as the intended departure date gets closer.
regards
witte