October 26, 2018: Alexandria half marathon

Today was the Alex Half Marathon- which I have heard is a pretty big event.  I contemplated running it, but didn't get enough training in beforehand.  Apparently people come from all over the place to run it.  There were some Boston marathon winners who were competing this year.  A few of my friends and I decided to walk down and watch it.  Last year the race went from the Citadel to Montazah, but I heard that it was starting from San Stefano (right by our apartments) and going to Montazah and back.  We got down to San Stefano around 5:50am, at what we thought would be the beginning of the race, but only saw a few dozen people down there in race bibs.  The race was supposed to start at 6am, but we fully acknowledged that this is Egypt and that things start late all the time.  Lots of people around us had racing bibs on, but we didn't see any race officials, or even a starting line banner.  We figured we must be in the wrong spot, but couldn't figure out where we should be instead.  At 6:20 we gave up and decided to walk to Montazah, hoping we might see some runners along the route.  We walked the entire 6 miles there without seeing a single runner.  Turns out the runners started just down the street from where we were, and they all ran the opposite direction toward the Citadel.   The day wasn't a waste though, because this was one of the best walks I've been on since being here.  We were along the water the entire way, and the breeze was cool and refreshing.   If I decide to run next year, I'll try to be better informed :)

October 25, 2018: The first big rain

I've slept through the last few "rains" here.  I've felt a drop here and there, but it hasn't really rained a substantial amount.  I'm fully aware that my idea of what real rain is has been a little warped from living in Kodiak, where it rains for weeks at a time.  But in my opinion, the little rain we have experienced here would still be excellent cookout/hang out at the beach weather in Kodiak. 

Today I felt real rain for the first time, and I was pumped.  The only terrible thing about it was that tonight was our Fall Festival at school.  We all got out at noon so that the entire outdoor campus could be transformed.  There were haunted houses, festival games, and food booths.  The school looked incredible.  Dozens of carpets were laid outside for preparation.  Everything was hosted outside.  The only things that weren't out in the open were the haunted auditorium and some of the carnival games, which were still outside, but under a covered court.  While all the school workers and parents were busily setting up, it just started POURING.  I felt a little guilty, but I was so excited that I got the hammock out, strung it up on my balcony, and just watched the drops come down.  The wind whipped mist onto me, and I was the happiest I've been here yet.  There were days in Kodiak that I cried out of frustration that it was raining for the 14th day in a row, but when you haven't seen it in 3 months, you miss it. 

Thankfully the rain stopped in time for the festival to be set up again, and there was nice weather for the beginning of the festival.  About halfway through the night, there was another downpour, which sent dozens of kids and parents running into the covered court, where I was working one of the carnival games.  This was a huge blessing for me because finally my students have found a new personal narrative topic to describe during writing time.  This entire year they have only really written about playing soccer, but due to this dramatic deluge, I finally get to read about a new exciting event in their lives.  Yay!

October 24, 2018: stay protected

Danielle has been helping me stay in shape this year.  When I'm sick of running laps, she leads us through a HIIT workout.. which h as been kicking my butt.  Tonight we ended the workout by walking a few laps around the field.  As the first sign of dusk, the field is overrun by bats.  Most everyone knows by now that I'm terrified of birds.  Chickens and pigeons are the worst, but bats, while I understand are not birds, are a close third.  I remember going for walks with my mom and Aunt Nancy as a kid and hearing stories from them about bats swooping down and getting stuck in ladies' hair.  (thanks a lot, mom).  I've never recovered.  I have found that if I walk at an extremely brisk pace and wear my backpack over my head, I can usually make it a few laps before my body is too exhausted from tensing and clenching every muscle I have. 

October 23, 2018: Huge head Gerald

I'm going to be Gerald, from the Elephant and Piggie books, for Halloween this year.  I made my mask last night but didn't really pay attention to the size of it until it was finished.  Might be a little huge :)

October 22, 2018: San Stefano

I pass by or through San Stefano a few times a week either on my way to the Corniche for a morning run or for my weekly massage.  Once a week I pass it on this side on my way to small group.  I like looking at it from this angle and distance.  When I first moved here, the walk from school to San Stefano was the first one I memorized.  San Stefano is widely known in Alexandria, where Schutz School is not.  It gave me comfort and confidence going out to explore, knowing that if I got lost somewhere, I could ask a cab to take me here and I could get home from there. 

October 21, 2018: Free hat

I ordered two bottles of wine from Drinkies this week.  When they came, there was this ridiculous black hat that came with the order. This is me trying to look thuggish or cool or something.  But instead I look strung out and greasy and a bit constipated. 

October 20, 2018: Med beauty

Another day of sleeping on the beach.  North Coast, I will be back.